ACS Releases New Salary Survey
Thursday 4 July 2002 - The Australian Computer Society has released its latest Salary Survey, revealing that the rate of salary increases for Australian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals has slowed during the past year.
The 2002 Australian Computer Society Remuneration Survey found that average salaries paid to ICT professionals rose by an average of four per cent over the 12 months to May 2002, down from an average of 5.1 per cent the previous year.
This is the lowest increase recorded since the survey was first conducted in 1995, and the first time the growth rate for ICT salaries was lower than the annual increase in Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), recorded at 5.9 per cent for the same period.
Conducted on behalf of the Society by the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA), the survey received over 1,200 responses from ACS members employed across all industries and job functions. More details on The ACS Remuneration Survey Report
ACS National President Richard Hogg said the latest survey provided statistical confirmation of the depressed conditions being experienced across the ICT industry.
"These results are in line with our expectations, given the increased competition for jobs and reduced demand for ICT professionals in the current economic climate, although across the board some of our members continue to attract salaries well above the average," he said.
Salary increases were higher for ICT professionals working in the private sector (4.2 per cent), compared to a 3.5 per cent rise for those in public sector jobs. ICT professionals in the education sector recorded average rises of 4.1 per cent. Despite the lower rises, ICT roles continued to attract increases well above CPI, which for the period in question was 2.9 per cent.
In 2001-02, ICT professionals earned total packages ranging from $61,405 for those in teaching and training positions up to $160,717 for those in Sales and Marketing Management roles.
JOB FUNCTION - MEAN TOTAL PACKAGE
The survey also found that Programmers and Analysts typically possess skills across a range of applications, with nearly two-thirds reporting skills in five languages. Most common were SQL (66 per cent) and Windows NT (64 per cent), although COBOL skills attracted the highest remuneration.
One in six of all respondents stated they worked as independent contractors, with hourly rates ranging from $60 to $100 per hour, depending on the nature of the work. "While ICT professionals continue to enjoy above-average remuneration, the downturn of the past two years has put an end to the inflated salaries being paid in some parts of the industry," Mr Hogg said.
"As the economy picks up, we can expect modest increases to continue, but probably not to the extent that we saw in the past."
This media release is available on the ACS Web site at http://www.acs.org.au/news/040702.htm
A summary of the key results can be obtained from Caroline New on (02) 9555 1986.
ENDS
About the Australian Computer Society: The ACS is the recognised association for information technology (IT) professionals, attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry and providing a wide range of services to its 16,000+ members. A member of the Australian Council of Professions, the ACS is the public voice of the IT profession and the guardian of professional ethics and standards in the IT industry, with a commitment to the wider community to ensure the beneficial use of IT. See the ACS Home Page for more information.
Media Enquiries:
Richard Hogg, ACS National President, Tel: (0408) 549 531, Email: richard_hogg@acslink.net.au
Caroline New, Caroline New PR, Tel: (02) 9555 1986 or (0411) 889 456, Email: cnew@acslink.net.au
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