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Systems developer : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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Case studies

  • Range of typical graduate starting salaries: £22,000 - £27,000 (salary data collected Nov 09, IT Jobs Watch ).
  • The average salary for a systems developer is £33,750 (salary data collected Nov 09, IT Jobs Watch ).
  • Range of typical salaries at senior or management level (e.g., after 10 - 15 years in the role): £27,000 - £70,000 or higher if bonus schemes are available (salary data collected Nov 09, IT Jobs Watch).
  • Salary at all stages is dependent on the size of the installation and its location and can be enhanced by specialist experience.
  • Working hours tend to include working out-of-office hours, including weekend work. Extra hours are required to complete project deadlines and also during the testing stage so that the system can be tested when no one else is using the machines.
  • The work is mainly office based or in computer laboratories. Projects may be undertaken alone or in small teams.
  • Self-employment/freelance or contract work is possible as there is an increasing market for contract systems developers who have developed specialist knowledge. There is also a demand for contract software testers and some contract systems programming work for experienced practitioners.
  • Career breaks are difficult due to the need to keep technical knowledge up to date in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Women are currently underrepresented in this profession. However, gender imbalance across the IT industry as a whole is a recognised issue. Intellect (an organisation representing the UK technology industry) has formed the Women in IT Forum to lead action to increase the representation of women in IT.
  • Jobs are available in most areas of the UK, but there is a concentration of jobs in major population areas and in the M4 corridor.
  • The work environment and dress code are generally informal, although this can depend on the company and the amount of client contact involved.
  • The job involves spending many hours at the keyboard, so high levels of concentration are required. Regular breaks are essential to minimise potential adverse effects on your health, such as eye strain or back problems.
  • Depending on the nature of the business, travel within a working day or absence from home at night may be required. With consultancy work this will be more likely. There is more travel involved in installation and implementation work.
 
AGCAS
Written by Helen Reed, Nottingham Trent University
Date: 
November 2009
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