Technology sector workers can expect the biggest rise in salaries in the coming year as demand for the highly skilled workers grows and businesses compete for talent, according to the latest Robert Half Salary Guide.

The report shows that specialised IT and technology staff, such as junior developers (4.5%), senior business analysts (4.4%) and will be awarded the greatest pay rises in 2018, well above the national average of 1.4%. This is followed by experienced fund accountants (4.2%), chief financial officers (4.0%) and financial controllers (4.0%) as the competitive market for high-performing talent within technology as well as accounting and finance drives salaries higher.

“In the year ahead, businesses will be navigating a number of local, regional and international factors, such as Brexit, automation, digital transformation and meeting data regulations” Phil Sheridan, Senior Managing Director of Robert Half UK, South America and the Middle East, said. “However, one of the biggest challenges plaguing all UK businesses is the shortage of specialist skills. In an effort to win the war for top talent, organisations are willing to pay a price for those with the right skills to support their business goals.”

Average salary increases, by professional occupation in 2018

“In the face of an expanding skills shortage, organisations are thinking about what they can offer alongside competitive salaries to attract new staff and entice experienced professionals with the right skills to join the business,” Sheridan said. “Rather than just competing on salary alone, many businesses are looking beyond pay and at the full package they can offer to keep staff engaged, motivated and happy.”

Regina Moran, VP, Head of Industry Consulting and Software Solutions, Business Applications Services, EMEIA region, Fujitsu, commented on the figures, “With the demand for highly skilled workers in STEM roles on the rise, it comes as no surprise that technology workers can expect the biggest rises in salaries this coming year.”

In what is an increasingly digitally-led business environment, STEM and digital skills are essential to the UK, both within technology firms and across virtually all other sectors,” Moran said. “To help address the looming skills gap, we need to ensure we are investing at the very beginning of the digital journey and developing the right skills to support the future digital economy.”