Wave of layoffs and wage stabilization – minimal salary growth for IT Specialists

Table of contents

Stable wage growth despite layoffs The development of AI is driving the growing demand for cybersecurity specialists Changes in the IT market: flexibility and extended recruitment time

The beginning of the year brought concerning news about mass layoffs in large international IT corporations. At the same time, organizations continue to work on AI solutions, which may bring further changes to the market. As a result, the increase in wages has been minimal.

Stable wage growth despite layoffs

Wage growth in the IT industry is still noticeable, but the pace of this growth has clearly slowed in recent years. After 2021, the salaries of specialists and managers increased significantly, but the following years have seen less dynamic changes.

In terms of salaries, a stabilization can be observed among IT specialists. Companies are increasingly refraining from significant raises, focusing on cost optimization instead. However, the demand for IT specialists and salary levels vary more by the size of the company and its capital than by the region in which the company is located, emphasizes Fabian Pietras, Business Unit Director, Antal IT Services.

The development of AI is driving the growing demand for cybersecurity specialists

The market is experiencing a boom in artificial intelligence, as well as an increase in job offers in cybersecurity, Big Data, and Cloud Computing. There is also rising interest in specialists such as full stack developers. These areas are dominating, while the demand for testers and developers in the most popular technologies is declining.

After a period of dynamic digitalization, companies are now focusing on resource optimization and the implementation of new technologies. Salaries in the cybersecurity sector are among the highest in the IT industry. Younger specialists can expect earnings in the range of 10,000 - 15,000 PLN gross per month, while experienced experts earn from 20,000 to even 30,000 PLN gross per month. In addition to cybersecurity specialists, there is also increasing demand for professionals in AI, Big Data, and Cloud. The salaries of these individuals depend on their experience, but specialists in their field can expect compensation in the range of 180 – 220 PLN/hour net on a B2B contract, explains Aleksandra Durej, Consultant at Antal IT Services.

Changes in the IT market: flexibility and extended recruitment time

The number of candidates ready to work is increasing. Mobile developers, even at the senior level, are lowering their financial expectations, and candidates from various IT specializations are more willing to negotiate rates, indicating greater flexibility in the job market. At the same time, the popularity of hybrid work is rising, and many departments are being relocated to countries like India.

The IT market is moving towards stability. Some organizations are pausing recruitment until clear market trends emerge. We are observing a reduced number of recruitment projects and job offers, while employee turnover remains high, leading to greater openness among candidates to negotiate salaries. At the same time, the average job search time for candidates has significantly lengthened, now taking 3-6 weeks for specialist positions and up to 9 weeks for managerial positions, comments Fabian Pietras, Business Unit Director at Antal IT Services.

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About the Antal Salary Report

The "Antal Salary Report" 2024 was prepared based on an analysis of the salaries of 4,952 specialists and managers who participated in Antal's recruitment processes during the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024. This data was verified and supplemented with information from recruitment processes conducted by Antal consultants in 2023, as well as telephone interviews with employers and candidates.

Report available for download: https://antal.pl/wiedza/raport/raport-placowy-antal-2024

About Antal

Antal is a leading company in the CEE region, specializing in providing solutions in permanent recruitment, HR consulting, and outsourcing. The foundation of our success lies in the high quality of services offered and the people whose knowledge has been accumulated over the 26 years of the company's operation. We create methods and tools that exceed client expectations and market standards, while also being a leader in sustainable transformation (ESG) within the industry. Antal's support scope is very broad – from the implementation of comprehensive permanent recruitment processes, through outsourcing services, including RPO and contracting, to Employer Branding, HR Consulting, and providing comprehensive market research and analysis services.