This link indicates 4 fields with some large raises, including IT. http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/19/news/economy/annie_raise.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2006122006 For those in high tech: This might cause another huge influx of H1B visa's for High Tech workers as more salaries move into the six figure range, but what can you do other than find a niche that's hard to replace. I certainly think its better news than pay dropping in the field.
My experience in several industries is that no raise compares with what one can get by switching companies. -=Steve=-
Information systems security, forensics, and related areas are typically niches which provide stable long-term opportunities as an employee or consultant.
SteveFoerster is correct... By switching companies several times (years ago), I quadrupled my salary in less than 2 years (much better than the 3.75% annual raise). To be candid though, swapping jobs and contracting can get old...and often results in getting shortchanged in the 401k and pension. That said, I would recommend it wholeheartedly for anyone starting out (e.g. 20-30) as long as they consider their retirement goals (e.g. vesting issues...and that one relates to income while another to net worth). Greg
I could never do it, but I have an acquaintance who does "recreational interviewing" to nice locations every few years and takes the best offer back to his company...