Wales is currently becoming a major hotspot for professional services. Specifically, global talent firm Robert Half has just expanded into a new, larger office in Cardiff to meet record demand. Notably, the firm’s latest data reveals that, in Cardiff, professional salaries are now running 14% higher than the UK national average.
A “Meaningful Uptick” in Hiring
The investment in Cardiff is a direct response to a massive surge in regional momentum. Furthermore, competition for talent is intensifying across several key sectors. For instance, hiring managers are desperately seeking experts in digital transformation and robust financial planning.
Forward-looking data shows a sharp increase in activity for the first half of 2026:
- Permanent Staff: 44% of managers plan to expand their teams, up from 34% last year.
- Contractors: 42% plan to increase their skilled contract workforce, a huge jump from 28%.
- Hot Sectors: Demand is particularly high in IT, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Retail.
The Skills in Highest Demand
Because the economy in Wales is diversifying so rapidly, certain roles are now commanding significant premiums. In fact, there is a “clear increase” in the need for Business and Data Analysts.
Similarly, the finance sector is hungry for Managers, Controllers, and Business Partners who can lead digital shifts. Consequently, Cardiff is no longer just a regional hub; it is a competitive frontline for specialist talent.
Cardiff: Professional Salary Hotpot
According to Gareth Gage, Regional Managing Director at Robert Half, this expansion builds on two decades of supporting Welsh businesses. However, the 2026 landscape is different. Instead of looking toward London, businesses are finding that the most “in-demand” talent is already on the ground in Cardiff.
Ultimately, this 14% salary gap proves that if you want the best people in 2026, you must be prepared to pay a “regional premium.” Therefore, businesses in Wales must ensure their retention strategies are as robust as their hiring plans.
Gage says: “Cardiff is a rapidly diversifying economy with cross industry potential being unlocked through both permanent and contract hiring. Our data reflects just how competitive the local market has become with salaries for professional services running well above the national average and a clear increase in hiring as the year starts strong. The investment in our expanded Cardiff presence is a strategic response to this local economic growth and builds on more than two decades of supporting businesses and professionals across Wales.
“For businesses, that means faster access to in demand talent, deeper insight into local salary and hiring trends and on the ground partnership to solve workforce challenges. For professionals, it means greater visibility of new opportunities, market guidance to navigate career decisions and dedicated support throughout the hiring process.
“Where organisations require support beyond talent acquisition, our sister firm Protiviti, allows us to connect them with specialist consulting expertise, ensuring they can address both their people and business priorities with confidence.”
