The difficulties in recruiting staff in the computer sector have increased in the last year with 81 per cent of firms now reporting problems against 70 per cent last year, according to a survey of salaries and benefits in the industry.

The survey, carried out by Computer Staff Recruitment (CSR), showed that staff turnover is running at an average of 16 per cent throughout the industry and average salary increases are between 12 per cent and 15 per cent up on 1997 levels. It also found that at nearly 68 per cent, the industry remains very male dominated.

CSR said 72.5 per cent of firms plan to increase their workforce this year, a slight downturn on last year's figure of 80 per cent.

The survey results are divided into four categories - software development, information technology (IT) departments, suppliers of hardware, software and services and software localisation.

At the top of the scale in software development, a development or engineering manager would earn between £37,000 and £46,500 depending on the level of experience. Software engineers earn on average between £17,000 and £29,000, rising to £24,000 to £33,000 for a senior engineer.

Some 97 per cent of software development companies plan to increase their workforce in the next year. Planned growth is being hampered by the ability of employers to find staff with 93.5 per cent experiencing difficulties in recruitment.

IT departments continue to show a downward trend in recruitment. Just 51 per cent plan to increase their workforce in 1998, down from 66 per cent last year and some 41 per cent now out-source work.

Programmer/analysts in IT departments can earn between £18,500 and £28,500 depending on their experience although the daily contract rate varies from £230 to £450.