In conjunction with its annual salary survey, ITWeb hosted an online forum, where issues pertaining to SA`s IT salaries were discussed and dissected.
The question asked was: Do you think South Africans in the IT industry earn competitive salaries compared to the rest of the world? Some thought SA is way below par, while some thought the country is competitive. Most agreed, however, that salary competitiveness is based on a number of variables and is not an easy thing to measure.
One reader thought the biggest issue is not of competitiveness of salary, but level of passion. "It is getting progressively worse as people with no real inclination or interest in programming choose it as a career. I come across programmers who should pay the company they work for to employ them, and others who should earn twice their salary," he said.
Another reader noted many factors impact on competitiveness of IT salaries, making it a complex issue: "There are a lot of factors, from the type of company you work for to what you specialise in." He believes the bigger the company, the worse it tends to pay as it is concerned about keeping the costs down.
Way below par
A number of participants on the forum made comparisons between the value of IT skills in SA and the rest of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US. In most cases, this was to the detriment of SA.
One reader, who has been involved in network support for GSM cellular networks around the world for four years, focused on merging IT and telecoms technology and noted: "[In SA], the salaries are not that competitive when compared to the rest of the world. With the pace the telecoms industry is growing, companies need quality human resources in order to meet the market needs. There is a trend of people leaving companies looking for better compensation."
I can make three times the money per project in New Zealand and not have to work half as hard for it.
Anonymous participant, Forum, IT Salaries in SA.
Another reader, who studied for four years in the IT field, had this to say: "I went job hunting and was shocked at what I was getting offered. A friend of mine who had not studied, walked into a high paying IT job at Heathrow Airport. Since finishing my studies, I have not worked in the IT sector in SA due to [inadequate] salaries offered."
"House prices, food prices etc, are all fairly similar from my country to yours," according an IT consultancy manager from Melbourne, Australia, who has been looking at work holiday options in SA. "However, [SA] salaries are way below par. It amazes me how little skilled workers are valued and I think if salaries increased SA would get more internationals diversifying its workforce and helping SA obtain a world-standard IT network.
"Increased salaries would help unemployment too, as people from overseas need a home, a car, to do shopping, and would also put money into SA`s tourism industry. But until South African salaries rise to meet other world salaries, it just can`t happen," the Australian continued.
Readers are doing their research on local salary competitiveness - and coming up disappointed. "I think SA`s IT salaries are way below par," said one participant. "In my field of Web design and DTP, I can make three times the money per project in New Zealand and not have to work half as hard for it."
Only in SA
"Based on recent research I`ve conducted, it doesn`t appear to pay to work in the IT sector in SA, when compared to prospects in the US and the UK. In addition, the US and UK offer a level playing field with no black economic empowerment (BEE) filters to contend with," another participant argued.
With regards to the BEE policies, the forum pointed to another SA-specific issue. "Previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) are accepting lower salaries, and so the whole IT industry is paying everyone less and working us harder. The big question is when does the time period for PDIs expire and when will the presently disadvantaged become PDIs? In 20, 30, 40 years from now?"
Concern was raised over the difference in pay between the public and the private sectors. "How much you are paid depends on the sector you are working for. Looking at the public sector - it is not paying [adequately], and in the private sector it depends on the company."
It`s up to you
There were a few respondents who did not put the blame on SA, the quality of training, BEE policies or selfish companies. They believe the salary is up to the individual, and leaned more towards experience than qualifications.
As one reader pointed out: "SA does have its dos and don`ts, but in the end it`s very much an individual and open minded approach that gets you where you want to be." "Your salary depends on you," another reader agreed. "IT is a large field and I don`t agree with comments stating that companies are in the trend of hiring non-degreed people. If you believe that, then you deserve a low salary."
Furthermore, this respondent does not believe SA salaries are bad at all. "I have worked in the UK and Sri-Lanka. I have worked with people from all over the world. If you look at our cost of living and the salaries of top developers, we are highly paid."
Home sweet home
"Good IT skills are noticed, good IT skills pay well. I personally will not leave, as it`s an amazing country with great possibilities. But I agree that IT salaries on average may be dropping. I think it`s due to a few factors, like outsourcing, the strength of the rand and BEE, but most of all, it`s because I see more and more developers who cannot program."
On the positive scale, there were a few participants that glorified our country and swore they would not leave SA for any reason, despite any salary issues they may, or may not have, as exemplified in the following statement: "It`s not always about the money - the weather, the people, the country, SA is my home and I`ll never leave it for anything."
More SA-lovers contributed the following commentary:
"The reason one lives in SA is beaches, babes and sunshine!"
"I worked in the UK for five years earning almost three times what I`m earning here for at least half the workload, but guess what? The UK sucks, SA rocks."
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