Tech Job Earnings – What You Need to Know Right Now
Thinking about how much you can earn in tech? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a fresh‑out graduate or a seasoned coder, the numbers matter. Below you’ll find the most practical salary info broken down by role, experience level, and location, plus tips to bump your paycheck.
Average Pay by Job Title
Here’s a quick snapshot of what the market is paying in 2025. All figures are median annual salaries in the UK unless noted otherwise.
- Web Developer: £42k – £58k. Junior roles start around £30k, senior specialists can hit £70k+.
- UX Designer: £45k – £62k. Experience in research and prototyping pushes rates higher.
- Full‑Stack Engineer: £55k – £80k. Companies love the ability to handle front‑end and back‑end.
- Data Engineer: £60k – £90k. Demand spikes with big‑data projects.
- DevOps Engineer: £55k – £85k. Automation skills are a big paycheck driver.
These numbers shift by city. London typically adds 15‑20% on top of the national median, while regional hubs like Manchester or Bristol sit a bit lower.
How Experience Impacts Your Pay
Experience isn’t just years on the clock; it’s about what you can show. A junior dev with a solid portfolio can out‑earn a mid‑level coder who’s stuck in a single tech stack. Here’s a rule of thumb:
- 0‑2 years: Focus on building real projects. Freelance gigs, open‑source contributions, and a tidy GitHub can push you into the upper junior band.
- 3‑5 years: Specialise or become a reliable generalist. Certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) often add 5‑10% to your salary.
- 6‑10 years: Lead roles or architecture positions appear. Expect a 20‑30% bump compared to mid‑level.
- 10+ years: You’re looking at principal engineer or director tracks. Salaries can exceed £120k, especially in high‑growth startups.
Never underestimate negotiation. Most offers leave room for a 5‑10% increase if you ask for it.
Beyond the base pay, tech jobs often include bonuses, equity, and benefits. A junior role with 5% equity in a fast‑growing startup can end up worth more than a senior salary at a large corporation.
So, how do you turn these numbers into a higher paycheck? Here are three no‑fluff steps:
- Show impact: Quantify what you built. “Reduced page load by 30%,” “Boosted conversion by 12%,” these stats grab attention.
- Keep learning: Add a hot skill—think serverless, AI/ML basics, or Next.js full‑stack. One new tool can unlock a senior role.
- Network smartly: Attend local meetups, contribute to forums, or tweet tech threads. Opportunities often come through people, not job boards.
Finally, remember that salary isn’t everything. Look at growth paths, work‑life balance, and the tech stack you’ll use daily. A slightly lower pay with better learning chances can pay off big down the line.
Ready to check where you stand? Grab a salary calculator, plug in your role, years, and city, then compare. If the number feels low, use the tips above to push it higher.
Tech job earnings are clear: skill, impact, and negotiation drive the numbers. Stay curious, keep building, and watch your paycheck grow.
