2.1 Million UK Tech Workers Prove This Market Still Has Room To Grow
CompTIA's newly released State of the Tech Workforce UK 2026 report showcases the scale and profitability of the UK tech sector. With net employment predicted to hit 2,170,019 by the end of the year, the IT and tech industry is a great option for people looking to change careers.
New figures from CompTIA - the leading global provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications - show UK net tech employment reached 2,148,205 workers in 2025, with further growth projected for 2026. This number shows that tech roles and professionals overlap into almost every sector, rather than being a narrow corner of the economy.
As a diverse sector that consistently pays above the UK average salary and has clear progression paths, tech is an excellent option for individuals wanting to change careers.
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As our Head of Education, Mark is passionate about ensuring Learning People delivers world-class curricula and training for people who want to launch or progress their careers in IT, Coding, and Project Management.
Tech Salaries in the UK are Continuing to Increase
The latest CompTIA State of the Tech Workforce UK 2026 report estimates the median salary across covered tech occupations at £52,840. That is 53% higher than the median wage across all UK occupations. This pay premium shows how strongly employers value technical capability.
High salaries also explain why tech keeps attracting attention from people outside the sector. As digital transformation plays a pivotal role in ensuring modern businesses and organisations stay successful and impactful, it's an exciting industry that offers salary growth, progression, as well as diverse roles.
The market has not exploded overnight; it has built steadily, highlighting the security a tech career can provide. Since 2020, UK net employment in the sector has increased by an estimated 144,784 net-new jobs, with projected net employment rising to 2,170,019 in 2026, according to the supporting CompTIA workforce data.
Most Tech Workers Do Not Work For Tech Companies
The biggest misconception about tech careers is that they only exist inside software firms, start-ups, or giant IT platforms. CompTIA’s data highlights that only 44% of UK technology professionals work for technology companies, while 56% work across the rest of the economy.
“Banks need Cybersecurity Specialists, retailers need Data Analysts, hospitals need Network professionals, and councils need IT Support Specialists. Every sector now depends on people who can keep systems running, protect data, improve services, and translate complex information into effective action."
The geography of the UK tech sector is broader too. London remains a major hub, employing over 570,000 tech workers - but Edinburgh, Leeds and Bristol have tech employment concentrations above 7%, higher than the UK benchmark of 6.4%.
Demand Is High For Practical, Career-Ready Skills
CompTIA’s report revealed that the strongest job gains between 2020 and 2025 came from a mix of technical and business-facing roles:
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Programmers and Software Development: +40,505
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IT Business Analysts/Architects/Systems: +14,330
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IT Directors: +10,480
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IT Technology Professionals: +10,187
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IT Support Specialists: +8,446
The 2026 outlook points in the same direction, with data, networking, cybersecurity and web design projected to make significant gains.
Employer demand is undeniable, with the UK having 539,857 active employer job postings for tech occupations in 2025. Across all jobs, 166,659 postings required AI skills. That combination says a lot about where the market is heading: technical foundations still matter, but are more powerful when combined with AI and human skills, like communication and problem-solving.
Why This Matters If You Are Considering A Career Change
For career-changers, CompTIA’s data highlights that there are multiple entry routes into a career in tech. IT support can lead into networking or cybersecurity. Data analytics can build from Excel, reporting, operations or finance experience. Business analysis and project delivery can suit people who already understand processes, customers and teams.
“You’re not starting from zero if you have worked in healthcare, retail, finance, education, public services or operations. That experience can become an advantage when paired with employer-recognised technical training, a stronger CV, and clear evidence that you can do the work.”
Build Skills That Match The Market
We help people build career-ready skills across tech and project management, with support that connects training to the skills employers are looking for. If tech feels like the right next move for you, book a free consultation call today and an expert Career Consultant will help you build your entry route into this exciting sector.
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