Salary benchmark: How much do IT professionals earn globally?

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The second highest average salary level was reported in EMEA at $67,711. APAC follows at $57,710, and then Latin America with an average salary of $48,771. 

*All salaries were converted into U.S. dollars during the survey to enable relevant comparisons.

It was a year filled with change and uncertainty as the vast majority of us went into recovery mode in a post-pandemic world. COVID-19 sped up digitalisation the world-over where strong IT infrastructure could make or break your business model through months of being at home. 

Over the past decades, IT has matured from a supporting role to a strategic one. IT is coming out of the backroom and emerging as a major player within organisations. There is an evolving, holistic role for which IT needs to be prepared — and ready to accept in order to succeed. 

In the fast-paced and highly competitive world of IT professionals, the Skillsoft 2022 IT Skills and Salary Report provides a snapshot of today’s salary ranges across regions, skill sets, and experience levels.

Global salaries

Across all respondents to the survey, North America led in overall base salaries with an average of $108,165 annually. The second highest average salary level was reported in EMEA at $67,711. Asia Pacific follows at $57,710, and then Latin America with an average salary of $48,771.

In 2021, most survey respondents worked in IT auditing or cybersecurity roles, which tend to command higher salaries. However in 2022, there was higher numbers of respondents in other areas, which may have an impact on regional and global averages. Globally, most IT decision-makers earn more than IT staff. However, once again, IT staff in Asia-Pacific make more (approximately $1,100) than IT decision-makers.

Responsibility level 

Those in non-management roles can expect to earn $58,336 a year in Asia Pacific; mid and senior level executives in Asia Pacific earn an average salary of $66,458 and $89,737 respectively.

While C-Suite executives including job roles such as; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Security Officer (CSO)/ Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) whose responses in Asia Pacific only made up 1% of the survey, earned an average annual salary of $83,981. This was gignificantly lower than EMEA and North American counterparts who earned $118,366 and $163,239 respectively.

Career experience 

The bulk of survey participants had one to five, or six to 10 years of experience, followed closely by 11 to 15 years of experience. Nearly three-quarters of respondents had six or more years of experience, while only 8% of respondents were in their first year.

See how salaries correlate with years of experience below: 

Job function and industry

Overall and as expected, the highest salaries reported were for IT executives. However, roles in human resources, finance, and project management in the IT industry are all some of the highest earners.

In Asia Pacific, IT professionals in communications, public relations, and advertising were the highest paid compared to those in aerospace or defence, as well as pharmaceutical, medical and biotech for North America and EMEA respectively.

Raises and bonuses 

The data suggests that through job performance and/or by learning new skills, employees can have a direct impact on salary increases. The survey also saw an uptick in raises attributed to added responsibilities and promotions.

In most regions, percentages increased year-over-year. For example, in 2021, the same report found that raises in EMEA were just 2% for IT decision-makers and 3% for IT staff. This year, those percentages increased to 8% and 6% respectively.

The lowest average raise cited was for IT staff in Latin America at 5%. Overall, increase percentages by region were as follows: North America: 8%, Latin America: 6%, EMEA: 7%, and Asia Pacific: 7%.

Performance in their current job topped the list of factors that IT professionals attributed to increased salaries. However, additional responsibilities in their current position saw a significant increase; this factor tied for fourth place in 2021 but was in second place this year.

This may be due to the tight labour market so many employers are experiencing. In addition, raises attributed to developing new skills also increased, demonstrating personal monetary advantage associated with training.

In 2022, there was a decrease in bonuses earned overall. Worldwide, depending on region, in 2021, 57-69% of eligible decision-makers and 43-55% of eligible staff earned a bonus. In 2022, the numbers dropped slightly to 53-62% for decision-makers, but remained the same for staff.

All photos / Skillsoft