Skilled and experienced IT pros often receive multiple offers, even if they’re not actively job hunting, according to Robert Half Technology’s 2016 Salary Guide. "And the employment offers are fiercely competitive: Above-market pay and other attractive financial incentives are common, and offers may include stock options, flexible work schedules and other perks,” according to the recruiting and staffing specialist.
As a result, IT workers can expect bigger pay bumps than many other professionals are getting. Across all fields, U.S. starting salaries for professional occupations are projected to increase 4.1% in 2016. The largest expected gains are in tech – where starting salaries for newly hired IT workers are forecast to climb 5.3%.
While 5.3% is the average, some tech pros can expect even bigger gains. Wireless networking engineers, for example, will see a 9.7% increase in starting pay – the highest projected raise among all the positions included in Robert Half’s annual guide to U.S. tech salaries. Big data engineers, data scientists, and mobile applications developers are also in line to receive above-average pay gains. (Note: only base salaries are calculated; totals don’t include bonuses, perks or other compensation elements.)
The 20 positions expected to see the largest salary gains, percentage-wise, between 2015 and 2016 are:
1. Wireless network engineer2015 salary range: $99,000-$137,5002016 salary range: $108,750-$150,7509.7% increase
2. Big data engineer2015 salary range: $119,250-$168,2502016 salary range: $129,500-$183,5008.9% increase
3. Data scientist2015 salary range: $103,000-$138,2502016 salary range: $109,000-$153,7508.9% increase
4. Mobile applications developer2015 salary range: $107,500-$161,5002016 salary range: $115,250-$175,7508.2% increase
5. Data security analyst2015 salary range: $106,250-$149,0002016 salary range: $113,500-$160,0007.1% increase
6. Chief security officer2015 salary range: $134,250-$204,7502016 salary range: $140,250-$222,5007.0% increase
7. Developer/programmer analyst2015 salary range: $74,250-$129,0002016 salary range: $80,000-$137,0006.8% increase
8. Lead applications developer2015 salary range: $106,250-$148,2502016 salary range: $110,750-$160,7506.7% increase
9. Network security engineer2015 salary range: $105,000-$141,5002016 salary range: $110,250-$152,7506.7% increase
10. Senior web developer2015 salary range: $104,500-$144,2502016 salary range: $111,250-$154,0006.6% increase
11. Software engineer2015 salary range: $96,000-$147,2502016 salary range: $103,000-$156,2506.6% increase
12. Software developer2015 salary range: $85,500-$136,2502016 salary range: $91,000-$145,2506.5% increase
13. Data architect2015 salary range: $119,750-$164,7502016 salary range: $127,250-$175,5006.4% increase
14. Applications architect2015 salary range: $115,750-$159,5002016 salary range: $121,250-$171,7506.4% increase
15. Web developer2015 salary range: $73,500-$122,0002016 salary range: $78,500-$129,5006.4% increase
16. Network administrator2015 salary range: $71,250-$105,7502016 salary range: $76,250-$112,0006.4% increase
17. Information systems security manager2015 salary range: $122,250-$171,2502016 salary range: $129,750-$182,0006.2% increase
18. Business intelligence analyst2015 salary range: $108,500-$153,0002016 salary range: $113,750-$164,0006.2% increase
19. Data modeler2015 salary range: $101,750-$145,2502015 salary range: $106,750-$155,5006.2% increase
20. Help desk tier 32015 salary range: $55,250-$74,0002015 salary range: $59,500-$77,7506.2% increase
Source: Robert Half Technology 2016 Salary Guide