Why the future looks good for those with Linux-related skills

Perhaps tech jobs are not as few and scattered as we once thought. As I read through this article from the IT Manager’s Journal, I see a pattern developing that I had suspected was coming about for some time. Linux jobs are on the rise. When people ask me what segment of technology to get involved with, I like to tell that that Linux is a wide open frontier with a ton of opportunities.

IT job-placement site Dice.com’s latest metrics on Linux jobs show an upbeat picture. Dice found strong growth in demand, salaries staying strong, especially in high-tech centers — and vis-à-vis many areas of traditional IT. Open Enterprise Trends takes a look at the numbers and talks with Dice CEO and president Scott Melland on their importance. First, some stats:

Linux job postings on Dice:
# As of Feb. 22, 2005 there were 3,960 jobs on the Dice.com site requesting Linux-related skills. This is up 23 percent since the beginning of the year and up 235 percent since January 2004.

Linux salaries:
# Overall, tech professionals with Linux skills reported earning $70,200, 6.8 percent more than the U.S. average of $67,800.
# The most common titles (and salaries) for Linux professional were: Sysadmins ($63,600); software engineers ($79,400), and IT managers ($100,000).
# Average Linux salaries in 2004 were down 2.6 percent from 2003.
# Full-time workers with Linux skills reported earning $67,400.
# Contractors reported average hourly rates of $53 per hour and average salaries of $82,000.
# Linux salaries were highest in Silicon Valley at $92,600. This is 10 percent higher than the overall average in the San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland/Fremont metro area.