Top 10 In-Demand Tech Skills in the UK for 2023

The UK technology sector continues to evolve rapidly, creating a dynamic job market where certain skills command premium salaries and offer abundant opportunities. In this article, we analyze current market data and employer requirements to identify the most in-demand technical skills across the United Kingdom for 2023.

1. Cloud Architecture and Engineering

As businesses accelerate their digital transformation initiatives, cloud expertise remains at the top of UK employers' wish lists. Specifically, professionals with hands-on experience in:

• AWS architecture and implementation
• Microsoft Azure solutions
• Google Cloud Platform
• Multi-cloud strategies
• Cloud security and compliance frameworks

According to our research, cloud architects in the UK earn an average of £85,000-£110,000, with those possessing multi-cloud expertise commanding salaries at the higher end of this range.

2. DevOps and Platform Engineering

DevOps remains crucial as organizations seek to streamline their development pipelines. Key skills include:

• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
• CI/CD pipeline implementation (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
• Container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker Swarm)
• Configuration management (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
• Observability and monitoring tools

We've observed a growing emphasis on "platform engineering" - building internal developer platforms that abstract away infrastructure complexity. This specialized subset of DevOps is particularly sought after in financial services and enterprise organizations across London and Manchester.

3. Cybersecurity

With cyber threats growing in sophistication and frequency, security expertise is in critical demand. Particularly valuable skills include:

• Cloud security architecture
• Security information and event management (SIEM)
• Identity and access management
• Application security and secure coding practices
• Penetration testing and ethical hacking

Cybersecurity professionals with relevant certifications (CISSP, CISM, CEH) can command salaries starting at £65,000, with senior roles exceeding £120,000, particularly in financial services and government sectors.

4. Data Engineering

As organizations amass ever-larger datasets, data engineering skills have become essential. High-demand capabilities include:

• Building data pipelines (using tools like Apache Airflow, Kafka)
• Data warehouse implementation (Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift)
• ETL processes and tools
• SQL and NoSQL database expertise
• Data modeling and architecture

Data engineers are particularly sought after in London, Cambridge, and Edinburgh, with mid-level professionals earning £60,000-£85,000.

5. Machine Learning Engineering

Beyond theoretical data science knowledge, employers increasingly seek practical machine learning engineering skills:

• MLOps (deployment, monitoring, and management of ML models)
• Deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Natural Language Processing
• Computer Vision
• Responsible AI and bias mitigation

The UK has seen a 43% increase in machine learning roles over the past year, with particular growth in healthcare, finance, and retail sectors.

6. JavaScript Full Stack Development

Despite being a mature technology, JavaScript and its ecosystem continue to be in high demand. Key skills include:

• Modern React (with hooks, context, and state management)
• Next.js for server-side rendering and static site generation
• TypeScript
• Node.js backend development
• GraphQL API implementation

Full stack JavaScript developers are particularly sought after by startups and scale-ups in London, Manchester, and Bristol, with mid-level salaries ranging from £50,000-£75,000.

7. Mobile Development

As mobile continues to dominate user interactions, these skills remain valuable:

• Cross-platform development (React Native, Flutter)
• Native iOS development (Swift)
• Native Android development (Kotlin)
• Mobile security
• Performance optimization

Interestingly, while there's steady demand for mobile specialists, we're seeing more companies seek developers who can work across both web and mobile platforms with technologies like React Native.

8. Backend Development with Microservices

Distributed systems expertise is highly valued, particularly:

• Microservices architecture design
• API gateway implementation
• Event-driven architecture
• Golang for performance-critical services
• Java Spring Boot and Kotlin

We've observed a resurgence in demand for Java developers, particularly those familiar with modern frameworks and microservices patterns in financial and enterprise sectors.

9. IoT and Embedded Systems

With the continued growth of connected devices, these specialized skills are increasingly valuable:

• Embedded C/C++ programming
• RTOS knowledge
• IoT security
• Low-power design
• Sensor integration and data processing

While not as widespread as web development roles, IoT specialists can command premium salaries due to the specialized nature of the work, particularly in manufacturing hubs in the Midlands and R&D centers around Cambridge.

10. Blockchain and Web3

Despite market volatility, there remains steady demand for blockchain expertise:

• Smart contract development (Solidity)
• Decentralized application (dApp) development
• Blockchain security
• Consensus mechanisms
• Enterprise blockchain solutions

While the speculative crypto market has cooled, established financial institutions across London continue to invest in blockchain talent for enterprise applications.

How to Acquire These In-Demand Skills

Based on our experience guiding IT professionals, here are effective approaches to developing these high-value skills:

Structured Learning Paths

Identify comprehensive learning resources that offer structured progression rather than disconnected tutorials. For cloud skills, the official learning paths from AWS, Azure, and GCP are generally superior to generic courses.

Project-Based Learning

Theoretical knowledge alone isn't enough. UK employers consistently prioritize candidates who can demonstrate practical application. Build portfolio projects that showcase your ability to apply these skills to solve real business problems.

Certifications with Strategic Value

While not all certifications carry equal weight, those aligned with the most in-demand skills can significantly enhance your marketability. Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator), security certifications (CISSP, CEH), and Kubernetes certifications (CKA, CKAD) typically offer the strongest return on investment.

Open Source Contribution

Contributing to relevant open source projects demonstrates both technical proficiency and collaboration skills - two attributes highly valued by UK employers.

Conclusion

The UK technology job market in 2023 offers exceptional opportunities for professionals who develop skills aligned with market demand. While this list captures the current landscape, the most successful IT careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and adaptation.

If you're considering pivoting to one of these high-demand areas, TechCareer UK offers personalized guidance to help you develop a strategic skill development plan aligned with your career objectives.