according to the annual salary survey by Dice<\/a>. Bonuses and contract rates also rose from 2014, and tech salaries in seven metro areas reached six-figures for the first time since the survey began more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n\nThe wage hikes paint a picture of an overall solid environment for technology professionals with 62 percent earning higher salaries in 2015. Almost half of respondents reported a salary increase as a result of upward mobility at the same company, with 38 percent receiving a merit increase and 10 percent receiving an internal promotion. The second most common reason for a rise in salary was a result of the professional changing employers (23%).<\/p>\n\n
Over time, bonuses have become more commonplace in the tech industry. The average bonus was $10,194, a seven percent increase from 2014. In 2015, 37 percent of technology professionals received a bonus, unchanged from last year, however up from 2009 when 24 percent earned the extra payout. More experienced tech professionals were more likely to receive a bonus as well as those in the banking\/financial, telecom, hardware, entertainment\/media and utilities industries.<\/p>\n\n
Bonuses were not as prevalent with technology professionals who had less than two years of experience. However, newer tech pros saw rises in their paychecks. Average salary increases were greatest among new technology workers (1 to 2 years\u2019 experience), suggesting there is wage pressure for entry-level technology jobs, and employers are willing to pay for fresh talent.<\/p>\n\n
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