Nearly 85% of companies froze annual “merit” raises in 2009. Now that things are starting to improve, are you in an industry that offers opportunity for growth in 2010?

Everyone from senior management down felt the freeze in 2009. Two-thirds of senior management received no annual raise or increase whatsoever last year, in comparison to 54% of frontline employees, according to a recent Deloitte & Touche survey.

But the survey also revealed that most companies are optimistic about compensation in 2010. To wit:

• More than half of companies expect revenues to increase, allowing them to offer at least some form of comp increase before the year is out
• Just over a third who reduced or cut 401K contributions plan to reinstate some or all of them in 2010, and
• Almost 40% of companies surveyed believe revenues will improve in 2010.

Still, most companies admit salary increases will probably not exceed 3% (compared to a median 4% increase in the halcyon days of 2007). Other companies are planning to use more intricate bonus methods like stock options that tie bonuses into company performance, so that when one wins, so does the other (and vice versa).

All of that said, the employees who have the best opportunity to make more in 2010 are those who have specialized expertise in a niche area that makes them extremely valuable to the company. Some popular examples:

• Company accountant; Veteran accountants are trusted advocates. They understand a company’s ins and outs, as well as some of the company’s closely-guarded secrets. At a time when companies rely on advice that will help them cut costs and generate more revenue effectively, a shrewd accountant becomes an invaluable resource.
• Compliance Director: So many laws and regs are changing under the Obama administration that companies need to be constantly vigilant. Having someone on staff who understands those regs, as well as how to implement and enforce cost-effective rules that keep the company from being fined is worth its weight in gold (or salary).
• Credit Manager: When people hear the term “credit crisis,” most of them consider it from a consumer perspective. But the reality is companies lost hundreds of millions of dollars over the past few years due to customers who secured a line of credit, then defaulted. Having an expert on staff who knows how to perform a solid background check and only secure credit for those who deserve it (as well as someone who knows how to collect) is a tremendous asset.
• IT Manager: The world is moving online. The longer an IT pro has been with a company, and the more he/she knows about how the company’s IT system is set up (and why), the more of a disaster it would be if that person left the company unexpectedly.

What do you think? Are there any obvious, high-value positions we left out here? Who else should be in line for a raise in 2010 and why?

We’d love to know what you think in the comments section below.

Source: “10 Jobs That Will Get a Raise in 2010,” by Anne Fisher, CNNMoney.com, 12/28/09