Nearly four in ten (37%) Irish technology employers expect to grow their headcount in 2026, according to new figures from recruitment specialist Stelfox. The data, published in the Stelfox Salary Guide 2026, suggests cautious optimism across Ireland’s tech sector, even as organisations continue to navigate global uncertainty and rapid digital transformation.
While the proportion of companies planning to expand teams has eased from 45% in 2024 and 41% in 2025, the majority (56%) expect to maintain current staffing levels – a sign of stability following several years of accelerated growth.
According to the Stelfox report, the main reasons employers plan to hire in 2026 include increased demand for products and services (46%), expansion into new markets (30%), building future talent pipelines (9%), and AI development (7%).
Jennifer Dillon, Managing Director of Stelfox, commented on the research,
“Despite tighter margins and cost pressures, Ireland’s technology sector remains in a strong position. The market has matured – businesses are being more deliberate in their hiring, focusing on critical skills rather than volume. The fact that almost four in ten employers still intend to grow teams next year demonstrates continued confidence in Ireland as a hub for innovation and talent”.
Sample 2025 – 2026 salary increases from the Stelfox Salary Guide include:
- Product Owner increase baseline from €55K to €65K
- Scrum Master another base line increase from €65K to 70K
- Senior Data Architects gone from €140 to €160K
Top Tech Skills and Jobs for 2026
The Stelfox guide identifies the most in-demand skills for 2026 as Software Engineering and AI (engineering and LLM integration), Data Science and Analytics, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and IoT (Edge Computing and AI Infrastructure).
Ms Dillon went on to say,
“Artificial intelligence continues to reshape not only the technology sector but the types of roles and skills that companies need. AI engineering, data science, and cybersecurity are converging – and Ireland is right at the centre of that change”.
Emerging technology trends set to dominate the coming year include Agentic AI and the continued evolution of IoT from the Edge to Space.
Globally, the fastest-growing tech jobs by 2030 are expected to include[1]:
- Big Data Specialists
- FinTech Engineers
- AI & Machine Learning Specialists
- Software & Application Developers
- Security Management Specialists
- Data Warehousing Specialists
- Autonomous & Electric Vehicle Specialists
- UI & UX Designers
- Data Analysts & Scientists
- Internet of Things Specialists
Resourcing and Talent Management Priorities
Stelfox describes the forecast for 2026 as “optimistic” but also warns that skills shortages remain the biggest barrier to transformation.
Ms Dillon went on to say,
“The pace at which skills are becoming outdated is slowing, thanks to increased upskilling, reskilling and redeployment, but employers continue to face challenges in sourcing specialist talent”.
The top three challenges cited by employers for 2026 are:
- Availability of in-demand skills
- Wage pressure
- Cost of living
Ms Dillon added,
“The Irish tech workforce has shown remarkable resilience. Employers are more agile now – they’re investing in continuous learning and workforce planning to stay ahead of skills gaps. The focus has shifted from simply hiring to building capability within teams”.
Expectation for the Year Ahead
Increased investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and R&D is expected to strengthen the country’s digital foundations and competitiveness. Stelfox says that for technology companies, this means greater opportunities to innovate, scale and attract top talent, while for professionals, it signals a market rich in opportunity and career growth.
Stelfox’s analysis suggests companies will prioritise:
- Reviewing talent attraction strategies
- Strengthening workforce planning around skills, hybrid work and sustainability
- Reviewing pay and benefits frameworks in line with the incoming EU Pay Transparency Directive[2]
Ms Dillon concluded,
“The year ahead will be about alignment – aligning talent strategies with business goals, and ensuring that regulation, pay transparency and flexibility work in harmony with innovation. Ireland’s ability to adapt will continue to be its greatest strength”.
