If you’ve ever wondered who the professionals are who take home their “dream salaries” in Portugal, the answer has just arrived. A new study by ManpowerGroup revealed which positions will be at the top of the salary table in 2026, with values reaching the ceiling of 150 thousand euros per year for the most critical functions.
This year’s list is divided into two worlds. On one side is the management elite that solves complex financial and technological problems. On the other, specialized technicians who, due to the scarcity of talent, saw their market value soar. If you’re thinking about changing careers or just curious, here’s the treasure map.
The champion: The “Guardian of the Vault” (CFO)
At the absolute top of the list, validating this year’s record value, is the Financial Director, or CFO (Chief Financial Officer). In 2026, this position is literally worth gold, with salaries ranging between 90 thousand and 150 thousand euros per year.
Forget the image of the accountant locked in the office. Today’s CFO is the right-hand man of management, the strategist who decides where to invest and how to protect the company’s money in an unstable market. It is the maximum responsibility, paid at the maximum price.
The Industry Elite (Industrial Director)
Often forgotten, but extremely lucrative, the position of Industrial Director comes right after the top, with salaries that can reach 140 thousand euros.
These professionals are the “masters” of factories and production. With reindustrialization and the need for efficient assembly chains, whoever can manage complex operations is being fought for by large companies in Portugal.
Technology gurus (CTO and CISO)
As expected, technology continues to pay high premiums. The Directors of Technology (CTO) and Information Security (CISO) remain on the podium of the highest paid.
In a world where a cyberattack can paralyze a company, “digital security guards” (CISO) have gained enormous negotiating power. Companies pay to avoid problems, and this is reflected in salary packages that compete directly with management.
The surprise of the Search: Construction Supervisors
Although they do not reach 150 thousand euros for the directors, the Construction Managers are the big surprise of the year due to the percentage increase. The critical lack of talent in construction has caused salaries for these professionals to skyrocket, which are now around 25,000 to 40,000 euros per year. These are values well above the national average for technical functions.
It’s proof that the law of supply and demand works. You don’t need to have a doctorate to have a competitive salary, you just need to know how to do what few people know how to do.
What do they all have in common?
It may seem that a CFO and a Construction Manager have little to do with each other, but there is a common thread that unites all these professions: the lack of talent and the ability to solve problems.
This is the main conclusion drawn from the data that Portuguese companies are willing to open the purse strings, but only for those who bring immediate results. Whether managing millions of euros or coordinating a complex project, the market pays, above all, for competence and leadership that machines still cannot replace.
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