IT professionals are working harder than ever, and unimpressive salary increases aren’t making up for the added stress. Computerworld's polled 4,337 IT pros and found average salaries increased 2.1 percent in 2011, and average total compensation rose by 1.8 percent. In all, 56 percent of the respondents got a raise. The bad news? They fear they may never regain the salary ground lost during the economic downturn, and are grappling with heavy workloads, added responsibilities, and demands to learn new skills. Are you working harder for not much more money? Tell us in the comments below. "My to-do list keeps getting longer, though I'm working extended hours to try to catch up," the director of technology at a small manufacturer told Computerworld. "One day someone will look at all I have to do and think I'm not getting enough done." Another complained that he and his colleagues are being asked to shoulder new duties to support his company's growth initiatives, but that new hires are being offered better compensation than veteran workers.

51 percent of survey respondents said they had been given an increased workload in the past 12 months, and 68 percent said that they anticipated additional workloads and responsibilities in the next 12 months. Meanwhile, 85 percent said that they have felt more pressure over the past year to increase productivity or take on new tasks, and of that group, 90 percent said their salary had not been adjusted to reflect the added work. No wonder 51 percent of the respondents reported feeling underpaid based on their role and responsibility.

The recession seems to have cast a long shadow that has darkened the moods of at least some technology professionals. While 66 percent of respondents said they're satisfied or very satisfied with their total compensation, only 29 percent said they believe that a career in IT and the profession's earning potential are as promising today as they were five years ago. Perhaps some improved salaries would yield some improved attitudes.