Going freelance can more than double an IT trainer's income, according to a new study.

A survey for the Institute of IT Training (IITT) found its members averaged a yearly income of £29,130.

However freelance trainers charged an average day rate of £286, which IITT converted to an income of £69,000 for a trainer taking four weeks holiday a year.

Almost half - 44% - of the 758 IT trainers surveyed felt well-paid and just 11% felt badly paid.

The average salary within the sector varied with e-learning managers earning £33,460 pa, training managers earning £32,000 pa and open learning centre facilitators making £22,437 pa.

Most trainers worked a 40-hour week, with just one per cent claiming to work 60 hours or more.

In terms of career development, 93% of respondents said they undertook formal career development in order to gain knowledge and skills.

However, only 55% claimed to have access to all the training and skills development opportunities that they needed.