ICT companies across New Zealand are working harder than ever to attract and retain high quality tech talent, with new tech professionals widely tipped to expect more from their pay package this year.
But according to industry experts Absolute IT, they’re not only relying on higher salaries, but are creating pay packages that include additional benefits such as extra annual leave, health care plans and flexible working hours.
Releasing its six-monthly Remuneration Report , after surveying over 35,000 anonymous submissions, Absolute IT reports “notable improvements” when looking back and comparing figures from the last 6-12months.
“A key take-out is the significant number of non-financial benefits IT job seekers are now receiving as part of their salary packages,” says Grant Burley, Director, Absolute IT.
Up 18%, Burley reports that 66% of IT professionals in New Zealand are receiving some form of additional benefit as part of their remuneration package, compared with this time last year.
There has also been a 3% increase in the national base median salary, up to $82,500.
“Our latest Tech Remuneration Report shows that NZ tech companies have been listening to what tech professionals want and are offering some of the best pay packages on record,” Burley adds.
What makes the best IT job package?
With New Zealand tech companies struggling to compete internationally with base salary, most IT jobs now provide a total package.
Burley believes it's becoming increasingly important to provide staff with not only a secure job, but a healthy work/life balance, with a significant rise in professionals across all industries liberating themselves from the traditional fixed work hours, which can be credited to the digital age revolutionising the way we work.
“Employers are finding other ways to entice talent; mainly through additional benefits such as mobile phone allowances, health care plans, car parking, company paid training and flexible work hours,” Burley adds.