The IT sector is one of the areas undergoing the fastest changes today, driven by the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as increasing cyber threats. This evolution has a direct impact on the labor market. According to the Talent Trends 2024 Technology report developed by the recruitment company PageGroup, 40% of employers in Europe see the retention of tech talent as a significant challenge. The three key reasons for IT professionals seeking new jobs include the desire for higher pay, promotion, and better professional development opportunities through training.
Job Satisfaction Driven by Pay
Based on the PageGroup analysis, salary is unequivocally the most important factor in attracting and retaining talent in organizations worldwide, including the IT sector. The Talent Trends 2024 Technology study found that 55% of tech professionals in Europe consider salary crucial when considering new job opportunities. Despite the dynamic changes happening in the recruitment market, this rule remains constant.
Marta Krzysztofik, Manager at Michael Page Technology explains, “As our 2025 Salary Review indicates, the IT sector in Poland continues to record wage growth in certain areas, particularly for specialists dealing with cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI. Despite rising salaries for these positions, the market is under pressure to maintain stable wages in other specializations. Demand for IT specialists was extremely high during the pandemic, leading to significant rises, especially for software development programmers and cloud specialists. Now, rising wages are focused on the specialized areas mentioned earlier, while remaining stable in other positions. Today, employers in the IT sector and beyond are particularly looking for specialists in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, big data and data analysis due to rapid digitization and increasing data security needs.”
For IT specialists, it’s important that the offered salary is ahead of market standards. According to the PageGroup study, 54% of them received a raise in the last year, and 25% over 12 months ago. Additionally, in 2024, 15% of tech employees successfully negotiated higher rates. These numbers underline the importance of being well-prepared for salary discussions. Despite this, 36% of IT professionals in Europe are dissatisfied with their current earnings.
Job Satisfaction Retains Talent
The Talent Trends 2024 Technology report shows that exactly half of IT professionals in Europe are satisfied with their current positions. Notably, those who share their company’s values and received a raise are much more satisfied.
Company culture also plays a significant role in job satisfaction for IT employees. The most important aspects according to respondents are primarily work-life balance (51%) and competitive compensation (50%). Also important are relationships with colleagues (39%), recognition, gratitude and appreciation from the employer (38%), and a flexible or hybrid work model (33%).
Aligning Expectations: Key to Collaboration
The PageGroup study revealed a clear discrepancy between the expectations of IT candidates and the assumptions of employers in Europe. Although both sides agree on salaries and work flexibility, differences arise in the evaluation of location (more important for employees), and the approach to management and employer branding, which play a smaller role in the eyes of candidates. Additionally, employers often underestimate the importance of training, the purpose of work, and access to technology tools – elements more meaningful to employees than employers anticipate. Understanding expectations is key for developing effective salary strategies.
The Michael Page expert adds, “Understanding mutual expectations brings many benefits to companies: it increases employee engagement, improves retention and allows building an attractive work culture. Our research shows that adapting to the values and preferences of employees, such as training opportunities or the use of the latest technologies, can be key. Compromise between the needs of both parties is therefore an effective strategy, as it helps retain talented specialists, especially in the competitive IT market, where employees often seek new professional opportunities.”
Beginning of AI Revolution
The development of artificial intelligence is the driver of changes in the labor market, especially in the context of performing professional duties and shaping career paths. Half of the respondents who participated in the Talent Trends 2024 Technology study believe that artificial intelligence affects the career decisions of tech talents in Europe – 28% assess this impact as high, and 22% as medium. In addition, most employees (58%) in the region believe that AI affects their long-term career plans, while 29% believe it has no significance in this matter.
Marta Krzysztofik concludes, “In order for companies to exploit the potential of AI, they must invest in technology development and preparing employees for new tasks, for example by implementing data analysis training or working with AI algorithms. Key is also understanding the impact of AI on long-term strategies and managing changes wisely. Employees, on the other hand, should develop digital skills, flexibility in adopting new tools and competence in working with AI-based systems. Proficiency in writing precise instructions to AI models is also important. Learning new technologies will help them better adapt to a dynamically changing professional environment.”
Source: https://managerplus.pl/ponad-60-specjalistow-it-w-europie-jest-zadowolonych-ze-swojego-wynagrodzenia-37855
