Sectors experiencing acute skills shortages, most notably engineering and sustainability & environment, will see the strongest growth in salaries, with median increases of 8% and 10% expected, respectively.
Breda Dooley, head of recruitment at Matrix Recruitment, said the market is entering the new year on a more confident footing following a period of uncertainty in 2025.
“Businesses are finishing the year with renewed confidence as inflation eased, trade stabilised and investment strengthened," said Dooley.
“Organisations are now planning 2026 hiring with greater clarity, balancing strategic growth with a renewed emphasis on retention, internal mobility and workforce resilience.”
Technology, sustainability, requirements and regulatory reforms are reshaping the labour market, Matrix Recruitment said.
AI adoption has moved rapidly beyond pilot projects and is now embedded in business-critical processes, particularly across engineering, manufacturing, finance, quality and supply chain functions.
“AI is reshaping how companies organise, plan and make decisions,” Dooley noted. “This is prompting organisations to build more future-ready workforce strategies, with a strong focus on digital capability, adaptability and compliance.”
Evolving employee expectations are also influencing hiring and retention strategies.
Professionals are increasingly prioritising roles that offer purpose, development opportunities and meaningful impact.
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Employers, meanwhile, are making more deliberate hiring decisions centred on operational resilience, leadership depth and long-term capability building.
In terms of sustainability & environment, preparations for stricter ESG reporting rules and new EU sustainability requirements are increasing demand for staff.
Jobs linked to emissions tracking, environmental management and long-term sustainability planning are expected to see the biggest salary increases, particularly at mid to senior level.
Ongoing skills shortages mean employers will be competing for candidates with recognised sustainability qualifications and practical experience in compliance, analysis and project delivery.
Engineering will continue to be one of Ireland's most competitive hiring markets next year amid investment across pharma, medtech, food manufacturing, infrastructure and energy projects.
The widespread adoption of AI and automation is sustaining strong demand for process, automation, maintenance and project engineers.
The financial services, accountancy and credit union sectors remain resilient, with regulation, digital transformation, and stronger governance reshaping workforce priorities.
In accountancy and financial services, ongoing skills shortages and regulatory complexity continue to push salary levels higher, particularly for experienced and leadership roles.
Manufacturing, quality & laboratory and supply chain roles will see modest salary growth for key roles.
Manufacturing is benefitting from investment in advanced engineering and AI automation, while competition remains strong for mid-career talent in maintenance and production leadership roles.
In quality & laboratory, Ireland’s position as a global biopharma hub is sustaining demand for QA, validation and analytical professionals, with skills shortages persisting at mid-senior levels.
Supply chain employers are increasingly focused on resilience, forecasting accuracy and digital optimisation, and AI is reshaping roles such as procurement specialist, logistics analyst and supply planner.
See sector snapshots from the 2026 guide below:
Accountancy
Median salary increase: +6%
Ireland’s accountancy profession is changing quickly as AI, new regulations, and growing business demands reshape the role of finance teams. Many routine tasks are now automated, shifting accountants’ focus toward higher-value work such as financial planning, business advice, and sustainability reporting.
Despite a more stable jobs market overall, there is still a shortage of experienced accountants, particularly at mid–senior level. Competition for professionals with strong technical skills, commercial understanding, and digital capability remains high, leading employers to focus on retaining talent, reviewing pay, and investing in long-term skills development.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Financial Controllers
Dublin: €100,000 – €140,000
Midlands & West: €85,000 – €120,000
South East: €85,000 – €130,000
Internal Audit Managers
Dublin: €90,000 – €120,000
Midlands & East: €75,000 – €90,000
South East: €75,000 – €95,000
Management Accountants
Dublin: €65,000 – €82,000
Midlands & East: €75,000 – €90,000
South East: €75,000 – €95,000
Senior Financial Analysts
Dublin: €70,000 – €85,000
Regional: €60,000 – €75,000
Financial services
Median salary increase: +6%
Ireland’s financial services sector is expected to see strong hiring in 2026, driven by ongoing regulatory change, digital transformation, and investment across banking, funds, insurance, and fintech. Increased regulatory oversight is boosting demand for experienced professionals in risk, compliance, and governance, while technology-led change is creating a need for people who can combine financial knowledge with data and digital skills.
The market remains competitive, particularly for mid–senior professionals, leading to longer hiring timelines and higher salary expectations. Growth in sustainable finance and ESG-related activity is also increasing demand for regulatory and reporting expertise, supporting a positive outlook for permanent, contract, and project-based roles throughout 2026.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Financial Analysts
Dublin: €60,000 – €70,000
Regional: €60,000 – €65,000
Compliance Officers
Dublin: €55,000 – €72,000
Regional: €50,000 – €65,000
Risk Managers
Dublin: €75,000 – €100,000
Regional: €70,000 – €95,000
Read more
Credit union
The credit union sector continues to modernise in 2026, with increased focus on digital capability, stronger governance, and enhanced member services. Hiring demand remains steady across lending, finance, compliance, operations, and member-facing roles, particularly for professionals with blended skills spanning finance, risk, and technology. While rooted in strong community values, credit unions are increasingly professionalised and data-driven, operating at greater scale and complexity. As the sector balances local impact with modernisation, opportunities remain strong for skilled professionals seeking long-term, purpose-driven careers.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Compliance Manager
Small / medium credit unions: €45,000 – 75,000
Large credit unions: €60,000 - €95,000
Finance Manager
Small / medium credit unions: €45,000 – €60,000
Large credit unions: €65,000 - €80,000
Lending / Loans Officer
Small / medium credit unions: €33,000 – €48,000
Large credit unions: €40,000 - €55,000
Operations Manager
Small / medium credit unions: €45,000 – €60,000
Large credit unions: €55,000 - €85,000
Sustainability/environmental
Median salary increase: +10%
The implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), alongside Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, is driving a surge in roles focused on data integrity, emissions tracking, environmental management, and long-term sustainability strategy.
Talent shortages remain significant, particularly across environmental engineering, compliance and specialist advisory roles. Employers are increasingly competing for mid-senior professionals with accredited expertise such as ISO 14001, LEED and energy management certifications. Candidates offer a combination of technical environmental knowledge with strong analytical, regulatory and project management capability will be in highest demand.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Sustainability Managers:
Dublin: €70,000 - €95,000
Regional: €60,000 - €75,000
Environmental Consultants:
Dublin: €55,000 - €75,000
Regional: €45,000 - €60,000
Environmental Compliance Officers:
Dublin: €55,000 - €70,000
Regional: €45,000 - €58,000
Energy & Sustainability Engineers:
Dublin: €60,000 - €85,000
Regional: €50,000 - €70,000
Quality & laboratory
Median salary increase: +5%
As Ireland maintains its position as a leading global pharmaceutical hub, demand remains exceptionally high for quality assurance, validation, microbiology and analytical professionals.
Skills shortages, particularly at mid-senior level in QA, validation and analytical roles, are prompting employers to enhance retention, internal career paths and benefits. AI-driven quality control, digital batch release, lab automation and data-integrity initiatives are reshaping roles and driving demand for professionals who blend scientific expertise with strong digital and analytical skills.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Quality Managers:
Dublin: €85,000 - €105,000
Midlands & West: €75,000 – €90,000
South East: €75,000 – €85,000
QC Technicians:
Dublin: €45,000 - €60,000
Midlands & West: €40,000 - €52,000
South East: €45,000 - €55,000
QA Technician:
Dublin, Midlands & West: €35,000 - €45,000
South East: €35,000 - €40,000
Microbiology Analysts:
Dublin: €45,000 - €60,000
Midlands & West: €42,000 - €50,000
South East: €42,000 - €52,000
Validation Engineers:
Dublin: €60,000 - €80,000
Midlands & West: €50,000 - €68,000
South East: €50,000 - €65,000
Validation Analysts:
Dublin: €40,000 - €52,000
Midlands & West: €35,000 - €45,000
South East: €35,000 - €42,000
Supply chain
Median salary increase: +4%
AI-driven planning, automation software and advanced analytics are reshaping supply chain roles, with employers seeking professionals who can interpret data, optimise inventory and improve forecasting. Contract and interim roles are expected to increase as organisations seek flexibility in uncertain conditions.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Supply Chain Managers:
Dublin: €85,000 - €115,000
Midlands & West: €80,000 - €100,000
South East: €75,000 - €95,000
Procurement Specialists:
Dublin: €55,000 - €70,000
Midlands & West: €50,000 - €65,000
South East: €50,000 - €60,000
Supply Chain Analyst
Dublin: €55,000 - €70,000
Regionally: €45,000 – €60,000
Logistics Analysts:
Dublin: €45,000 - €60,000
Regional: €40,000 - €50,000
Read more
Manufacturing
Median salary increase: +5%
Productivity pressures, AI-enabled automation and Industry 4.0 adoption are increasing demand for talent with blended engineering, digital and process-optimisation skills.
Competition is particularly strong for mid-career professionals, especially in maintenance and automation. At the same time, sustainability expectations are reshaping operations as companies prioritise energy-efficient production, waste reduction and ESG-aligned manufacturing practices.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Operations Manager:
Dublin: €90,000 - €130,000
Midlands & West: €75,000 - €95,000
South East: €80,000 - €115,000
Production Manager (Pharma/Med Device):
Dublin: €90,000 - €115,000
Midlands & West: €75,000 - €90,000
South East: €80,000 - €90,000
Maintenance Manager:
Dublin: €85,000 - €105,000
Midlands & West: €65,000 - €80,000
South East: €70,000 - €80,000
Process Technician:
Dublin: €42,000 - €55,000
Regional: €38,000 - €48,000
Manufacturing Process Technician:
Dublin: €45,000 - €60,000
Regional: €40,000 - €50,000 (starting from approx. €38,000 in the South East)
Maintenance Electrician:
Dublin: €45,000 - €60,000
Regional: €40,000 - €50,000
Engineering
Median salary increase: +8%
With continued investment in pharma, medtech, food manufacturing and major infrastructure projects, engineering recruitment is set to remain highly active in 2026. Energy efficiency, ESG compliance and process optimisation are key themes shaping new roles and salary expectations.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Process Engineers:
Dublin: €60,000 - €80,000
Midlands & West: €50,000 - €70,000
South East: €50,000 - €65,000
Automation Engineers:
Dublin: €70,000 - €100,000
Midlands & West: €55,000 - €75,000
South East: €55,000 - €70,000
Maintenance Engineers:
Dublin: €60,000 - €80,000
Midlands & West: €50,000 - €65,000
South East: €48,000 - €68,000
Project Engineers:
Dublin: €60,000 - €80,000
Regional: €50,000 - €65,000
Project Managers:
Dublin: €80,000 - €100,000
Midlands & West: €70,000 - €85,000
South East: €70,000 - €90,000
Salaries will remain stable next year and rise more quickly for in-demand roles.
Read more
Construction
Median salary increase: + 6%
National climate targets and major capital investment programmes are sustaining demand for skilled professionals, while long-standing shortages of experienced tradespeople, engineers and site managers continue to add pressure.
Digital transformation is set to accelerate further next year with BIM, drone surveying and modern methods of construction becoming embedded in project delivery. Health & safety will remain a critical focus, driving hiring across SHEQ roles as regulation tightens and clients demand higher compliance standards.
Jobs in demand – 2026 salary ranges:
Site Engineers:
Dublin: €62,000 - €75,000
Midlands & West: €55,000 - €68,000
South East: €55,000 - €65,000
Project Managers:
Dublin: €75,000 - €95,000
Regional: €65,000 - €85,000
Health & Safety Officers:
Dublin: €45,000 - €58,000
Midlands & West: €40,000 - €52,000
South East: €38,000 - €48,000
Skilled Trades (Carpenters, Electricians, Fabricators, etc):
Dublin: €41,000 - €52,000
Midlands & West: €38,000 - €48,000
South East: €36,000 - €45,000.
* This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.
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