The figures were based on surveys of more than 250 domestic and foreign enterprises, along with over 1,600 workers across 16 industries and multiple job levels, from interns to top executives, according to the 2026 Salary and Labor Market Report by Navigos Group, a recruitment services provider that operates the VietnamWorks platform.
Executive-level (C-suite) roles continue to show a significant income gap compared with the broader labor market. In many industries, the gross monthly salary of a chief executive officer or managing director exceeds VND300 million, with some cases approaching VND500 million.
High-tech agriculture tops the pay scale, with CEOs earning up to VND527 million per month, the highest figure recorded in the 2026 salary table.
This is followed by food, beverage and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) at up to VND461 million; pharmaceuticals and healthcare at around VND430 million; finance, insurance and securities at VND419 million; and energy and oil and gas at nearly VND400 million per month.
High-tech manufacturing sectors, including electronics, automation and automobiles, as well as supply chain and logistics, also report typical executive salaries ranging from VND300 million to more than VND350 million per month.
These industries generally require advanced system-management capabilities, international experience and large-scale operational leadership.
Beyond CEOs, many mid- to senior-level management roles and specialist positions also fall into the income group earning more than VND100 million per month. At large enterprises, division heads, functional directors and senior experts often earn well above the market average.
In banking and finance, directors overseeing corporate banking, data, information technology or retail divisions can earn up to VND386 million per month. Chief financial officers (CFOs) at large organizations typically earn between VND130 million and VND350 million, depending on company size and operational complexity.
In the information technology sector, chief technology officers (CTOs) or heads of engineering can earn up to VND274 million per month. Notably, specialists in data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, even with fewer than five years of experience in some cases, can earn between VND100 million and VND145 million per month amid strong hiring demand.
High income levels are also reported in legal and compliance, marketing and product, and production and engineering roles, particularly in energy, technology, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and industrial manufacturing.
According to Navigos Group, income levels are increasingly shaped by shifts in industry structure, skill requirements and professional qualifications. The labor market is prioritizing high-tech industries, the digital economy and the green economy, creating a widening income gap between sectors.
Experts forecast that demand for high-quality talent in semiconductors, renewable energy and AI will continue to rise sharply over the next three to five years, pushing compensation well above the market average.
Skills are viewed as the decisive factor in salary levels. The survey found that 76.8% of businesses are willing to pay higher wages for employees with strong technological capabilities, while nearly 40% prioritize adaptability. About 29.5% of workers hold academic degrees or professional certifications, giving them a significant advantage in salary negotiations and career progression.
The report also notes that 2025 marked a clear recovery phase for Vietnam’s labor market. Overall wage levels remained stable and showed an upward trend, as companies balanced cost control with efforts to retain talent.
Nearly 62% of workers received salary increases, although most adjustments were below 10%, reflecting a selective approach to wage growth.
Ho Chi Minh City remains the country’s largest labor market in terms of scale and competitiveness, followed by Hanoi.
Navigos Group expects that in 2026, salary differentiation based on skills will become even more pronounced. Employers are prepared to pay a premium for talent with analytical thinking, technological expertise and complex problem-solving abilities, while overall wage growth remains targeted rather than broad-based.
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