Lorna Conn - CEO, Cpl Group
Ireland’s labour market is undergoing a period of dynamic evolution. While economic and technological pressures continue to reshape how organisations operate, one fundamental truth persists: talent is the key differentiator for growth. This Salary Guide sits at the intersection of pay, skills, flexibility, and leadership, drawing on insights from Cpl’s Future of Work Institute, Ireland’s 2026 talent trends, and our latest analysis of AI’s impact on the workforce.
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, compensation still reigns supreme as the top reason people choose an employer. But the game has changed. Flexibility is no longer a “nice to have” it’s a dealbreaker. With 70% of professionals now using some form of flexible working, companies that fail to design flexibility into their talent strategies risk being ruled out before the conversation even begins.
Cpl’s 2026 Salary Guide dives deep into the trends shaping Ireland’s workforce, offering actionable insights to help employers attract, retain, and empower top talent. From the rise of hybrid work to the integration of AI into everyday roles, this guide is your roadmap to staying competitive in a talent-driven market.
While remuneration remains the number one priority for employees, flexible working has become a core expectation. It’s not just about where people work; it’s about how work fits into their lives.
Today’s workforce demands balance, meaning, and stability. Employers who embrace hybrid models and flexible arrangements are better positioned to attract high demand talent and foster long-term loyalty.
Strong leadership and a values driven culture are closing the gap with pay as key factors influencing career decisions. How leaders behave, the culture they create, and the way employees feel at work are now powerful drivers of attraction and retention.
Organisations that prioritise leadership development and cultivate a supportive, inclusive culture will stand out in a competitive market.
Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the buzzword phase. In Ireland’s labour market, AI is no longer a specialist skill, it’s a standard capability embedded into everyday roles. The shift is clear: organisations are integrating AI into existing functions rather than creating standalone AI roles. Job descriptions featuring AI skills have doubled, reflecting a strategic focus on adaptability and problem-solving over narrow technical expertise.
The future of AI is human-centred and skills-led. Success depends on upskilling employees, redesigning workflows, and fostering continuous learning. Companies that invest in these areas will unlock the full potential of AI while empowering their teams to thrive in an AI-enabled world.
The salary information in the following sections provides sector-specific insights into current market rates across various roles and experience levels. However, we encourage readers to view these figures as part of a broader conversation about value creation in the modern workplace.
Whether you’re an employer designing compensation packages or a professional planning your next career move, we encourage you to use this guide as a reference point in your decision-making process. While salary ranges provide important benchmarks, the total value proposition – including tangibles and intangibles such as development opportunities, workplace flexibility and organisational culture – plays an increasingly important role in talent decisions. For salary ranges tailored to your requirements, please contact us at [email protected].
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