AI is reshaping tech roles in Singapore, elevating human expertise rather than replacing it
Singapore, 12 May 2026 - The latest findings from the Tech Talent Explorer highlight how artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing technology roles globally, demonstrating the technology’s role in augmenting human expertise rather than eliminating jobs. The research also provides a benchmark of global salaries across key tech roles, showing how Singapore compares against international markets.
AI is removing tasks, not jobs
Roles with strong software or data components such as Cloud Specialists, Data Engineers and AI Engineers are expected to see highest relative exposure to AI‑enabled transformation, with routine tasks supported by increasing automation. However, even in these roles, the overall impact remains modest, and, rather than eliminating roles, the technology is expected to remove specific tasks. Human oversight, design, problem‑solving and quality control remain critical.
In contrast, roles that rely heavily on judgement, coordination, or organisational oversight such as Project and Change Managers show a lower level of AI impact. Infrastructure‑oriented roles also remain critical to the safe and reliable deployment of AI technologies.
This indicates a two‑speed transformation, where software‑intensive work evolves fastest, while governance, leadership, and operational roles continue to grow in strategic importance.
Strong tech wages persist across Singapore
Technology roles continue to command strong salary levels globally, and Singapore’s market is evolving as organisations scale AI adoption while taking a more selective approach to hiring. Government data shows AI is improving productivity and reshaping job scopes rather than driving widespread displacement, even as automation reduces demand in some entry‑level roles.
At the same time, Singapore has seen an uptick in project‑based and contract hiring, as employers prioritise flexibility and specialist expertise to deliver transformation programmes within a tight but more cautious labour market.
National initiatives such as the National AI Impact Programme and the expanded TechSkill Accelerator are shaping demand, with hiring increasingly concentrated around AI engineers, data engineers and cybersecurity specialists, reflecting a growing focus on applied innovation, resilient data foundations and responsible, regulated AI deployment.
Singapore remains one of the most competitive markets globally for permanent technology talent, ranking 8th out of 34 countries when comparing mean average salaries across all roles. AI engineers rank 6th globally, followed by cybersecurity specialists (ranked 10th) and data engineers (12th). Neighbouring Malaysia ranks 28th globally for permanent tech pay.
Singapore’s contractor market offers a more accessible entry point for specialist skills, ranking 15th globally for average contracting tech pay, providing organisations a cost‑effective pathway to access critical expertise. Data engineers rank 11th globally on contractor rates, followed by AI engineers (13th) and security engineers (16th), supporting sustained demand for flexible, project‑based hiring in high‑priority skill areas.
What tech professionals can expect to earn
The global research highlights key wage patterns across high‑demand tech roles. While specific compensation varies by market, the strongest rewards are typically seen in specialisms with heightened demand and constrained talent supply.
- Cybersecurity Specialists: SG$ 72,000 – 180,000
- AI Engineer: SG$ 72,000 – 200,000
- Data Engineer: SG$ 90,000 – 120,000
Roles with broader talent availability or more standardised entry pathways typically fall at the lower end of the pay scale.
Tom Osborne, Managing Director for Hays Southeast Asia comments:
“Singapore’s technology hiring market is becoming more selective as organisations scale AI adoption and sharpen their focus on roles that deliver measurable impact. While automation is reshaping some entry‑level work, the evidence shows AI is largely enhancing productivity and redefining job scopes rather than driving widespread displacement.”
“In practice, this evolution is translating into highly focused demand for technology skills that directly support efficiency, resilience and regulated innovation. Hiring momentum is centred on applied AI, data engineering and cybersecurity, particularly where these capabilities underpin product development and risk management.”
“Today’s market is increasingly defined by selective investment in scarce, high‑impact expertise, with organisations also turning to contracting as a viable and flexible alternative to secure specialist capability. This is driving sharper salary differentiation and faster hiring outcomes for senior and niche roles, as companies navigate a more disciplined and outcomes‑driven hiring environment.”
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The Tech Talent Explorer, a decision-making platform designed for professionals and organisations in the tech industry, delivers clear, data‑driven insights built on global workforce intelligence and tech professional input. The platform offers interactive visuals that help users confidently navigate contracting and permanent career options, as well as supporting organisations with their workforce strategy.
The Hays Tech Talent Explorer research was updated in December 2025 and features talent market analytics across 34 countries and input from almost 10,000 tech professionals worldwide. The report allows users to investigate the costs, availability, plans, desires, and skills priorities of IT/Tech professionals (permanent and contracting) across markets globally.
The findings combine Hays’ proprietary data with additional data obtained through its partnership with Horsefly.
Contact
Christy Lee, Marketing Executive, Southeast Asia, Hays
T: +603 5870 4987
E: christy.lee@hays.com.my
About Hays
Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 31 December 2025, the Group employed over 9,100 staff operating from 198 offices in 30 countries. For the year ended 31 December 2025:
- the Group reported net fees of £453.3 million and operating profit of £20.1 million.
- the Group placed around 21,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 53,000 people into temporary roles.
- 12% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW).
- the temporary placement business represented 64% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 36% of net fees.
- Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%), Construction & Property (12%), and Engineering (10%) are the next largest.
- Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK, and the USA.