Salaries of South African IT professionals have outstripped inflation, according to ITWeb's 14th annual IT Salary Survey, which doubled its sample this year, with over 5 300 valid responses.
The average annual salary of those permanently employed went up by R48 000, or 11.3%, since last year, with women overall recording a higher increase - salaries of female respondents went up by 13.6% while male respondents recorded a 9.6% increase.
Business owners earn the highest salaries (R652 542 on average), but only comprise 6% of the sample. An overwhelming majority (82%) are permanently employed and reported an average of R496 858 per annum. Interestingly, contractors - making up 12% of the sample - earn only 4% more than those in permanent employment.
Of course, with more responsibility comes better pay. Respondents that fell into the executive or strategic management group (9%), reported an average salary of R847 379, followed by those at operations management level (33%) at R590 727. Staff-level respondents made 58% of the sample and earned an average of R404 605.
Looking at the variance between the three levels, the gaps are staggering - top executives earn 43% more than operational managers and more than double (109%) that of staff. Those who manage people on average earn 43% more than those who don't.
Almost half of the respondents (49%) believe their salary is fairly competitive. As one would expect, those 15% who are the happiest and aware their pay is very competitive, earn the most (over R700 000 per year), while those who feel they are underpaid reported the lowest average - R350 000 per year.
About the survey
ITWeb's 14th annual IT Salary Survey captured a total of 5 385 valid responses - more than double the 2013 sample.
A marginal positive change is seen in the male/female ratio - 79% of the respondents were male and 21% female, compared to 82% and 18% respectively in last year's survey.
The majority (82%) are permanent employees and include C-level executives, business managers, consultants, IT practitioners, developers from all around the country, ranging in age from under 20 to over 50, and from organisations with under 10 people, to enterprise giants with over 5 000 staff. Those aged 31 to 35 made up the bulk of the survey, followed by respondents in the 26 to 30 range, and 36 to 40 range.
This survey was conducted online in late 2013 and early 2014, and as such, it does not have a controlled sample. The results report is meant to serve as an indicator of local IT salary trends.
"The annual ITWeb IT Salary Survey offers a fascinating window into IT employment trends in South Africa and shows how the salary landscape is changing," says Anton van Heerden, MD of Sage VIP Payroll & HR.
* More Salary Survey 2014 results will be released tomorrow.
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