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Employer of Record & PEO
Published:
June 24, 2026
Last updated:
June 24, 2026
Digitalisation of modern businesses has opened up three essential roles. We look at the skills needed to fulfil software development, cybersecurity, and digital marketing data analyst roles.
The global talent shortage rages on and working from home may not be the default arrangement anymore for many companies. The new normal now is a hybrid workforce fuelling the demand for tech workers.
A study by Korn Ferry predicts that a shortfall of 4 million workers could impede the advancement of tech. come 2030.
With so many job opportunities and not enough people to fill them, efforts of hiring managers to attract high-quality talent will be challenged. Additionally, having industry background experience would be needed to help companies identify some of these required skills.
We explore the top three in-demand tech careers in Southeast Asia, and the skills you’ll need to look out for if you're hiring for your overseas expansion.
With every business needing an online presence to survive in this day and age, software developers are in high demand, no matter the industry. Software development in Indonesia could be particularly competitive as the country currently leads the offline-to-online consumer growth rate among other Southeast Asian countries.
Employers can broaden their search for qualified candidates by paying more attention to competencies than educational qualifications. Today, many successful software development professionals have honed their craft without a diploma or degree and may have even more impressive portfolios than the ones who have graduated from universities Rising Stars Of The Tech World: Why Developers Are Job Market Royalty. Forbes. September 2021.
With software infrastructure comes threats in the form of network breaches, cyberattacks and malware. This has resulted in the rapid growth of demand for cybersecurity roles, especially in the healthcare, manufacturing and government sectors across the region 2022’s top 5 most in-demand tech jobs in Asia Pacific. FDM. December 2021
Mandatory experience is required in networking and systems administration, with a working knowledge of all operating systems. If your business makes use of cloud infrastructure for your data, do specify candidates with a strong background in cloud security.
With most Southeast Asian consumers showing a willingness to try new brands, the demand for digital marketing data analysts has grown. The need is greatest in Thailand and the Philippines; 68% and 80% of Thai and Filipino consumers reported trying new brands during the pandemic respectively Five areas of growth for digital marketing in ASEAN. McKinsey & Company. July 2021.
Marketing data analysts take the information gleaned from your website, app and social media, and apply it in the form of business insights. They usually work with tools like Google Analytics and Adwords, with extensive experience in search engine optimisation and marketing Marketing Data Analyst: 6 Critical Responsibilities. Hevo. July 2021.
As you go about growing your workforce for your overseas expansion, remember that in areas of high job demand, the job opportunities you have on offer need to be sufficiently attractive to nab the skilled workers you want.
Build your company’s work culture to be the right fit for the career you’re hiring for, and success will follow.
The highest-demand tech roles in Southeast Asia are software engineers (full-stack, backend, and mobile), cybersecurity specialists, data scientists and analysts, cloud infrastructure engineers, and digital marketing analysts with data and attribution skills. Demand has accelerated as ASEAN economies invest in digital transformation. Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are the primary talent pools, with Vietnam emerging as a particularly strong source of software engineering talent at competitive cost levels.
Singapore has the deepest pool of senior and specialized tech talent but at the highest cost. Malaysia (especially Kuala Lumpur and Penang) offers strong English-proficiency tech talent at more competitive rates. Vietnam's tech talent pool is growing rapidly, with strong engineering output from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Statutory costs include BHXH (social insurance), BHYT (health insurance), and BHTN (unemployment insurance) contributions totalling approximately 21.5% employer-side above gross salary. For full cost and legal hiring requirements, see the true cost of hiring in Vietnam: salary, work permit, and employment law guide for 2026.
Salaries vary significantly by country and seniority. A mid-level software engineer earns approximately: SGD 7,000–12,000/month in Singapore, MYR 8,000–15,000/month in Malaysia, PHP 60,000–120,000/month in the Philippines, and VND 30–60 million/month in Vietnam. Senior roles and specialists (data scientists, security architects) command significant premiums. Singapore-based senior engineers may earn 3–4x their Vietnamese counterparts. Salary benchmarking using current market data is essential — tech salaries have risen sharply across the region over the past 3 years.
The hardest-to-find tech skills across SEA are: cybersecurity specialists (particularly threat analysts and penetration testers), machine learning and AI engineers, cloud architects (AWS, Azure, GCP certified), DevOps and platform engineers, and experienced product managers with technical backgrounds. For key factors to consider before making these hires, see our guide on recruiting tech talent: factors to consider before hiring. These roles see intense competition across the region, and candidates with proven track records often receive multiple simultaneous offers.
Companies can hire tech employees in any SEA country through an Employer of Record without registering a local entity. The EOR employs the tech worker in their home country under a locally compliant contract, handles payroll and statutory contributions, and lets the client company direct all technical work and deliverables. Singapore's tech talent market is highly competitive, with salary benchmarks among the highest in Southeast Asia. Employers also need to factor in CPF contributions (up to 17% employer-side), equity structures, and work pass requirements for non-citizens. For a full cost breakdown, see the cost of hiring a full-time employee in Singapore.
For local nationals, no visa is required — the EOR employs them in their home country under standard employment law. For relocating foreign tech talent, work authorization requirements vary: Singapore's Employment Pass requires a minimum salary threshold and employer sponsorship. Malaysia's Employment Pass has equivalent income thresholds. The Philippines and Indonesia require a separate work permit process for foreign nationals. An EOR or local immigration specialist can manage the full work visa application process.
