Technical Salary Survey

Resources

How We Deliver Salary Insights Today

 

While this annual salary survey is no longer produced on a fixed schedule, compensation insights remain a core part of how we support clients. Today, we deliver custom salary and market compensation insights by client request, leveraging real-time hiring data, active candidate pipelines, and proprietary market intelligence across IT, engineering, and technical roles.

 

If you’re evaluating compensation for a specific role, location, or project team, contact us to request a tailored salary analysis aligned to current market conditions.

 

Need current compensation insight for a specific position? Contact us to request current salary benchmarking for your role, location, or hiring needs.

 

 

Refining & Chemical Industry Salary Survey

Refining & Chemical Industry Salary Survey: Highlights

As an ongoing part of our value-added services, we conducted a comprehensive salary benchmarking survey on the key positions within the refining, chemicals, manufacturing, and related industries. We appreciate the participation received from our database and network of engineering and technical professionals across the United States providing their current compensation data.

Findings from our survey of engineering and technical professionals – who completed the survey anonymously – include:

  • =Geographic location
  • =Industry
  • =Highest level of education
  • =Years of experience
  • =Current job title
    • =Base salary
    • =Target bonus
    • =Financial incentives
    • =Non-financial incentives

    The infographic below provides a visual summary of our findings.

    2020.Whitaker Technical Compensation Benchmark

    2020 Benchmark

    2020.Whitaker Technical Compensation Benchmark

    2019 Benchmark

    2019.Whitaker Techncial Salary Benchmark

    2018 Benchmark

    Whitakertechnical 2018Salary

    2017 Benchmark

    Whitakertechnical Salarysurvey Summary 2017

    2016 Benchmark

    Technical.salarysurvey

    T&M SOW Solutions FAQ’s

    by | Jun 13, 2025 |

    Trying to decide if a T&M or SOW engagement is the right fit for your IT project?

    You’re not alone. With so many moving parts—from timelines and budgets to team dynamics and deliverables—it’s important to choose a model that gives you the flexibility and control you need.

    What are T&M SOW Solutions?

    by | May 6, 2025 |

    Not every project needs a massive consulting firm, or the costs, contracts, and delays that come with one.

    T&M SOW Solutions give IT leaders a streamlined, transparent way to get projects moving. You stay in charge. You guide the work. We support you with the talent, structure, and speed needed to execute efficiently.

    5 Signs You Need a T&M SOW Partner

    by | May 5, 2025 |

    Why more IT leaders are turning to Time & Materials (T&M) SOW partners – a simplified, flexible project staffing solution built for speed, control, and value.

    Whitaker IT’s T&M SOW Solutions are designed with small to mid-size IT initiatives in mind.

    No inflated costs. No inflexible deliverables.

    Filter Articles & Insights

    Testimonials

    I have known Linda for several years and have consistently been impressed with her recruitment and communication skills. It’s a rare thing to be able to discuss the nuances, trends and directions of your industry with a recruiter. It’s even more rare for a recruiter to understand and empathize with very technical people. Rarer still for a recruiter to follow up, keep in touch and offer useful and actionable advice. Linda embodies all these traits and is very personable with it.

    – Database Infrastructure Administrator, Houston

    I have known Linda for several years and have consistently been impressed with her recruitment and communication skills. It’s a rare thing to be able to discuss the nuances, trends and directions of your industry with a recruiter. It’s even more rare for a recruiter to understand and empathize with very technical people. Rarer still for a recruiter to follow up, keep in touch and offer useful and actionable advice. Linda embodies all these traits and is very personable with it.

    – Database Infrastructure Administrator, Houston

    app development
    Whitaker Companies
    Whitaker Companies
    4.7
    It was a pleasure working with Whitaker (especially Taylor Archer). I felt prepared and ready for each step. Additionally they were proactive in getting me updates. Fantastic group to work with.
    Stephen Charles
    Stephen Charles
    14:42 07 Oct 25
    Jessica was amazing to work with.She consistently kept me in the loop regarding the process and gave me plenty material to be successful going through the process.She responded to all of my questions and never let too much time go by without some kind of update or heads up.1000000% would recommend working with Jessica.
    Greg
    Greg
    13:47 29 Aug 25
    Taylor is an incredible recruiter! She helped me quickly land an amazing job, and I couldn’t be happier. She’s truly outstanding, and I highly recommend her if you’re looking to grow your career.
    Victoria
    Victoria
    22:36 28 Aug 25
    To the Whitaker Management Team,“I had the pleasure of working with Naomi Hill and Nikki Lemmert, and I can’t say enough about how professional and patient they were throughout the entire process. They took the time to fully understand my career goals and worked diligently to make sure I was right match for this opportunities. Their guidance was invaluable, and their dedication to my success truly stood out. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for top-tier recruiting services.”Naomi was able to find me through LinkedIn, and I’m excited to say I’ve accepted the offer! This experience reminded me how important it is to keep your LinkedIn profile updated, professional, and aligned with your career goals. You never know who’s looking or when the right opportunity might find you. To anyone actively or passively job hunting—don’t underestimate the power of a strong online presence!”Charles A. LenauCenovus Energy Toeldo RefineryManager, Rotating Equipment Maintenance Execution and Engineering
    Charles Lenau
    Charles Lenau
    14:04 15 Jun 25
    I had the pleasure of having Taylor find me during a job search, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From our initial conversation, it was clear that Taylor was committed to understanding my skills, career goals, and what I was looking for in a position that opened on her end for a client.One of the standout aspects of my experience with Taylor was her exceptional communication. She kept me informed every step of the way, ensuring I was always aware of updates and what to expect in the process. It was reassuring to know that I could reach out to her with any questions, and she would respond promptly and thoughtfully.Taylor also took the time to thoroughly prepare me for interviews, providing valuable insights and tips that boosted my confidence. Her dedication to my success was evident, and I truly felt supported throughout the entire process.Thanks to Taylor’s expertise and guidance, I landed a position that aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. I am incredibly grateful for her professionalism and the personal touch she brought to my job search. Thank you Taylor!
    ashley ramirez
    ashley ramirez
    18:06 24 Feb 25
    I was introduced to Whitaker Companies by a colleague when I was looking for a new position. From Day 1 the experience was dramatically different than any other recruiter I have ever worked with. Jessica was amazing. She was timely, supportive, provided a bit of humanity in a world of digital job sourcing. 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend!
    Joseph Jensen
    Joseph Jensen
    00:36 30 Jan 25
    Jimmy Gowens was awesome to work with. He was supportive, positive, and made the process stress free. Jimmy continues to follow up with me to see how everything is going. I can’t say enough good things about him.
    Dustin Glosser
    Dustin Glosser
    21:31 29 Jan 25
    Jimmy Gowen was more than just a recruiter agent. He was an advisor, a motivational coach and above all, a friend. He made sure I understood the type of organization I was joining in, to the point where, once I was in, I felt like I had been working there for years. The insights he provided made me realize that the company had the right balance between challenging situations and welcoming of experience. I feel that this is my organization now, all thanks to Jimmy. If anyone has the pleasure to work with him, I guarantee that he will not let you down ever. Thank you Whitaker Companies!
    Jose Rios
    Jose Rios
    15:00 23 Jan 25
    I got an opportunity to work with Paul Choudhuri from Whitaker Company. Paul is very professional and extremely helpful, keeps me in loop for all the important information regarding the work. The pay is also on time, no issues in the paperwork. I highly recommend Whitaker Company to work with.
    Rakesh Kumar Sahoo
    Rakesh Kumar Sahoo
    17:59 22 Jan 25
    I had the pleasure of working with Jessica Tighe, and I can't recommend them highly enough.She went above and beyond in assisting me with my job search, showing a genuine interest in helping me with the hiring/interview process. Even when communication from the company that I was pursuing faltered, Jessica maintained consistent and supportive updates, ensuring I was never left in the dark.As a designer, I have worked with many recruiters over the years and this has been one of the best experiences that I've had.
    Morgan Hunter
    Morgan Hunter
    19:39 09 Aug 24
    Very supportive, friendly and professional people to work with. Paul has been very supportive and on multiple occasions went out of the way to help whenever needed.
    Abhishek Chatterjee
    Abhishek Chatterjee
    19:18 29 Sep 23
    My recruitment experience oand ongoing relationship with the folks at Whitaker has always been businesslike, friendly, helpful and prompt. It has been a pleasure.
    Warren Bell
    Warren Bell
    12:57 27 Sep 23
    Very helpful and knowledgeable recruiting/staffing firm. Anytime I have questions or need help they are quick to respond! Paul along with Stephanie and Alex have been a pleasure to work with.
    Aziz Said
    Aziz Said
    19:20 26 Sep 23
    Whitaker IT is excellent staffing agency. Paul Choudhuri whom I worked with personally is fantastic, he really helped in every step of the way. I highly recommend anyone who is looking for a new opportunity.
    Kumar Karanam
    Kumar Karanam
    18:49 26 Sep 23
    Within a mere three weeks of partnering with Whitaker IT, I successfully obtained not one, but two positions.Their robust and esteemed network of top-tier clients enables them to thoroughly prepare candidates and maintain rapid communication throughout the entire process.The team is comprised of exceedingly skilled and dedicated professionals.My heartfelt appreciation goes to Bianca, Linda, and Patricia of Whitaker IT for their instrumental role in efficiently securing not just one but 2 offers offers for me in just a week.I highly recommend.
    Fola Raheem
    Fola Raheem
    16:11 09 Aug 23
    I have had a great experience with Whitaker Technical and Mi M. She negotiated an offer with a great company and a substantial raise. She was professional and did an amazing job as my recruiter. I would definitely recommend working with her, and with Whitaker, to anyone looking to advance their career.
    Chris Adams
    Chris Adams
    23:20 22 Jul 23
    Mr Ashok Chowdhary
    Mr Ashok Chowdhary
    15:19 13 Jul 23
    Pete Curran
    Pete Curran
    18:02 22 Jun 23
    Paul and all the folks at Whitaker Companies demonstrated great expertise and professionalism during the entire recruiting process. Paul was personally involved and kept me updated every step of the way. If you are an IT professional you can rest assure Whitaker would help you land the right position within their network of companies. They handle all the admin stuff and are always available to answer any questions you may have. I highly recommend.
    Antonio NISSI
    Antonio NISSI
    16:58 14 Mar 23
    This team is committed to both the clients and the consultant. Very personable and they keep me posted on progress
    Paula Schwartz
    Paula Schwartz
    13:59 01 Mar 23
    Michael Thunderclap
    Michael Thunderclap
    19:33 08 Jun 22
    I was very impressed with Whitaker, specifically Paul and Patricia. Both of them were very responsive and helped me a lot through the process. Thanks to both of them, I am now employed at a great company!
    Tod Bailey
    Tod Bailey
    16:37 09 Oct 21
    Great experience with Whitaker! Always available to answer questions and follow up.
    Mike Kim
    Mike Kim
    15:56 05 May 21
    I thoroughly enjoyed working with Paul Choudari and Patricia. They were very responsive to my questions. Very personable people and got me in contact with the hiring manager. I look forward to working with them.
    Mark Steven Emfinger
    Mark Steven Emfinger
    15:08 03 Mar 21
    Whitaker Companies , are really good at what they do . Especially , Paul and Alexandria are prompt, personable and a great help through out the process of recruitment.
    rohit maila
    rohit maila
    17:56 22 Feb 21
    Working with Whitaker is a great experience. And still continuing the journey with enormous satisfaction. Especially with Paul. the more we praise the less words about him. He is a genuine professional and a man of word. Prompt response and understanding nature at every scenario. I personally thankful to Paul from all the deeps of my hear for helping me through the process as well as supporting me thereafter and also go out their ways to help the consultants in achieving their demands.
    Mahesh Pothanapalli
    Mahesh Pothanapalli
    17:32 11 Feb 21
    I've worked off and on with Whitaker Companies for a few years, and they have always been super helpful and attentive. I've been trying to confirm my employment, and the professional I was working with went above and beyond. She responded to my emails late into the evenings, expedited my request, and really made the process easier. I would absolutely recommend Whitaker Companies.
    Cassandra M
    Cassandra M
    04:40 27 Feb 19
    It is great working with Whitaker IT, they are very professional with consultants and good at understanding the requirement and providing right opportunities!!
    Sudhamsh Maroju
    Sudhamsh Maroju
    11:08 25 Feb 19
    Whitaker Companies are very professional and personable all at the same time! Paul Choudhuri and Patricia Simpson go above and beyond to meet not only the client's needs but also to place consultants in exactly the right place. Both communicated and followed through on my every need. They have been supportive and warm and anticipated my questions even before I knew what to ask. If you are a client with a need ... CALL Them! If you a consultant looking for a job ... CALL Them! Well done ... Whitaker Companies!
    Deborah Tollett
    Deborah Tollett
    17:15 21 Feb 19
    Whitaker Companies, are really good at what they do! They provide swift response, and also go out their ways to help the consultants in achieving their demands. I personally am thankful for Paul and Alexandria for helping me through the process as well as supporting me thereafter.
    siddarth servicenow
    siddarth servicenow
    15:38 18 Feb 19
    Whitaker is a great partner of ours at IDI Consulting. I work directly with Paul and have a great two way relationship with him where we both provide each help when needed. They communicate clearly and are very knowledgeable. I highly recommend working with Whitaker in any way possible whether it is as a vendor, customer, or partner.
    Dan O'Brien
    Dan O'Brien
    15:26 18 Feb 19
    We employed this group a few years ago and had a great experience. All of the members are wonderful and they were able to fill my jobs quickly. What was most impressive was the responsiveness and the dedication to find best talent to fill our job openings.The admin and ownership play a key role to the success of any organizations business and they support the recruiters well to avoid any last minute issues here at Whitaker. You will not be disappointed.
    Jhilmil Goel
    Jhilmil Goel
    16:02 01 Oct 18
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    Resources

    Staff Blogging

    AI Career Development: Stay Current or Be Left Behind

    Dec 9, 2025

    AI Isn’t Replacing You — But Someone Using It Might   Why staying current matters, and how to adapt without feeling overwhelmed.   At a recent industry event, a panel of CIOs was asked the question everyone is secretly thinking: “Is AI...

    read more

    Budgeting Smart: Direct Hire vs Project Staff in IT

    Sep 17, 2025

    The decision to hire direct or bring on project staff is a strategic one, not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right answer depends on how well your staffing plan aligns with budget goals, risk tolerance, and long-term priorities.

    read more

    AI Career Development: Stay Current or Be Left Behind

    Dec 9, 2025

    AI Isn’t Replacing You — But Someone Using It Might   Why staying current matters, and how to adapt without feeling overwhelmed.   At a recent industry event, a panel of CIOs was asked the question everyone is secretly thinking: “Is AI...

    read more

    Budgeting Smart: Direct Hire vs Project Staff in IT

    Sep 17, 2025

    The decision to hire direct or bring on project staff is a strategic one, not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right answer depends on how well your staffing plan aligns with budget goals, risk tolerance, and long-term priorities.

    read more
    View All