flyingmoose, I work in a research unit at a major University. We have a "Scientific Programming Group" (of which I am not a member) and we also have the usual network and computing support group. The employee turn-over in the latter group is high and in the former group it is very low. I asked why and was told that the pay scales for the two groups are very similar but the SPG had interesting and challenging work (sometimes too much of it) and probably more respect since the scientists are very dependant on them. The other group is the one people call when something goes wrong. I mentioned the pay was similar, but it isn't very good. What keeps people in the SPG are the intangibles.

Working at a University might be a refreshing change of pace.