Technology Salary Guide
Discover essential salary trends, sought-after skills, and industry insights to inform your hiring strategies or career choices.
Your guide to salaries and trends
This guide brings you the latest insights in the Technology field across the UK. Whether you’re a professional aiming to understand your market value or an employer looking to attract top talent, our guide provides a clear, straightforward view of salary expectations and trends. Built on responses from our candidate and client surveys, it’s designed to support informed decisions and strategic career moves.
In our guide, you’ll find:
- Key insights from our sentiment survey: Discover current trends, job satisfaction levels, and motivators in Technology, gathered from our latest survey of professionals and hiring managers.
- Salary tables by region: Gain a clear picture of salary levels across the UK for a range of roles in Technology, helping you make informed decisions on compensation, no matter where you’re based.
Key findings
- Salary dissatisfaction: 33% of professionals express dissatisfaction with their current salary.
- High Job mobility: 62% of candidates plan to change roles within the next 12 months.
- Salary expectations: 50% of candidates anticipate a 5-10% salary increase when changing roles.
- Work-life balance concerns: 60% rate their current work-life balance as "Poor" or "Very Poor."
- Primary motivator: 29% cite work-life balance as their top motivator when seeking new opportunities.
Market overview
The UK Technology market is navigating a period of resilience, innovation, and transformation. Building on strong trends from 2024, sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, and cloud computing continue to drive demand and salary growth. Generative AI is reshaping industries, creating a need for specialists to develop and integrate these tools. Cybersecurity remains a priority, with organisations strengthening defences against evolving threats and driving demand for roles such as cloud security engineers and incident response specialists.
Cloud computing is central to digital infrastructure, with hybrid and multi-cloud strategies becoming standard. Professionals skilled in platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as tools like Kubernetes and Terraform, are in demand. Software development is evolving, with AI-powered coding tools reshaping workflows and increasing the value of languages like Python and JavaScript. Enterprise architecture is integrating AI and ML to optimise data and drive digital transformation, requiring professionals who combine technical expertise with strategic insight.
The shift to hybrid and remote work is redefining recruitment, broadening talent pools while emphasising employee experience and reputation. In contracting, the market has rebounded from early 2024 lows, though rising costs and new tax measures may temper growth. Demand for certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect and CISSP highlights the value of proven technical expertise. Candidates who can adapt to rapid technological change and address organisational challenges are well-positioned to succeed.
Download industry salaries
2025 hiring landscape
The 2025 hiring landscape for UK Technology reflects the increasing need for niche skills and adaptability. AI and ML specialists, cybersecurity experts, and cloud architects remain in high demand as companies prioritise digital innovation and security.
Meanwhile, roles supporting hybrid cloud adoption, automation, and enterprise architecture will see growth. Employers are focusing on skill-based hiring and offering competitive benefits to attract and retain talent.
Salary growth will stabilise across most areas, though professionals in cybersecurity, cloud security, and AI-driven roles are likely to see notable increases as organisations compete for expertise in these critical domains.
Candidate sentiment
Â
- Prioritising flexibility: 77% of UK professionals prefer roles offering hybrid or remote work options.
- Career growth focus: 66% of candidates rate clear progression opportunities as a top factor in their job search.
- Work-life balance: 3 in 5 candidates highlight work-life balance as their primary motivator when seeking new roles.
Employer sentiment
Â
- Skill gaps: 59% of employers report challenges in hiring skilled professionals due to increased competition.
- Retention pressures: 50% of employers feel they are losing talent to firms offering higher salaries or better flexibility.
- Salary increases: Over half of UK employers expect to raise salaries by 5-10% to remain competitive in the hiring market.
-
1 in 3
professionals report dissatisfaction with their current salary.
-
1 in 2
candidates expect a salary increase of 5-10% when changing roles.
-
3 in 5
rate their current work-life balance as “Poor” or “Very Poor.”
-
3 in 5
consider work-life balance as their top motivator for seeking new opportunities.
Soft skills in demand
In the Technology sector, problem-solving skills are essential, as tech professionals are often called upon to tackle complex challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Flexibility and adaptability are also highly valued, especially as technology evolves rapidly, requiring professionals to continuously learn and adapt. Additionally, communication and interpersonal skills are increasingly sought after, enabling tech experts to bridge technical knowledge with other teams and stakeholders effectively.
Developing these skills can enhance career opportunities and position tech professionals as valuable assets in collaborative environments.
Top employer challenges
Â
- Adapting to flexible work models: Balancing employee preferences for hybrid/remote work with organisational demands remains a challenge.
- Upskilling needs: 71% of employers identify skill gaps, particularly in digital and technical roles, as a barrier to growth.
- Retention struggles: High turnover rates persist, with 62% of professionals considering job changes within the next year.
Top external factors
Â
- Economic uncertainty: Ongoing inflation and market instability influence hiring decisions and candidate confidence.
- Technological changes: Rapid adoption of AI and automation is creating both opportunities and anxieties in the professional services sector.
- Regulatory shifts: Changing compliance and reporting standards, particularly in Finance and Legal sectors, require constant adaptation.
Looking ahead
The Technology sector is poised for continued growth and transformation beyond 2025.
Organisations will rely heavily on automation and emerging technologies to streamline operations, requiring tech professionals to adapt to ever-changing demands. Cybersecurity will remain a top priority as digital threats evolve, while the adoption of green IT and sustainability initiatives will create new opportunities for innovation.
Employers are likely to emphasise ongoing upskilling to ensure their workforce can harness these advancements effectively, paving the way for a dynamic and exciting future in the sector.
Henderson Scott is committed to helping tech professionals navigate these trends, supporting both career growth and the evolving needs of our clients to ensure success in a dynamic, future-focused landscape.
