Vietnam's IT sector is experiencing a surge in salaries, particularly for senior roles, according to a recent report by recruitment firm TopCV. The median salary for IT department heads stands at a substantial VND53.6 million (US$2,040) per month, making it the highest across all industries. This trend is further emphasized by the fact that AI engineers are the most sought-after professionals, yet the hardest to find. The report highlights a strong momentum in the IT and software sector, with hiring and salaries showing significant growth. Based on a survey of over 3,000 employers and workers, IT and software ranked second in hiring demand at 8.64%, just behind business and sales roles (47.5%) and ahead of marketing, communications, and advertising roles (8.22%). Information technology, telecommunications, and internet roles led all sectors in median income. At the management level, department heads and deputy heads earned VND53.6 million a month before tax, compared with VND39–40 million for similar positions in business, marketing, manufacturing, and design. The salary growth in IT is most pronounced at the management level, while pay for specialist roles remains relatively static. This sector's pay advantage has attracted workers from other fields, although most IT professionals come from formal education pathways. According to analysts, this shift reflects perceptions of IT and software as offering strong long-term opportunities driven by technological advances and global trends, in addition to the higher pay. Within the IT sector, demand varies sharply by specialization. Roles related to artificial intelligence and data command higher salaries but are also the most difficult to fill. AI has emerged as a strategic priority for companies over the past year, as reflected in hiring plans. Senior software engineers were the most in demand, sought by 37.97% of employers. They were followed by data engineers (31.8%), data scientists (30.75%) and specialists in mechatronics, robotics, and automation (15.9%). AI engineers were the most difficult to find for the IT sector. Employers cited a shortage of highly skilled candidates, a limited talent pool, and intense competition from major technology firms as key challenges. Moreover, 33.6% of employers said IT candidates lacked essential soft skills, including communication, presentation, critical thinking, and product-oriented thinking. The report notes, 'IT and software companies are looking for professionals who are not only technically strong but also capable of teamwork and broader skill sets.'
