html
Tech Boom! Jobs in Digital Sector Jump 36% After Lockdown
Tech Nation’s latest data shows a staggering rise in digital job postings. Between 7 June and 9 August 2020, vacancies in the tech sector surged by 36%, hinting that companies are finally feeling the groove again after the pandemic shuffle.
How the Numbers Stack Up
- Pre‑lockdown: The sector was throwing out over 150,000 roles each week during the first quarter.
- During lockdown: Like the rest of the economy, job ads dipped as the country went dark.
- Post‑lockdown rebound: By the week of 9 August, the market was buzzing again, with 90,297 tech vacancies on display.
Tech Tops the Charts
While healthcare leads in terms of vacancies, digital tech takes the crown in the UK, outpacing nearly every other field.
London: Still the Star Player
Bright Tech Future’s upcoming report highlights London’s continued dominance in Europe’s tech scene—drawing capital, spawning unicorns, and generating jobs.
Yet, the city isn’t without its bumps. Many startups face hurdles, and not every venture will survive the cut‑throat market. But the appetite for tech talent is stronger than ever.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re hunting for a role in the tech world—or thinking about launching your own—now is the time to dive in. London’s tech ecosystem is hotter than a cup of fresh espresso, and your next big gig could be just around the corner.
Highest salaries
London’s Digital Salary Boom
Think of London as the golden goose of tech wages—£55,000 was the median pay for digital tech gigs in 2019, outshining every other UK city. For comparison, the median for non‑tech roles in the capital sits around £43,000.
Why the Numbers Rock
- Enormous growth – Digital tech jobs jumped 40% over the past two years, now a whopping 2.93 million positions nationwide.
- Workforce share – Their crew accounts for 9 % of the UK’s entire workforce.
- Cross‑skill boom – In 2019, over 1 million people with non‑tech skills (think accountants, marketers) were active in tech roles, and another 1.9 million boffed around with tech skills across all sorts of jobs.
- Job listings avalanche – Tech listings outpaced legal, manufacturing, and finance by 7×, 8×, and 2.7×, respectively.
Bottom Line
London’s tech scene isn’t just buzzing—it’s booming, pulling in the best talent and the highest paychecks. Bring your caffeine, your coding, and your curiosity; the city’s on fire, and it’s ready for the next wave of tech talent.
UK continues to create unicorns and see strong venture capital investment
Britain Still Rules the Tech Realm
In the midst of the 2020 chaos, the UK has proved that its tech scene is still the darling of Europe. London is the hot spot, hosting over 27 start‑ups that pulled in more than £80 million this year.
Unicorn Fever Keeps Rolling
Two brand‑new unicorns popped up during the pandemic – Gymshark of Solihull and London’s Cazoo. Now the UK boasts 82 unicorns, eclipsing the combined totals of Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
Venture Capital Explosion
- 2019‑2020 VC haul: £7.5 bn (≈€8.5 bn) – outshining Germany’s €4.0 bn and France’s €3.1 bn.
- London alone has drawn £4 bn from backers.
Futurecorns on the Rise
Now there are 120 companies called “Futurecorns” – valued between £250 m and £1 bn. The backing did not stop in 2020; VC funds kept investing, and the government’s £250 m Future Fund boosted many promising start‑ups.
History Loves a Comeback
The previous financial crisis sparked a start‑up explosion with TransferWise, Farfetch, and Zoopla. The ongoing support for venture capital during lockdown suggests that the UK’s next big boom is already on the horizon.
Salaries
Digital Tech Paycheck Peek: UK 2019 Edition
In 2019, the median pay for tech‑savvy gigs across the UK hovered around £39,000. But when you zoom in, you’ll find a pretty wide spread: the low‑end quartile pulled a modest £28,500, while the high‑end quartile was pulling a hefty £55,000.
City‑Specific Salary Stories
- LONDON: Even with its pricey street‑food scene, London still tops the charts for affordability when you factor in salary vs. cost of living. The city’s tech streams are rich, and that bankroll often outweighs the London‑level rent.
- EDINBURGH: If you’re a Data Scientist, you might actually pocket more pocketable cash outside the capital. Edinburgh’s offer can outpace London’s for this particular role.
- Other Regional Gems: Smaller hubs can be surprisingly sweet spots for work‑life balance, especially when looking at how pay stacks against local living costs.
Why It Matters
These numbers aren’t just numbers—they’re the reality check for anyone planning a career move or a skyline swap. While London’s wages are dazzling, remember that turn‑off with the high cost of living. In contrast, cities like Edinburgh can offer a better break‑even point for specialists like Data Scientists.
Tech Jobs and Non Tech Jobs
Tech Jobs are Still Hot in the UK
Software developers continue to rank in the top five most‑sought‑after roles across UK cities—right beside nurses and social‑care workers. In London, front‑end developers are among the top‑10 most‑advertised positions.
Skills in Demand
- Cloud – Advertised vacancies grew 22% since 2018.
- AI & Cybersecurity – 44% and 22% rises in 2019 YoY.
- Non‑STEM roles – Recruitments for product managers, scrum masters and client‑services specialists are climbing.
- Data ethics experts – Jobs in this niche up 31% year‑on‑year.
Big‑Name Companies Boost Hiring
- Amazon – 10,000 new permanent tech and non‑tech roles + 20,000 seasonal positions.
- AO.com – 650 roles (delivery drivers, shift coordinators, etc.) to fuel the pandemic‑era surge in online shopping.
- Tesco – 16,000 new staff for its expanding online grocery arm.
Cross‑Industry Momentum
Tech companies are now hiring outside their traditional sphere, while non‑tech giants are hiring specialists to upgrade their digital reach. It’s a clear sign that the sector is maturing and craving a mix of business savvy and technical know‑how.
What the Leaders Say
- God Oliver Dowden (Digital Secretary) – “These figures show the tech sector as the engine of job creation as we recover from the pandemic.”
- Caroline Dinenage (Digital Minister) – “Our tech backbone is the backbone of the economy. It’s time to invest in AI, quantum computing and the next wave of startups.”
- Janet Coyle, London & Partners MD – “London remains Europe’s biggest tech hub, ready to bounce back with diversity and inclusion.”
- Alex Chesterman, Cazoo CEO – “Digital life is second nature now; we’re creating huge opportunities for entrepreneurs.”
- Gerard Grech, Tech Nation CE – “After a pandemic dip, tech hiring is on the rebound, promising jobs across the country.”
- Doug Gurr, Amazon UK CM – “Tech keeps us connected. We’re investing in 10,000 jobs and 700 apprenticeships plus free STEM resources to build an inclusive workforce.”
- Ronan Harris, Google MD UK & Ireland – “Digital skills change futures. We’re helping 1 million small businesses stay online and offering 10 000 hours of free mentoring.”
- Sabby Gill, Sage UK EVP & MD – “Covid‑19 proved digital businesses are resilient. Governments and industry must support SMBs to keep the economy moving.”
- Nigel Toon, Graphcore CEO – “Technological growth thrives outside London. Bristol is a vibrant tech cluster attracting global talent.”
- Ed Lascelles, AlbionVC – “Businesses urgently need digitisation. UK scientists and engineers are producing game‑changing innovations.”
In a Nutshell
The UK’s tech market is riding a wave of opportunity—cloud, AI, cybersecurity, product management, data ethics, and even non‑technical roles that support the digital economy are booming. Leaders across public and private sectors are rallying to keep the momentum, invest in skill development, and spread growth beyond London. It’s a lively, inclusive, and slightly humorous era for tech: strap in, keep learning, and maybe bring your coffee mug—new jobs are brewing up everywhere.
