Technology workers are expected to see the largest salary increases in 2016, with base pay going up an average of 5.3%.
Technology workers, from software engineers to web developers, are expected to see the largest pay boosts in 2016, with base salaries going up an average of 5.3%.
That’s the finding of the 2016 Salary Guides from the staffing agency Robert Half. The study showed that big data engineers, data security analysts and mobile applications developers will likely be in highest demand as companies across all industries seek to improve customer service, remain competitive and protect against cybersecurity threats.
Technology jobs will see the biggest pay gains, followed by accounting and finance positions (4.7%), creative and administrative professions (3.8%) and legal jobs (3.1%). That amounts to an average 4.1% pay increase among all sectors.
Next year’s projected gain marks the largest in eight years as employers compete aggressively for the best and the brightest and is slightly better than the 3.8% increase in 2015. The latest figure contrasts dramatically with average hourly wages, which have been stuck at about a 2% gain per year since the recessions ended in 2009.
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Of the 750 careers included in the report – most of which require at least a bachelor’s degree or certification – wireless networking engineers have the brightest outlook in 2016, with projected starting pay to rise 9.7%.
Pay for big data engineers will go up 8.9%, averaging $129,500 to $183,500 a year. Other hot jobs are content strategists, user experience specialists and business systems managers. Certified medical coding managers, one of many health care jobs in high demand, are expected to earn up to $96,250 in 2016, a 4.8% increase from this year.
To fill all the open positions, many employers are offering flexible hours, more vacation time and bonuses to attract and retain employees.
Among the more than 1,000 white-collar workers surveyed, 83% said more money would be a top factor in deciding to move to another company. About half said growth opportunities would persuade them to move to another company, followed by 40% who said better work-life balance was a deciding factor. On average, it would take a 26% salary increase to compel employees to make a move elsewhere.
Robert Half, which started reported salaries in 1950, compiles the annual report using information from more than 1,000 recruiters based on job searches and placements and surveys of company executives.
