While technology professionals continue to be overwhelmingly loyal to their industry, a new survey points to a subtle shift away from these professionals choosing to endorse a technology career to others.

The results of the third Dice Tech Appeal Index show that 91% of respondents are somewhat or very satisfied in their current job, and 92% intend to stay in the IT field for at least the next six months.

The survey of more than 1,000 adults over age 18 indicates that 86% of technology professionals are still likely to recommend technology as a career to others, which is statistically flat from the October 2006 study.

However, compared to last year’s data, tech pros increased their likelihood to recommend a career in other industries, like financial services (56% vs. 47%) and media/entertainment (44% vs. 34%).

Scot Melland, chairman and chief executive of Dice Holdings, suggests this might be evidence of possible retention issues over the long term.

“It’s possible that technology professionals’ willingness to recommend or move into a new industry comes as a result of their perceptions of growth and higher pay,” says Melland.

“As the gap between increased demand for IT workers and decline of new technology graduates continues to grow, it’s critical that colleges and companies promote the field’s dynamic aspects and the benefits of a career in IT to the broader market in order to fulfill the industry’s ongoing need for talent,” he says.

The Dice survey finds that 91% associate the field with stress, primarily due to workload (26%), dealing with clients (23%), and the pace of the job (21%). In addition, survey respondents showed an increased fear of outsourced jobs internationally (46% are very or somewhat concerned compared to 39% in 2006).