Rising salaries and shifting AI-driven roles reinforce the country’s appeal to skilled professionals and multinational employers.
Ireland’s technology sector continues to strengthen its global standing, with new data indicating that salaries for key roles now rival, and in several cases exceed, those in other major European markets.
As the Dublin Tech Summit convenes this week, findings from Hays Ireland’s latest Tech Talent Explorer show a market defined by strong demand for advanced skills and sustained wage growth.
“Ireland is no longer just a European branch office for major tech companies, it is now a primary engine of global tech innovation”
The research highlights Ireland’s competitiveness across a range of specialist positions. Salaries for roles such as Data Engineers and Solutions Architects remain notably strong when benchmarked internationally.
Overall technology pay levels in Ireland outperform those in the UK by 17% and Germany by 19%, underlining the country’s position as a leading European destination for tech professionals.
While the United States continues to set the global benchmark for compensation, with average salaries reaching €108,387 compared with €81,338 in Ireland, the gap is narrowing in certain high-demand disciplines. Data scientists in particular are seeing increased parity, reflecting growing competition for specialised expertise.
A balancing act
The report also points to Ireland’s balance of high-quality talent and cost efficiency as a key advantage for employers.
Salary levels are broadly aligned with markets such as Australia and Singapore, while contractor day rates remain competitive with established hubs including Luxembourg and Hong Kong. This alignment reinforces Ireland’s role as a strategic base for international tech operations.
Beyond compensation, the findings suggest a deeper structural shift in the nature of tech work. Increased adoption of artificial intelligence is transforming roles across the sector. Rather than reducing opportunities, AI is automating routine processes and administrative tasks, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value activities that require judgement, creativity, and strategic thinking.
This evolution is contributing to continued upward pressure on wages. Demand is increasingly centred on professionals who can combine technical capability with problem-solving and decision-making skills, qualities that are becoming essential in an AI-enhanced workplace.
Barney Ely, Senior Managing Director at Hays Ireland, said the latest data reflects a significant shift in how Ireland is positioned within the global technology ecosystem.
“Ireland is no longer just a European branch office for major tech companies, it is now a primary engine of global tech innovation,” he said. “We are seeing a shift where AI is enabling tech professionals to move away from routine tasks and towards work that is more strategic and globally impactful.”
Ely noted that recent layoffs across parts of the global technology sector have not weakened Ireland’s salary environment. Instead, pay levels continue to demonstrate resilience, supported by consistent demand for advanced skillsets.
“We’ve recently seen layoffs at major players across the tech industry, but the continued strength of salaries demonstrates the resilience of the Irish market,” he said.
“For talent, Ireland offers a landscape where technical skills are met with high-value rewards. For employers, the challenge is no longer just finding people. It is partnering with experts who can navigate an increasingly AI-enhanced environment.”
The Tech Talent Explorer platform, which underpins the research, draws on global workforce intelligence and input from technology professionals. It is designed to support both individuals and organisations in navigating career decisions and workforce strategies through data-driven insights.
As companies continue to invest in digital transformation and AI integration, Ireland’s combination of talent depth, competitive pay, and global connectivity is expected to remain a defining strength.
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