Rises of up to 30% seen for Malaysian IT workers 

Since 2013, the technology sector has seen salary hikes and this trend is expected to continue over the next couple of years.
According to a global survey by Robert Walters, a specialist professional recruitment firm, the technology sector, especially for niche positions, may see a 30 per cent salary rise this year compared with 27 per cent last year.
A chief technology officer can expect an annual salary of between 360,000 ringgit (Bt2.8 million) and 600,000 ringgit this year from 350,000 ringgit and 540,000 ringgit in 2016. A programme manager may bring in an annual salary of between 240,000 ringgit and 360,000 ringgit, from 216,000 ringgit and 336,000 ringgit last year.
A solution architect, however, could see an annual salary rise of up to 180,000 ringgit to 324,000 ringgit from 120,000 ringgit to 192,000 ringgit.
Although there are no specific figures for Malaysia, a global O&G website, Oil Career, has projected a cut of about 6 per cent in total compensation for the oil and gas sector in Southeast Asia this year. For 2015 and 2016, total compensations for the O&G sector in the region were almost flat.
UK-based Robert Walters has identified three key areas which could see higher demand for employee recruitment and salary rises. They are in technology, e-commerce and shared services.
Robert Walters Malaysia managing director Sally Raj told StarBiz that the technology sector since last year has seen the highest employment and salary rises compared with other sectors in the country.
The technology sector would continue to garner higher salary growth and employment over the next few years, as various businesses embrace technology to enhance their business and expansion growth.
“Technology is going to be at the forefront over the next few years, as businesses like financial services (banking and insurance), fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies and retailers gear up to adopt technology. Furthermore, organisations are now utilising digital channels to grow their businesses,” Raj said.
With the advent of financial technology (fintech), Raj foresees further growth in technology usage in the financial services sector, partly thanks to the recent regulatory “sandbox” framework for fintech.
The sandbox refers to a safe space where businesses can test innovative products, services, business models and delivery mechanisms.
As digital, mobile and e-commerce-related companies expand their businesses, Raj said there would be an increase in the number of employers recruiting mobile engineers and software developers in 2017.
Companies would continue to strengthen their security practices to prevent security and information breaches. Cyber security professionals would be highly sought after across a number of industries, especially in the banking sector.
Software developers and cyber security experts could expect significant salary rises of up to 25 per cent when moving jobs in 2017, she said.
Robert Walters in its latest 2017 Annual Global Salary Survey predicts that companies would be keen to hire IT professionals throughout this year, and organisations from a range of sectors would be competing for IT talent.
“To secure the best employees, hiring managers will need to streamline their recruitment process, as highly experienced job seekers are expected to receive multiple offers.”
Meanwhile, according to the 2016 Total Compensation Measurement survey by Aon Hewitt, a global talent, retirement and health solutions business provider, average salary increases have declined from 2015.
However, Malaysian employers continue to pay a premium for technologically-savvy fresh graduates.
Fresh graduates in engineering, R&D and project management started out at more than 3,500 ringgit per month and high-tech industries paid fresh graduates 27 per cent more than their peers in property and construction.