IT 2016 Salary Guide

Increasingly, traditional IT roles are being transformed into e-commerce and digital type positions. There has also been outsourcing of very basic IT functions into Southeast Asian countries.
 
In 2015, the majority of international IT firms slowed down their expansion and focused mainly on backfilling any replacement roles. Increasing numbers of Chinese IT and Internet firms have been expanding aggressively, attracting professionals from multinational companies. It remains challenging to find talent in this space.
 
Traditionally, the IT and Internet sector has been male dominated. It remains a challenging sector with a lack of work/life balance. The ratio of male to female employees in this sector is 70:30.
 
Chinese professionals with fluency in both Mandarin Chinese and English are in high demand. However, as local companies continue to expand, demand for English language proficiency will decrease. Chinese companies with overseas expansion plans through mergers and acquisitions will be able to offer employees international opportunities.
 
The vast majority of positions (90%) in China’s IT and Internet market are in-house related, as opposed to contract/temporary and agency/in-practice.
 
As the IT market moves towards an Internet focused approach, professionals with relevant Internet industry experience and successful product development experience are in high demand and are therefore obtaining a comparatively higher salary increment.  Internet companies are renowned for their high pressure environment and long working hours; employees are usually compensated for this through the provision of an upside in bonuses or share options.