2025 Hong Kong IT and Technology Salary Guide

It's no secret that the tech scene in Hong Kong has undergone significant change and we know it can sometimes feel overwhelming trying to stay abreast of the latest developments. Tech leaders are navigating a complex environment characterised by talent shortages, economic headwinds and cyber-threats, but one thing is clear: skilled IT professionals are more valuable than ever. They're the guardians of critical systems, the drivers of innovation, and they deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their tireless efforts.

That's why our 2025 Robert Half IT and Technology Salary Guide goes beyond just salaries. We'll help you discover what it takes to attract and retain top tech talent in Hong Kong, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions, whether you're a tech hiring manager or an IT jobseeker.

Technology market update

In the wake of recent business restructuring and cautious tech hiring sentiment, IT workers are still concerned about their job security in 2025, with only 15% stating they are not concerned about redundancies at their company in the coming 12 months.

With more available tech talent in the market, it’s an employer-driven hiring market. Experts in security operations, digital/ERP project management and cloud infrastructure engineering are in demand as companies seek to optimise their security systems and capitalise on new technology to stay competitive. Among the industries with the highest hiring intentions in tech are transport, exchange platforms, real estate and hedge funds.

View salaries by category

Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role.

Application & Development

Business Transformation

Cyber-Security

Data

Infrastructure

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Architect (Applications, Solutions, Systems, Data)

832000

1140000

1440000

Back End Developer

540000

780000

1040000

Back Office Application / Production Support

416000

624000

936000

DevOps Engineer

624000

960000

1320000

Front End Developer

420000

720000

900000

Front Office Application / Production Support

499000

728000

1380000

Full Stack Developer

480000

840000

1260000

Quality Assurance / Testing

315000

840000

1080000

UI / UX Designer

420000

840000

1044000

25th percentile

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills and may have specialised qualifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or the Mandatory Provident Fund.

Companies build gen AI platforms for employees

Companies in Hong Kong are taking the initiative to build their own custom generative AI applications for internal use. This wave of innovation is creating a surge in demand for solution architects, data engineers and machine learning/AI engineers to design, develop and deploy generative AI solutions that can streamline workflows, automate tasks and unlock new possibilities within an organisation.

Implementation of One Employee Platforms call for diverse tech talent

Firms are undertaking projects focused on enhancing the employee experience and streamlining operations. The development of One Employee Platforms, which consolidate various workstreams and functionalities into a single application requires a diverse range of tech talent. Businesses in Hong Kong seek product managers, project managers, software developers and infrastructure specialists to ensure seamless performance.

Upskilling has become a necessity for tech professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it's mastering cloud computing or exploring the intricacies of AI, continuous learning has become essential for career advancement and job security. This dedication to upskilling not only benefits individual professionals but also strengthens Hong Kong's tech talent pool and the current workforce.

of tech workers say they would make a lateral move within a company to enhance their skills of tech workers say they would make a lateral move within a company to enhance their skills

of tech workers say learning and enhancing AI skills related to their role is necessary for future career success of tech workers say learning and enhancing AI skills related to their role is necessary for future career success

The tech sector is experiencing a pay plateau, with salaries showing minimal growth in recent times. Securing significant increases may require strategic career moves, such as upskilling or specialising in niche areas. For Hong Kong businesses, it necessitates a focus on non-monetary benefits, and creating a compelling employee value proposition that goes beyond just salary to attract and retain top tech talent.

of tech workers say it has become more challenging to negotiate a pay rise compared to last year of tech workers say it has become more challenging to negotiate a pay rise compared to last year

of tech workers say they will ask to revisit the salary conversation again if they don’t get a pay rise in 2025 of tech workers say they will ask to revisit the salary conversation again if they don’t get a pay rise in 2025

In-demand functional areas in IT and technology

Security operations

Digital/ERP project management

IT support

Data and AI

Cloud infrastructure engineering

Software development

In-demand skills and experience in IT and technology

Machine learning/AI

Project management

Digital forensics and incident response

Programming languages (Java, Python, C#, C++, JavaScript)

Business intelligence/data analytics (Tableau, Power BI)

Cloud and DevOps automation

How much should I earn or pay?

In-demand certifications and degrees in IT and technology

Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Agile

TOGAF

CISP/CISM

Top industries hiring for IT and technology talent

Transport

Exchange platforms

Crypto/blockchain

Real estate

Hedge fund

Utilities

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The salaries listed in the Salary Guide from Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers in Hong Kong.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or the Mandatory Provident Fund. We report salaries in three percentiles, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in November 2024. The survey gathered responses from 300 finance, accounting, financial services, and IT and technology professionals employed by a diverse range of organisations in Hong Kong, including SMEs and large companies.