Skills are becoming the strongest currency in Northern Ireland’s job market, according to new research from NIJobs.
The data reveals that premium skills are key drivers for salary increases across ‘in-demand’ sectors. Increasingly, candidates are also demanding a total employment package that balances competitive pay alongside flexible working conditions.
Leadership and people management are the most in-demand skills (70%), followed by technical skills (68%) and project management (61%). AI, automation, and creative skills also rank high, with 55% of recruiters identifying them as top priorities for the year ahead.
While skills command a premium, the labour market remains highly competitive. Almost half of workers plan to look for a new job this year, and 51% of those keen to change roles are motivated by a higher salary. In contrast, a challenging economy and high living costs are positioning job security as an emerging priority, with 18% choosing to stay with their current employer.
These insights are based on an analysis of advertised salary and benefit trends from 183,000 job adverts across the Northern Irish labour market, alongside survey insights from 150 recruiters and 500 candidates in Northern Ireland. The salary is calculated using the median, which is the middle value in a dataset. It is used rather than the average, as it excludes extreme values, giving a more accurate picture of the typical advertised salary.
Companies need to offer the full package of salary and benefits to attract and retain talent in the current climate. Flexible working hours (46%) and hybrid working options (32%) are the most desired benefits. 40% of workers also say they wouldn’t apply for a role without flexibility, and 51% wouldn’t without hybrid working options.
The average advertised median salary in NI is £30,000. The highest advertised salaries by industry are Construction £45,000, Engineering £41,500, Healthcare £40,000, and Technology £39,500. The data reflects how employers are positioning roles in the current competitive job market.
Whilst some sectors are offering higher salaries, economic pressures are impacting pay rises and overall consumer spending. Employers say the current climate has influenced salary decisions this year, with 45% reviewing increases and bonuses. Some employers had to reduce planned salary increases (33%), decrease bonus payments (25%) and expand or introduce new benefits to attract or retain talent (23%).
Meanwhile, 53%of workers have cut back on leisure spending and 33% on essentials to manage everyday costs.
Looking ahead, candidates expect absolute pay transparency, with 82% of jobseekers avoiding roles without salary information. Of those candidates interviewed, 92% are more likely to apply for jobs with a listed salary or salary range, and 84% say missing salary details negatively impact their view of an employer.
Currently, 49% of job ads in Northern Ireland include salary information (compared to 38% in Ireland), with 27% of recruiters consistently publishing salary ranges, and a further 27% plan to do so this year.
Michael Connor, a Senior Director at NIJobs, part of The Stepstone Group, says: “This survey benchmarks market positioning, identifies jobseeker priorities, and provides the insights needed to build competitive offers into the recruitment process. While Northern Ireland’s talent market remains highly competitive, the nature of that competition has evolved, and skills are fast becoming the strongest currency. Employers are willing to pay a premium for specific expertise, but candidates now expect that value to be recognised. They are looking beyond their pay cheque and expect a total package that includes a competitive salary and key benefits.
“It means that businesses cannot afford to rely on salary alone. Those who embrace enhanced benefits and pay transparency fully will build trust with candidates in the recruitment process. The most successful employers will be those who view skills as a premium currency but also meet the demand for absolute clarity on pay and work-life balance.”