In 2019, 26% of IT professionals plan to find a new employer, according to a study by Spiceworks, a marketplace that connects the IT industry.

The research found that 8% plan to leave the IT field for a new career, 6% plan to move into IT consulting and 5% plan to retire.

New employers

However, job plans vary significantly by age. For example, 33% of millennial IT professionals plan to find a new employer in 2019, compared to 26% of Gen X and 13% of baby boomers. Millennials are also more likely to expect a raise and promotion from their current employers next year.

When comparing the data by gender, women are more likely to expect a promotion next year – 25% of female IT professionals expect a promotion in 2019 compared to 14% of male IT professionals. However, men are slightly more likely to anticipate a raise – 37% of men expect a raise next year compared to 33% of women.

Among the IT professionals seeking a new employer in 2019, the results show most (62%) are looking for a better salary. Currently, the median salary for IT professionals in North America is $70,000 (£53,000), and the median salary for IT professionals in Europe is €55,000 (£48,000). According to a Spiceworks poll, 33% of IT professionals have not received a raise from their current employer in the past 12 months despite IT budget increases in many organisations.

The results also show 52% of IT professionals seeking new employment are looking for more opportunities to advance their IT skills, and 36% are looking for a better work/life balance. When comparing generations, millennials are more likely to seek a new employer to get more job training, work at a company with a bigger IT budget, and find a better job title.

Compared to women, the results show men are significantly more likely to pursue another job to earn a better salary – 65% of male IT professionals are seeking a better salary compared to 38% of women.

The survey was conducted by Spiceworks in July 2018 and included 1,000 respondents from Europe and North America .