Date:08/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/08/stories/2004100800510900.htm

Back `IT salaries up 19 pc this year'

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Oct. 7

THE average salary across IT industry has risen 19 per cent in 2004 despite a steep 12 per cent drop in freshers pay, while HP has emerged as the best paymaster, according to a latest report.

The Dataquest-IDC India Salary Survey notes that salary levels have gone up almost across the board in 2004. "With sole exception of entry-level recruits (up to two years' experience), all other categories show a significant rise. Even with the drops in the freshers pay, the average salary across the industry grew by 19 per cent," a release issued by Dataquest said.

The average salaries of fresh recruits were down 12 per cent to Rs 2.6 lakh per annum. The survey also revealed that IT companies extended perks and benefits to a larger base of employees in 2004 as opposed to the previous year but while salaries went up, the satisfaction with salary levels and "salary as the top reason for joining a company" was seen declining.

The survey measured the salary levels and parameters such as employee satisfaction in the IT industry. It revealed that Hewlett-Packard India was at the top of the salary scale, but not of satisfaction.