E-learning managers head training table

E-learning managers can expect to earn an average of £3,000 a year more than their training industry colleagues, new research has found.

The average salary for an IT trainer today stands at £29,130, while e-learning managers can expect to earn £33,460, according to the IT Training Professionals Climate Survey.

The report, commissioned by the Institute of IT Training and conducted by Lorien Customer Focus, also found that average salaries in the sector were highest in London (£40,250) and lowest in the Midlands (£27,250).

The survey found that 60 per cent of IT trainers are female, and that around 16 per cent of respondents are self-employed.

Among this group, freelance e-learning specialists once again reported the highest mean earnings.

Their average daily fee of £297 is around 15 per cent more than a classroom trainer's £248. Some freelance trainers quoted rates as high as £800 a day.

Two-thirds of respondents in full-time employment reported that their pay had risen since last year.

However, open learning facilitators fared worst, with 11 per cent reporting a drop in pay in the past 12 months. Of those IT trainers taking a cut, the average amount of the drop was 27 per cent.

As well as salaries, the survey also looked at the issue of work/life balance.

Colin Steed, chief executive at the Institute of IT Training, said in a statement: "There is a marked difference in working hours between those who are self-employed and those who are employed.

"This is likely to be a deliberate lifestyle choice and indicates that greater employer flexibility towards working hours may prove attractive when retaining IT training professionals."

The survey also examined respondents' attitudes to career development. "It is heartening to see that 93 per cent of respondents undertake formal career development in order to gain knowledge and skills," said Steed.

However, he was disappointed to find that only half of respondents felt they had sufficient access to all the training and skills development opportunities they needed.

The survey was completed by 758 IT training professionals.