The most requested jobs in Italy in 2025

Introduction

Italy in 2025 is seeing a dynamic labour market. Post-COVID economic adjustments, digital transformation, demographic changes, and EU investment (notably via the Recovery and Resilience Plan) are shaping what kinds of jobs are most in demand. Some sectors are growing fast; others are struggling with shortages of qualified workers. Understanding which jobs are most requested gives job-seekers, policy-makers, firms, and educators insight into where to focus. This article explores the professions with the strongest demand, the underlying causes, the skills needed, salary expectations, and what the future might bring.

Italy’s Labour Market in 2025: Big Picture Trends

Before getting into specific jobs, here are context points you need to know:

• Record employment: By May 2025, Italy had about 24.3 million people employed, the highest since the statistical series began in 2004. ANSA.it

• Unemployment down: The jobless rate has declined; e.g., in February 2025 it fell to 5.9%, the lowest since 2007. Reuters

• Employment growth outpacing GDP: Projections suggest employment (in full-time equivalent) will grow by ~1.1% in 2025 and ~1.2% in 2026, slightly faster than GDP. ANSA.it+1

• Replacement demand large: Because of retirements and people leaving the labour market, many jobs are opening not just through economic expansion but through turnover. Per Cedefop forecasts, replacement demand (people needed to replace those leaving) is several times expansion demand. CEDEFOP

These frame the opportunities: many job openings are available, and some sectors are especially short-staffed.

Most Requested Jobs & Sectors in Italy (2025)

Below are professions and sectors seeing the highest demand. For each, we look at what kind of roles, how big the demand is, what are the skill gaps, and where.

Technology & Digital Professions

Why high demand: Italy, like many EU countries, is pushing digitalisation, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing. Firms need to modernise, are subject to regulatory pressures, need to protect data, and many investments (public & private) are funneling to tech. Also, the digital skills gap is well noted.

Key roles:

• Software developers / engineers

• AI specialists (machine learning engineers, data scientists)

• Cybersecurity experts

• Cloud architects / cloud engineers

• ICT technicians & network/system administrators 9cv9 Career Blog+2CEDEFOP+2

Scale of demand & difficulties:

• According to Cedefop, ~22% of upcoming job opportunities (2022-2025) are for high-level professionals in science, engineering, healthcare, business, teaching. Many of these are digital/tech roles. CEDEFOP

• There’s substantial difficulty in finding candidates with the required experience, credentials, or certifications (especially in cybersecurity or AI). TrasportoEuropa+1

Skills in demand:

• Programming languages (Python, Java, JavaScript, etc.)

• Machine learning, data analytics, AI models

• Cybersecurity protocols, incident response, cloud security practices

• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

• Soft skills: communication, problem-solving, adaptability

Salary expectations / prospects:

• Top tech professionals, e.g. AI architects, data scientists, may command higher salaries, especially in big firms and in northern Italy. (Though specific numbers vary; there is wage pressure depending on region and employer size.) Torpedo Gratis

Logistics, Transport, Warehouse & Supply Chain

Why demand: Global supply chain disruptions, rise of e-commerce, internal logistics of manufacturing and retail demand more staff; also, infrastructure investment in many regions logically increases demand for transport, handling, warehousing.

Key roles:

• Vehicle drivers (long haul, last mile, etc.)

• Goods handlers, warehouse operators

• Forklift & material-handling equipment operators

• Administrative / planning roles in transport/logistics management

• Distribution & procurement staff TrasportoEuropa+1

Scale & challenges:

• In March 2025, nearly 50,000 new hires just in transport, logistics & warehousing for that month; around 139,000 projected over a three-month period. TrasportoEuropa

• Recruitment difficulties are high: for drivers over 50% difficulty, for equipment operators even more. TrasportoEuropa+1

• A large proportion of these roles are considered low- or medium-skill but still require specific licenses, experience, or certifications (driving licenses, handling machinery). Also, digital skills more and more required (for managing automated warehouses, tracking, safety systems). TrasportoEuropa+1

Healthcare & Social Assistance

Why demand: Italy has an aging population, increased healthcare needs, a backlog of services after the pandemic, and increasing chronic disease burden. Also, replacement demand is high because many workers are retiring.

Key roles:

• Nurses

• Medical imaging technicians, radiologists

• Physicians & specialists

• Healthcare assistants / aides

• Home care / elderly care workers 9cv9 Career Blog+1

Challenges & skill gaps:

• Need for more training, balancing regional disparities (some areas/neighbourhoods have better healthcare infrastructure than others).

• Many roles need specialised certifications or continuous education.

• Language or bureaucratic hurdles in some cases (especially for foreign workers).

Engineering, Mechatronics & Manufacturing

Why demand: Investment in infrastructure, in green transition, robotics and automation, EU funding for industry, replacement needs in mechanical/electrical sectors, and the push for sustainable, efficient production.

Key roles:

• Mechanical, electrical, and electronic engineers

• Robotics specialists

• Industrial machinery mechanics & maintenance workers

• Technicians in automation / process control italy.iom.int+1

How big: The FLM / Unioncamere data project that over next few years a demand of ~100,000-130,000 workers in mechatronics/robotics etc. roles. italy.iom.int

Tourism, Hospitality, Retail, Seasonal Work

Why demand: Italy is a major tourist destination; tourism has bounced back post-pandemic; seasonal demand (summer especially) is strong. Also, retail constantly needs assistants/shop staff.

Key roles:

• Sales assistants / retail staff

• Waiters, cooks, kitchen staff

• Seasonal workers in agriculture / processing of food & fruit & vegetables wineitaly24.com+1

Details:

• Summer 2025 season: Openjobmetis reports top job requests are sales assistants, waiters, cook staff, fruit/veg processing workers. wineitaly24.com

• Many of these roles are entry-level, but require flexibility, often knowledge of foreign languages (in tourist areas), good interpersonal skills.

Regions with Strong Demand

The demand is uneven geographically. Here are examples:

• Northern Italy (Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont): Strong in technology, engineering, logistics, manufacturing. Big cities like Milan, Turin are tech hubs.

• Central Italy (Tuscany, Lazio): Mix of tourism, health, services, some tech. Rome and Florence have heavy demand in hospitality, healthcare.

• Southern Italy (Sicily, Calabria, Apulia, Campania): Historically lower wage levels, lower employment rates, but seeing more job creation now thanks to EU funds. Logistics and transport, construction (infrastructure investments) are key. Also tourism, agriculture. Reuters+3ANSA.it+3TrasportoEuropa+3

Key Drivers of Demand

Several forces are pushing which jobs are needed:

1. Aging population / demographic shifts — more healthcare, home care, social assistance; many workers retiring => replacement demand.

2. EU green transition & infrastructure investment — renewable energy, sustainable engineering, construction, retrofitting, civil works.

3. Digital transformation — AI, automation, cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics.

4. Global supply chain & logistics — e-commerce, transport, warehousing.

5. Tourism & services rebound — seasonal spikes, hospitality, retail.

Skill Gaps, Hiring Difficulties & Barriers

Even when job demand is high, there are often ** shortages / mismatches**:

• Lack of qualified applicants (experience, credentials). E.g. many logistics roles are hard to fill due to missing driver’s license, or insufficient training for equipment operation. TrasportoEuropa

• Digital skill gap: Many workers don’t have sufficient training in tech tools, automation, AI, cybersecurity.

• Regional disparities: some regions have fewer training programs; rural/remote areas less attractive to specialists.

• Language & certification issues, especially for non-EU/foreign professionals.

• Contract type issues: many seasonal, fixed-term, temporary contracts which may disincentivise long-term investment in skills.

What It Takes to Succeed in These Roles

If you’re aiming for any of the in-demand professions, here are what employers are looking for:

• Relevant training / qualifications: degrees, certificates, licences (for driving, machinery, medical).

• Continuous learning mindset: especially in tech, healthcare, engineering. Keeping up with latest tools or regulations matters.

• Soft skills: communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving. In hospitality, customer service; in logistics, coordination; in tech, collaboration.

• Language skills: at least good Italian; in many tech/tourism cases English or other foreign languages help.

• Willingness to relocate or work seasonally: Many roles are concentrated in certain areas or have seasonal peaks.

Salary Trends & Compensation

While salaries in Italy are generally lower than in some other Western European countries, in these high-demand sectors and with strong qualifications, you can expect competitive compensation. Key points:

• Tech / AI / data science roles tend to offer higher salaries, especially in major cities or international firms.

• Healthcare roles with specialisation (radiology, medical specialists) are better paid; home care / assistance roles less so.

• Logistics and transport salaries depend heavily on licence, experience, region; heavy duty drivers better than general warehouse work.

• Seasonal / tourism / retail roles often offer less stable earnings; bonuses, tips, overtime can matter.

Projections: What’s Likely By End of 2025 & Into 2026

• Employment will continue growing, though perhaps more slowly. Unemployment expected to drop further (though constrained by structural issues). ANSA.it+1

• Digital and tech roles will keep increasing in demand. The difficulty in hiring qualified people will remain a bottleneck.

• Logistics will increasingly automatise, so roles will shift: fewer purely manual roles, more tech-augmented roles (automation, robotics, digital tracking).

• Green economy roles (renewables, sustainable engineering, environmental compliance) will grow thanks to regulatory push and EU funding.

• Healthcare will remain a safe sector with high demand especially in elder care and diagnostics, both in public and private.

Top “Most Requested” Jobs: Summary Table

Implications for Job-Seekers & Educators

• If you are choosing what to study or train in: tech / digital, health, engineering, logistics are solid bets.

• Acquiring certifications / licences early can give you a big advantage.

• Lifelong learning / upskilling (especially digital) is increasingly necessary.

• Flexibility (relocation, temporary work) may open more opportunities.

• Firms and training institutions should collaborate to reduce mismatches (e.g. apprenticeships, targeted vocational training).

Challenges & Risks

• Wage stagnation outside high-demand hubs; risk of “brain drain” where skilled people leave Italy for better pay abroad.

• Contract instability (temporary, seasonal) for many service/tourism roles.

• Regional inequalities: infrastructure, public services, training quality vary significantly.

• The cost of living in high-opportunity areas (northern cities) can be high relative to salaries.

Conclusion

Italy in 2025 is in a phase of opportunity: many sectors are hiring, particularly tech, logistics, healthcare, engineering. But opportunity does not always equal ease; there are skill gaps, regional disparities, and contract types that can make entering some of these jobs challenging.

If you’re a job-seeker, focusing on in-demand skills (digital, healthcare, technical), acquiring relevant certifications or experience, being willing to move or work flexible schedules, will help. For policy-makers and educators, reducing mismatch, enhancing training especially in underserved regions, and improving conditions for key roles will be important to ensure the country catches up with demand.

FAQs

Which jobs are most secure in Italy right now?
Roles in healthcare (nurses, medical technicians), cybersecurity, and tech professions tend to have stronger job security, because demand is structural (demographic, regulatory, digital transitions) rather than cyclical.

Is being a driver or in logistics a good long-term career in Italy?
They are in high demand now, yes. Long term, jobs in logistics may shift with more automation, so learning skills related to digital tracking, warehouse tech, planning, etc., in addition to manual roles, helps future-proof.

Do I need to know Italian to get one of these in-demand jobs?
Yes in many cases especially in healthcare, hospitality, customer-facing roles. For tech or remote work, English may be enough depending on the employer. But proficiency in Italian helps a lot for integration, better job terms, and mobility.

Where in Italy are tech jobs strongest?
The major hubs: Milan (finance & tech), Turin (engineering), Rome (government, large services), and increasingly Bologna, Florence. Also, remote work is expanding possibilities.

What’s changing in the next few years?
Expect more green economy jobs; more automation in logistics; continued pressure in healthcare; digital and AI roles will likely continue to rise. Also, policies may increase immigration or visa opportunities to address shortages.

How can I prepare to enter one of these high-demand fields?
Identify the role you want; get the necessary education/licensing; do internships or apprenticeships; get relevant certifications; build digital skills; network in the sector; stay updated with technology and best practices.