Over the last three months, recruitment for tech jobs has quickly recovered from the inevitable slump during lockdown.
In fact, according to Tech Nation’s new Jobs and Skills Report 2020, the number of advertised tech job vacancies increased by 36% between June and August. Only the healthcare sector recruited for more jobs in this period, suggesting that tech jobs and skills continue to be a high national priority even as recession hits.
Data analysed from job website Adzuna also found that salaries for the most in-demand digital and tech jobs increased by up to 15% between 2017 and 2019. The varying levels of salary increase reflect fluctuations in which specific skills and specialisms within tech are most highly valued. While the role of Java developer came behind software developer and engineer based on number of job vacancies, it experienced the highest salary increase (15%).
The report also revealed the significant role that the tech sector plays across the UK. Across our region the key cities of Bristol, Oxford and Reading were highlighted and performing strongly with Bristol having seen the highest salary increase across digital tech roles in 2019 from £35,520 to £40,000.
Of all job vacancies in 2019, 19% were digital and tech roles. But by looking at the proportional contribution of the tech sector by city and region, it becomes clear that the role of the tech sector is even greater outside of tech hubs like London and Manchester, which have the highest number of job openings.
In Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Reading and Belfast, jobs in the tech sector account for 23% – 26% of all vacancies.
UK city Job ads 2019 % dig tech jobs 2019 Ave. dig tech salary 2019
London 658,275 19% £55,000
Manchester 108,859 18% £37,500
Bristol 76,267 24% £40,000
Cambridge 58,678 26% £40,000
Leeds 56,149 22% £36,500
Birmingham 46,723 19% £40,000
Oxford 44,979 19% £38,000
Edinburgh 35,786 23% £44,938
Glasgow 33,378 22% £40,000
Reading 28,033 23% £42,500
Cardiff 23,334 21% £37,500
Sheffield 22,000 20% £32,500
Newcastle 18,501 21% £35,000
Belfast 13,687 26% £40,000
Bath 9,680 19% £37,500
Digital tech is second in importance in the UK labour market in 2020 only to Healthcare. Digital tech roles have seen a 36% uptick from June to August, unlike many other sectors, like Retail, which have reached a plateau.
