2025 IT Salary Guide

What do technology jobs pay in 2025? If you're using outdated numbers, you might lose your best candidates before they even hit 'submit' on their application.

In the arms race for tech talent, knowing what makes a competitive salary package can be the difference between landing your top candidate and losing them to a competitor. That’s why our 2025 IT Salary Guide delivers actionable insights to help you make informed hiring decisions and stay competitive in today’s talent market.

Better yet, let Mojo Trek handle the entire process. Our recruitment team merges up-to-date salary data with pre-vetted tech talent to match you with experts who align with your budget and goals.

To stay ahead of the curve, here’s a look at average tech salaries and expected benefits for 2025.

IT Salary Trends for 2025

The tech industry is stabilizing after post-pandemic market fluctuations. TechService Alliance data shows tech salaries grew steadily at 2% in 2024. Projections by consulting company Avasant indicate a 3.3% rise in 2025, suggesting sustained growth in the sector.

The democratization of remote work has impacted salary structures, with organizations increasingly leveraging global talent pools, particularly in Latin America, where Software Engineers and DevOps specialists offer over 50% cost savings compared to US rates.

This global salary arbitrage is proving especially attractive amid current compensation trends. As per Robert Half, 87% of hiring managers report difficulties finding qualified candidates domestically, with 65% increasing their use of contract talent.

This comes as monthly US tech job postings consistently exceed 500,000. Yet, the cybersecurity sector remains critically understaffed, with a global shortage of 4 million qualified professionals — a short-term hiring challenge but a long-term industry growth signal.

The AI revolution has introduced additional complexity to salary trends, creating premium compensation for advanced roles while potentially automating entry-level positions and forcing organizations to recalibrate their entire compensation frameworks.

Robert Half's latest compensation report highlights AI Architects command the highest premiums, with expert-level tech salaries reaching $204,463, while Machine Learning Engineers follow closely at $197,170.

As companies navigate these market dynamics, many adopt hybrid approaches, combining competitive base salaries with performance bonuses and equity packages to attract top talent while maintaining fiscal responsibility in a fluctuating economic landscape.

Average Salaries for Key IT Roles

A quick comparison of US and Latin American tech salaries reveals opportunities for companies to unlock economic efficiency and maximize technical capabilities while optimizing payroll costs.

Software Engineer

• US Salary Range: $121,760-$180,000+
• LatAm Range: $36,000-$55,000 (57% cost savings)

Software engineers design, develop, and maintain complex software applications. They translate business requirements into technical solutions, write and debug code, and ensure software quality through rigorous testing and code reviews. Senior engineers often take on system architecture responsibilities and mentor junior developers.

Data Scientist/ML Engineer

• US Salary Range: $129,375-$204,463
• LatAm Range: $78,000-$132,000 (38% cost savings)

Data scientists and ML engineers transform complex data into business insights through machine learning and AI solutions. They build predictive models, develop AI systems, and work with teams to implement data-driven strategies that drive business growth.

Cybersecurity Analyst

• US Salary Range: $109,821-$189,483
• LatAm Range: $64,000-$101,000 (44.87% cost savings)

Cybersecurity analysts identify threats, respond to incidents, and safeguard organizations' critical digital assets. Through advanced monitoring systems and risk assessment protocols, they develop and implement comprehensive security strategies while leading incident response initiatives.

DevOps/Site Reliability Engineer

• US Salary Range: $124,264-$194,75
• LatAm Range: $48,000-$60,000 (66% cost savings)

DevOps engineers automate software deployment and infrastructure management to maximize system reliability. They implement continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, manage cloud infrastructure, and ensure system reliability and scalability.

IT Project Manager

• US Salary Range: $132,848-$160,840
• LatAm Range: $48,000-$78,000 (57% cost savings)

IT project managers lead complex technology initiatives from planning to delivery. They coordinate teams and resources while balancing technical expertise with strong leadership skills to drive successful digital transformation projects.

Regional Salary Insights in the US

According to Robert Half's salary guide, cities like San Francisco, New York, and Boston consistently rank among the top-paying locations for IT professionals. For instance, an IT manager in San Francisco can earn an average salary of approximately $175,000; in New York and Boston, tech salaries can reach around $160,000.

In contrast, in emerging tech hubs such as Austin, known for its vibrant tech scene, IT salaries are competitive but generally lower than in the aforementioned cities, with the average tech salary for similar roles reaching around $130,000. Raleigh also offers similar salaries, typically from $100,000 to $120,000, reflecting its growing status as a tech center.

Salaries in cities like San Francisco and New York are higher because the cost of living is much higher. For example, housing costs in San Francisco can be more than double those in Austin. This disparity means that while tech salaries may be higher in major cities, the purchasing power may not be as favorable when adjusted for living expenses.

Couple this with remote work, and professionals may find that emerging tech hubs offer a better balance between salary and cost of living, making them increasingly attractive to job seekers in the tech industry.

Benefits Beyond Base Salaries

Dice's latest data reveals notable gaps between the benefits tech professionals desire and what companies actually provide. For instance, while 53% of tech workers want work-from-home stipends, only 19% receive them. Similar disparities exist in equity compensation (like company shares and ownership programs), training budgets, and dependent care support.

Professional development continues to rank high on tech workers' priority lists. However, many companies fail to meet expectations around continuing education, certification programs, and conference attendance budgets. This disconnect suggests employers miss opportunities to invest in their teams' growth.

Vacation policies show an encouraging evolution in workplace culture. While three weeks remains the standard PTO package, what's notable is how people use it: 45% of tech professionals now take their full vacation time. Even more telling, 71% reported that their employers actively support taking time off.

Alongside this shift, unlimited PTO remains a complex trend. Adoption has grown 75% since pre-pandemic times and 50% of U.S. workers prefer it to higher salaries, however, companies like Kickstarter returned to traditional policies, finding employees actually take less time off without clear guidelines. In response, many now pair unlimited PTO with vacation stipends to encourage actual use.

For hiring teams, these trends highlight clear opportunities. While competitive tech salaries matter, expanding benefits — particularly remote work support, professional development, and work-life balance — could significantly strengthen recruitment efforts in 2025.

Emerging Trends in IT Compensation for 2025

While equity and performance bonuses remain top priorities, particularly for specialized AI and blockchain roles, organizations recognize that competitive tech salaries alone aren't the answer.

With AI set to transform 92% of IT jobs, organizations are embedding skill development directly into compensation packages, creating a holistic approach to professional growth and reward.

Leading companies also offer comprehensive packages that include wellness programs, family care benefits, and flexible work arrangements.

AI-driven analytics now inform compensation decisions, ensuring more precise and fair outcomes. This approach reflects both technological advancement and evolving workplace priorities

Maximizing Your Talent Pool with MojoTrek

At Mojo Trek, we understand the challenges of tech salary compensation. Our expertise goes beyond salary benchmarking — we help you craft complete packages that attract and retain top tech talent.

By sourcing from local, nearshore, and offshore markets, we connect you with the top 3% of tech professionals at competitive rates that make sense for your business. Ready to build a tech team that grows your business? Contact us to attract the right talent without overextending your budget.