Global IT services spending projected to reach US$ 1.87 trillion

Global spending on technology is projected to reach US$ 6.31 trillion this year, representing a 13.5% increase over 2025, according to Gartner. Within this total, IT services are expected to account for US$ 1.87 trillion, a 9% growth.

As spending rises, businesses are facing challenges regarding the true cost of maintaining internal IT teams. Beyond base salaries, companies must account for the 'fully loaded cost' of employees, which includes benefits, recruitment, training, certifications, and coverage for absences or after-hours incidents. For example, a professional with a US$ 75,000 base salary may represent an effective cost between US$ 105,000 and US$ 130,000.

In response to these shifting economic and technical demands, specific high-growth sectors are emerging as the most lucrative for professionals in 2026. Key areas include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Engineering, and Information Security. These roles command higher salaries due to the scarcity of specialized expertise and their direct impact on business automation, strategic decision-making, and infrastructure protection.