IT's 10 Fastest-Growing Paychecks
Check out the IT roles that will see the biggest salary increases in 2015. Can you guess the top three?
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Mobile, security, and big data will continue to drive IT hiring -- and the highest IT job salary increases -- in 2015, according to a new report from Robert Half Technology.
Its 2015 Salary Guide for Technology Professionals looked at starting salaries for more than 70 tech positions in the United States. Robert Half expects base compensation for IT professionals to jump 5.7% overall, a slight increase over tech salaries last year.
CIO raises, however, fall below the national average, increasing just 4.9% year-over-year, according to the report. John Reed, executive director at Robert Half Technology, said the report methodology does not account for bonuses, which is likely partially responsible. The other reason: budding hybrid roles.
"There is also an emerging trend to break down [the CIO] position into various dual or hybrid roles, such as head of business transformation or chief technology officer," he said. "We are even seeing positions emerge such as the chief digital officer to oversee the full range of digital strategies across an organization."
While the CIO role settled in the bottom quarter of IT job salary increases, the biggest bumps in salary reflect the areas in which businesses struggle to find qualified talent, the report said.
"The supply of highly skilled technology professionals is expected to remain below demand for the foreseeable future, especially as companies across all industries look for specialized talent in three main areas: mobile, security, and big data."
More than 70% of organizations have implemented some type of mobile strategy, according to Robert Half. As they expand their mobile initiatives, they need professionals who can develop applications for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. Mobile applications developers are the most in-demand in this category for the second year in a row, the report said.
[How does your job stack up? Read IT Salaries: 8 Cold Hard Facts.]
Security and big data professionals are also in high demand, Reed said.
"The area of big data will continue to drive growth for IT professionals who can help companies harness and protect their data. Most companies are really just beginning to understand the insights that can be gleaned from the information they collect," he said. "Security also continues to be a hot issue. There just aren't enough skilled people in this area to fill that demand for talent."
Trends such as cloud computing, BYOD, mobility, and virtualization have made it harder for IT teams to stay on top of threats, Robert Half said. For this reason, data security analysts, systems security administrators, network security administrators and engineers, and information systems security managers are all highly sought.
Big data roles are still relatively new to the IT jobs landscape, as many businesses have only just launched initiatives. But as more begin to make sense of their mounds of data, they're seeking individuals skilled at retrieving, interpreting, analyzing, and reporting on that data. Top roles include data architects, data modelers, and data analyst/report writers, the report said.
Here's a deeper look at the 10 IT jobs with the highest salary increases for 2015, which ranged from 7.1% to 10.2%. We'll also give you context on how Half's data compares with InformationWeek's most recent IT salary survey data. Dig in.
Pay for CSOs in 2015 will rank among the highest salaries, but will jump a modest 7.1% year over year, according to Robert Half's salary guide.
The CSO position is a new addition to the list this year, Reed noted, and its salary increase is a testament that security is driving the demand for certain technology roles. "Security continues to be a hot issue -- there just aren't enough skilled people in this area to fill the demand for the talent," he said.
Network security engineers (6.7%), information systems security managers (6.6%), and systems security administrators (6%) all saw modest salary increases as well.
According to InformationWeek's 2014 IT Salary Survey, salaries for software engineers rose steadily between 2012 and 2014. That trend will continue through 2015, according to Robert Half's data, which says software engineers can expect a 7.2% bump in compensation.
The news is even better for software engineers who are proficient in C#, Java, Java EE/J2EE, .NET, and PHP: You can add an additional 9% to your salaries, based on national averages, according to the report.
Database developers, who are typically responsible for implementing and testing database design, are also newcomers to the top 10 list with a salary increase of 7.2%, according to Robert Half.
InformationWeek's survey found that database analysis and development job functions for managers saw the highest change in total compensation this year (3.4%). The change in total compensation for the same job function for staff roles was not as impressive (1.4%), but still registered in the middle of the pack.
Lead application developers are responsible for guiding teams in the design, development, coding, testing, and debugging of applications. Given businesses' focus on mobile initiatives, it's clear why this role landed in the top 10. Lead applications developers can expect a 7.2% bump in salary in 2015, according to Robert Half's data. Lead applications developers debuted this year on the list.
Like software engineers, lead applications developers with C#, Java, JavaEE/J2EE, .NET, and PHP skills can expect salaries on the higher end, depending on location.
Data architects can expect a 7.2% salary increase in 2015, according to Robert Half, which boosts its salary range $8,000 to $11,000 year-over-year.
Data architects are responsible for understanding and evaluating business requirements and translating them into specific database solutions; creating models and database architecture; and working with the systems and database administration staff to implement, coordinate, and maintain enterprise-wide data architecture.
Data security analysts perform security audits, risk assessments, and analysis; make recommendations for enhancing data systems security; and formulate security policies and procedures. Data security analyst salaries are expected to rise 7.4% year-over-year, according to Robert Half.
"In the last 18 months, we've witnessed many large companies experience data breaches within their organizations," Reed said. "Companies are shoring up their IT systems to protect themselves, and I believe positions pertaining to tech security will only grow in demand."
Data security analysts proficient with Cisco network administration skills and Linux/Unix administration skills can add 9% to salaries, based on national averages, Robert Half said.
Business intelligence analysts made Robert Half's top-three list in 2014 of the most in-demand tech positions, according to the report, and the role places high again in 2015. The BI analyst role, which requires a strong background in database technology and analytical and reporting tools, will see a 7.4% jump in pay.
"Skilled business intelligence analysts are particularly marketable in the current environment," the report said.
Wireless network engineer was the only role in the networking and telecommunications category to appear on Robert Half's top 10 list of raises based on percentage of increase -- and it ranked No. 3 overall in 2015. Pay for wireless network engineers is expected to jump 9.1%, according to Robert Half's data.
Wireless network engineers are typically responsible for researching, designing, and implementing wireless networks, including all engineering specifications and resource requirements for network hardware and software.
Cisco network administration skills and Linux/Unix administration skills will add 9% to salaries, according to the report, while VoIP administration skills and Windows 7 skills will each add 5%.
Big data roles will continue to see big pay increases in 2015. Big data engineers will see the second-largest bump in pay, with salaries increasing 9.3% year-over-year, according to the report.
Big data related roles, including data architect (No. 6), data modeler, and data analyst are all in high demand, Robert Half's report said.
"Companies are just discovering how to leverage their customer data to manipulate it into something meaningful," Reed said. "In the next few years, businesses will make larger investments in their diagnostics and measurements of data to make business decisions."
Mobile applications developers were in high demand in 2014, the report said -- a trend that will continue into 2015. It's no wonder: More than 70% of organizations have implemented some type of mobile strategy, according to Robert Half research. Mobile applications developers will see the highest salary increase in 2015 at 10.2%.
"We live in an increasingly mobile- and app-centric world," Reed said. "It's a trend that will only continue to grow as we continue to use our mobile devices to control all aspects of our lives, from ordering groceries to controlling our household appliances and utilities."
Mobile app developers with SharePoint skills can add 10% to their salaries, while C#, Java, Java EE/J2EE, .Net, and PHP development skills all add 9%, according to the report.
Mobile applications developers were in high demand in 2014, the report said -- a trend that will continue into 2015. It's no wonder: More than 70% of organizations have implemented some type of mobile strategy, according to Robert Half research. Mobile applications developers will see the highest salary increase in 2015 at 10.2%.
"We live in an increasingly mobile- and app-centric world," Reed said. "It's a trend that will only continue to grow as we continue to use our mobile devices to control all aspects of our lives, from ordering groceries to controlling our household appliances and utilities."
Mobile app developers with SharePoint skills can add 10% to their salaries, while C#, Java, Java EE/J2EE, .Net, and PHP development skills all add 9%, according to the report.
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