The majority (75%) of surveyed companies will raise the salaries of ICT Professionals this year, with 27.5% reporting an average growth rate of 4% or more, according to the Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) Hong Kong ICT Industry Employment and Salary Trend Survey.
“Notably, many companies plan salary adjustments that will outpace inflation, demonstrating that over half of ICT professionals can still anticipate real wage growth,” Dave Chen, president of the Hong Kong Computer Society, said.
ICT hiring trends
In 2025, 75% of ICT professionals received a pay rise, with 57.5% receiving increases of 1% to 4% and 12.5% receiving increases of 5% or more, based on HKCS survey data collected from participating organisations.
Most of these increases outperform the inflation rate of 1.1% stated in Budget 2026-2027. Moreover, almost all (97.5%) surveyed companies have not reduced their ICT workforce, and 75% have even increased hiring in the sector despite uncertain economic prospects.
Moreover, 55% of the respondents hired ICT fresh graduates in 2025, with 42.5% offering a starting monthly salary of over HK$18,000 and 10% offering more than HK$22,000. 30% of the participating organisations reported that their entry-level pay packages had increased, whereas 20% indicated no change.
Over half (52.5%) expected hiring to remain stable, and 25% even anticipated a moderate expansion.
The survey also found that cybersecurity professionals, as well as AI / Data / Analytics, remain comparatively difficult to recruit.
Chen added that Hong Kong’s “15th Five-Year Plan” positions the country as an international Innovation and Technology (I&T) Hub. HKCS began a questionnaire survey of corporate members in the first quarter of this year and collected 40 responses from large public and private organisations.
