An interesting analysis has just been posted on ITJobsWatch suggesting that jobs advertised in the last three months asking for SOA knowledge and experience offer on average a 27 per cent higher salary than equivalent positions requiring more traditional “processes and methodologies” skills.

Compared to the same period last year, however, salaries for SOA-related positions came down by 12 per cent on average, while the more traditionally skilled roles rose by two to three per cent.

There are a number of things that could be driving these dynamics. Firstly, the scarcity value of SOA skills is decreasing as more IT pros have acquired that kind of experience and knowledge. Secondly, SOA could be moving from the early adopter community, who are more likely to pay higher salaries, into the thriftier mainstream.

Of course, the cynics would argue that people have begun to see through the hype, and SOA- related salaries are beginning to come down to earth accordingly.

Nevertheless, a 27 per cent premium (average salary £59,484 versus £46,869 in the UK) is not to be sniffed at, so SOA is something that is probably worth paying attention to.

Meanwhile, you can help us get to the truth behind this SOA thing by giving us 10 minutes of your valuable time to complete this month's Reg Reader Survey. You never know, the questions might even give you some pointers to what you’re likely to be asked in that next job interview 

You can get down to the survey here. ®