Salary increases of up to 10% are predicted this year in a range of sectors.
Employers are also investing in their staff with career development opportunities to retain talent, with salary increases of between 5–10% expected in specialist fields.
According to the Morgan McKinley Salary and Benefits Guide for 2015, this year is starting off with a buoyant recruitment market, with particular demand in Digital Media, ICT, Life Sciences, Engineering and Financial services.
In addition, Irish emigrants are starting to return home, confident of securing jobs.
"We are actually seeing an emerging trend of more Irish emigrants returning home," said Morgan McKinley's Tracy Keevens.
"Those that would have emigrated in the downturn - particularly digital marketing, engineering, accountancy and finance– we are seeing those returning.
"Their international experience is being favoured among employers here, and they would be considered to be very employable prospects in the local market."
She said it was the first time in many years almost every sector had seen an increase in recruitment.
In addition, employers are focusing more on career development and training opportunities to retain the best talent.
The survey was carried out among 30,000 professionals.