The Irish labour market heading into 2026 reflects a shift from rapid expansion to strategic, skills-focused hiring.
According to the Morgan McKinley 2026 Irish Salary Guide, organisations are prioritising roles that directly support revenue growth, regulatory compliance, digital transformation and operational resilience.
While overall salary growth has moderated across most sectors, acute talent shortages remain in niche and high-impact areas.
Flexibility, sustainability and long-term career value are now central to candidate decision-making, often outweighing headline pay increases.
Below is a sector-by-sector overview of the most in-demand positions shaping Ireland’s employment landscape in 2026.
Technology
Technology hiring continues to evolve at pace.
Although demand has stabilised following restructuring across large global tech firms, critical skills shortages persist in specialist areas.
The most in-demand roles for 2026 include Data Engineers, Cybersecurity Analysts and GRC Specialists, Machine Learning Engineers, Data Scientists, AI Auditors, AI Ethicists, and Automation and DevOps professionals.
The continued expansion of AI-driven business models and the tightening of regulatory oversight have fuelled demand for both technical builders and governance specialists.
Notably, the emergence of AI auditors and AI ethicists highlights how regulatory frameworks are reshaping workforce needs.
Organisations are embedding oversight and accountability into their AI strategies, creating new career pathways.
Candidates in the technology market are increasingly prioritising autonomy, hybrid working and meaningful project ownership over aggressive base salary growth.
Accounting & Finance
Accounting and Finance remains one of the most stable, yet tightly managed, segments of the Irish labour market.
Hiring activity has remained consistent across commerce, industry and professional services, with financial services showing renewed momentum as 2026 approaches.
The most sought-after roles include Finance Directors, FP&A Managers, Financial Accountants, Financial Analysts, Accounts Assistants, Accounts Payable Specialists, corporate Tax Managers and Regulatory Reporting Accountants.
A significant theme continues to be the outflow of newly qualified accountants, with more than half relocating abroad upon qualification.
London has overtaken Australia and Canada as the most popular destination. However, Ireland has benefited from the return of experienced professionals who have gained three or more years of post-qualification experience in international financial centres such as Luxembourg, Malta and the Cayman Islands.
Their exposure to complex regulatory frameworks has strengthened domestic mid-to-senior capability.
Salary growth has largely plateaued, with most permanent roles seeing increases of between zero and 2%.
Uplifts are concentrated in niche areas such as tax, regulatory reporting and systems accounting, as well as among newly qualified and second-move PQE candidates.
Pension contributions have emerged as the most valued benefit, reflecting a growing focus on long-term financial security.
Banking & Financial Services
Banking and Financial Services has proven resilient despite ongoing global uncertainty. Hiring is increasingly focused on revenue-generating, regulatory-driven and transformation-critical positions.
Most in-demand roles include Technical Underwriters, Claims Specialists, Personal and Commercial Brokers, Employee Benefits Consultants, Pensions Administrators, Wealth Managers, Mortgage Underwriters, Risk and Enterprise Risk Managers, AML onboarding and financial crime specialists, Fund Accountants, Compliance Managers, Heads of Compliance and Chief Risk Officers.
Regulatory frameworks such as DORA, MiFID, AIFMD and Solvency II continue to influence hiring priorities, alongside increasing governance expectations from the Central Bank of Ireland.
Risk and compliance positions have seen salary increases of up to 10% due to persistent shortages, compared to an overall sector average of 2–3%.
Contracting remains attractive, with improved day rates and greater flexibility encouraging experienced professionals to pursue interim and portfolio careers.
Business Support
The Business Support market has faced more subdued conditions, with high candidate supply and cautious hiring decisions extending recruitment timelines.
Executive Assistants, Office Administrators, Receptionists, Customer Service Representatives, Clerical Officers and Project Administrators are the most in-demand roles.
Salaries have remained broadly flat, prompting employers to compete on flexibility, job stability and benefits.
Demand is strongest for experienced professionals who can offer specialist support and long-term commitment.
Construction
Construction continues to experience strong underlying demand, despite pauses in certain sectors such as data centres and large-scale pharmaceutical investment.
Housing shortages and national infrastructure upgrades are expected to sustain long-term hiring needs.
Quantity Surveyors, Design Engineers, Planners, Site Engineers and Project Managers are particularly sought after.
Hiring remains predominantly permanent, and limited availability of experienced professionals is extending recruitment processes.
ESG & Sustainability
ESG and sustainability hiring has transitioned from a compliance-led focus to a broader strategic integration across organisations.
Following adjustments to the scope and timing of CSRD, demand has pivoted toward embedding sustainability into finance, procurement, risk and enterprise data functions.
Key roles include Heads of Sustainability and ESG, ESG Reporting Leads, Sustainability Accountants, ESG Risk Managers, Climate and Carbon Strategy Leads, ESG Data Governance Managers and Sustainability Assurance Specialists.
ESG is now firmly established as a structural function within Irish organisations. Senior professionals with international exposure or board-level accountability continue to command strong remuneration.
Executive Search
Executive hiring has become more selective, with longer processes and heightened scrutiny. Demand is strongest for leaders capable of delivering measurable outcomes in transformation-critical areas.
Traditional C-suite roles such as CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, CIO and Chief People Officer remain relevant, while technology-driven roles including Chief AI Officer, Chief Data Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer are increasingly prominent.
Fractional and interim C-suite appointments are gaining traction, enabling organisations to access specialist expertise without long-term financial commitments.
Boards are prioritising AI literacy, crisis leadership and human-centred leadership capabilities.
HR
The HR market has remained relatively subdued, with limited senior movement and greater reliance on contract and interim hiring.
HR Business Partners, HR Generalists, Talent Acquisition Coordinators, Employee Relations Specialists and Learning and Development professionals are most in demand.
Salary growth has been largely static, with candidates placing greater emphasis on total reward packages, organisational culture and flexible working arrangements.
Life Sciences & Engineering
Life Sciences and Engineering continue to show strong demand, particularly in biopharma. Automation Engineers, Process Engineers, Maintenance Engineers, Quality Assurance Specialists, Regulatory Affairs Specialists and Validation Engineers are especially sought after.
Specialist biopharma expertise remains scarce, driving competition and extended hiring timelines. Permanent salary growth has been gradual in high-demand niches, while contract rates remain robust for project-based specialists.
Projects & Change
Transformation remains central to organisational strategy. Project Managers specialising in cyber security, regulatory readiness and procurement transformation are in high demand.
Although salary levels have stabilised, experienced change professionals remain critical as organisations navigate AI adoption and digital maturity initiatives.
Legal, Risk & Compliance
The legal, risk and compliance market remains structurally resilient. Construction, investment funds, banking, property and employment lawyers are particularly in demand.
Hiring is driven by regulatory complexity and transaction activity rather than expansion. Salary growth has moderated, with firms focusing on retention through flexibility and workload management.
Sales & Marketing
Sales and Marketing has faced notable pressure due to multinational hiring freezes and reduced discretionary spending.
Digital Marketing Managers, Communications Managers, Brand Managers, Marketing Executives and Events Managers are the most sought-after roles.
Salary movement has stalled, with employers competing on scope and stability. Recovery in 2026 is expected to be gradual and focused on revenue-linked and performance-driven positions.
Supply Chain, Procurement & Operations
This sector remains cautious, shaped by global uncertainty and cost control. Logistics Managers, Procurement Specialists and skilled Production and Manufacturing Operators are most in demand.
Logistics has proven the most resilient area, supported by continued investment in EU distribution operations. Salary growth remains minimal, with employers prioritising operational resilience and efficiency over expansion.
Flexibility, sustainability and long-term career value are now central to candidate decision-making, often outweighing headline pay increases.
A Market Defined by Selectivity
Overall, the Irish labour market in 2026 is defined by precision rather than volume.
Employers are investing in specialist skills that strengthen compliance, innovation and resilience, while professionals are prioritising flexibility, long-term benefits and purposeful work.
Acute shortages in technology, risk, ESG and engineering will continue to shape hiring competition throughout the year ahead.