Hiring for technology professionals is moving full-steam ahead in the second half of 2014, according to more than 700 hiring managers and recruiters who primarily focus on these professionals. The majority (70%) of hiring managers intend to hire more technology professionals in the next six months, as compared to the first half of the year, according to Dice’s semi-annual hiring survey. That’s a slight dip from year end, when 73 percent anticipated more hiring in the first half of the year, as compared to the number of hires to finish off 2013. Tech professionals appear to be waiting for the right position and the right pay.

• While one-third of corporate hiring managers said more technology professionals were leaving their current positions this year, that’s down from 42 percent who experienced increased turnover in 2013.

• Thirty-two percent of hiring managers and recruiters said more tech candidates are rejecting offers, as compared to six months ago; and

• A clear majority (61%) of respondents said candidates are asking for more money, as compared to six months ago.

That’s creating frustration in the market: the majority (59%) of respondents noted at least some positions are going unfilled based on salary guidelines for the job. A healthier recruiting environment puts upward pressure on compensation, not unlike what Dice saw in its annual salary survey, and all signs looks like that will continue in the months ahead. “Employers have been dealing with a tight technology job market for four years. That said, just yesterday more than 7,500 U.S. technology professionals updated their resumes on Dice, signaling they are open for a change,” said Shravan Goli, President of Dice.com. “If companies have to spend additional time wooing tech pros to close the deal, they should be as efficient as possible in putting the slate of candidates together.” Tech professionals with six to 10 years of experience (71%) fall into the hiring sweet spot for recruiters, followed by those with two to five years (59%). But, newer entrants to the workforce shouldn’t be deterred, with 20 percent of hiring managers saying they’ll be adding entry-level positions, the highest since November 2011. Further signaling a positive, tech employment market, 79 percent of hiring managers said layoffs are unlikely in the next six months--the highest response since Dice began this survey in 2008.

About the Survey

From May 12 to May 16, 2014, Dice surveyed human resource managers, recruiters, consulting and staffing companies from every region of the country who primarily hire or recruit technology professionals. With 737 responding to the survey, 34 percent identified as recruiting for their own corporate needs. Of the respondent group, 18 percent worked for companies with more than 500 employees.