Salaries and Sentiment Analysis 2026

AI skills mobility may hinder Irish businesses’ recruitment plans as 70% of data professionals plan to stay put

Study finds almost two-thirds of organisations planning to grow data teams in 2026

Dublin, Ireland (April 14, 2026) – A new study of data analytics and AI professionals in Ireland has revealed a growing challenge for businesses looking to expand their data capabilities: while 64% of organisations plan to increase the size of their data teams in 2026, 70% of professionals say they are unlikely to change employers this year.

The findings point to what could be described as an emerging “AI skills mobility” issue, where strong demand for data and AI talent is colliding with a workforce that is increasingly choosing stability over job movement.

The survey by the Analytics Institute and data and AI leader SAS also shows that employees expect steady salary growth, with 69% anticipating a salary increase of up to 10% this year, up from 63% last year.

The findings are revealed in the Data Salaries Job Sentiment Analysis 2026 report which surveyed professional Analytics Institute members working in data analytics and AI roles. The report highlights the latest trends shaping the sector, from salary expectations and hiring plans to the evolving technical and soft skills required for success in data-focused careers.

Despite strong demand for data and AI talent, job mobility remains limited. Job stability remains high, with 70% of respondents saying they are unlikely to change employers in the coming year. This suggests many organisations are successfully focusing on retention and career development within their data teams.

Job satisfaction also remains solid across the sector. Almost half of employees (46%) said they enjoy their current role either “a lot” or “a moderate amount”, with the vast majority of the remainder saying they enjoyed it “a little”. Beyond salary, the factors professionals value most include meaningful work (65%), a supportive boss (49%), and hybrid working arrangements (38%).

For the minority of professionals who are open to moving, salary alone is not the key motivator. The study finds that 41% of professionals would move for a better challenge, and 65% seek meaningful work. Many want to work on AI and data projects that have real impact - projects that go beyond pilots or cost-cutting exercises and drive genuine innovation.

Alan McGlinn, Director Financial Services UK&I and Ireland Country Lead at SAS, said:

“With only around 30% of professionals willing to move, organisations face competition for a limited group of talent. If companies are poaching talent from the same group, the pond could become very small. To grow capabilities and succeed with AI and data initiatives, companies need to invest in internal skills development, data literacy, and training.

“Professionals are motivated by opportunities to work on AI and data projects that make a real difference. They want to see their work move beyond pilots into initiatives that drive tangible business outcomes and innovation.

“Companies that focus on creating meaningful, high-impact projects and support internal career growth will attract and retain the best talent. With many organisations competing for a limited pool of professionals willing to move, investing in internal skills, mentorship, and upskilling is critical to building capabilities that last.”

The report also highlights the strategic role of data within organisations, with 40% of respondents saying that data plays a fully strategic role. This underscores the continued reliance on analytics to guide key business decisions.

Data visualisation and BI reporting continue to be viewed as the most critical technical skills in the sector, with 74% of respondents identifying them as essential, followed by project management (43%) and machine learning and AI (33%). The findings suggest organisations continue to place high value on professionals who can analyse complex data while also communicating insights clearly to stakeholders.

The report also shows evolving trends in the tools used by data professionals. Excel (77%) and SQL (71%) remain the most widely used technologies, while Python adoption has grown significantly to 53%, reflecting the increasing use of open-source analytics tools across organisations.

Lorcan Malone, Chief Executive of The Analytics Institute, said:

“The 2026 Salary and Sentiment Report highlights a data and AI landscape that is maturing rather than slowing. Demand for skills remains high, but what we’re seeing now is a shift towards more targeted, commercially focused adoption of AI. Organisations are no longer experimenting at scale without direction — they are prioritising use cases that deliver clear value. This is increasing the importance of professionals who can bridge technical expertise with business impact.

“At the same time, the growing AI skills gap presents a real challenge. While interest in AI is strong, many organisations are still building the confidence and capability needed to fully realise its potential. This makes continuous learning and upskilling critical for both individuals and employers.

“We are also seeing a notable shift in workforce dynamics. Retention, engagement, and career development are now central priorities, with professionals placing greater emphasis on meaningful work and long-term growth. For organisations, building resilient, high-performing data teams will depend not just on attracting talent, but on creating environments where that talent can thrive.”

Overall, the report shows that as organisations increasingly rely on data-driven insight to inform strategy and improve performance, the demand for skilled professionals remains strong. Companies that can attract and retain individuals with both technical expertise and commercial understanding - and develop skills internally where hiring is difficult - will be best positioned to unlock the full value of their data and AI investments.

To find out more about how SAS can help businesses to work smarter with data and AI visit www.sas.com.

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