Demand for data centre talent pushes salary up by 20%

This raises the need for local talent development.

Despite rising data centre investment, a Robert Walters report said qualified talent remains scarce, driving salaries up 20% and prompting employers to hire overseas.

As Hong Kong develops the Northern Metropolis and the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, hiring demand has expanded to engineering, electrical and mechanical (E&M), critical facilities and operations professionals.

Jay Wong, principal of construction, property and engineering at Robert Walters Hong Kong, said demand is high not only for data centre development & construction, but also for management and technical roles.

Wong said mid-level professionals with five to ten years of experience are the most difficult candidates to hire.

The report said candidates moving into data centre-related roles often secure salary increases approximating 15% to 20%, but operational pressures offset supply.

Engineers and operations professionals are often required to work shifts, remain on call outside normal working hours and respond rapidly to critical issues—cautioning professionals from transitioning despite advantages.

To address talent shortages, many data centre operators are recruiting across hospitals, financial institutions, retail developments, aviation facilities and other high-reliability environments. Many have even expanded their search to overseas and Mainland China markets.

However, Wong warns that to remain competitive, employers should employ long-term workforce strategies.

“The industry cannot rely solely on higher salaries or external hiring to meet future workforce needs. As AI adoption and digital infrastructure investment continue to accelerate, developing local talent will become increasingly important,” he said.