IT starting salaries to outpace other professionals in 2018 – Robert Half

High demand for skilled IT professionals means starting salaries in technology are set to increase significantly, outpacing rises in other professional occupations, according to the Robert Half 2018 Salary Guide. Specialised IT and technology staff, such as junior developers and senior business analysts will receive the greatest rises in salary in 2018 at 4.2% and 4.4% respectively, well above the national predicted rise of 1.4%.

Other professionals expected to see higher than average increases include experienced fund accountants (4.2%), chief financial officers (4%) and financial controllers (4%). The average increase in starting salary for all technology professions is predicted to be 1.9% in 2018, according to Robert Half.

Phil Sheridan, senior managing director at Robert Half UK, South America and the Middle East, said:

‘In the year ahead, businesses will be navigating a number of local, regional and international factors, such as Brexit, automation, digital transformation and meeting data regulations. However, one of the biggest challenges plaguing all UK businesses is the shortage of specialist skills.’

Commenting on the research, Angela Hughes, HR director at Insight UK, said:

'Competition for top technology talent is rife, and it’s a reflection of the clamour for digital skills we’re hearing from all sectors. What we need to be sure of is that we’re giving educators the tools to foster the right skills early on in the learning environment. While we’ve seen increased awareness and investment in STEM subjects in recent years, it is important that students receive hands on training which will give them a sense of how to apply these skills in a business setting.’