IT Workers Command Big Salary Hikes - information technology professionals - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

HR Magazine, March, 2001 by Lynn Miller

Expect to pay between 10 percent and 40 percent more to attract or retain top-performing technology professionals--who now are seeking "cash up front, not stock options," says M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco Associates, of Park City, Utah, a management consulting firm specializing in technology.

The average compensation for a top-performing IT professional now exceeds $100,000, according to Janco's 2001 IT Salary Survey.

What's driving salaries up? "Heated competition for skilled workers is being flamed as mid-sized organizations battle for and attempt to keep key employees," says Janulaitis. As a result, "even large organizations that may have enough talent are being forced to pay more."

Case in point: "Best of breed" MIS executives at large companies are commanding an average of $434,416, while medium-sized companies are paying $490,559.

Salary ranges and averages for mid-level positions rose 21 percent at large companies, 49 percent at medium-sized firms.

More than 70 technology positions are included in the Janco survey.

Lynn Miller is a freelance writer based in Alexandria, Va.