In the wake of a 50% decline in IT market in 2009, watchers expect a further 25% contraction this year, and techies’ salaries to remain frozen.
“Until a tax legislation in information technology field is enacted, I don’t think there is the risk of seeing any larger pay cuts”, said Vivien Untaru, chief executive of recruitment firm Von Consulting.
Looking at the list of IT salaries in the early second half 2009, numbers have remained at 2008 level, comfortable enough since any of the bonuses or perks hadn’t been scaled back. The net salary of a chief technology officer was around €5,000 a month, while a project manager would make around €3,000 a month and an IT specialist at least €900, according to data provided by BrainSpotting, human resources company specialized in IT recruitment.
Compared to spring last year, the autumn of 2009 had seen pay cuts in average entry salaries of up to €500, according to Ariadna Sutac, recruitment manager at BrainSpotting. Chief technology officers in multinational companies are starting to negotiate their financial compensations starting from €3,000, middle managers (software development manager, technology manager) from €2,000, while specialists with 2-4 year experience from €700.
However, official figures from the National Institute of Statistics suggested an average net salary in the tech industry of €579 (2450 lei).
Another survey carried by Joobs.ro site mid last year had indicated a maximum average salary for IT positions of €2,000. The average starting salaries for IT positions, regardless to the place of residence, experience or position would reach €987.
According to Joobs.ro, the biggest net monthly salary was in Bucharest and was around €1,074 , followed by cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants - €999 and cities with 50,000-100,000 inhabitants - €649. Apart from Bucharest, Cluj and I
