Your IT job questions, answered
What roles and opportunities are available for IT professionals?
Right now, there’s huge demand for experienced, ambitious and skilled professionals with strong technical skillsets. From AI and machine learning to cloud computing and the IoT, new advances in technology are vital to organisations’ growth and success.
Leadership professionals with a proven track-record are also highly sought across all industries, as digital transformation continues to take centre stage at many organisations, and tech leaders increasingly have a seat at the decision-making table.
What are the highest earning roles within the technology industry?
Salaries across the board for IT roles are highly competitive. Even entry level positions in software development can command a salary of around £30,000 per annum, junior project managers can earn around £25,000, and junior data analysts can receive around £25,000 a year.
Leadership professionals can easily command six-figure salaries, particularly in London and the south east and at larger enterprises. A CIO or CTO at a FTSE 100 in London could be looking at a typical salary of between £160,000-£230,000 or £125,000-£165,000 respectively.
At a FTSE 250, these roles could earn up to £150,000 and £125,000 respectively, and at an SME, CIOs, CTOs and IT Directors can earn up to £125,000, £120,000, and £110,000.
A Head of IT, Service Delivery, Infrastructure, Development, IT Security, or Business Intelligence will typically earn between £65,000 to £95,000. Day rates for contractors can be similarly lucrative, even if they fall into scope of IR35.
Are both permanent and contractor roles available within tech?
Yes – with the size and scale of digital transformation projects occurring at most enterprises, across the public and private sectors, and a huge range of start-ups and scale-up looking to take their product to market and secure more investment, there are a huge number of exciting opportunities for permanent tech employees and contractors alike.
So, whatever your skillset, experience and ambitions, now is a great time to look ahead to the next stage of your career.
What are the most important skills for an IT professional to have?
You will need technical skills and understanding specific to your discipline. Degrees or qualifications in a relevant area of computer science are beneficial. However, demonstrable experience can be just as, if not more, important than any qualifications.
As an overall, universal rule, you’ll need a strong understanding of emerging technologies, excellent communications skills, as well as a thirst for knowledge and a passion for continuous development and learning. If you want to ensure you are ready to secure a great new job opportunity, why not access Hays’ exclusive learning platform
My Learning and discover a huge range of courses exclusively designed to help you improve and streamline your soft skills.
Who’s hiring IT professionals?
In a nutshell, everyone. Technology is so integral to maintaining a successful business today, and it’s evolving so rapidly that employers are constantly on the lookout for professionals who can help them realise their ambitions.
That’s why there is huge demand in both private and public sectors, smaller start-ups and scale-ups and large multinationals, for professionals with skills like yours. Unsure where you want to work? As your lifelong, trusted career partner, we care about providing you with the best service: discussing job opportunities in a clear, transparent and honest way and giving you access to the latest intelligence and insights to shape your decisions.
We’ll help you to make the best, most informed decisions – not just today but throughout your entire career.
What IT jobs are available?
Want to excel in the world of tech? We don’t blame you, it’s certainly where it’s at. Lucky for you, we have a plethora of exciting jobs available within the IT industry, so you’re sure to find something that matches your skill set, desired salary and working pattern.
Browse our latest IT roles and discover opportunities, such as IT training jobs, technicians, service management roles, support staff and more. Not looking for something full-time? No problem, our dedicated team can match you with part-time or contract IT jobs, so nobody misses out on an opportunity. Call us today and we’ll help you achieve your career goals.