IT salaries almost flat compared to last year?

The Industry Standard's sister publication, Computerworld, will release the results of its annual salary survey in November. Despite indications that the economy is pulling out of a deep recession, there is much evidence that IT salaries will remain flat compared to the 2008 survey results.

First, widespread layoffs and the threat of job cuts have vastly increased the pool of IT professionals looking for work. This not only puts downward pressure on the salaries offered to new employees, it also reduces the likelihood that employers will offer raises and other incentives for existing employees to stay.

Second, many companies have reduced salaries outright, implementing across-the-board pay cuts or cutting bonuses. Other companies have hiring freezes.

Of course, not every company is hurting. Indeed, Facebook and others have used the slowdown to expand their workforces. In addition, hiring for certain types of IT professionals, such as security consultants, has remained string. But the good news in some quarters will at best barely cancel out the negative news elsewhere.

It should also be noted that survey responses are gathered in the spring. This means that the negative sentiment will be more pronounced, as the positive developments in financial markets didn't materialize until the summer of 2009.

Prediction: Computerworld's 2009 salary survey will show "total compensation" (salary plus bonus) to be nearly flat for U.S. IT workers, compared to the previous year's results. Nearly flat is defined as being in a range between a 1% decline and a 1% rise. By comparison, Computerworld reported a 3.5% rise in 2008 and a 3.7% rise in 2007. Survey results will be released in November 2009.

Related: CTO compensation will decline at least 3% in 2009 salary survey?