Best paying contracting jobs in Hong Kong in 2020

Contract work is having its moment. Those who have decided to become career contractors are enjoying their increasingly abundant opportunities that are coming along with the rise of the gig economy. Other professionals are eyeing contracting as a viable long-term career choice, and in an uncertain market, companies are turning to hiring employees for short-term, project-based stints instead of only hiring long-term employees. 

This is one major impact of the current COVID-19 situation: contractors everywhere are finding that they are in higher demand than ever. And while the perception is that contract work is only for entry-level professionals, those who have become specialists throughout a long career can also find rewarding contract work - and be paid as well as, if not better than full-time roles. 

This means that professionals with all levels of experience who are looking for an interesting alternative to full time work should give contracting a try - and see where it leads them. Ask yourself a few questions first about whether or not contracting is for you - and then kick off your contracting career. 

As a reference for where contracting can take you, here are some of the top paid contracting jobs in Hong Kong in 2020.  

Best paying contracting jobs in IT

Technology and IT professionals are currently in high demand as digital transformation moves to the top of every company’s priority list. These are some of the contracting jobs in IT that are currently commanding the highest salaries in Hong Kong:

• IT Scrum Masters can expect to make between HK$ 50,000 - 80,000 monthly.
• IT Project or Programme Manager will see salaries from HK$ 60,000 - 120,000 monthly and is in especially high demand as companies implement new IT programs.
• IT Architects are on the list of high salaries, as they are making anywhere from HK$60,000 - 100,000 monthly.
• IT Development Managers are in a good situation as contractors as they can expect to earn HK$60,000 - 100,000 monthly. 

Best paying contracting jobs in Finance

Finance is a sector that has changed a lot in the last 5 years and will continue to change and innovate. Once a very traditional field, Finance roles are shifting and more and more seasoned Finance professionals are becoming contractors and specialists. 

Here are a few of the highest paid roles that we have seen in Hong Kong.

• Finance Associate/Manager, earning from HK$45,000 to HK$55,000 per month.
• Compliance Transformation Project Managers can make up to HK$90,000 per month
• Risk Business Managers are seeing salaries of up to HK$100,000 per month. 

Best paying contracting jobs in HR

As a human resources professional, you can most likely find a good amount of contract work, at any experience level. Of course, the more senior you are, the higher salary you can command. A Human Resources Manager who is contracting can make up to $HK75,000 per month. 

Best paying contracting jobs in secretarial

Secretarial and administrative roles are essential to organisations and in many cases, companies hire administrative professionals on a contract basis, either to meet increased needs at certain times of the year, or to trial a headcount before getting the full approval. As an example of a high level secretarial role, a contract Executive Assistant can make up to $HK80,000 per month. 

Bridge roles in contracting

Across the board, some of the highest paying contract jobs have been those in “bridge roles” or interim roles in which one senior level professional is leaving the company, and they hire a contractor to help with the handover - while they take their time with a longer search and recruitment process that is usually required for executive and managerial roles. 

Contracting is becoming an increasingly viable career path for professionals at all levels of experience from those first starting out, all the way up to career specialists who have been in the industry for years. 

To find out more about contracting opportunities in Hong Kong, please contact us for more information.