Illinois Technology Association Releases Results From Fourth Annual Salary Survey

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - December 15, 2009) - The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) today announced the results of its 2009 Salary Survey, an annual study that provides decision makers at Illinois-based technology companies with relevant, recent and useful data for making compensation decisions in the upcoming year. This year's survey drew 274, and 120 completed surveys, respondents representing the broad range of companies in the Illinois technology community.

ITA's Salary Survey is the most representative and extensive report available for companies and positions in technology fields in Illinois. It covers 37 separate positions, which are common to many Illinois-based technology companies, and ranges all of the way from CEO to entry-level software developers.

Survey highlights include:

-- A healthy technology community with strong compensation growth

The 2009 Salary Survey projected a good salary environment for both new and existing technology companies in 2010, especially considering the hit the economy has taken. No company reported expecting salary levels to fall in the coming fiscal year. But, nearly half (46%) of respondents expect their management salaries to remain constant -- 0% increase. Staff salaries are expected to be very slightly better -- only 31% expect no growth at all.

-- CEOs lead the pack in total compensation

The median salary for a CEO of an Illinois-based technology company increased to $200,000 from $182,500 in 2008. Median non-cash compensation increased to $77,500 from $62,500. The 2009 CEO compensation was much higher: $350,428 in total compensation -- $205,031 in salary and $145,407 in non-cash compensation. The position with the second-highest total compensation within the executive ranks is the CFO, whose median salary was more than $160,000 ($180,000 average). CIO median salaries are significantly higher than in the 2008 sample -- $150,000 -- with the average at $167,913.

-- Sales executives are paid handsomely for their efforts

The survey results show that the typical Vice President of Sales took home a median salary of $150,000 last year ($149,137 average) and $94,855 in non-cash compensation. Directors of Sales were not too far behind at an average $110,053 in salary and $76,653 in NCC.

"The technology industry in Illinois continues its show of strength even in these difficult economic times," said Fred Hoch, president of the ITA. "With the ITA Industry Outlook, Benefits Survey, and this comprehensive, annual Salary Survey, the ITA provides the state's technology companies with accurate benchmarks for strong decision making. Specifically, this annual Salary Survey enables our burgeoning technology community to attract the industry's finest talent, by offering competitive salary and non-cash-compensation benefits."

The 2009 Salary Survey was developed and executed by the ITA Strategic Intelligence committee and was administered between October 26, 2009 and November 16, 2009. Historical data covers the 2009 fiscal year.

Two ITA members with special expertise in strategic intelligence should be recognized for their contributions to this year's report. SPSS Inc. provided a fully-hosted data collection and survey reporting environment to conduct this research. Rulester provided data handling expertise and analysis.

To obtain an executive summary of the survey results, visit: https://www.illinoistech.org/pages.aspx/79

About the Illinois Technology Association

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) represents the interests of a diverse membership of more than 650 companies in Illinois that create, deploy and utilize information technology as a core part of their organization. By connecting members with industry peers and participants, providing the latest strategic information, market research and critical market insight and by promoting key thought leaders to raise visibility and gain a greater market awareness and presence, ITA is focused on building and developing the Illinois technology community through collaboration. Additional information is available at www.illinoistech.org.

Contact Information: Contact: Margaret Plett Illinois Technology Association 312.924.1044 mplett@illinoistech.org