Good news, employers: according to the most recent Dice Salary Survey, the percentage of workers who say they’re satisfied with their salary has rebounded after two years of decline, hitting 54 percent. That’s down from 2012, when 57 percent of tech pros told Dice they were satisfied, but better than 2014, when 52 percent reported satisfaction. Despite that increase, some 40 percent of tech professionals anticipate changing employers this year; and of that number, 63 percent said they plan to do so in order to make more money. In addition, 67 percent of tech pros are confident they’ll find a new position. Thanks to a strong tech economy, with an unemployment rate lower than the national average, tech pros with the right combination of experience and skills have their pick of roles. That compels employers (and recruiters) to do more to attract and retain professionals—before the latter walk out the door and into a competitor’s waiting arms. Fortunately, employers seem to have gotten that message: last year, some 70 percent were using some sort of motivator to persuade employees to stick around. Some 18 percent of tech pros report increased compensation as their employers’ primary motivator, with another 14 percent citing flexible work location (telecommute) and 12 percent saying more interesting and challenging work. Around 9 percent said their employer offered flexible work hours as a motivator, and 3 percent pointed to training and certification courses. Considering how much tech pros prize boosting their skills, the latter number may increase in subsequent Salary Surveys. In other words, a company with the right atmosphere and a good mix of perks (including the ability to work from home) has the potential to compete for talent against much larger firms. But it’s not enough to simply present those upsides and expect that tech pros will instantly attach themselves to your company; recruiters and employers must also focus on things like candidate experience. 
