2026 Technology market and salary trends

What are the market trends and salary benchmarks for the tech market?

The tech market is being shaped greatly by past economic shifts and the disrupting effect of AI. This is shaping tech recruitment in a number of ways. To get an in-depth look into these trends and salary benchmarks, you can access the Michael page 2026 Salary Guides for free here.

Here's a recap of our findings...

Market trends for the technology market

Interim is in: Although permanent recruitment has slowed, interim recruitment is remaining strong, especially for specialist AI and cybersecurity roles. Seeing as changes are continuing to shape the market, hiring short-term talent is a safer option.

Experience matters: Having skills is still important, but companies are realising that new hires with experience in data, regulation and stakeholder engagement means a quicker onboarding process.

AI-enablers: We're seeing high demand for those who can use AI to dive deeper into data. Machine learning, cyber security, data engineers and data architects are all roles that - if leveraged properly with AI - are highly sought after.

Salary insights for the tech market

For a list of comprehensive salary benchmarks per job role and location, simply click here and fill in your details. You'll then have access to our 2026 Salary Guides page for free.

Michael Page, here to take the headache out of hiring

Our team of expert consultants can help you identify and attract the top tech talent you need to achieve your business goals. With a deep understanding of the market and candidate preferences, we'll guide you through the hiring process and ensure you find the perfect fit for your organisation. Get in touch today