Hong Kong’s technology sector is poised for cautious growth amidst ongoing global economic uncertainties. Despite recent workforce reductions in response to global companies streamlining and resource reallocation, industries such as insurance, fintech and aviation are projected to experience notable expansions.
Download the 2025 Job Market and Salary Guide report to find out more about the skills in demand and salary trends in Hong Kong's tech job market.
talent scarcity in the tech sector
Companies in Hong Kong continue to prioritise digital transformation and automation initiatives, creating a wealth of opportunities in emerging sectors. Data science and analytics, AI and machine learning, as well as cybersecurity are witnessing significant growth, shaping the current market landscape.
Employers are looking for tech talent with efficient and versatile technical skill sets capable of meeting evolving requirements. IT professionals are expected to demonstrate strong commercial acumen, good communication and interpersonal skills, and advanced problem-solving skills.
job trends and talent expectations in software engineering
A notable trend in the software industry is the migration of junior headcount to markets like mainland China, India, and Vietnam, where talent is more readily available and labour costs are lower.
The demand for software engineers in Hong Kong is expected to grow in 2025, driven by increased digital transformation initiatives, a growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) projects across various sectors, and the expansion of fintech and Web3 companies. A number of Chinese companies are also seen to be expanding their businesses in Hong Kong as they seek to expand their footprint across Asia Pacific.
When looking for new jobs, talent value the opportunity to work on application and system development projects, or enhancement using the latest technologies. Software candidates can anticipate internal pay increments of 3% to 5%, while those switching companies may see increases of 18% to 20%.
job trends and talent expectations in emerging technologies, data and artificial intelligence
Banks and financial institutions, especially Japanese banks and family offices still developing their data capabilities, will continue to hire data professionals in 2025. Crypto and insurance firms are projected to remain active in hiring new talent, while commerce firms may shift their focus towards employee retention.
This trend reflects a sector-specific demand for tech talent, alongside a migration of skilled professionals from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mainland China to the UAE, which could lead to a talent shortage.
On the AI front, many companies are increasingly adopting generative AI to enhance internal operations, boost efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction. As a result, we expect a growing demand for talent with in-demand skills in developing and integrating AI capabilities within organisations by 2025.
The increasing recognition of emerging technologies and AI has led to the development of hybrid data roles in Hong Kong, such as Data Reliability Engineer, Data Analytics Engineer, and Data Science Engineer.
Hiring expectations are also higher, as employers are not only assessing technical skills and domain expertise but also the flexibility and potential of candidates to master various technologies and data functions.
Beyond financial motivations, data and AI talent are seeking employers that can provide them with a data-driven environment where they have the opportunities to explore the potential of AI technology and promote higher AI use rates within the company.
Internal salary reviews in 2025 are projected to range between 4% and 6%. Meanwhile, candidates looking for new employers are likely to negotiate for an increment of 18% to 20%.
job trends and talent expectations in network, system, and cloud
Companies from all industries recognise the crucial need to protect sensitive and proprietary data, prompting almost all companies to upgrade their infrastructure, including network solutions and cloud platforms.
In Hong Kong, we see more companies implementing edge computing models, which enhance data processing capabilities and enable faster response times for critical applications. Financial institutions, in particular, are enhancing their hybrid cloud infrastructures to balance regulatory compliance with the need for scalability and flexibility.
As businesses continue to invest in their IT capabilities, the demand for skilled infrastructure talent is experiencing significant growth, particularly for multi-skilled professionals who can navigate various technologies and platforms.
In particular, tech professionals with cloud-related project experience are highly sought after, reflecting a hot trend in the market as organisations accelerate their digital transformation initiatives.
Infrastructure candidates can expect internal pay increments of 5% to 8%, or 18% to 20% when switching companies. In addition to competitive salaries, these professionals are looking for opportunities to work on innovative projects and gain exposure to new technologies that employers provide.
job trends and talent expectations in cybersecurity
Many organisations in Hong Kong are actively undergoing digital transformation as they speed up technology adoption, which has resulted in a stronger reliance on digital platforms that are all interconnected to drive greater collaboration and efficiency.
However, digital transformation at this scale has amplified the potential risk associated with cyber threats. To regulate critical infrastructure operations and enhance cybersecurity measures, the Protection of Critical Infrastructure (Computer System) Bill was passed by the Hong Kong government in 2024.
Companies will face persistent talent scarcity, as demand continues to outstrip talent supply. Given this demand, salary increments for cybersecurity professionals are projected to range between 20% and 25% when they seek new employers, significantly higher than increases that we see in other technology domains.
job trends and talent expectations in business analysis, product and project management
In 2025, we anticipate that banks and financial institutions will increase their project management headcount to support ongoing digital transformation initiatives and strategic partnerships.
This expansion will focus on integrating artificial intelligence into chatbots and developing advanced automation products to enhance operational efficiency.
Additionally, there will be a greater emphasis on exploring blockchain technology, as financial firms seek to leverage it for securing transactions, preparing smart contracts, and improving transparency in financial record-keeping.
The demand for project managers will also rise as they play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration between traditional banking institutions and fintech start-ups.
Internal salary reviews for business analysts and project managers will range between 3% and 6%, while those searching for new employers can negotiate a pay raise between 15% and 20%.
download randstad hong kong’s 2025 job market and salary trends report
Our 2025 Job Market and Salary Trends report cuts through the complexity to deliver actionable insights and expert analysis for insurance firms. In our annual report, you can find salary benchmarks to more than 150 jobs in permanent and contracting tech job opportunities, ranging from cybersecurity to solutions architects, artificial intelligence to data sciences.
The report examines key talent expectations as well as current industry trends and salary benchmarks in the following industries:
- Accounting and finance
- Banking and financial services
- Business support
- Construction, property and engineering
- Human resources
- Insurance
- Legal
- Life sciences and healthcare
- Luxury and retail
- Supply chain and logistics
- Sales and marketing
- Technology
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