Five times as many applications per assignment as in 2022, fewer assignments, and still the highest average hourly rate of all sectors studied. At the central government level, the average rate exceeds €111 per hour.

This is a striking combination. Greater competition among professionals theoretically gives clients a stronger negotiating position. Yet this wider choice has not led to lower rates in central government. Figures from the latest Talent Monitor show that availability alone does not fully explain what a professional costs.

Five times as many applications per assignment

The number of assignments within central government is clearly declining. Meanwhile, the number of applications per assignment has risen sharply. It is now approximately five times higher than in 2022. This increase is greater than in the overall market, where applications per assignment have more than tripled since early 2022, also reaching a historically high level.

This means that, on average, each assignment attracts significantly more applications than a few years ago. This gives clients more choice during the selection process. You might therefore expect professionals to compete more strongly on price, especially as the number of available assignments continues to decline. However, average hourly rates do not reflect this trend.

Central government remains the highest-paying sector

With an average hourly rate of over €111, central government ranks highest among the five sectors studied. Local and regional government averages over €102, financial services €102, logistics, transport and manufacturing €98, and energy and utilities just over €97.

Central government therefore pays approximately €9 more per hour than local and regional government and financial services. The difference compared with energy and utilities is around €14 per hour. This position remains unchanged despite sharply increasing competition among professionals. This aligns with the broader findings of the Talent Monitor. Across the market, hourly rates continue to keep pace with inflation, despite significantly fewer assignments and more than three times as many applications per assignment. In early 2026, the average hourly rate even peaked above €104.

The average hides significant differences

For clients, what lies behind that €111 figure is particularly interesting. Not every occupational group within central government commands a similar hourly rate.

Software and application developers and analysts have the highest average rate among the ten most in-demand occupational groups, at €121.41 per hour. Human resources and career development specialists follow at €119.30. Application programmers average €115.66. Network specialists and database designers and administrators also earn more than €113 per hour. At the lower end of the range are systems administrators, averaging €97.27, and information and communications technology managers at €99.66.

A high number of applications therefore reveals little about the hourly rate for a specific assignment. The relevant question is how many qualified professionals are available for the exact work required. After all, ten applications from professionals with different experience levels and specialisms represent a very different talent pool from ten professionals who all fully meet the requirements.

More applications do not necessarily mean more suitable expertise

The figures from the Talent Monitor do not directly explain the high hourly rates within central government. However, they show that a simple explanation based on supply and demand falls short. The number of applications has increased significantly, yet the average hourly rate remains high. This suggests that other factors also play a role. Occupational group is one clear example. Hourly rates among the most in-demand occupational groups vary by more than €24.

The composition of the available talent pool also plays a role. Professionals aged 35 to 45 represent the largest age group within central government. The proportion of professionals aged 55 and over is lower than the national average. For clients, the benefit therefore does not automatically lie in negotiating a lower average hourly rate. A larger talent pool primarily provides more opportunities to assess which expertise, experience and price genuinely match an assignment.

Look beyond the number of applications

A market with five times as many applications appears to offer plenty of choice on paper. Yet this figure does not reveal how many candidates actually meet the requirements. The same applies to an average sector rate of €111. A reliable rate comparison requires more detail. Consider the occupational group, experience and nature of the assignment. Then compare the rates actually paid for similar expertise.

This helps you avoid two extremes. You do not pay unnecessarily high rates simply because a high sector average becomes the benchmark. At the same time, you avoid setting a rate that does not adequately reflect the expertise you are looking for. Central government illustrates a broader trend: greater choice does not automatically make specialist expertise more affordable. Want to know how your rates compare with similar assignments and occupational groups? HeadFirst, powered by Vertage, combines current hiring data with labour market data. This gives you insight into rate differences, availability and competition across areas of expertise. Contact us and support your rate decisions with up-to-date market data.