Survey keeps tabs on IT jobs and salaries

DO YOU THINK YOU’RE BEING PAID WHAT YOU’RE WORTH? According to IT World Canada’s recently released 2008 IT Job Market and Salary Survey, the average IT executive salary, disregarding region and industry, is $118,002, or a full compensation package of $135,920.

IT World Canada surveyed 3, 615 full-time IT professionals from coast to coast about their salaries and job satisfaction, and found that whether they’re network technicians or even the lowliest support personnel, IT staffers are doing well in the money department. The lowest-paid sector is the education space, where IT staff make an average of $71,000 (including bonuses).

And the highest? The average of $104, 921 for IT staffers in the energy and utilities sector. General job satisfaction is high, with 60 per cent of the respondents claiming to be satisfied or very satisfied in their jobs. IT’s role as an integral part in business initiatives means that there are a lot of diverse opportunities for IT staff these days, and 87 per cent of respondents would recommend IT as a career choice.

Even so, 61 per cent of respondents are looking for another job, and in today’s market they may not have to look too hard. According to the survey, 2007 saw 68 per cent of the respondents hiring new IT staff, and 2008 is shaping up to be a good year, too: 59 per cent of respondents expect to hire new IT staff this year.

The most sought-after skills include expertise in networks, SQL Server and.Net. One that appears to be in demand, but that is lacking, is IT security.

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