Open job listings in information and communications technology on Duunitori. Photo: Duunitori
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Finland’s IT sector is showing clear signs of recovery after several challenging years, but growth is uneven. While demand remains strong for highly specialised professionals, many junior and generalist developers are struggling to find work.
According to job platform Duunitori, the number of ICT job postings between January and August 2025 was down 16 percent compared to the same period last year. However, the decline was significantly smaller than in most other sectors, where job ads dropped by an average of 26 percent.
Kim Salmi, Chief Technology Officer at Duunitori, said the data suggests the market is stabilising after years of contraction.
“IT job demand surged over the past decade but cooled sharply as companies overhired and later missed growth targets,” Salmi said. “This hit consultancy firms particularly hard. Now we’re seeing signs of recovery, although job listings have not yet rebounded.”
Salmi noted that high-end salaries remain available for top-level specialists. Duunitori’s salary data shows the average monthly wage for software developers is just over €4,400, with top earners making more than €10,000.
The market, however, has become highly polarised.
“There is an oversupply of junior and generalist talent, but a shortage of experienced professionals with niche skills,” Salmi said. “Major tech firms and AI startups globally are competing for advanced machine learning experts, often with PhDs. The expertise is deep and narrow, unlike the broad developer shortages we saw in the late 2010s.”
Recruitment has become more selective. Employers are reducing entry-level hiring, including trainee programmes, which were once common in consultancy firms. Meanwhile, competition for experts has intensified, giving senior developers leverage in job negotiations.
Skills in highest demand include artificial intelligence, data engineering, cloud platforms, cybersecurity and site reliability engineering (SRE). Domain-specific knowledge, such as experience in financial services, is also sought after.
Salmi highlighted AI-assisted software development as a growing trend. This includes so-called “vibe coding”, which allows developers to build applications using natural language prompts. While it opens programming to a wider range of users, it also increases demand for skilled developers capable of debugging AI-generated code, a new and emerging role.
Geographically, job opportunities remain concentrated in Finland’s major urban areas. Duunitori recorded the following ICT job ad volumes between January and August 2025 (with year-on-year change in brackets):
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Uusimaa: approx. 3,450 jobs (–16%)
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Pirkanmaa: approx. 540 jobs (+4%)
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Northern Ostrobothnia: approx. 210 jobs (+7%)
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Southwest Finland: approx. 190 jobs (–29%)
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Central Finland: approx. 180 jobs (–14%)
Attracting IT talent is also increasingly dependent on working conditions. Duunitori’s 2024 jobseeker survey found that tech professionals prioritise flexible hours, fairness, competitive pay, job security and remote work options when choosing an employer.
“Remote work matters more to IT professionals than in most other fields,” Salmi said. “Companies should clearly communicate their remote and hybrid policies to jobseekers.”
Salary transparency is another key factor. Despite IT’s reputation for openness, only 8 percent of active ICT job ads on Duunitori currently list salary details.
“Publishing a salary range helps attract top candidates,” Salmi said. “This industry is already used to pay transparency, especially through direct recruitment.”
He also encouraged companies to modernise their hiring processes.
“Experienced professionals won’t engage with outdated or rigid recruitment systems,” he said. “Efficiency matters.”
Salmi added that developers value employers who work with modern tools and contribute to open-
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
