The Insurance sector continues to face increased regulatory requirements, evolving risk profiles and ongoing skills shortages across key functions. This 2026 Salary Guide benchmarks market activity from 2025, highlighting in-demand insurance skills, current salary ranges and how employers are competing to attract and retain experienced professionals across Ireland.

Insurance Job Market Outlook 2026: Regulatory Change, Risk Expertise and Skills Shortages

Niche Skills Drive Growth

Throughout the past twelve months, growth in several key areas has created high demand for niche skill sets, particularly in Underwriting, Compliance, Actuarial, and Sustainability at all levels. This, in turn, has created an upward trend in salaries for these roles, which had been more stable in previous years. Companies have also had to look to other European markets to attract this talent, forcing them to pay a premium for candidates in these areas who are relocating to Ireland.

The Importance of "People-First" Skills

As in many industries, technological advancements are driving more streamlined operations and enhancing customer journeys. However, these developments do not always align with the skills organisations prioritise most: relationship management and stakeholder engagement. While many junior professionals are drawn to the technical aspects, the sector remains inherently people-focused. Organisations increasingly value individuals who can foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and deliver deep service insights. To support this relationship-driven focus, employers are gradually transitioning to an "office-first" work model, believing that those with strong interpersonal skills are most likely to thrive.

New Market Entrants Driving Niche Demand

We have seen a significant increase in the number of MGAs (Managing General Agents) entering the Irish market. These new entrants are actively building out their teams, creating specific demand with a dual focus: hiring candidates who can win new business and securing professionals who have a strong technical underwriting background. This is intensifying competition for talent with these specific commercial skill sets.

The Consumer, Tech, and Product Challenge

Evolving consumer expectations are creating a new set of challenges. Customers now demand simple, user-friendly interfaces and the ability to purchase complex insurance policies via mobile devices. This has heightened the need for tech specialists, yet filling these roles remains a challenge in a highly competitive market dominated by Ireland’s thriving tech sector. To gain a competitive edge, we are seeing increased collaboration between traditional insurers and Insurtech start-ups. This consumer-led demand is also spurring product growth, particularly around health and wellness-related insurance products.

Continued Focus on ESG and Regulation

Moving into 2026, there will be a continued and significant emphasis on Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance. On-going developments will focus heavily on consumer protection, market transparency and stability, and the full integration of ESG principles. This is creating sustained demand for professionals with experience in these specific areas.