Israeli High-Tech Salaries Jump, But Real Gains Are Modest
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
A new survey of Israeli high-tech workers shows a median gross monthly salary of NIS 40,000, a significant increase from 2022. However, the rise is largely attributed to a shift towards more senior employees in the survey sample, with real wage growth after inflation estimated at only 3% over four years. The findings suggest potential challenges for junior professionals entering the field, as AI adoption impacts hiring trends. Significant salary disparities also exist between genders and roles within the industry.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israeli high-tech median salary rose to NIS 40,000, but real growth is only 3% after inflation.
- Survey shows a shift towards more senior employees, skewing reported salary increases.
- AI adoption is impacting hiring, with 10% of companies reducing recruitment.
- Junior employee employment is lower in AI-exposed professions globally and in Israel.
- Women in high-tech earn 17% less than men, with a 22% gap among team leaders.
- Despite high salaries, 33% of respondents plan to look for new jobs.
A new salary survey among Israeli high-tech workers reveals a significant increase in the median gross monthly salary to NIS 40,000, up from approximately NIS 31,000 in a 2022 survey. This represents a nearly 29% rise over four years. However, a deeper analysis indicates that a substantial portion of this growth is due to a shift in the survey's participant demographics. The proportion of junior employees with up to two years of experience has sharply decreased, while the share of senior employees with seven or more years of experience has grown from 40% to 57%.
When adjusting for the 2022 participant composition, the median salary for 2026 would be around NIS 36,000, a more modest 16% increase. Factoring in inflation of approximately 12.5% between September 2022 and August 2026, the real purchasing power increase shrinks to about 3% over the four-year period. The survey, conducted by Eran Yaacobovitz and Arbel Singer among nearly 2,900 full-time employees, was distributed through the "Troubles in High-Tech" Facebook community and other social networks, and is based on self-participation rather than a representative sample.
The findings raise questions about whether the high-tech sector continues to reward its experienced workers but struggles to create new opportunities for entry-level professionals. Data from the Israel Innovation Authority suggests that AI adoption is impacting hiring, with 10% of companies reporting reduced recruitment due to AI by June 2026, a threefold increase from December 2025. While AI is not the primary stated reason for workforce reductions, it may be contributing to a slowdown in new hires rather than direct layoffs.
Globally, similar trends are observed. Research from Stanford University, led by economist Eric Brynjolfsson, found a nearly 19% lower employment rate for young adults in AI-exposed professions compared to those in less exposed fields. A Harvard University study involving Israeli researcher Guy Lichtinger also indicated a relative decrease in junior employee employment at companies adopting generative AI, primarily due to slower hiring.
Further data from the Central Bureau of Statistics shows that as of July 2026, the average salary in high-tech was NIS 34,301, a 2.3% annual increase, while the number of salaried positions in the sector decreased by 0.3%. The survey also detailed salary ranges by role, with architects earning a median of NIS 54,000 and research scientists NIS 53,500. AI engineers and large language model specialists earn a median of NIS 51,000. Significant salary gaps persist between genders, with women earning a median of NIS 34,000 compared to men's NIS 41,000, a gap of about 17%. Despite high salaries, 33% of respondents plan to seek new employment in the next six months, and 17% experienced layoffs or cutbacks in the past two years.
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