High demand for roles like AI engineers and data scientists in fintech: Report

SINGAPORE – Specialist skills in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, as well as soft skills such as communication and adaptability, are in high demand in the fintech sector, according to a study.

These are especially important as 90 per cent of job seekers in Singapore’s fintech sector hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

The findings come from the Singapore Fintech Talent Report 2025, which surveyed more than 1,000 professionals and conducted interviews with 14 senior leaders. It was launched on Nov 13 by Singapore Fintech Association and executive search firm Page Executive.

Pushing job seekers to enrol in training programmes to stay relevant, the report said that surging AI adoption in the fintech sector is driving a sharp demand for specialist roles such as AI engineers, data scientists and machine learning professionals.

It found that employers value human capabilities and soft skills over paper qualifications, with 92 per cent of them valuing communication and teamwork and 85 per cent highlighting adaptability and learning agility. Only 8 per cent rated formal certifications as important.

Ms Tawishi Singh, vice-president of the Singapore Fintech Association, said in a statement: “Future-proofing the sector means equipping employees with both hard and soft skills to thrive alongside evolving technologies such as AI.”

The report said about 30 per cent of organisations in the sector plan to increase hiring in 2026, signalling optimism amid a volatile macroeconomic environment.

About 20 per cent expect to expand contract and freelance roles to enhance flexibility and agility.

Another 21 per cent of organisations are prioritising upskilling and reskilling initiatives to close skills gaps and future-proof their workforce.

Job seekers seem to be getting the message: Nearly one quarter of respondents – 23 per cent – are pursuing online courses with strong interest in AI, data analytics and advanced Excel programmes.

The report highlighted a mismatch between employee salary expectations and employer constraints.

Two-thirds of fintech professionals cited salary as their top reason for changing jobs, but 70 per cent of employers reported that cost optimisation and budget constraints would heavily influence their 2026 hiring strategies.

Although traditional perks such as health insurance remain top priorities for employees, two out of three professionals – 67 per cent – said they would accept equity or stock options in lieu of lower base salaries.

This signals a desire for shared success and that long-term value creation is becoming as important as short-term compensation for employees, the report said.

As competition for top talent intensifies, fintech firms here are realising that strong culture, purpose and leadership trust are now key to attracting and retaining talent.

Other important talent retention tools are competitive pay – said 84 per cent of firms – and hybrid work and career progression opportunities – 77 per cent.

Wellness and mental health programmes are losing popularity, with only 30.8 per cent of firms finding them impactful.

From the employees’ perspective, 60 per cent of hybrid employees said they may quit if they are required to spend more time in the office.

Trust in management emerged as a new challenge.

Less than half – 43 per cent – of professionals expressed high confidence in their leaders’ ability to balance business goals and employee well-being, while 28 per cent indicated low or no trust.

All of those surveyed reported that a collaborative culture is key to their job satisfaction, and 54 per cent of employers are now investing in cross-functional learning programmes to strengthen engagement and loyalty.

Mr Jon Goldstein, managing partner at Page Executive South-east Asia and India, said: “In a world where technology is rewriting the rules of the fintech talent landscape, leadership isn’t just about adapting – it’s about anticipating. The next wave of success will belong to those who combine digital innovation with human insight, creating ecosystems that are not only efficient but (also) trusted.”