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Across the UK, technology teams are under increasing pressure to lead large-scale digital transformation and modernisation initiatives. Yet professionals with the specialised skills required – from cloud architecture and cybersecurity to data engineering and AI – remain in short supply. With this persistent imbalance between demand and talent availability, many employers are having to offer above-market salaries to secure candidates for high-impact roles.

But it’s not just about pay. Skilled tech professionals now expect flexible working as standard, alongside competitive benefits and a clear path for progression. In today’s hiring climate, attracting top talent often requires a combination of creative incentives, tailored offers and a more agile approach to negotiations.

Hiring managers: Get customised salary data and insights from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

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Enter your city to see salaries tailored to your local market. Starting salaries can vary significantly depending on your skills and experience, the size and sector of the organisation, and the demand for the role in your area. The city you choose reflects not only the urban centre but also the surrounding region.

IT leadership

Business intelligence and data analytics

Cloud and infrastructure

Digital transformation - project services

Information security

Software development and testing

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Chief Transformation Officer (CTRO)

128750

165500

202250

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

120000

160500

201500

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

108000

150250

200000

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

96250

135250

161750

Chief Architect

95500

125750

145500

IT Director

81750

96000

116500

Enterprise Architect

82000

95250

113000

Solution Architect

78000

90000

106750

Data Architect

78250

89750

102250

Head of IT

72000

81500

89750

Infrastructure Architect

71250

81000

96750

IT Manager

46250

54250

62750

25th percentile

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills, and may have specialised qualifications.

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Where UK tech teams are hiring – and the skills they need

39% of businesses plan to expand their IT and technology teams across all types of employment, aiming to strengthen their tech foundations, futureproof systems and drive strategic growth.

IT security

IT infrastructure

IT service and support

IT projects

Cloud

Cybersecurity

(Automated) machine learning

Blockchain

Hiring heat: tech talent with niche skills earns more

70% of IT and technology hiring managers paying higher salaries for professionals with specialised skills.

Cybersecurity

Cloud

(Automated) machine learning

DevOps and DevSecOps

AI-powered software development

Cybersecurity

Cloud platforms

Generative AI development

Remote and hybrid models remain firmly embedded in the tech sector, but many professionals are open to returning to the office – for the right compensation. With collaboration, innovation cycles and product delivery often benefiting from in-person interaction, employers may need to offer competitive salary incentives to encourage a shift. As digital teams grow more specialised, aligning workplace policies with talent priorities will be key to long-term retention.

standard

of technology professionals say they’d be willing to work fully in-office if offered a higher salary of technology professionals say they’d be willing to work fully in-office if offered a higher salary

standard

of those said they would want a salary increase of up to 20% to work in-office of those said they would want a salary increase of up to 20% to work in-office

Top certifications, industries, in-demand roles

Those with industry-recognised certifications are often able to negotiate higher initial salaries, particularly in sectors with strong demand for new skill sets. The following are some of the most highly regarded.

Cloud (AWS / Azure / GCP / Salesforce)

CISSP / CISM

Prince2 / Scrum

ISO27001

Companies within these industries are hiring for tech talent the most and are prepared to pay premium rates for individuals with the right skill set and track record. They also tend to support long-term career development and higher income potential.

Business Services

Manufacturing / Industrial Facilities

Trade / Retail

Finance / Insurance

In a talent market defined by speed and disruption, employers must focus on roles gaining momentum. The following positions are projected to be in high demand in 2026.

Business Analyst

Applications Support

Data Analyst

Fullstack Developer

Head of IT

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IT career insights: Growth, guidance and pay trends

The salary benchmarks listed in the Salary Guide From Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across the country and over 350k third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use to independently validate the salary levels.

Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on an online survey developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. During June and July 2025 Robert Half commissioned research amongst 1,500 respondents using an online data collection methodology. The respondents represent 500 hiring managers and 1,000 workers in finance and accounting, IT and technology, administrative and office support, marketing and creative, and legal, risk and compliance. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs to large private, publicly listed and public sector organisations across the UK.