The unemployment rate for tech professionals was 4.4% in Q1 2012, below the national average. Jobs in computer systems design and professional and business services grew, adding over 20,000 and 1.5 million jobs respectively. However, voluntary quits remained high, with over 367,000 workers leaving their jobs in professional and business services in Q1 2012.

2. Tech Employment Snapshot Retention Trouble?
Unemployment Rates Jobs Created/Lost in Q1 2012 Monthly Average of Quits
(Professional and Business Services)
4.4% 8.3% Computer systems design
Q1 6.3%
Professional and Business Services - 1,577,900 employed
2012
+20,100 from Q4
Computer
4.1% 8.7% support
Q4 specialists
2011 5.7%
Q1 2012
4.2% 9.1% Network and
Q3 systems
administrators
2011
3.6% 9.0%
Q2
2011
4.7% 9.0%
367,000
4.4%
Q1
2011 Software
developers
Tech (Quarterly) National (Quarterly)
414,000
monthly
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics; overall unemployment rate is seasonally adjusted – 10-year
average
Technology (computer and math) is not seasonally adjusted.
3.6% 3.6%
The unemployment rate for technology professionals averaged 4.4 Web Programmers
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey,
Professional and Business Services, Voluntary Quits
percent in Q1 2012—about half the national average, according to the developers
Computer and electronic products
Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an improvement from 4.7 percent in Manufacturing - 1,109,900 employed Over the last 10 years, 414,000 employees in profes-
the same quarter a year ago, a key comparison because the data isn’t sional and business services have voluntarily quit
+2,500 from Q4
seasonally adjusted. 2.7% their jobs on average monthly. The rub? We haven’t
been north of the average since 2008 leading some
What’s driving the growth in technology positions? Technology Computer
companies to become complacent about turnover.
consulting is contributing to job growth – with more than 20,000 2.4% systems
analysts
positions added in the first quarter.1 That’s on top of more than 70,000 Computer &
In the first quarter, 367,000 workers in professional
information
positions created in 2011. The fact is companies are using flexible talent systems and business services walked away from their posi-
more – creating opportunities. managers
tions.
Looking ahead, there is significant optimism on the staffing side. Tech
revenues are projected to grow in the low double-digits year/year, Increasing salaries tops the list of what tech profes-
according to Staffing Industry Analysts. And, many financial analysts sionals want to stay in their current position. But,
expect margins to improve slightly for staffing companies, with compensation isn’t the only panacea for turnover.
healthcare IT displaying particularly strong margins. Tech professionals say more interesting or challeng-
0.8% Data processing and hosting ing assignments would keep them in their current
In addition, manufacturing of computer and electronic products Information - 241,800 employed position, followed by a promotion or new title.
Database
employment grew adding 2,500 positions in the first quarter, while data 0.5%
-690 from Q4
administrators
processing and hosting shed about 700 jobs. Surprisingly, the one mismatch between what tech
Network
architects professionals want and what employers are willing
Within the profession, the unemployment rate improved quarter over to give is flexibility. Whether in work hours or tele-
quarter for database administrators, computer and information systems = 500 people = gained = lost
commuting, tech professionals say they would think
managers, web developers and computer support specialists. Source: Change in number of employed positions from Q4 twice about leaving those benefits behind and
Source: Unemployment rates, Q4 2011, to Q1 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’
1
Professional and Business Services, Computer Systems Design Bureau of Labor Statistics, Household Survey Establishment Survey employers should make it a retention tool.
Tech Trends Q1 2012

3. Tech Salaries, Bonuses On the Rise
Mobile 2
Managers
Java/J2EE
Tech Pros Receiving Bonuses
10 Business
Project
1 more than two percent last year to $81,327, the
$8,769
Analysts
largest increase since 2008, $8,120
yr/yr
+2%
according to the Dice Salary
Survey.
$8,065
32%
29%
24%
.NET
$81,327
Web
$79,384
8 4 6 Average bonuses jumped up as
3
Network Engineers/Admins
Average Annual Wage
well, increasing eight percent to
5
Developers
$8,769. And, the number of tech
System Engineers/Admins
7 9 2011 2010 2009
SAP Pros pros receiving bonuses rose 32
2011
2010
percent in 2011, compared with
29 percent in 2010 and 24 percent
in 2009. The industries most likely
to pay out bonuses: Telecom,
Hardware, Banking,
12 of 20
Top Tech Markets had Above Average Salary Growth
metropolitan markets, we see good demand in
$89,419
priorities for 2012—they need innovative Florida, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona.
professionals who design, code, build and $82,055
Portland
operate. Indeed, developers dominate the new Anecdotally, hiring managers have been telling us
year’s most pressing hiring needs about the talent crunch for both for tech pros with the right skill sets and the right Houston
$89,307
experience level,” said Tom Silver, SVP, North
for a second straight year,
although ops professionals make “ Demand for tech mobile (#3) and .NET developers
America at Dice.
$94,317
their list debut. professionals with has become ubiquitous and the Silicon Valley led the way, with an average annual
Silicon Valley
$104,195
According to data compiled from java know-how developers hasn’t caught up with salary of $104,195, topping six figures for the first Chicago
$83,970
nearly 1,200 tech-focused hiring
managers and recruiters, Java
has grown year/ the market. For .NET, the money
gap and the concerns about .NET Other tech markets saw salaries rise, too, with 12
$90,362
developers are the top priority. year for more than limiting careers has held back Denver
$86,590
Demand for tech professionals
with java know-how has grown
two years. ” — Alice Hill,
tech professionals from fully
embracing the Microsoft frame- with a 13 percent jump in pay to average $89,419. Dallas/Ft.Worth
$84,589
year/year for more than two Managing Director, Dice.com
work. $90,042
years as measured by job Skills that commanded six-figure salaries and had New York
postings on Dice. If your New to this year’s list: systems above average year/year growth were led by ABAP Los Angeles
$87,183
company is looking to hire this talent, don’t (#7) and network (#8) engineers/administrators. at $109,157, and anchored by a push toward
$79,830
dawdle—a seasoned Java developer clearly has Their appearance may demonstrate companies enterprise java, with Weblogic, JBoss and Web- Raleigh
options. have pushed the backbone of their organizations Sphere showing outsized gains. 0 7% 14%
6
too far. Doing more with less has limits as these
Software developers moved up one-spot on the professionals maintain, operate and optimize
list to claim the number two position this year. entire communication channels and platforms.
figures
Employers want developers who have strong
ABAP SOA ETL Weblogic JDBC UML JBoss WebSphere
opinions on what makes for high quality code, The tech recruiting market is active and hiring
and a passion to create excellent user
experiences and business solutions. On Dice, $109,157 $108,210 $106,521 $103,702 $102,630 $102,579 $102,184 $100,348
there are software developer positions posted in to build value within their business and tech +3% +6% +6% +5% +5% +6% +5% +7%
yr/yr yr/yr yr/yr yr/yr yr/yr yr/yr yr/yr yr/yr
44 out of 50 states. Outside of the major professionals will have a headlining role.
Skills that commanded six-figure salaries and had above average year/year growth
Tech Trends Q1 2012

4. People. Done Right.