Historically, the primary industries in Cayman that recruit IT talent have been the financial services and legal sectors; however, there has been growth in different industries over the past decade or so.

In terms of the specific experience that employers are looking for, it depends on the company and the IT team they have. Still, typically roles can be divided into software, hardware & more business-focused positions. It is also important to note the majority of roles here in Cayman are mid to senior-level positions, with C level tech roles coming up quite infrequently (approx. once per year if even).

Software:

On the software engineering side, over 90% of companies here are Microsoft houses, using predominantly .NET technologies. Some of these companies have moved onto the cloud, where they predominantly work with Azure, although AWS is used in a small number of companies here. IT testing roles come up occasionally, and companies usually seek candidates with a mix of manual & automated QA experience.

Hardware:

Networking & IT security positions are also pretty standard in Cayman within the telecoms providers as well as managed services providers. Good commercial experience alongside valid certification (CCNP in most cases) is typically required.

Business-focused:

On the business side, the most prominent positions are for business analysts and IT project manager roles – domain knowledge is often required, which will vary between companies.

In short, most employers require at least three years of commercial experience for all roles plus a degree or relevant, up-to-date certifications for your niche.

Requirements will vary from position to position, but it is crucial to understand the relevance of this experience when considering the immigration process in the Cayman Islands.

Read more about desired IT qualifications and experience in our dedicated article here.

Earning potential depends wholly on the organization, the role itself, and your level of experience. Still, typically salaries are competitive (especially when considering the tax-free element) and are a massive incentive for IT professionals looking to take their career offshore.

Software:

Strong software engineers would typically make US$90,000-$110,000 with more earning potential for team leads & development managers.

QA roles would pay US$75,000-$95,000 with manager-level positions usually reaching up to US$110,000

Hardware:

On the networking and security side, there is a slight disparity as to whether you would be working within telecoms (or another internal org) or externally as a consultant for an MSP. The base salary for in-house positions is typically higher, while MSPs usually offer base plus a bonus for work completed/overtime etc.

Networking engineering roles would typically pay US$60,000-$80,000 for mid-level positions, with senior-level roles reaching upwards of US$100,000.

Business-focused:

BA roles also differ depending on company and level, but standard positions would offer US$80,000-$105,000, with senior BA roles going up to US$120,000.

PM roles are similar, with offers usually coming in US$90,000-$125,000.

Many companies offer a bonus on top of the stated salaries listed above, so it is worth considering what the entire package looks like when looking at compensation. All companies on island also offer benefits (and often relocation packages) as well, which can significantly increase the value of a compensation package.

Working hours are pretty standard but do vary between companies and industry sectors, but as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to work a ‘standard working week’ where overtime is the exception to the rule. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t all work from the beach (but it is a popular spot pretty much any other time!).

One of the best things about working in Cayman is that commute times are negligible as offices are generally in very close proximity to home, so you can often be at work within 10 minutes (maybe 15 if you hit traffic).

It’s also worth noting that across the board, most companies have a work-life balance at the core of their company culture, with many finishing early on Fridays and many having flexible start times.

We can assist in searching for roles across different industry sectors, including:

• Software QA/Testing
• Software Engineering
• Project Management & Business Analyst
• Network Engineering
• IT Support
• IT Sales
• Executive IT
• Cyber Security

Learn more about our IT Recruitment Services or Search for Jobs.

The Cayman Islands, more routinely known for its outsized financial industry, is fast becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing technology centres. All of that growth can be attributed to government incentives, and Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) who have brought fast-growing tech companies on island in recent years.

Not only have they impacted the growth of the industry, but also in creating a tech community through initiatives such as Code Cayman & Digital Cayman tech talks, which have created a space for techies to meet up more regularly and meet others on island within the industry

Cayman, BVI, and Bermuda require non-citizens to have work permits, which must be obtained by the employer based on a specific job. To gain a work permit for the Cayman Islands, candidates need to be an exact fit for the role they are applying for, so qualifications are essential, as are years of experience.

Concerning relocating with a partner or spouse, a legal spouse can be classified as a ‘dependent’ on their partner’s work permit to reside on-island. They are also legally permitted to search for work as a ‘dependent’ on their spouse’s permit. Unmarried partners are not permitted to reside in Cayman without having a job and permit of their own.