Growth, retirements and worker turnover to accelerate competition for critical digital skills
LONDON – Modest but steady growth is forecast for the UK tech workforce in 2026 as competition for critical digital skills is likely to accelerate, new research published by CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral IT training and certifications, reveals.
Net tech employment[1] in the UK reached approximately 2.15 million workers in 2025, growing 0.5% year over year, with growth projected to accelerate to 1% in 2026, according to CompTIA’s “State of the Tech Workforce UK 2026.”
“Job growth is increasingly driven by demand for technology skills across every industry sector,” said Seth Robinson, vice president, industry research, at CompTIA. “Digital talent is central to business competitiveness. As artificial intelligence AI and digital transformation reshape roles, organisations that invest in building and validating tech skills will be best positioned to innovate and grow.”
Since 2020, the UK tech workforce has added approximately 145,000 net new jobs, recovering from a brief slowdown between 2023 and 2024. Tech occupations now account for 6.4% of the UK workforce. The sector contributes £86.2 billion annually, or about 5.2% of GDP.
Over the next five years, tech employment is expected to outpace overall UK job growth, driven by three primary factors:
- Growth: continued investment in digital technologies
- Retirements: experienced workers exiting the labor market
- Turnover: workers transitioning roles or careers
“Organisations face increasing pressure to attract, train and retain skilled tech professionals,” said Jason Moss, senior vice president, EMEA, at CompTIA. “Workforce development is becoming a critical lever for competitiveness, while individuals with in-demand tech skills will see expanding career opportunities.”
Job posting data underscores the sustained demand for tech talent, with approximately 540,000 tech job postings recorded in 2025.
Tech employment remains concentrated in major metropolitan areas, with the top four regions accounting for nearly 763,000 workers—more than one-third of the national total. London continues to lead by a wide margin, with London and Bristol recording the largest year-over-year employment gains.
Several cities exceed national benchmarks for tech employment concentration. In London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Leeds, tech roles account for more than 7% of total employment, compared to the national average of 6.4%. Overall, six metro areas meet or exceed this benchmark.
The sector’s strength is further reflected in its business base and wage levels. London is home to 39,266 tech establishments, followed by Manchester (6,050), Bristol (3,177) and Birmingham (2,685). Tech roles command a 53% wage premium over the UK median, with London ranking highest, followed by Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester.
CompTIA’s “State of the Tech Workforce UK 2026” is available at https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/state-of-the-tech-workforce-uk-2026/.
[1] CompTIA’s net tech employment designation includes two primary components: technology professionals working in technical positions across every industry sector in the Canadian economy; and business professionals employed by technology companies. For further explanation, see page 5 of the report.
About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.