Hong Kong's data centre expansion drives salary increases of up to 20%

As demand for AI, cloud computing and data localisation continues to grow, so too does the need for greater data centre capacity and computing power. Leveraging its strategic position as a gateway between Mainland China and international markets, together with its reliable power supply and telecommunications infrastructure, Hong Kong continues to attract investment in data centres and related digital infrastructure.

According to the Digital Policy Office, Hong Kong is connected to global markets through 12 submarine cable systems and 23 overland fibre cable systems, while electricity supply reliability exceeds 99.999%, providing a strong foundation for data centre and AI-related development. 

However, while investment in data centre infrastructure continues to accelerate, the supply of qualified talent has not kept pace.

Robert Walters, the world's most trusted talent solutions firm, observes that AI-related hiring demand now extends beyond software engineers and data scientists. Employers are increasingly competing for engineering, electrical and mechanical (E&M), critical facilities and operations professionals who play a vital role in building and operating data centre infrastructure. 

Northern Metropolis Development drives demand for data centre talent; mid-level engineers remain the hardest to hire 

As Hong Kong advances development of the Northern Metropolis and the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, demand for data centre construction and operations continues to grow. Robert Walters has observed that, beyond the traditional demand from banks, insurance companies, securities trading platforms and telecommunications providers, hiring demand has increasingly expanded to AI companies, cloud service providers, fintech firms and e-commerce platforms. 

Given that Hong Kong's data centre sector has only entered a rapid growth phase in recent years, the supply of professionals with end-to-end experience in construction, commissioning and operations remains limited. 

Increased investment in data centres is driving not only construction activity, but also demand for engineering, E&M, and critical facilities management talent. The most difficult candidates to hire are mid-level professionals with five to ten years of relevant experience and the ability to independently manage projects and facility operations.

said Jay Wong, Principal, Construction, Property & Engineering, Robert Walters Hong Kong.  

The most in-demand roles currently include:

Development & Construction  

• Data Centre Project Manager  
• MEP Project Manager  
• Electrical Engineer  
• Mechanical Engineer  
• Commissioning Manager

Operations & Facilities Management

• Critical Facilities Manager  
• Data Centre Operations Manager  
• Facilities Engineer

Technical  

• Network Engineer  
• Cloud Infrastructure Engineer  

Salary increases of up to 20% reflect strong demand, but operational pressures continue to limit talent supply 

Strong demand for data centre engineering talent has created attractive opportunities for professionals with relevant experience. Candidates moving into data centre-related roles can often secure salary increases of approximately 15% to 20%. 

However, the nature of the work means higher salaries alone are not always enough to attract talent. 

Unlike many traditional engineering and facilities management roles, data centres operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Engineers and operations professionals are often required to work shifts, remain on call outside normal working hours and respond rapidly to critical incidents. Given the level of responsibility involved, some professionals remain cautious about transitioning into the sector despite the salary premium and career opportunities available. 

To help address talent shortages, many data centre operators are actively recruiting professionals from hospitals, financial institutions, large-scale retail developments, aviation facilities and other high-reliability environments. These professionals often possess transferable skills in high-voltage power systems management, equipment maintenance and risk control, enabling them to adapt more quickly to data centre operating environments. Wong added.

While data centre roles offer attractive compensation and long-term career opportunities, the sector also places significant demands on professionals. Employees are often required to work shifts, remain on call and respond to critical incidents. As even brief disruptions can result in significant operational and financial consequences, employers place particularly high value on professionals with strong technical expertise and the ability to operate effectively in high-pressure environments,

Higher salaries and overseas hiring alone will not solve the talent gap 

To address talent shortages, many employers have expanded their search to overseas and Mainland China markets. While initiatives such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) have broadened access to talent, hiring data centre roles presents unique challenges. 

Differences in technical standards, regulatory requirements, operating procedures and service expectations mean experienced professionals from other markets often require time to adapt before becoming fully effective in Hong Kong-based roles. 

As a result, employers continue to place significant value on professionals with local market experience, intensifying competition for an already limited pool of talent. 

Building the next generation of data centre talent

Looking ahead, Robert Walters expects demand for data centre-related talent to remain strong as AI adoption accelerates, and investment in digital infrastructure continues. To remain competitive, employers should develop long-term workforce strategies, including strengthening internal training programmes, succession planning and closer partnerships with educational institutions to cultivate future talent. 

"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. To support the sector's long-term growth, employers, educational institutions and industry stakeholders must work together to develop home-grown expertise in E&M engineering, critical facilities management and data centre operations, creating a sustainable talent pipeline for the future," said Wong. 

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