Hiring in Tech & Transformation: More opportunities on the market as Thai digital economy flourishes

In 2025, hiring was red hot in the Tech & Transformation sector as 4 GO - Go Digital, Go Innovation, Go Global, Go Green government initiatives and foreign investment scaled the country’s digital infrastructure. 

“Key sectors like AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data analytics saw explosive growth. Over 280,000 new jobs were created across smart electronics, electric vehicles and semiconductors,” relates Kanita Tippayajan, Principal Consultant at Robert Walters Thailand.

Naturally, industry professionals benefited from this increased demand, enjoying rising salaries and dynamic startup opportunities. Employers, however, struggled with a significant talent shortage, particularly for niche skills. To secure the talent they needed, organisations doubled down on retention strategies, upskilling, and turned to global hiring.

Read on to find out more about the labour market and hiring trends for Thailand’s Tech & Transformation professionals in 2026.

Talent who can straddle tech and business

The hiring market is expected to stay competitive as Thailand’s digital economy continues to grow at an accelerated pace. The trend will bolster demand for hybrid tech-business roles, deepen collaboration between educational institutions and the industry, and make workforce agility and innovation a more pressing need for businesses.

One of the key themes in the 2026 hiring market will be the demand for talent with AI adoption capabilities. Employers will also be on the lookout for professionals skilled in translating business needs to digital solutions. Finally, individuals who can coach and empower non-IT teams to use digital tools effectively are also highly sought after.

“Technical expertise is not the be all, end all. Besides understanding emerging technologies, the most valuable candidates in today’s market can drive transformation, bridge technical and business gaps, and foster digital literacy across organisations,” reveals Kanita.

Top roles and skills in demand

In 2026, hiring will be driven by the demands of Thailand’s fast-growing digital economy. Talent who can combine tech expertise with business impact hold a major advantage.

AI/ML engineers are one of the roles that will see the biggest demand. These professionals are instrumental across many industries as more companies invest in smart technologies.

Digital transformation consultants will be highly sought after, as they support businesses in their modernisation efforts. Hiring volumes will be most significant in the finance, retail and manufacturing sectors.

Digital product managers will also see strong demand. These candidates are expected to lead teams that will build smart solutions, drive growth and maintain a competitive edge for the business.

Soft skills are now a key differentiator that sets top talent apart from the rest. Excellent communication, collaboration and adaptability are among the most valuable assets. Critical thinking, problem-solving and empathy are also highly regarded, as professionals with these attributes can design user-centric solutions and support non-technical colleagues.

Fortifying tech careers in the age of AI

According to Kanita, AI presents the most threat to manual QA testers, Level 1 support, data entry operators and junior developers as these roles tend to have tasks that are repetitive in nature.

These professionals should thus equip themselves with specific AI-related skills to stay relevant in the labour market. The key technical skills include machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, prompt engineering and MLOps. As for tools and platforms, the market looks for competencies in TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenAI APIs, Amazon Web Services, SageMaker, or Google Vertex AI.

The career trajectories that have high-growth potential are AI engineer, data scientist, AI product manager and cybersecurity specialist. Those looking to transition into such roles should grow their expertise in AI ethics and data engineering, and hone human-centric capabilities like creativity, strategic thinking and collaboration.

Look beyond pay to address other motivations

Although the hiring market is competitive, Kanita says that professionals are more careful about switching jobs due to recent layoffs. Instead of simply chasing for higher pay, many now look for stability, career growth and a good work environment.

That said, people with niche skills are still open to new roles, but they’re more selective.

These in-demand talent tend to prioritise jobs that offer long-term development, flexibility and the platform to create real impact.

These preferences should inform talent management and recruitment strategies for companies in the year ahead. To fare better at attracting and retaining talent, Kanita recommends fortifying efforts around three essential pillars: offering clear career growth prospects, supporting flexible work, and building a tech-driven culture. These directly address candidates’ desire for purpose, learning and impact – beyond just salary.

Wages go up despite layoffs

Salaries are expected to rise in 2026, particularly for professionals skilled in areas like AI, cloud, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Entry-level positions will see stable salaries, while mid- to senior-level positions will enjoy larger pay raises as businesses invest more in tech to drive revenue and efficiency.

Find out more

Request access to our 2026 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in the Tech & Transformation industry in Thailand.