Employers are willing to pay a premium to secure the skills and expertise they need, according to research by recruiter Robert Half.

The research reveals candidates may receive a salary offer of up to 31% more than market rates, depending on the skills, certifications, and experience employers are looking for across finance, technology, and business support functions.

Project and program management skills can command the highest salary premium of 31% more than the market rate. However, only 11% of employers are willing to offer a higher salary to candidates who hold those skills.

Meanwhile, more than a third (37%) of employers are willing to pay a premium to a candidate if they hold leadership or management expertise, revealing it is the skill most in demand. Candidates with such experience may be able to command a salary 26% higher than the market rate.

Skill/expertise

% salary premium for a candidate with the skill

% of employers willing to offer a higher salary

Project and program management

31%

11%

Cyber security

27%

15%

Leadership/management

26%

37%

Financial planning and analysis

26%

14%

Employee relations

25%

13%

Customer service

23%

13%

“Employers recognise that candidates who hold these highly sought-after skills bring a unique edge to their organisation and enable it to thrive in times of rapid change,” says Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half.

“These types of premiums and salary increases are not on offer to everyone. Business leaders are looking for staff who can propel innovation and swiftly adapt to changing conditions. They are willing to pay a salary premium because of the pivotal role the candidate will play in steering companies toward growth as well as maintaining a distinct competitive edge. Employers see the salary premiums as an investment in amplifying efficiencies, reshaping outcomes, and securing a prosperous future.”

Employers are willing to bend on some criteria

Employers recognise that it may be hard to source candidates who tick every box listed on their job description. They are willing to be flexible with certain experience and certifications if the candidate still provides advantages in other areas.

The research reveals:

  • 29% of employers will bend on specific industry experience
  • 28% of employers will be flexible regarding the number of years of experience
  • 14% of employers are prepared to be flexible about certifications
  • 8% of employers will be flexible about the required education.

Meanwhile, there are particular areas in which more than half of employers state that a candidate must hold a certification to be considered for the role.

In finance, the top five fields in which employers say certifications are necessary are:

  • finance and accounting (75%)
  • financial accounting and business advisory (70%)
  • management accounting and strategic financial management (64%)
  • taxation (62%)
  • risk management, governance, and control (54%).

In technology, the top five fields in which employers say certifications are necessary are:

  • security, privacy and compliance (64%)
  • cloud architecture and operations (55%)
  • network and systems administration (54%)
  • software and application development (50%)
  • technology process automation (50%).