Roles to Help Companies Keep Pace With Tech Trends See Biggest Pay Gains, According to Salary Guides
Trends like big data and mobile media are translating into growing paychecks for some professionals, according to the recently released 2014 Salary Guides from Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group. Employers are prepared to offer increased compensation this year to skilled information technology (IT) and digital professionals who can help organizations meet the following objectives: keep information and networks secure, turn data into business intelligence and seize new opportunities in the mobile space.
"It's becoming imperative for companies to build their online presence and connect with customers through mobile channels, but finding the specialized talent to design and develop for this fast-evolving space can be difficult," said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group. "Similar recruiting challenges exist around business intelligence. Companies want to use their information more strategically, but they struggle to find skilled professionals who can analyze raw data."
Following are six roles that are among those expected to see the most substantial increases in average starting compensation in 2014, according to the Robert Half Salary Guides*:
1. Mobile applications developer: As companies expand their mobile
initiatives to connect with consumers anytime, anywhere, they need
professionals who can develop for smartphones, tablets and other mobile
devices. Experienced mobile applications developers can expect to see the
largest increase (7.8 percent) in starting compensation of any tech
position listed in this year's Salary Guide, with salaries ranging from
$100,000 to $144,000.
2. Business intelligence analyst: Organizations of all types want to derive
more value from the data they generate, collect and store by turning it
into actionable intelligence. Skilled business intelligence analysts can
anticipate a 7.4 percent boost in starting compensation in 2014, with
salaries ranging from $101,250 to $142,250.
3. Information systems security manager: Keeping data secure and protecting
users and the network from cyber threats is a priority for any modern
business. Information systems security managers who can assess and
remediate vulnerabilities, threats and intrusions are in demand, and are
projected to see a 6.8 percent bump in base compensation this year, with
average starting salaries between $115,250 and $160,000.
4. User experience designer: Designing engaging user experiences is
essential to the success of any mobile or web initiative -- and requires
specialized talent. User experience designers can expect to see average
starting salaries between $78,000 and $120,000, up 7.5 percent from 2013.
5. Mobile designer: Compelling content and functionality are vital to
delivering a satisfying interactive mobile experience. Skilled mobile
designers can anticipate average starting salaries to increase 6.3
percent in 2014, to the range of $66,000 to $103,000.
6. User experience specialist: Developing innovative, interactive user
experiences for web and mobile applications requires creativity and
technical expertise. User experience specialists can expect to receive
base compensation in the range of $79,000 to $118,000, a gain of 5.9
percent over last year.
More information about the positions listed above can be found in the Robert Half Technology2014 Salary Guide, which includes a wide range of IT job descriptions, and The Creative Group 2014 Salary Guide, which focuses on interactive, design and marketing jobs.