UK Tech Salaries 2023: How Much Can You Expect to Earn?

The UK’s technology sector has surpassed $1tn in value, making it the third country, after China and the US, to achieve this financial milestone ( Tech Nation’s report). Consequently, there remains a high demand for skilled technology professionals throughout the nation. The tech industry presents diverse career paths for individuals, including Global Talent Visa and Innovator Founder immigrants, with ample opportunities in coding, software design, data analysis, and engineering. With thousands of available positions, individuals can explore various roles within the tech industry. In this article, we will explore the top positions in tech in the UK with the highest salaries.

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

The CIO is responsible for the overall technology strategy and execution of the company. They manage the IT department and oversee the implementation of technology solutions. The average salary for a CIO in the UK according to Glassdoor is £127,446 per year. You can find the source of information at the following link. However, please note that salaries can vary depending on factors such as industry, company size, location, and experience.

According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, the midpoint for the average CIO salary in the UK is £141,000, with a range of approximately £105,000 to £250,000. Starting salaries for those new to the role are around £105,000, while mid-level positions can earn anything between £141,000 and £176,000.

Highly experienced professionals can expect the most attractive salaries, with pay up to £250,000. Those working in London (£162,000) or the South East (£145,000) also earn well. Professionals with niche skills tailored to a specific industry are also likely to see higher offers. In particular, professionals with proven project management skills and experience in VMware and big data storage are in high demand.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

The CTO is responsible for overseeing the technology infrastructure of the company. They develop strategies and implement technology solutions that meet the company’s goals. The average salary for a CTO in the UK is £106,466 per year (March 2023). The source of information is available at the following link. Comparing CTO job requirements or salaries can be challenging as every organisation and CTO role is unique. In addition, those working in technology-based companies may also play a crucial role in developing products or services that are integral to the overall business model. According to Owen Reynolds, who serves as the Head of Marketing at Jobbio , the company responsible for powering Information Age’s jobs board, the average salary for a CTO in the UK is reportedly around £192,000 in the private sector and £245,000 in the public sector. For early-stage private sector businesses, the average CTO salary, including bonuses and stock options, is approximately £175,000.

Data Scientist

A data scientist uses machine learning and statistical methods to analyse and interpret complex data sets. They help businesses make data-driven decisions. Based on job vacancies posted between the period of 20 September 2022 to 20 March 2023, the median salary for a Data Scientist in the UK is £65,000 per year. However, according to data from “Salary explorer”, the average salary for a Data Scientist in the United Kingdom is around £116,000 per year. This salary range varies widely from £57,000 for the lowest earners to £181,000 for the highest earners and includes housing, transport, and other benefits.

DevOps Engineer A DevOps engineer is responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. They automate processes and improve collaboration between teams. The average salary for Devops Engineer is £55,992 per year in the London, United Kingdom. The salary range for this job typically starts at £50,000 per year for entry-level positions, with the highest earners making up to £82,500 per year, based on their level of experience.The source of information is available at the following link.

Cloud Solutions Architect A cloud solutions architect designs and manages the cloud infrastructure of a company. They help companies migrate to the cloud and optimise their cloud-based solutions. In the United Kingdom, the typical annual salary for a cloud architect is £75,117, or £38.52 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions begin at £65,000 annually, while the most seasoned professionals can earn up to £90,000-£100,000 per year. You can find the source of information at the following link.

Software Developer

A Software Developer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications. They work closely with other team members, including project managers, business analysts, and quality assurance professionals to create efficient, reliable, and high-quality software solutions. The average salary for a Software Developer is £43,014  in United Kingdom, according to job vacancies posted during the 6 months to 20 March 2023. All information was taken from the source. Starting positions typically offer an annual salary of £35,000, while the most experienced workers can earn up to £65,000-75,000 per year.

Full-stack Developer A full-stack developer is responsible for designing and developing both the front-end and back-end of web applications. They work with different programming languages and technologies. Full stack developers in the United Kingdom earn an average salary of £50,000 per year or £25.64 per hour. Entry-level positions typically offer a salary of approximately £40,000 per year, whereas the top-earning full stack developers with extensive experience can earn up to £72,500 per year. You can find the source of information at the following link.

Cybersecurity Manager A cybersecurity manager is responsible for securing a company’s networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. They develop and implement cybersecurity strategies and policies. The average salary for a Cyber Security Manager is £65,055 per year. The salary range for a particular profession can be significantly influenced by several key factors, such as educational qualifications, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years of experience in the field. Entry level positions start at £40,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to £77,800 per year. All information was taken from the source.

UX Designer A UX designer creates intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for websites and applications. They conduct user research and design wireframes and prototypes. Junior UX designers with 1-3 years of experience can expect to earn between £30,000-£36,000. As they progress to mid-career, the salary range for UX designers is expected to grow to £36,000-£47,000. Finally, for senior UX designers, the salary range is typically around £43,000-£76,000. You can find the source of information at the following link

Machine Learning Engineer A Machine Learning Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and implements machine learning models and systems that can learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed. They are responsible for building and training models that can recognise patterns, analyse data, and make predictions or classifications based on that data. According to Glassdoor data from 2023 the average salary for a Machine Learning Engineer is £54649 per year in United Kingdom. All information was taken from the source. The starting salary for entry-level positions is £50,000 per year, and the maximum earning potential for the most experienced workers is up to £80,000 per year.

Artificial Intelligence Specialist

In 2023, the role of Artificial Intelligence Specialist is increasingly important as AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, ranging from virtual assistants to healthcare diagnosis, to autonomous driving. The responsibilities of an AI specialist in 2023 may include data preparation, designing and training models, testing and validating models, implementing and deploying AI solutions, and monitoring and maintaining AI systems. In the United Kingdom, the median annual salary for an Artificial Intelligence Scientist is £52,500, which translates to an hourly rate of £26.92. Entry-level positions typically offer a salary of £38,200 per year, while highly experienced workers can earn up to £70,000 per year. You can find the source of information at the following link.

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining cloud-based systems and infrastructure. They work with various stakeholders to understand their needs and requirements and design solutions that leverage cloud technologies to achieve business goals. The average salary for a Cloud Architect is £78783 per year in United Kingdom. Entry level positions start at £65,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to £90,000 per year. All information was taken from the source.

Mobile App Developer

As a mobile app developer, you would be responsible for designing, developing, and testing mobile applications for iOS, Android, or other platforms. In the United Kingdom, mobile app developers can expect to earn an average salary of £46,526 per year or £23.86 per hour. Those who are just starting out in the field typically earn around £37,500 per year, while the most seasoned professionals can make up to £65,000 per year. The source of information is available at the following link.

Product Manager

Product Manager in the tech industry is a professional who is responsible for overseeing the development and launch of new products or services. They work closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, engineers, marketers, and salespeople, to ensure that products are developed on time, within budget, and meet the needs of the target audience. On average, a Product Manager earns a gross annual salary of £53,460 (£3,300 net per month), which is £23,860 (81%) higher than the national average salary in the UK. For entry-level positions, the average starting salary for a Product Manager is £36,200, but the highest salaries can go beyond £100,000. The source of information is available at the following link.

Head of Growth

Head of Growth is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and leading an organisation’s growth strategy. This typically involves developing and implementing marketing campaigns, optimising the user acquisition process, and identifying new opportunities for revenue growth. On average, Head of Growth positions in the United Kingdom offer a yearly salary of £70,000 or an hourly rate of £35.90. The starting salary for entry-level positions is £55,000 per year, while the highest-earning experienced workers can make up to £90,000 per year. All information was taken from the source.

Business Developer

A Business Developer is a professional who identifies and pursues new business opportunities and partnerships on behalf of a company. They analyse market trends, research potential clients and competitors, and develop strategies to grow the business. In the UK, the average salary for a Business Developer is around £35,000 to £60,000 per year. Entry-level positions usually start at £33,972 per year, while more experienced Business Developers can earn up to £57,525 per year or more, depending on the industry, location, and company size.The source of information is available at the following link.

Frontend Developer

A Frontend Developer is a professional who specialises in creating and implementing the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) for web applications. They work closely with designers, back-end developers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the visual elements and functionality of a website or application are optimised for usability and efficiency. Frontend Developers in the United Kingdom typically earn an average of £47,500 per year or £24.36 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions begin at around £35,000 per year, while the highest-earning experienced workers can make up to £70,000 per year. All information was taken from the source.

System Operations Engineer

A System Operations Engineer is a professional responsible for managing and maintaining the hardware and software infrastructure of an organisation’s computing systems. They are responsible for ensuring that the systems are running efficiently and effectively and that they are meeting the needs of the organisation. Successful System Operations Engineers typically have a strong understanding of IT infrastructure, as well as experience with operating systems, virtualisation technologies, and network protocols. They typically earn an average of £45,000 per year or £23.08 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions begin at around £35,083 per year, while the highest-earning experienced workers can make up to £65,000 per year. The information was taken from the source.

We have covered the main positions in the IT industry that are currently in high demand and have the potential for growth in 2023 like never before. It is worth noting that salaries may vary depending on location, experience, and company, so we have provided averaged data that reflects the real UK tech job market.

In conclusion, the tech industry in the UK offers a wide range of high-paying jobs for professionals with different skill sets and experience levels. Whether you are a seasoned CTO or a fresh graduate in machine learning, there are plenty of opportunities to thrive in the UK’s tech industry.

In the past ten years, the tech industry has experienced a significant increase in salaries, exceeding the average wage growth in other industries by 36%. However, it is important to acknowledge the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market, which has caused uncertainty, potentially affecting the tech sector. Some reports suggest that the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, resulting in an increased demand for tech skills. There is a vast potential for the industry to attract global tech talents to fill positions and fuel market growth. Programs like the UK Global Talent Visa (IT) and Innovator Founder Visa provide an opportunity for the industry to expand and attract experts, contributing to the development of the entire country.

If you are considering the opportunity of tech immigration to the UK, pay attention to these 2 visa programs and make sure that your specialisation is suitable for the visa. We suggest you take our Test, which will assess your chances of success and future in the Tech industry in the UK.