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Power BI Jobs in the UK | Skills, Salary & Career Opportunities

Power BI Jobs in the UK: Skills, Salary & Career Opportunities

Introduction

Data-driven decision-making has become essential for organisations across the UK. As companies seek real-time insights from their data, demand for Power BI jobs in the UK has increased rapidly. Power BI, Microsoft’s business intelligence and data visualisation tool, is widely used across finance, healthcare, retail, government, and technology sectors.

From Power BI Developers and BI Analysts to Data Analysts, professionals with Power BI skills are highly sought after. This article covers skills, salary expectations, job roles, and career growth for Power BI professionals in the UK.

What Are Power BI Jobs?

Power BI jobs focus on transforming raw data into meaningful insights using dashboards, reports, and visualisations. Professionals in these roles help business users understand trends, performance, and opportunities.

Common Power BI Job Roles

  • Power BI Developer

  • Power BI Analyst

  • Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst

  • Data Analyst (Power BI-focused)

  • BI Consultant

  • Reporting Analyst

These roles exist in both permanent and contract positions across the UK.

Skills Required for Power BI Jobs in the UK

Core Power BI Skills

Employers in the UK typically look for:

  • Power BI Desktop & Service

  • DAX (Data Analysis Expressions)

  • Power Query (M language)

  • Data modelling and relationships

  • Dashboard and report design

  • Row-level security (RLS)

  • Performance optimisation

Supporting Technical Skills

  • SQL (essential for most roles)

  • Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables)

  • Data warehousing concepts

  • Azure data services (Azure SQL, Data Factory, Synapse)

  • APIs and data connectors

  • Understanding of ETL processes

Soft Skills

  • Business understanding

  • Data storytelling

  • Communication with non-technical stakeholders

  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking

  • Attention to detail

Power BI professionals are valued not just for tools, but for business insight delivery.

Power BI Salary in the UK

Power BI roles offer strong salary potential, especially with SQL, Azure, and DAX expertise.

Average Salary Ranges (UK)

  • Junior Power BI Analyst: £30,000 – £40,000

  • Power BI Developer: £45,000 – £65,000

  • Senior Power BI / BI Developer: £65,000 – £85,000

  • BI Lead / BI Manager: £85,000 – £100,000+

Salaries are typically higher in London, Manchester, Reading, Birmingham, and Leeds.

Career Growth for Power BI Professionals

Typical Career Path

  1. Junior Data / BI Analyst

  2. Power BI Developer

  3. Senior BI Developer

  4. BI Architect / BI Manager

Career Expansion Options

  • Data Engineer

  • Analytics Consultant

  • Data Scientist (with Python skills)

  • Cloud Data Engineer (Azure-focused)

Power BI skills provide a strong gateway into advanced data careers.

Industries Hiring Power BI Professionals in the UK

  • Banking & Financial Services

  • FinTech & Insurance

  • Healthcare & NHS

  • Retail & E-commerce

  • Government & Public Sector

  • Consulting & IT Services

  • Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Power BI is especially popular in Microsoft-based enterprise environments.

Remote & Contract Power BI Jobs in the UK

Many UK employers offer:

  • Remote Power BI jobs

  • Hybrid working models

  • Contract Power BI roles

Contract Day Rates

  • Power BI Developer: £400 – £650 per day

  • Senior BI Consultant: £500 – £750 per day

Contract demand is strong due to reporting and migration projects.

How to Get a Power BI Job in the UK

Practical Tips

  • Build a Power BI portfolio with real datasets

  • Master DAX and data modelling

  • Learn SQL deeply

  • Gain Microsoft certifications

  • Showcase dashboards in interviews

  • Apply via specialist data & IT job boards

Certifications for Power BI Jobs

Certifications that improve employability:

  • Microsoft PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst

  • Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals

  • Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate

  • SQL certifications

PL-300 is especially valuable for Power BI-focused roles.

Future Outlook for Power BI Jobs in the UK

Demand for Power BI professionals will remain strong due to:

  • Growth in business analytics

  • Cloud data platform adoption

  • Increased focus on self-service BI

  • Microsoft ecosystem dominance

Power BI continues to be one of the most employable BI skills in the UK market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are Power BI jobs in demand in the UK?

Yes, Power BI skills are highly in demand across finance, healthcare, retail, and government sectors.

Q2. Do Power BI jobs require coding?

Basic coding is required, especially SQL and DAX, but heavy programming is not mandatory.

Q3. Is Power BI a good career choice?

Yes, Power BI offers strong salary growth, job stability, and career progression into data roles.

Q4. Can freshers get Power BI jobs?

Yes, freshers with strong Power BI projects, SQL knowledge, and certifications can secure junior roles.

Q5. Are remote Power BI jobs available in the UK?

Yes, many employers offer remote or hybrid Power BI roles.