A new report indicates the answer for higher personal income could be a career change.
Technology careers are paying big dividends, compared with other job sectors. The report from the human resources consulting firm Robert Half International projects almost 6 percent increase in starting salaries in the technology field.
The company's senior executive director, Paul McDonald, says his firm also predicts growth in traditional fields such as accounting and marketing, where technology is involved.
"Technology truly is running its course through all functional roles today,” he stresses. “You need technology as a foundational, functional understanding, in order to be successful in any one of these specialty areas."
According to the report, among the top positions to watch are mobile applications developer, data architect and chief security officer. All three have starting salaries that top $100,000 dollars a year.
McDonald points out many careers in the technology sector don't necessarily require four-year degrees, and can be secured with additional training that could be done at night or online.
"If you find yourself unemployed, it's really a good investment to go back and go to a trade school, go to a junior college to retrain yourself, to make yourself marketable in these very hot areas," he says.
McDonald says companies are making employee retention a high priority, since turnover is particularly challenging for high-tech positions.
He adds many businesses are offering flexible work hours to accommodate a work-life balance for skilled workers who are the right fit.
