Why getting qualified now is a better time than ever for your tech career
Having analysed large data sets from employment platform Adzuna, I take a dive into the areas of tech with the highest salaries and highest job demand to help you make informed decisions about your next career step.
As a seasoned career consultant in the tech space, one thing I know for certain is that demand for qualified tech and cyber professionals is booming like never before in 2026.
Whether you're already working in tech and looking to take the next step, or you’re launching your tech career from scratch, you can be sure that now is the time to make a serious investment in up-skilling... and the data proves it.
Based on huge data sets from leading online employment marketplace, Seek, I’ve put together this article on the current projection and demand for roles within some key areas of tech across the UK to help inform your next step in terms of career progression.
You might have a clear idea of which area of tech you want to get into, or perhaps you’re still deciding; either way I can help guide you to the right place. If you need more detail on our tech certifications, check out our individual course pages, so you can make the best decision for your Spring career change.
Written by
With almost four years under his belt at Learning People and a background in IT, Chris is perfectly placed to advise students on their tech career paths. Specialising in supporting students find the right careers in IT, tech, data and cyber security, Chris is the go-to for industry insights and technical know how.
Global unprecedented demand for cyber security professionals
It’s impossible for me to break down every single role within cyber security as it is ever evolving with demand continually growing - but we can look at some of the more common job titles, and how demand for cyber security professionals differs across the UK.
Did you know? The UK Cyber Security sector employees 67,000+ people
The UK cyber security sector is booming - according to the Government's latest reports, it generated £13.2 billion annual revenue over the past year, up 12% on the previous year last year. What's more, the cyber security sector directly employs 67,300 people, an increase of 11% from last year.
With 43% of businesses and 30% of charities in the UK experiencing a cyber breach or attack in the past year, the demand for certified cyber security professionals is set to increase in 2026.
What you will likely be working towards in the beginning is a role like Cyber Security Analyst. According to Adzuna, the number of Cyber Security Analyst roles is high compared to the average for all occupations in the UK.
There are currently over 11,500 live jobs for Cyber Security Analysts across UK, with an average salary of £57,101.
More senior roles like Cyber Security Architect take home an average of £112,004, with some reaching as high as £180,916. Wondering if there is enough demand as you work your way up the ladder? Adzuna currently has 18,320 live Cyber Security Architect roles across the UK.
Analysing the market for Data Specialists
If you’re interested in, or working towards getting into the world of data, then let me help you solidify your choice with some incredible stats for the UK market.
12,092 live jobs in the UK for Data Analysts, with roughly 56% of those being within IT, 20% in Accounting and Finance, and 7% in Sales.
Did you know? 48% of UK businesses need more data professionals
Almost half of all UK businesses are actively recruiting for roles that require data skills.
Numerous reports are revealing a widening data skills gap, resulting in increased demand for qualified data and AI professionals.
The average salary for a position like this is around £52,857 - this is over a quarter higher than the national average salary. In Greater Manchester the average salary rises to £59,459, and to £80,687 in London.
More senior positions as you progress in your data career, such as Data Architect take home an average salary of £96,139, 128.4% more than the national average salary. The number of Data Architect job ads is 25.1% higher than last year.
Breaking the code to Software Development
For those with an interest in coding and development, the future looks bright and rewarding with great pay and outlook.
There are currently 20,456 Software Developer jobs live on Adzuna across the UK, with an average salary of £62,075. In areas like London, Hertfordshire and Surrey, the average salary for Software Developer roles can go up to as much as £90,021.
A more senior position, like a Software Architect, has an average salary of £72,889. Similar roles such as Front End Developer, Web Developer and Full Stack Developer, have average salaries that are at least 10% higher than the national average.
Did you know? Majority of code and software developer roles are hybrid
Over half (56.2%) of the coding and software development job ads on Adzuna over the past year, were either completely remote or hybrid.
Flexible working drives many career changers to pursue roles in tech, across areas like cyber security, cloud, data and more.
The sky is the limit with cloud computing
To those looking to get into cloud computing, there really is no better time to get qualified as there is a huge need to trained professionals right now.
If you’re aiming to become a Cloud Engineer, you will be delighted to know there are currently 24,216 live jobs on Adzuna. With an average salary of £59,692, and with Cloud Engineer job ads 64.5% higher than the previous year,
For future roles, you can look at becoming a Cloud Architect for an appealing average salary of £92,276, more than double the national average salary. Worried about job demand? It should reassure you to know there are currently 11,396 Cloud Architect roles being hired for on Adzuna across the UK.
Did you know? UK cloud sector is booming
With the total economic impact of cloud computing in the UK accounting for over £42 billion, certified cloud professionals are in high demand - particularly those with AI skills. 50% of businesses report that cloud makes it easier to properly adopt AI.
Beyond a qualification – tailored support in your career change
I hope the data in this article has given you confidence to make the next move in your tech career. However, I’m aware that simply getting a certification and knowing the job market isn’t enough to secure yourself a role in your chosen field. Although there is huge demand for qualified tech professionals in 2026, you still need to make yourself stand out from the crowd to land a fulfilling role.
Which is why all Learning People students benefit from our Career Services team - they offer expert support to ensure you are best prepared when you are ready to hit the job market.
Our Career Services support is available for as long as it takes for you to land your first role. It offers 1:1 support mixed with group masterclasses to ensure you are equipped with the skills to build a professional brand, network, apply for jobs, and are fully prepared for your interviews.
Hit the button below to get in touch and learn more today.
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