London tech salaries lead, Manchester & Leeds compete

A recent survey conducted by SPG Resourcing reveals that tech professionals in London can earn an average annual salary of GBP £120,000.

The 2025 UK technology salary survey highlights London's status as a global technology hub, attracting significant investment and top-tier talent from around the world. The survey identifies fintech, cybersecurity, and AI as key growth sectors within the city, a trend supported by both start-ups and established companies in the region.

London's tech sector has experienced a growth of 5.1%, pulling in investments amounting to GBP £14 billion in 2024. The average salary across all tech sectors in London stands at GBP £77,500, with positions in high-demand fields like head of data showing average earnings of GBP £120,000 and a potential for salaries reaching up to GBP £160,000.

Other notable salary averages in London's data sector include GBP £115,000 for data governance analysts, GBP £100,000 for data architects, GBP £80,000 for data engineers, and GBP £60,000 for data analysts, with the potential to earn up to GBP £80,000. Business analysts have an average salary of GBP £77,500, whereas heads of transformation specialists and senior and lead business analysts could earn GBP £92,500 and up to GBP £85,000, respectively.

London's tech industry presents lucrative opportunities in other areas as well. A cybersecurity manager can expect to earn GBP £95,000, a cloud engineer GBP £90,000, an IT programme manager GBP £115,000, and an enterprise architect GBP £100,000 annually.

Beyond London, the survey examined tech salary trends in Manchester and Leeds, identifying Manchester as particularly competitive, with some roles even surpassing London salaries. For example, a head of transformation role in Manchester commands an average salary of GBP £98,750, which is GBP £6,250, or 7%, higher than a similar role in London. A head of data role maintains consistency with GBP £120,000 in both cities.

In Leeds, the survey shows parity with Manchester for a head of transformation role, also offering a salary of GBP £98,750, outpacing the London equivalent by GBP £6,250. Leeds matches London and Manchester in the average salary for a head of data position. Furthermore, a head of cyber security in Leeds earns a similar salary to Manchester at GBP £100,000.

Sam Hameed, Co-Founder and Managing Director of SPG Resourcing, commented on the findings: "The growth in the UK tech sector shows no sign of letting up. With rapid expansion across the leading tech hubs, London is at the forefront of the UK's tech focus, driven by advancements in cyber security, data analytics and AI. The sector offers an evolving range of roles in emerging fields, including fintech, and green technology, with London as a global hub and other cities like Manchester and Leeds firmly established as vibrant tech centres."

He further added: "While London leads in salary and investment, Manchester and Leeds are catching up, presenting competitive career opportunities proving hugely appealing to the best talent and fostering innovation in their tech ecosystems. Continuous growth and innovation make it an exciting career choice for tech professionals."

The report not only underscores the booming nature of the UK's technology sector but also reflects government aims to position the UK as a leader in data-driven innovation. The government has pledged an annual investment of GBP £20 billion in research and development by 2024/25, aiming to reach 2.4% of GDP dedicated to R&D by 2027.