8/1/2001 -- According to Microsoft Certified Professional Magazine's annual salary survey, the average earnings of IT professionals certified on Microsoft technologies has declined over the past year.

For the first time in six years, the average salary of Microsoft Certified System Engineers (MCSEs) fell. According to the survey, the average is down 7 percent, from $67,800 in 2000 to $63,400 in 2001.

The drop wasn't as bad for those who upgraded their MCSE with the Windows 2000 exams; they earned an average of $67,100, about $4,400 more than their NT counterparts ($62,700).

Average salaries for MCSDs and MCPs also dropped. And bonuses were hit as well: the average expected bonus for 2001 is $2,456: 40 percent less than last year’s expectation.

Why the drop? "IT has taken a huge hit over the last year or so -- everyone's hurting," explained MCP Magazine's Managing Editor Kristen McCarthy. "The dot-coms were bloating the compensation levels, and that market just kind of imploded. All of a sudden, those salaries were no longer there. Plus, you had a glut of 400,000 MCSEs certified on 4.0, and MCSE certification became less valuable in a way. [This survey shows] a leveling-out of salaries."

McCarthy pointed out that there are bright spots in the survey. "Microsoft Certified Trainers saw an 18 percent jump in salary in the past year," she said. "We're attributing that to supply and demand -- there are people wanting to get Win2K-certified, but not many people who can teach it. Also, now that trainers need to have a premier certification, you're throwing a lot of other titles into the mix."

McCarthy also said that, although the averages are a guide, not every MCSE will make the averages or receive the compensation reported in the survey, nor should they expect to. "Salary depends on a lot of things: experience, education, location and, to some extent, gender -- but especially experience." She explained, "If all you've got in your hand is a brand-new Win2K certification, you're not going to see these numbers."

The salary survey was conducted by Wilson Research Group for MCP Magazine. To read the survey in its entirety, visit: http://www.mcpmag.com/salarysurveys/salary01.asp. -B.N.