Tech hiring ramps up for 2024

Recruitment for technology professionals is set to increase in the coming year, but as skills shortages continue, firms face laying off staff as rising salary costs continue, reveals new research by specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half (www.roberthalf.co.uk)

According to the company’s 2024 Salary Guide (www.roberthalf.com/gb/en/insights/salary-guide) – that analyses and reports on market salaries, hiring trends, and skills requirements across the UK – 50% of tech hiring managers plan to increase headcount for permanent roles in 2024 as demand technology experts remains buoyant, particularly in the SME space with pay increases reporting the biggest rise (24%) from mid-level Applications Support experts in Software Development and Testing.  Demand for junior Product Managers has also driven up wages for these professionals by 14.3%.

“It’s been a turbulent year for technology professionals, but despite the significant layoffs we saw at the beginning of 2023,  as we look to the New Year, the pay rises that many professionals have commanded aren’t showing significant signs of shifting,” says Kris Harris, Regional Director, UK Technology Solutions, Robert Half.

“While pay inflation isn’t sustainable on the current levels we’re seeing, employers will face increased competition throughout 2024 and will need to look at creating a broader benefits package that appeals to these individuals instead.  That includes offering perks such as healthcare or dental insurance, which are currently of particular demand, mainly driven by the NHS crisis.  Other benefits tech professionals have ranked high on their list as per our 2024 Salary Guide are financial allowance for working from home, paid sabbaticals, flexible benefits programmes and fuel allowance.”