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Also see: Top 10 Factors that Influence Your IT Salary
When it comes to IT salaries in 2018, the good news for tech pros is quite good indeed: IT professionals are positioned to demand some hefty paychecks. This statistic from Robert Half 2018 IT Salary Guide is telling: “44% of CIOs say they miss out on top talent because candidates are seeking higher salaries than they’re able to offer.”
We learned in business class that the law of supply and demand means that scarcity drives up prices. And top IT talent is certainly scarce – no surprise given how absolutely vital technology is to today’s business. Note this from Robert Half: “The persistent shortage of technology workers is not longer just an inconvenience for many employers – it’s quickly becoming a serious business problem.”
Translated: IT professionals shouldn’t be afraid to ask – to demand – robust pay and benefits packages. Knowledgeable tech workers are in the position of power.
In the desperate squeeze for talent, employers have leaned on short-term consultants for quick turnaround projects. But that strategy only goes so far. Penny-pinching businesses realize that they’re going to need consistent help. Who do you ask for emergency help when the infrastructure develops a sudden headache and the temp help has moved on?
Source: Robert Half Technology
IT Salary 2018: Trending Higher
In particular, says this year’s Robert Half Technology guide, these job titles are in great demand for 2018:
BI Analysts, data scientists, database developers, developers (does the need for devs ever drop?), DevOps engineers, help desk, network admins, security professionals and system admins.
In other words, most IT pros across most fields. But you’ll see that topping the list is the Big Data jobs. If you ever counsel a young person considering careers, suggest that they become a data scientist (if they’re at least moderately math-oriented). It’s likely they will never be unemployed a day in their life.
Source: Robert Half Technology
IT Salary: Two Points to Note
Before you look at the IT salaries below, provided by Robert Half Technology, please realize the paycheck numbers are affected by these two points:
1) Robert Half has shifted how they list IT salary ranges from past years. The firm used to simply list a job’s salary range, from low to high. This year they switched to listing various percentiles of experience – more experience translates to higher salary. In an effort to make this year’s numbers relate to last year’s, I’ve listed range from the 25th percentile (significant, highly relevant experience) to the 95th percentile (more experience than typical). Furthermore, Robert Half no longer computes the percentage increase/decrease from last year’s salary, so this article will not provide that.
2) A tech job’s location greatly affects its salary level. The same IT job in, for instance, Dallas, pays 10% more than average, while in El Paso its 28% less, in Akron it’s 11% less, in Boston its 34% more. You can guess the highest paying locales: San Francisco, 40% more than average, and at the very highest, New York City, 40.5% more. So take geography into account before you make your IT salary request
IT Salaries 2018:
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
2018 average salary range: $145,000 – $248,000.
• The 2017 salary was a 3.3% increase over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $147,500 – $229,000.
• The 2016 salary was a 5.2% increase over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $137,500 – $220,250.
• The 2015 salary was a 5.8% increase over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $132,250 – $205,750.
• The 2014 salary was a 5.3% increase over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $125,500 – $195,500.
• The 2013 salary was a 3.9% increase over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $120,750 – $188,250.
• The 2012 salary range was a 3.6% increase over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $116,500 – $181,750.
• The 2011 salary range was a 4.3% increase of over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $111,750 – $174,250.
• The 2010 salary range was a 0.9% increase over this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $110,250 – $173,250.
• The 2009 salary range was a 4% increase over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $107,250 – $165,250.
• The 2008 salary range was a 5.2% increase over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $101,000 – $157,750.
Developer/Programmer Analyst
2018 average salary range: $86,750 – $146,000.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 4.3% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $80,000 – $137,000.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 6.8% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $74,250 – $129,000.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 5.9% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $69,250 – $122,750.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 7.1% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $64,750 – $114,500.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 6.5% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $60,750 – $107,500.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 5.2% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $57,750 – $102,250.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 2.4% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $57,000 – $99,250.
• The 2010 salary range was a decrease of 2.8% under this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $60,000 – $100,750.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 4.2% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $57,500 – $96,750.
• The 2008 salary range was an increase of 6.0% over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $55,250 – $90,750.
• The 2006 salary range was an increase of 4.6% over this job’s 2005 salary range, which was $52,500 – $83,250.
Add a salary increase for a number of related programming skills.
Lead Applications Developer
2018 average salary range: $103,000 – $172,250.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 3.9% over this job’s 2015 range, which was $110,750 – $160,750.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 6.7% over this job’s 2015 range, which was $106,250 – $148,250.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 7.2% over this job’s 2014 range, which was $99,750 – $137,750.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 6% over this job’s 2013 range, which was $94,000 – $130,000.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 5.3% over this job’s 2012 range, which was $89,250 – $123,500.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 5.1% over this job’s 2011 range, which was $85,000 – $117,500.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 4.7% over this job’s 2010 range, which was $81,500 – $112,000.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 4.7% over this job’s 2010 range, which was $81,500 – $112,000.
• The 2010 salary range was a decrease of 1.4% under this job’s 2009 range, which was $83,250 – $113,000.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 4.2% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $80,250 – $108,000.
Add a salary increase for a number of related programming skills.
Mobile Applications Developer
2018 average salary range: $118,750 – $199,750.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 3.4% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $115,250 – $175,750.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 8.2% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $107,500 – $161,500.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 10.2% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $100,000 – $144,000.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 7.8% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $92,750 – $133,500.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 9% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $85,000 – $122,500.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 9.1% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $78,000 – $112,250.
Add a salary increase for a number of related programming skills.
Systems Administrator
2018 average salary range: $67,250 – $113,500.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 3.4% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $67,500 – $107,500.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 5.3% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $65,750 – $100,500.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 4.7% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $62,250 – $96,500.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 4.4% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $59,500 – $92,500.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 5.7% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $56,250 – $87,500.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 5.5% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $53,250 – $83,000.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 3.6% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $51,250 – $80,250.
• The 2010 salary range was a decrease of 2.8% under this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $52,750 – $82,500.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 3.6% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $51,750 – $78,750.
Add a salary increase for a number of related programming skills.
Database Manager
2018 average salary range: $107,000 – $180,000.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 3.7% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $118,000 – $170,500.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 5.9% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $112,250 – $160,250.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 6.1% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $107,750 – $149,000.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 5.9% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $101,750 – $140,750.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 5.4% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $96,500 – $133,500.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 4.3% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $92,500 – $128,000.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 3.8% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $90,000 – $122,500.
• The 2010 salary range was a 2.5% decrease under this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $91,500 – $126,500.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 3.1% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $88,750 – $122,750.
• The 2008 salary range was an increase of 5.4% over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $84,750 – $116,000.
• The 2007 salary range was an increase of 2.6% over this job’s 2006 salary range, which was $81,250 – $110,250.
Add a salary increase for a number of related database skills.
Web Developer
2018 average salary range: $82,500 – $139,000.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 4.9% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $78,500 – $129,500.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 6.4% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $73,500 – $122,000.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 6.5% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $70,000 – $113,500.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 6.5% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $65,750 – $106,500.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 7.3% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $61,250 – $99,250.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 5.4% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $58,000 – $94,250.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 4.6% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $57,500 – $88,000.
• The 2010 salary range was a decrease of 2.8% under this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $60,000 – $89,750.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 4.4% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $57,250 – $86,250.
Add a salary increase for a number of related programming skills.
Network Engineer
2018 average salary range: $90,000 – $151,750.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 4.5% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $96,000 – $138,750.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 5.7% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $90,750 – $131,250.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 5.5% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $86,250 – $124,250.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 6.9% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $80,750 – $116,250.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 7.8% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $75,000 – $107,750.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 5.8% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $71,000 – $101,750.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 3% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $69,250 – $98,500.
• The 2010 salary range was an increase of 0.3% over this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $69,750 – $97,500.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 4.0% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $67,250 – $93,500.
• The 2008 salary range was an increase of 3% over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $65,750 – $90,250.
• The 2007 salary range was an increase of 3.3% over this job’s 2006 salary range, which was $61,250 – $88,250.
Add a salary increase for a number of related networking skills.
Project Manager/Senior Consultant
2018 average salary range: $96,000 – $162,000.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 3.6% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $100,750 – $154,250.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 4.9% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $98,750 – $144,250.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 5.7% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $94,500 – $135,500.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 6.1% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $89,000 – $127,750.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 5.0% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $84,750 – $121,750.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 5.0% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $84,750 – $121,750.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 4.0% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $81,500 – $117,000.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 2.8% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $79,500 – $113,500.
• The 2010 salary range was an increase of 0.5% over this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $79,750 – $112,250.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 3.1% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $76,500 – $111,500.
• The 2008 salary range was an increase of 5% over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $72,750 – $106,250.
Systems Security Administrator
2018 average salary range: $92,750 – $156,000.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 5.1% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $105,500 – $149,500.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 6.1% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $100,000 – $140,250.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 6.0% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $95,250 – $131,500.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 6.3% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $89,500 – $123,750.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 5.0% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $85,250 – $117,750.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 4.6% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $81,500 – $112,500.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 4% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $78,250 – $108,250.
• The 2010 salary range was an increase of 0.3% over this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $78,000 – $108,000.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 5.1% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $73,500 – $103,500.
• The 2008 salary range was an increase of 4% over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $70,500 – $99,750.
• The 2007 salary range was an increase of 3.9% over this job’s 2006 salary range, which was $67,500 – $92,750.
Add a salary increase for a number of related security skills.
Help Desk Manager
2018 average salary range: $80,750 – $136,000.
• The 2017 salary range was an increase of 2.9% over this job’s 2016 salary range, which was $84,500 – $121,000.
• The 2016 salary range was an increase of 5.2% over this job’s 2015 salary range, which was $80,500 – $114,750.
• The 2015 salary range was an increase of 5.3% over this job’s 2014 salary range, which was $76,500 – $109,000.
• The 2014 salary range was an increase of 5.1% over this job’s 2013 salary range, which was $72,750 – $103,750.
• The 2013 salary range was an increase of 4.0% over this job’s 2012 salary range, which was $70,000 – $99,750.
• The 2012 salary range was an increase of 3.0% over this job’s 2011 salary range, which was $68,000 – $96,750.
• The 2011 salary range was an increase of 3.5% over this job’s 2010 salary range, which was $66,500 – $92,750.
• The 2010 salary range was a decrease of 2.2% under this job’s 2009 salary range, which was $68,000 – $94,750.
• The 2009 salary range was an increase of 3.5% over this job’s 2008 salary range, which was $65,250 – $92,000.
• The 2008 salary range was an increase of 4.3% over this job’s 2007 salary range, which was $62,500 – $88,250.
• The 2007 salary range was an increase of 2.8% over this job’s 2006 salary range, which was $59,000 – $85,500.
Add a salary increase for a number of related technical skills.
