Average IT salary in the UK: A breakdown by role, experience and region

Average IT salary in the UK: A breakdown by role, experience and region

The UK’s IT industry offers some of the strongest career prospects of any sector, with steady demand for skilled professionals across a wide range of specialisms. According to the Office for National Statistics, the information and communication sector recorded one of the strongest year-on-year increases in full-time earnings of any UK industry in 2025, with median weekly pay rising by 6.5 per cent. 

However, while the average IT salary in the UK compares well with other sectors, individual compensation can vary significantly, with pay shaped by factors including role, experience level, location and whether a position requires security clearance. This guide offers a clear overview of the current salary landscape, breaking down what IT professionals can expect to earn by role, experience and region, as well as exploring the key factors that influence pay across the sector.

What is the average IT salary in the UK?

According to earnings data from Glassdoor, the average IT salary in the UK in 2026 is around £46,160 per year, with most professionals taking home between £31,449 and £69,891. These calculations are based on salary information submitted by IT employees across the UK. The figures therefore reflect pay across a wide mix of roles, experience levels and industries.

The sector covers an enormous variety of jobs, so it’s worth looking at how earnings typically progress over a career.

• Entry-level: At roughly £25,000 to £35,000, entry-level IT salaries in the UK typically cover roles such as service desk technician, junior developer or graduate analyst.
• Mid-career: The pay scale for mid-level roles is £45,000 to £65,000, for professionals with several years of experience in roles such as software engineer, network engineer or systems administrator.
• Senior level: Typically £70,000 to £100,000 or more, with roles including senior engineers, technical leads, security architects and IT managers.

Salaries tend to climb in line with growing technical expertise, broader responsibility and the ability to lead projects or teams. Specialist skills, certifications and experience in high-demand areas such as cloud, cyber security or AI can push earnings well beyond these typical ranges.

IT salaries by role

The variety of jobs within the IT sector means earning potential can differ considerably from one specialism to another. Below are some of the most common information technology employment roles in the UK, along with typical average salaries based on 2026 data from Glassdoor. These figures are calculated using reported actual earnings, rather than those advertised in job vacancies, and include both base pay and average bonuses.

• Software developer (around £44,500): Designs, builds and maintains software applications. Most developers progress from junior to mid-level roles within a few years, with senior developers and tech leads earning considerably more.
• IT project manager (around £54,870): Plans, oversees and delivers technology projects, managing budgets, timelines and teams. IT project manager roles are typically mid to senior level, requiring both technical understanding and strong leadership skills.
• Cyber security analyst (around £41,500): Monitors networks for threats, investigates incidents and helps strengthen defences against attacks. Analyst roles are a common entry point into cyber security, with clear progression into engineering, architecture and consulting roles.
• DevOps engineer (around £53,280): Bridges software development and IT operations, automating deployments and managing infrastructure. Usually a mid to senior level role given the breadth of skills required.
• Data analyst (around £37,500): Gathers, interprets and presents data to support business decision making. A common entry point for data careers, with strong progression into senior analyst, data scientist or analytics manager roles.
• Cloud engineer (around £53,000): Designs, deploys and manages cloud infrastructure across platforms such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud. One of the most in-demand roles in 2026, with senior cloud architects often earning well above £80,000.
• Network engineer (around £42,750): Builds and maintains the networks that keep organisations connected and secure. A foundational IT role with strong relevance to security cleared work in defence and government.

Highest-paying IT jobs in the UK

While salaries vary across the sector, certain IT specialisms consistently command higher pay due to skills shortages and the growing strategic importance of the work. Five of the highest-paying information technology jobs in 2026 are:

• AI and machine learning engineer: Designs and builds the systems behind everything from chatbots to predictive analytics. Demand has surged as businesses race to embed AI into their products, and the small pool of experienced talent keeps salaries elevated.
• Cloud architect: Designs large-scale cloud infrastructure across platforms such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. The mix of deep technical expertise and strategic thinking required makes this one of the most in-demand IT roles.
• Cyber security architect: Designs the frameworks that protect organisations from increasingly sophisticated threats. Regulatory pressure and a chronic shortage of qualified professionals push salaries well above the sector average.
• Data scientist/data engineer: Builds the pipelines and models that turn raw data into business value. These roles have strong demand across finance, healthcare and government, which supports premium pay.
• DevOps engineer: Keeps critical systems running and deployments flowing. The breadth of skills required, spanning development, infrastructure and automation, places these roles among the best paid in IT.

IT salary by location in the UK

While the above figures reflect the average IT salary in the UK as a whole, earnings can be significantly affected by where you work. Regional variations are largely driven by the concentration of major employers, the local cost of living and the supply of skilled professionals.

London consistently offers the highest pay. According to IT Job Board, technology salaries in the capital are typically 20 to 35 per cent higher than other UK regions, reflecting both the cost of living and the dense concentration of banks, global tech firms and government departments competing for talent. Other strong regional centres where salaries tend to offer stronger than average salaries include:

• The south-east (particularly tech hubs such as Reading and the Thames Valley)
• Manchester
• Bristol
• Edinburgh
• Cambridge

Pay tends to be lower in areas such as the north-east, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have fewer large tech employers and less salary competition. However, remote and hybrid working has begun to narrow the gap, with some employers offering London-rate salaries to staff based elsewhere.

The benefits of security cleared IT jobs

Many IT jobs in sectors such as government, defence, intelligence and critical national infrastructure involve handling sensitive or classified information, or working in restricted locations. As a result, applicants are often required to hold a security clearance such as Security Check (SC) or, for the most sensitive roles, Developed Vetting (DV).

Because the pool of cleared candidates is relatively small compared to demand, employers often offer a premium to attract and retain them. Security cleared IT professionals can typically command higher salaries than their non-cleared counterparts in equivalent roles, with day rates for cleared contractors in fields such as cyber security, cloud and software engineering also tending to sit above the wider market average, particularly for roles supporting major defence and government programmes.

Other factors that influence IT salaries

Beyond role, location and security clearance, a number of other factors can shape the earning potential of an IT professional. Some considerations to bear in mind when looking for jobs or putting together a CV include:

• Industry: Sectors such as finance, defence and pharmaceuticals typically pay more than retail, hospitality or the public sector for the same role.
• Certifications: Recognised credentials like AWS, Microsoft Azure, CISSP, CompTIA Security+ and PRINCE2 can give a clear pay boost, particularly in cloud, cyber and project management.
• Specialist skills: Expertise in high-demand areas such as AI, machine learning, Kubernetes or Python often commands a premium.
• Company size: Large enterprises and global firms generally pay more than smaller organisations and startups.
• Education: A relevant degree or apprenticeship can support entry, while postgraduate study may help unlock senior roles.

Is IT a good career for salary growth?

Yes. The UK IT sector continues to offer some of the strongest career and salary prospects of any industry, with clear progression as experience builds and significant uplifts for those working in high-demand specialisms or holding security clearances.

Future demand looks strong too. Gartner forecasts global IT spending will grow by 13.5 per cent in 2026, reaching $6.31 trillion (£4.65 trillion), driven largely by AI infrastructure and software. Areas such as cyber security, cloud and data are expected to see some of the strongest growth, so professionals with skills in these areas may be especially well-placed for career progression. Demand for those who can combine technical skills with project management capabilities will also remain high.

For anyone considering a career change in IT, now is a good time to explore the options. Upskilling in a high-demand specialism, gaining recognised certifications and pursuing security clearance can all open the door to significantly higher earnings.

Ready to see what you could be earning? Compare salaries and explore the latest IT vacancies on SecurityClearedJobs.com today.