Hong Kong insurance C-Suite pay hits $3m as affluent client focus drives 2026 hiring

Hays 2026 data shows Risk and Compliance chiefs hit record pay as insurers target wealthy clients.

Hong Kong’s insurance sector is expected to see steady hiring in 2026, driven by demand for high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients, and by the industry’s expansion into health, wellness, and investment services, according to the 2026 Hays Asia Salary Guide.

Direct insurers are focusing more on affluent clients, increasing demand for roles in product development, business development and strategy, partnership distribution, and marketing. HNW brokerage firms are also hiring sales consultants to build advisory relationships with sophisticated clients.

Growth in health and wellness offerings is creating demand for doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and wellness specialists, as insurers invest in medical and clinical services to improve customer retention and acquisition.

Hiring is also rising in investment, risk, and compliance as insurers expand into related financial areas and adapt to regulatory requirements with reinsurers expected to add staff in middle- and back-office roles, especially in actuarial and risk management, where intermediate-level talent is in short supply.

Salary data from the guide shows senior leadership roles earn the highest pay. Chief actuaries make $1.5m to $3m annually, chief risk officers $2.2m to $3m, and chief auditors and chief compliance officers start at $2.2m.

Department heads earn slightly less, with actuarial heads receiving $1.4m to $2.16m and heads of compliance earning $1.5m to $2.52m. Risk directors and audit directors get $1.2m to $1.8m and $1.2m to $1.6m, respectively.

Meanwhile, mid-level roles, such as actuarial managers get $600,000 to $1.08m, risk managers $720,000 to $840,000, and compliance or audit managers $600,000 to $840,000.

In distribution and sales, chief distribution officers earn $1.5m to $2.5m, heads of bancassurance $1.4m to $2.3m, agency directors $1m to $1.6m, and agency managers $500,000 to $720,000.

Underwriting and claims roles follow a similar pattern. Heads of underwriting in life insurance earn $950,000 to $1.56m, heads of claims $1m to $1.4m, underwriting managers $570,000 to $820,000, and claims managers $570,000 to $720,000.

Operational and strategic roles also pay well. Chief operating officers earn $1.8m to $2.5m, transformation heads $1.3m to $2m, heads of customer service $870,000 to $1.5m, and heads of policy administration $840,000 to $1.3m.

The guide says recruitment is expected to grow steadily through 2026, with the strongest competition for HNW business development, investment, and actuarial/risk roles.