How Can a Move into a Tech Career Pay Off?

The UK economy is entering uncharted territory and with it comes turbulent times for the job market. Making the right career move now could make all the difference and set you up for success, and the technology industry is the place to be.

Boasting high job satisfaction, competitive salaries, ample opportunities and job security, now is the time to start a career in tech. Let’s explore how a career in technology can pay off and how to get started,

What’s in this article?

• Key takeaways
• Tech salaries are on the rise
• Tech and STEM roles offer the highest job satisfaction
• Candidates are in-demand to close the tech skills gap
• How to get started in a tech career

Key takeaways

• Salaries for entry-level tech roles are on the rise in the UK.
• IT, Computer Science, Big Data & Analytics offer some of the highest paying jobs in the UK.
• It is considered a candidate’s market for coders and developers, as well as other tech roles.
• Job satisfaction is just as important, if not more important than high salaries,
• STEM and tech roles offer the highest job satisfaction in the UK, including Java Developers, Enterprise Architects, Product Managers, Full Stack Engineers and Data Scientists.
• The digital skills gap is currently costing the UK economy £12.8bn, so many businesses are on the lookout for top tech talent.
• Digital and data literacy are the most in-demand skills for 2023.
• Training and upskilling to improve your digital skills are crucial to competing in the job market.
• FDM offers expert training programmes to support graduates and career-switchers to move into a tech career.

Tech salaries are on the rise

Hiring data reveals that technology salaries across the UK, US and Canada are on the rise, spanning almost all roles in the field. The average technology salary increased from £76,000 in 2021 to £83,000 in 2022 in the UK. However, this will depend on your location and level of seniority, in addition to many other factors.

Salaries for junior roles stayed consistent in US and Canadian markets, however, they saw an increase in the UK for those with one to two years of work experience. This increase can be seen across both remote and in-office jobs, but is slightly more for in-office roles, This suggests that the job market for tech roles is booming for graduates and junior professionals!

What are the highest paying sectors in the UK?

According to career experts Stoodnt, IT, Computer Science, Big Data & Analytics are some of the top paying careers to get into as a graduate. These types of jobs are at the top of the leaderboard, along with Aerospace Engineering, medicine and law. As such, a move into a tech career can pay off – literally.

Is it still a candidate’s market?

The job market is quickly changing following the global pandemic, with employers holding less power than they did during the Great Resignation. However, it is still considered a candidate’s market in the tech world – for coders and developers in particular.

With inflation rising above 10%, it goes without saying that the UK is on its way to a severe recession, however, it is predicted that this will not negatively impact the software industry, which is actually expected to continue to grow. An increasing number of businesses are investing in cloud and digital transformation to modernise their processes, improve communication and improve customer tracking, for instance.

Employers are willing to offer higher salaries and improved job benefits for employees in the tech industry in an effort to attract the very best talent. Yet, employers are quickly learning that it’s not all about money. Many candidates are on the hunt for the best job perks, such as learning opportunities or training programmes.

It’s not all about the money

When it comes to applying to jobs and accepting offers, it’s important to keep an open mind as you’ll soon realise there is so much more to a job than a high salary. You need to consider your stress levels, how much you’ll enjoy your day-to-day role, company culture and work benefits. Job satisfaction is one of the highest driving factors for many employees, helping them stay happy, keep motivated and succeed in their jobs,

Tech and STEM roles offer the highest job satisfaction

Glassdoor data that analysed hundreds of thousands of employee reviews, reveals that technology and STEM jobs are the best for job hunters and career-changers for job satisfaction. Topping the leaderboard as the best jobs in the UK for high job satisfaction are Java Developers, Enterprise Architects, Product Managers, Full Stack Engineers and Data Scientists.

Best jobs in the UK for high job satisfaction

These are the best jobs in the UK for high job satisfaction:

See the full leaderboard to find out the top 25 jobs.

A total of 11 STEM roles featured on Glassdoor’s list but, the real question is: why? In short, Glassdoor concluded that it was that jobs in these industries are able to offer the best work-life balance and flexible work options. These are two important benefits for employers in today’s job market.

In fact, in 2021 alone, discussion around hybrid working on Glassdoor grew by an incredible 1,074%, and it was a majority of tech and STEM roles that were able to fulfil this requirement. So, if you’re looking for a role with a more flexible working schedule, the technology sector is a good place to look.

Candidates are in-demand to close the tech skills gap

Government 2021 surveys reveal that there is a large skills gap in the tech industry with some of the most in-demand skills being IT, data communication skills, database management, communication and project management. In addition, Virgin Media O2 studies reveal that this shortage of digital skills is currently costing the UK economy £12.8bn. Businesses are in desperate need to close the digital gap and hire tech-savvy candidates who can bring value to their teams.

What skills are employers looking for in 2023?

Forbes outlines the top skills employers are looking for in 2023, and for the foreseeable future, and puts digital and data literacy as the highest priorities. Read the full list below:

1. Digital literacy
2. Data literacy
3. Critical thinking
4. Emotional intelligence
5. Creativity
6. Collaboration
7. Flexibility
8. Leadership
9. Time management
10. Continuous learning

Developing your skills in these areas could significantly improve your job prospects for the coming years, opening up more employment opportunities in both tech and non-tech roles. So, if you’re thinking about making a career move or kick-starting your debut into the working world, you should consider investing in training for these skills or upskilling yourself.

How to get started in a tech career

There are a number of different routes you can take to get started in a tech career. Here are some of the best ways:

• University degrees: studying a tech-related degree at university is the most traditional way to get into a tech job – but by no means the only (or best) way. There are benefits to both education and experience when it comes to landing your dream job.
• Upskilling: taking the time to upskill yourself with the appropriate knowledge and skills enables you to enter a tech career, no matter your academic or professional background. There are a number of online and in-person courses you can take, and an endless supply of useful resources available to you on the internet.
• Apprenticeships: you don’t need a university degree to enter a career in tech. Apprenticeships combine practical work with training, offering a gateway into any career.
• Career programmes: technical career programmes give you the opportunity to kickstart a tech career without prior experience. The FDM Technical Career Programme offers expert training programmes with placements with some of the biggest names in technology, setting you up for a successful future.

At FDM, we are strong believers that no STEM is no problem. We’re committed to helping more and more people start their careers in tech, regardless of their academic or socio-economic background. Find out more about our Graduate Tech Programme and Returners Career Programme.