Electrical engineers, sustainability managers and cyber security experts could pocket some of the biggest pay packages if they decide to move jobs in the new year, new exclusive analysis shows.
Over half of workers intend to look for a new job in 2023, according to data from recruiter Hays, and with more than 1.1million unfilled jobs in the UK those who are looking for a new challenge are likely to see plenty of opportunities.
Skills-short areas such as engineering, construction and technology are set to continue to be in high demand in the coming months, along with energy and sustainability managers as the drive for green jobs continues.
Green jobs: With businesses having to reconsider their impact on the environment, there has been a big increase in the demand for skilled sustainability professionals
Cyber security managers are expected to continue to command some of the highest average salaries of around £81,500 a year, as the world increasingly moves online and such roles become ever more in demand.
But the most sought-after employees are expected to be electrical and automation engineers – roles which continues to sit on the UK Government’s shortage occupation list – according to Hays, which surveyed 13,500 professionals and employers.
Electrical engineers took home on average nearly £49,000 a year in 2022, and automation engineers £48,000 – both well above the UK median full-time salary for the past year of £33,000.
Engineers working in this sector will typically hold a degree in electrical engineering or a related subject such as physics, software engineering or computer science.
Quantity surveyors, who advise on construction projects, are also expected to be in high demand next year and look to pocket around £55,000 a year.
With businesses increasingly having to reconsider their impact on the environment, there has been a big increase in the demand for skilled sustainability professionals, according to Hays director, Paul Gosling.
| Job | Sector | Average salary (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Electrical engineer | Engineering | £48,875 |
| 2. Automation engineer | Engineering | £48,000 |
| 3. Quantity surveyor | Construction | £55,250 |
| 4. Cyber security manager | Technology | £81,500 |
| 5. Energy/sustainability manager | Sustainability | £50,000 (experienced) |
| 6. Qualified social worker | Social care | £31,583 (2 years experience) |
| 7. Part-qualified/newly qualified accountant | Finance | £31,396 |
| 8. Data analyst | Technology | £43,400 |
| 9. Clinical operations manager | Life sciences | £70,000 |
| 10. Digital marketing analyst | Marketing | £42,200 |
| Source: Hays; list compiled based on demand across the UK in December 2022; salary averages collected between August – November 2022 | ||
‘The UK Government is investing £12billion to support up to 250,000 skilled green jobs by 2030, as part of its Ten Point Plan,’ he said.
‘However, those with the required skillsets are in short supply and there’s plenty of opportunities for individuals wanting to build their sustainability careers.’
Meanwhile, clinical operation managers, who work for pharmaceutical companies overseeing clinical trials, would look at £70,000 a year.
Qualified social workers with at least two years experience are also in high demand, but they would likely earn less than half that salary, around £31,580 a year.
What roles got the biggest pay rises?
The top salary increases this year went to salesforce solutions architects, who have seen their average annual pay jump by nearly 19 per cent to £107,000, along with systems design engineers and product managers, which saw their average pay rise 18 per cent.
With companies becoming more attentive to their social responsibility, those working as diversity, equality, and inclusion managers have also seen some of the biggest pay rises this year – up 11 per cent to nearly £56,000.
| Job | Industry | Salary (average 2022) | % Salary increase since 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salesforce solutions architect | Technology | £107,000 | 18.50% |
| 2 | Systems design engineer | Engineering & manufacturing | £65,000 | 18.20% |
| 3 | Product manager | Technology | £71,091 | 16.50% |
| 4 | SAP basis consultant | Technology | £61,800 | 16.20% |
| 5 | Head of talent/resourcing | HR | £79,000 | 14.90% |
| 6 | Newly qualified solicitor | Legal (private practice) | £67,577 | 14.60% |
| 7 | Aerodynamics engineer | Engineering | £65,000 | 14.50% |
| 8 | Cyber security analyst | Technology | £56,136 | 14.10% |
| 9 | Cyber security engineer | Technology | £73,125 | 13.90% |
| 10 | Fabricator/welder | Engineering and manufacturing | £32,250 | 13.70% |
| 11 | Clinical research associate (senior level) | Life sciences | £54,000 | 13.70% |
| 12 | Data scientist | Life sciences | £58,750 | 11.90% |
| 13 | Platform engineer | Technology | £60,455 | 11.80% |
| 14 | Marketing analyst / CRM analyst | Marketing | £38,909 | 11.50% |
| 15 | Diversity, equality, and inclusion manager | HR | £55,833 | 11.30% |
| 16 | Machine learning manager | Life sciences | £81,000 | 11% |
| 17 | Data engineer | Technology | £57,364 | 11% |
| 18 | Engineering operative | Engineering & manufacturing | £26,000 | 10.60% |
| 19 | Financial director | Accountancy & finance | £126,042 | 10.60% |
| 20 | Automation engineer | Engineering & manufacturing | £49,500 | 10.30% |
| Source: Hays, based on the analysis of over 10,000 salaries, alongside survey data of over 13,500 employers and professionals. | ||||
Brendan Ryan of Hays added: ‘Job vacancies within the social care sector are on the rise, which means there are now multiple opportunities for someone wanting to transition their career to become a social worker.
‘To become a qualified social worker, you’ll typically need qualifications and experience through a university degree, a degree apprenticeship or a work-related learning scheme such as Step Up To Social Care.
‘Once you’re qualified there are several career paths available to you as you gain more experience and hone your skills.’
