Computer sector leads York Region's highest paid job market

Georgina Advocate
February 13, 2014
By Chris Traber

In the 1967 film, The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman’s young character gets famous one-word career advise: Plastics.

Today, almost five decades later, graduates are getting acronym guidance: IT, as in information technology.

Big data and mobile media are translating into growing paycheques for many professionals, according to the 2014 Salary Guides released Feb. 12.

Published by Robert Half Technology, the survey said employers are prepared to offer increased compensation this year to skilled information technology and digital professionals who can help organizations keep information and networks secure, turn data into business intelligence and seize new opportunities in the mobile space. Companies trying to stay ahead of the curve are investing in building their online presence and engaging with their customers through mobile channels, but finding specialized talent needed to design and develop for this fast-paced environment can be a challenge, Robert Half Technology senior regional manager Deborah Bottineau said.

“Business intelligence is another area for which companies are finding it difficult to recruit,” she said. “With the vast availability of data, businesses want to be strategic in how they use the information, so they need to find professionals who are skilled in analyzing the data and also have the acumen to translate that information in a way that helps the business grow.”

Hunt Personnel regional manager Rhona Long serves corporate clients and job seekers in York Region.

The recruitment specialist agrees the big opportunities and bucks are within the information technology sector. Ms Long concurs with the salary guide that lists the top sector roles that can expect increases between 7 and 8 per cent in starting compensation this year.

For example, software developers are projected to see average starting salaries between $68,000 and $113,500.

A mobile applications developer can expect starting compensation ranging from $85,000 to $120,500.

Developer and program analysts can anticipate average starting salaries to increase 7.1 per cent in 2014, to a range of $75,250 to $112,250.

Business intelligence analysts can look forward to salaries ranging from $81,750 to $113,750.

Software Engineers can expect to see average starting salaries between $85,500 and $123,250, up 7.5 per cent from 2013.

While information technology promises secure, well-compensated careers, young people should not be romanced exclusively by the high-tech sector, Ms Long said.

“People should look at skilled labour jobs, too,” she said. “There’s a lot of opportunity for electricians, welders and other apprenticed labour positions. The labour sector is fast growing. There’s a lot of demand.”

A review of recent client searches show skilled tradespeople can command between $22 and $30 per hour, translating into $50,000 to $60,000 annually.

If workers are unionized, they can anticipate even more, she said.

Rounding out her top three employment sectors is health care.

“Especially with boomers getting older,” she said.

Click here to see the 2014 salary guide.