2025 Software Developer Salary Guide

In this week’s blog, Kelly Fowler, EMBS lead Talent Partner, delivers our 2025 Software Developer Salary Guide.

As a specialist tech recruiter, I’m passionate about connecting great people with the right opportunities. A huge part of that is ensuring our candidates are getting the salary they deserve. That’s why I’ve put together my salary guide, based on the latest market trends outside of London.

State of Play in 2025

In 2025, the UK tech industry is a dynamic and competitive market, with an estimated 1.8 million employees (5.4% of the total workforce) driving economic growth. The sector faces a significant skills gap, particularly in high-demand fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, where jobs are expanding rapidly. This has led to a surge in salaries and a greater reliance on contract workers. 

According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average tech salary across the UK saw a significant increase last year, with software developers being at the forefront of this growth. 

The EMBS guide provides a benchmark, but we know every role and company is unique.

Software Developer Salary Benchmarks (Outside London)

Here’s what we’re seeing as a general guide for salaries in the UK’s tech hubs, excluding the capital.

• Graduate Developer: £25,000 – £28,000
• Junior Developer: £30,000 – £40,000
• Mid-Level Developer: £40,000 – £55,000
• Senior Developer: £55,000 – £65,000
• Tech Lead: £65,000 – £75,000
• Software Team Leader: £75,000 – £85,000
• Software Development Manager: £85,000 – £100,000
• CTO or Head of Engineering: £100,000+

Key Market Insights and What Influences Your Pay

These figures are a great starting point, but a number of factors can push your potential earnings higher.

Hot Sectors

Developers working in high-demand fields like FinTech, Life Sciences and AI can command even higher salaries. We’re seeing figures in these sectors increase by up to 30% above our benchmarks due to a shortage of specialist skills.

Experience and Responsibilities

The job title on your CV might not always align perfectly with a company’s structure. The scope of your responsibilities, the size of the team you lead and the specific technologies you’re working with all play a crucial role in determining your final package.

UK Tech Growth

The number of tech job vacancies across the UK has grown significantly, with a report by the Tech Nation showing that over £29.4 billion was invested into the UK tech sector last year alone. This growth, particularly in cities like Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol, has created strong demand and upward pressure on salaries.

We’ve pulled this data together to give you a clear picture of what the market looks like right now. However, we want to know what you think. Are these figures on the money, too low or too high based on what you’re seeing? 

Share your thoughts with us on our LinkedIn page.