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If Tech Is So Important, Why Are IT Wages Flat?

dcblogs writes "Despite the fact that technology plays an increasingly important role in the economy, IT wages remain persistently flat. This may be tech's inconvenient truth. In 2000, the average hourly wage was $37.27 in computer and math occupations for workers with at least a bachelor's degree. In 2011, it was $39.24, adjusted for inflation, according to a new report by the Economic Policy Institute. That translates to an average wage increase of less than a half percent a year. In real terms, IT wages overall have gone up by $1.97 an hour in just over 10 years, according to the EPI. Data from professional staffing firm Yoh shows wages in decline. In its latest measure for week 12 of 2012, the hourly wages were $31.45 and in 2010, for the same week, at $31.78. The worker who earned $31.78 in 2010 would need to make $33.71 today to stay even with inflation. Wages vary by skill and this data is broad. The unemployment rate for tech has been in the 3-4% range, but EPI says full employment has been historically around 2%."

5 of 660 comments (clear)

  1. Re:tech is a fairly broad category by Qwell · · Score: 4, Funny

    She was in Texas though. She just needed a bigger buckle.

    --
    As of 10/06/03, I hate COBOL developers.
  2. Re:tech is a fairly broad category by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does she drive a Prius now? The forecast for the SF area warned of heavy Smug for the coming week.

  3. Re:Guess who gets all the benefits? by cyber-vandal · · Score: 3, Funny

    Because unions are evil and socialism is the same as satanism.

  4. Re:tech is a fairly broad category by cluedweasel · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, the longer you're there, diverse it gets....

  5. The five provinces of texas by mevets · · Score: 5, Funny

    Winchester, Browning, Smith & Wesson, Colt and Beretta...