AI reshapes tech jobs as contract rates rise: study

Contractor pay is trending about 10% higher than permanent equivalents, Hays found.

AI is reshaping technology roles by removing routine tasks rather than replacing jobs, according to Hays.

The recruitment firm’s latest Tech Talent Explorer findings showed that roles with strong software or data components, such as software developers, data architects, and AI engineers, are expected to see the highest exposure to AI-enabled transformation.

However, Hays said the overall impact remains modest, with AI expected to automate specific tasks rather than eliminate roles. Human oversight, design, problem-solving, and quality control remain critical.

Roles that rely heavily on judgement, coordination, and organisational oversight, such as project and change managers, are expected to see lower levels of AI impact. Infrastructure-oriented roles also remain important to the safe and reliable deployment of AI technologies.

Hays said these points to a “two-speed transformation,” where software-intensive roles evolve faster, whilst governance, leadership, and operational roles continue to grow in strategic importance.

Hong Kong’s technology wage conditions remain driven mainly by supply, demand, and organisational budgets, rather than AI disruption.

The city ranked 10th out of 34 markets globally for the highest-paying permanent tech roles. Permanent AI developers in Hong Kong ranked 5th globally, whilst security engineers ranked 9th and data architects ranked 15th.

Contract tech roles in Hong Kong were also competitive, with the city ranking 12th out of 34 markets globally. Contract data architects ranked 9th overall, security engineers ranked 13th, and AI developers ranked 16th.

Contracting is becoming more popular as employers balance digital modernisation goals with cost-efficiency pressures. Hays said demand is rising for short-term specialists who can deliver rapid deployment and measurable outcomes.

Contractor rates are trending above market averages, with urgent project needs pushing short-term compensation to about 10% higher than permanent equivalents.

Critical shortages persist across AI engineering, cloud architecture, cybersecurity operations, and data architecture. Hays said data architecture faces particularly acute gaps as organisations move beyond analytics into scalable data-infrastructure design.

In Hong Kong, data architects can expect to earn $600,000 to $1.3m annually, whilst AI developers can earn $480,000 to $960,000. Security engineers can expect annual pay of $650,000 to $800,000.