Executive Leadership Salary Guide 2026
For the IT Search Executive Leadership Salary Guide Ireland 2026, we have surveyed almost 633 Irish based technology professionals to better understand how the Executive Leadership jobs market in Ireland may perform in 2026, and what their own motivations and expectations are. We hope this information may help our clients make more informed decisions on retention and recruitment of Executive Leadership talent. Many thanks to all our Clients, Candidates and Partners who have helped with this report.
Technology leadership in Ireland is expected to take on renewed importance in 2026, as companies move from a cost-efficiency focus in 2025, to a stronger emphasis on growth, security and transformation, which will include embedding AI, managing new regulatory frameworks such as NIS2 and DORA, and ensuring cyber resilience across the enterprise.
CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and Heads of Data/AI are positioned as both strategists and operators – expected to balance innovation agendas with governance. The role of technology leaders will continue to become more visible externally, as stakeholders, regulators, and investors place increasing scrutiny on how firms are adopting and securing new technologies.
2026 Forecast
- Hiring demand: Projected growth of 6–7%, up from c.5% in 2025, reflecting the shift from efficiency to growth-driven strategies.
- Roles in demand: CIO, CTO, CDO, and Heads of AI/Data.
- Skills in demand: Digital transformation leadership, AI/automation strategy, cyber resilience governance, and board-level stakeholder management.
- Compensation: Base salaries expected to rise 3–5% year-onyear, with equity and long-term incentives increasingly central to attraction and retention.
Executive Priorities in 2026
- AI adoption governance: Embedding GenAI and automation, with clear ROI and safeguards.
- Regulatory compliance: Meeting requirements under NIS2 and DORA, while strengthening overall risk frameworks.
- Cyber resilience: Building board-level accountability for security and operational continuity.
- Talent strategy: Attracting, retaining, and reskilling technology teams.
- Sustainability in tech: Aligning digital transformation with ESG targets
- Cross-border leadership: Managing globally distributed teams and ensuring cultural alignment across multiple geographies.
Base salary guides for senior leadership tend to have limited value as they vary significantly depending on bonuses, stock, LTIPs etc.
How much do Executive Leadership professionals earn in Ireland?
Position
Salary
Chief Executive Officer
€300,000+
Director of IT
€175,000 - 225,000+
Chief Technology Officer
€160,000 - 200,000+
Head of Software Engineering
€140,000 - 160,000
Head of Architecture
€130,000 - 150,000
Chief Information Security Officer
€130,000 - 150,000
Chief Data Officer
€150,000 - 180,000
If you have any queries in regards to the salary survey or Senior Leadership recruitment related, contact David on +353 1 507 9276 or email david.shanahan@itsearch.ie.
IT Search Tech Salary Guide for 2026
Download the full IT Search Salary Guide 2026 to benchmark your salary or to discover what your business should be paying to attract top talent in a competitive market.
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