2013 Linux Jobs Forecast: Pressing Need for Linux Talent

Ninety-three percent of hiring managers plan to hire a Linux pro in the next six months

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, February 20, 2013 – The 2013 Linux Jobs Report, which forecasts the Linux job market based on a survey of hiring managers and Linux professionals, shows increases in demand for Linux talent that is being met by aggressive recruitment strategies. This backdrop is resulting in salary growth for Linux talent at nearly double industry norms and more than a third of Linux pros planning to switch employers in the year ahead.

The 2013 Linux Jobs Report released today includes new data this year from both hiring managers (850) and Linux professionals (2,600), providing a comprehensive view of the Linux career landscape from the business needs driving the demand to the personal incentives that are most attractive to Linux professionals.

Key statistics from the report include:

• Ninety-three percent of hiring managers say they will hire a Linux pro in the next six months, an increase from 89 percent in 2012.

• More hiring managers in 2013 say that finding Linux talent is difficult (Nine out of 10 in 2013; eight out of 10 in 2012), underscoring the opportunity for tech professionals who know Linux.

• Seventy-five percent of Linux professionals surveyed have received at least one call from a recruiter in the last six months. These professionals are being pursued by employers offering above average salaries and bonuses.  Linux salaries jumped nine percent this year, far outpacing the five percent increase in tech salaries overall (which was the biggest jump in a decade), according to the Dice Salary Survey.

• Systems administrators are the most sought-after Linux pros, according to hiring managers, representing the growth of Linux in the enterprise to support cloud computing and big data.

The 2013 Linux Jobs Report, conducted by Dice, the leading career site for technology and engineering professionals, and The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the growth of Linux, also includes insights into why employers are seeking Linux talent now and what the top incentives are for Linux pros, among other important findings. Download the complete report today.

“The improvement in hiring intent from last year’s sky high levels shows that Linux professionals are in a job market of their own.  For Linux professionals, the trend is your friend – make sure you are taking advantage of this market’s career opportunities,” said Alice Hill, Managing Director of Dice.com and President, Dice Labs.

“The unprecedented demand for Linux professionals represents Linux’ growth across industries and the increasing relevance of the collaborative development model,” said Amanda McPherson, vice president of marketing and developer programs at The Linux Foundation. “The 2013 Linux Jobs Report shows that there is unlimited opportunity for college graduates and technology professionals who want to pursue careers in Linux. We hope to help continue to advance Linux by providing the Linux training resources needed to make these professionals ready for the jobs that await them.”

As part of The Linux Foundation’s mission to protect, promote and advance Linux, it has created a comprehensive, neutral Linux training program to help address the market demand for experienced Linux systems administrators and developers. The organization is seeing a spike in inquiries for enterprise Linux training and attributes it to the increasing use of Linux to support cloud computing and big data. The Linux Foundation’s enterprise and developer courses are designed to give attendees hands on experience and the advanced technical skills needed to thrive in their careers today.

The 2013 Linux Jobs Report Methodology

From January 3, 2013 to January 18, 2013, Dice and The Linux Foundation surveyed both hiring managers and Linux professionals about their Linux jobs needs and preferences.

Hiring managers from corporations, small and medium businesses (SMBs), government organizations, and staffing agencies were surveyed. More than 850 responded with 79 percent indicating their company was headquartered in the North America, 9 percent in Europe, 4 percent in Asia, 2 percent in South America, as well as Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, the Middle East, Mexico and Central America. Respondents needed to have hired at least one Linux professional in the last year, or have plans to hire Linux professionals in 2013 to participate in the survey, and they were allowed to check as many responses to questions as appropriate.  In addition, more than 2,600 Linux professionals responded to a survey, with 34 percent indicating they’ve been working as a Linux professional for 10 years or more.

About Dice

Dice, a Dice Holdings, Inc. service, is the leading career site for technology and engineering professionals. With a more than 20-year track record of meeting the ever-changing needs of technology professionals, companies and recruiters, our specialty focus and exposure to highly skilled professional communities enable employers to reach hard-to-find, experienced and qualified technology and engineering candidates. www.Dice.com

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2000, the organization sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source development community. The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration and education by hosting Linux conferences, including LinuxCon, and generating original Linux research, Linux videos and content that advances the understanding of the Linux platform. Its web properties, including Linux.com, reach approximately two million people per month. The organization also provides extensive Linux training opportunities that feature the Linux kernel community’s leading experts as instructors. Follow The Linux Foundation on Twitter.

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