the just-released 2014 Salary Guides from Robert Half show that U.S. starting salaries for professional occupations are projected to increase an average of 3.7 percent next year. Technology positions are expected to see the largest gains among all fields researched, with an anticipated 5.6 percent increase in the average salary for newly hired workers. Accounting and finance professionals can expect starting salaries to rise an average of 3.4 percent, according to the research.

"Many hiring managers are encountering difficulty finding professionals with the specialized skills they need to achieve their growth goals," said Paul McDonald, Robert Half senior executive director. "The annual salary information from Robert Half is designed to provide businesses with the latest compensation trends, as well as advice for attracting and retaining top performers."

Following is an overview of findings from the 2014 Salary Guides:

Accounting and Finance
The average starting salary for a newly hired accounting and finance professional in the United States is forecast to rise 3.4 percent next year. Financial and business systems analysts are in demand. The market for internal auditors and entry-level accountants also has strengthened.

Technology
Overall, base compensation for information technology professionals in the United States is expected to increase 5.6 percent in the coming year. Mobile applications and software developers are in particularly strong demand. Business intelligence analysts also can expect to see higher than average salary increases.

Creative and Marketing
Professionals in creative fields in the United States can expect average starting salary gains of 3.3 percent in 2014. The shortage of creative talent with digital and mobile expertise continues, with user-experience and mobile designers in particular demand.

Legal
In the legal field, starting salaries for positions in the United States are anticipated to rise 2.7 percent, on average, in the coming year. Mid- and senior-level associates are sought by law firms looking to expand lucrative practice groups or invest in new service offerings.

Administrative and Office Support
Overall starting salaries for administrative professionals in the United States are expected to rise 3.3 percent in 2014. Executive and administrative assistants and customer service managers are in particular demand. Support staff also are needed in the healthcare field and in human resources.

About the 2014 Salary Guides
The newly released Salary Guides include:
- 2014 Salary Guide from Robert Half (www.roberthalf.com/salary-center)
- Robert Half Technology 2014 Salary Guide (www.rht.com/salary-center)
- The Creative Group 2014 Salary Guide (www.creativegroup.com/salary-center)
- Robert Half Legal 2014 Salary Guide (www.roberthalflegal.com/salary-center)
- OfficeTeam 2014 Salary Guide (www.officeteam.com/salary-center)

All of the guides can be accessed at www.roberthalf.com/salary-guides. A salary calculator for each profession can be used to determine average starting salaries in hundreds of local markets and also can be accessed via the links to the Salary Guides above.

Since 1950, Robert Half has produced Salary Guides to offer business owners, hiring managers and professionals salary information for their geographic areas and insight into the latest employment trends. Companies consult the annual guides to determine appropriate starting compensation for accounting and finance, technology, creative and marketing, legal and administrative professionals at all levels. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has used the guide when preparing its comprehensive Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Information in the guides is based on the thousands of job searches, negotiations and placements managed each year by Robert Half's staffing and recruiting managers, along with the company's ongoing surveys of executives. Continuing or ongoing salaries are not reported because many external factors -- such as seniority, work ethic, job performance and training -- impact the salaries of full-time professionals as work histories develop.

About Robert Half
Robert Half has more than 345 staffing locations worldwide and offers online job search services on its divisional websites, all of which can be accessed at roberthalf.com