OREANDA-NEWS. The technology field is known for job growth, opportunity and often enviable salaries, but are the numbers doing the job for the job being done? Maybe not. In a new survey from staffing firm Robert Half Technology, one in five chief information officers (CIOs) said technology professionals' salaries are too low given their workload, while 63 percent believe salaries are fair due to shortage of talent. A strong majority (81 percent) of CIOs reported that the amount of pressure on technology professionals has increased from five years ago.

CIOs Weigh in on IT Salaries and Pressure on Tech Pros

CIOs were asked, "When it comes to most technology salaries, which of the following statements do you agree with most?" Their responses:

They are fair given the need for talent or the talent shortage

63%

They are too low given expectations and the current workload

20%

They are too high – it can become hard to compete when recruiting

12%

Don't know/no answer

4%

Total

99%*

*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.

CIOs were also asked, "In general, do you feel like the amount of pressure on technology professionals has increased or decreased today versus five years ago?" Their responses:

Increased greatly

37%

Increased somewhat

44%

No Change

14%

Decreased somewhat

3%

Decreased greatly

1%

Don't know/no answer

1%

Total

100%

"Over the past five years, the increased focus on technology-related initiatives, such as those in big data and security, has put the burden on IT professionals to work faster, smarter and more efficiently to meet new business demands," said John Reed, senior executive director for Robert Half Technology. "As a result, technology salaries continue to rise. Although many companies offer an array of desirable perks and benefits, keeping compensation at or above industry averages is vital for recruiting and retaining top talent."

Robert Half Technology offers some quick tips for tech team managers on hiring:

  1. Stay current on salary trends. Keep track of compensation levels for professionals in your area – not only for new hires, but also for current team members. In a tight candidate market, when recruitment and retention are top of mind, offering a salary that meets or exceeds industry standards gives you an advantage. Salary Guides, like the Robert Half Technology Salary Guide, provide average starting salaries that can be adjusted by geography.
  2. Manage stress effectively. Most CIOs agree that pressure has increased for their teams. Have regular check-ins with team members, offer time management or prioritization advice and ask what other help you can provide to relieve growing responsibilities.
  3. Provide support. If new projects or implementations are putting a strain on teams, consider bringing in project professionals. Using consultants can help your full-time team meet deadlines and avoid burnout.

About the Research

The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 2,500 CIOs in 25 metropolitan areas.

About Robert Half Technology

Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support.