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The ascent of open source is no longer in question. Linux, Apache, Perl and the rest have come a long way from the days when Linus Torvalds made his entry onto the stage as a David to Microsoft’s Goliath. And it has all happened very fast. No doubt, many open source techies are still pinching themselves, wondering when exactly they underwent the mystifying transformation that has placed them now firmly among the most sought after professionals in the IT pantheon.
In June 2000, employers were offering open source professionals an average salary of $80,850 per year and an average contract rate of $74 per hour, according to dice.com, Datamation’s sister site and an online job board for IT professionals. Results are based on 5,573 listings for this type of professional, with cities bearing fewer than 10 listings excluded from the tally. Perl was in greatest demand, with over 3,900 listings. The highest salaries went to Sendmail pros, who made $86,750 per year on average. Apache pros received the highest contract wage offerings, at $86 per hour.
Results are based on averages or totals from the following information at dice.com: job titles, job skills, and locations. Benefits are not included in compensation listings. Next week: C++ professionals. —Zach Rodgers
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