Whether you're considering a career move, preparing for a salary negotiation, or hiring in Northern Ireland for the first time, knowing what the market actually pays is essential. This guide pulls together salary benchmarks across the key industries and functions in Belfast and NI more broadly — updated for 2026.
Salaries here have risen steadily over the past three years, driven by increased competition for skilled talent, the normalising effect of remote work (which anchors local salaries closer to UK and Dublin rates), and continued investment by global firms into their Belfast operations.
💡 Important context: These figures reflect total base salary in GBP and are based on advertised roles and market data. Actual compensation may vary depending on company size, benefits package, bonus structure, and individual experience. Remote roles from non-NI companies may pay above these benchmarks.
Technology & Software Engineering
Tech remains the highest-paying sector in Belfast, with strong demand across software development, data, cloud, and cybersecurity. Global names like Kainos, Liberty IT, Allstate, Citi, and Concentrix drive the upper end of the market.
| Role | Junior (0–2 yrs) | Mid-level (3–5 yrs) | Senior (6+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | £28,000–£35,000 | £42,000–£57,000 | £62,000–£82,000 |
| Frontend Developer | £26,000–£33,000 | £38,000–£52,000 | £58,000–£75,000 |
| DevOps / Platform Engineer | £30,000–£38,000 | £46,000–£62,000 | £68,000–£88,000 |
| Data Engineer | £28,000–£36,000 | £44,000–£60,000 | £65,000–£85,000 |
| Data Scientist / ML Engineer | £30,000–£40,000 | £48,000–£65,000 | £70,000–£90,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | £27,000–£35,000 | £42,000–£58,000 | £62,000–£80,000 |
| QA / Test Engineer | £24,000–£30,000 | £35,000–£48,000 | £52,000–£65,000 |
| Engineering Manager | — | £65,000–£80,000 | £85,000–£110,000 |
Finance & Professional Services
Belfast's financial services sector has grown significantly, with major players including Citi, Baker McKenzie, Herbert Smith Freehills, and A&L Goodbody operating significant operations in the city. Roles in compliance, risk, and financial analysis are particularly well-compensated.
| Role | Graduate / Entry | Mid-level | Senior / Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Analyst | £24,000–£30,000 | £35,000–£48,000 | £52,000–£68,000 |
| Risk & Compliance Analyst | £25,000–£32,000 | £38,000–£52,000 | £56,000–£72,000 |
| Accountant (Practice) | £22,000–£28,000 | £35,000–£50,000 | £55,000–£75,000 |
| Accountant (Industry) | £24,000–£30,000 | £38,000–£52,000 | £58,000–£78,000 |
| Solicitor / Lawyer | £27,000–£35,000 | £45,000–£65,000 | £70,000–£100,000+ |
| Finance Manager | — | £50,000–£65,000 | £68,000–£90,000 |
Operations & Supply Chain
Northern Ireland's manufacturing and logistics base — spanning agri-food, aerospace, and pharma — means operations and supply chain roles are consistently in demand. Almac Group, Terex, and Bombardier (now Spirit AeroSystems) are among the region's major operational employers.
| Role | Graduate / Entry | Mid-level | Senior / Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Analyst | £22,000–£27,000 | £30,000–£42,000 | £46,000–£58,000 |
| Supply Chain Coordinator | £22,000–£26,000 | £30,000–£40,000 | £44,000–£58,000 |
| Project Manager | £26,000–£32,000 | £38,000–£52,000 | £55,000–£72,000 |
| Operations Manager | — | £42,000–£58,000 | £60,000–£80,000 |
| Procurement Manager | — | £40,000–£55,000 | £58,000–£75,000 |
Marketing & Communications
Marketing salaries in Belfast have risen notably as more companies build in-house teams and compete for digital talent. Performance marketing and data-driven roles command a premium over traditional generalist positions.
| Role | Graduate / Entry | Mid-level | Senior / Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Executive | £20,000–£25,000 | £28,000–£38,000 | £42,000–£55,000 |
| Digital / Performance Marketer | £22,000–£28,000 | £32,000–£45,000 | £48,000–£62,000 |
| Content / Copywriter | £20,000–£25,000 | £28,000–£38,000 | £40,000–£52,000 |
| Brand / Comms Manager | — | £35,000–£48,000 | £50,000–£65,000 |
| Head of Marketing | — | — | £65,000–£90,000 |
Human Resources & Talent Acquisition
HR and TA roles have grown in prominence as companies scale teams in NI. Talent Acquisition Partners and HR Business Partners with strong commercial awareness are especially sought after in the tech and financial services sectors.
| Role | Graduate / Entry | Mid-level | Senior / Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| HR Coordinator / Administrator | £20,000–£25,000 | £26,000–£34,000 | £35,000–£44,000 |
| Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Partner | £22,000–£28,000 | £32,000–£45,000 | £48,000–£62,000 |
| HR Business Partner | — | £38,000–£52,000 | £55,000–£72,000 |
| HR Manager | — | £42,000–£55,000 | £58,000–£75,000 |
| Head of People / HR Director | — | — | £70,000–£95,000 |
Sales & Customer Success
Sales roles often carry significant variable compensation on top of base salary. The figures below reflect base only — OTE (on-target earnings) can be 20–50% higher depending on the role and commission structure.
| Role | Graduate / Entry | Mid-level | Senior / Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Development Rep (SDR) | £22,000–£28,000 | £30,000–£40,000 | £42,000–£52,000 |
| Account Executive (B2B) | £25,000–£32,000 | £38,000–£52,000 | £55,000–£72,000 |
| Customer Success Manager | £24,000–£30,000 | £35,000–£48,000 | £50,000–£65,000 |
| Sales Manager | — | £45,000–£60,000 | £62,000–£80,000 |
What's Driving Salaries Up in Belfast?
Several converging factors are pushing pay higher across industries:
- Remote work benchmarking: Candidates are now comparing Belfast offers against UK-wide and Dublin remote roles, pulling local salaries upward.
- Global employer investment: Firms like Citi, Liberty IT, and Allstate continue to expand their NI headcount, intensifying competition for senior talent.
- Skills shortages: Demand for data engineers, DevOps specialists, compliance analysts, and experienced HR business partners outstrips local supply.
- Cost of living advantage: Despite rising salaries, NI remains considerably cheaper than London or Dublin, making it attractive for employers and employees alike.
✅ Negotiation tip: If you're considering a Belfast role that involves remote work or collaboration with a London or Dublin office, use that as leverage. Your output is the same regardless of location — your salary benchmarking should reflect that too.
NI vs. the Rest of the UK
Northern Ireland salaries typically run 10–20% below London equivalents for the same role, but when adjusted for cost of living, the gap narrows significantly — and in some cases, NI workers come out ahead in disposable income.
Housing costs in Belfast are roughly 50–60% lower than London, and commuting costs are substantially less. A £50,000 salary in Belfast often affords a comparable or better lifestyle than £65,000 in London — a point worth making in any negotiation or hiring conversation.
Looking for your next role in NI?
Browse hundreds of jobs across Belfast, Derry, and beyond — from grad roles to senior leadership.
Browse Jobs on NIjobsearch →Final Thoughts
The Northern Ireland jobs market in 2026 is one of the most competitive and well-compensated it has ever been. Whether you're in tech, finance, HR, or operations, there's genuine opportunity here — and salaries are increasingly reflective of that.
If you're a job seeker, use these benchmarks as a starting point for research and negotiation. If you're a hiring manager, they're a useful reality check on whether your packages are competitive enough to attract and retain the talent you need.
We'll update this guide regularly as the market evolves. In the meantime, browse the latest jobs on NIjobsearch to see what's live right now.