Vancouver companies are having a difficult time attracting information technology (IT) staff due to higher living costs in the Lower Mainland and higher wages in Alberta and Saskatchewan, according to a report produced by Vancouver information technology recruitment company WPCG.
WPCG released a study October 12 that showed technology industry consultants are paid up to 41% higher in Alberta and Saskatchewan than in Vancouver.
“Calgary has more head offices and can afford to pay more with the resources sector,” said WPCG’s CEO Feras Elkhalil. “Saskatchewan becomes that province that has been growing and there’s work that needs to be done.
“They don’t have the talent so they need to pay more to lure the talent. That’s companies such as SaskTel., Potash Corp., SaskPower and the health authorities in Saskatchewan.”
Elkhalil employs 32 recruiters who help a range of companies find IT staff. He said one consultant he employed at $55 per hour in B.C. was recently offered a two-year contract at $85 per hour in Alberta.
His study revealed that B.C. companies are responding to the pressure to pay IT people more because 22% of Vancouver-based IT professionals reported an increase in compensation within the past six months.
Consultants reported an hourly increase of 21% while permanent employees saw an average increase of 18% in annual salary within this period, the WPCG report said.
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom