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Best Cities in the UK for IT Jobs in 2025: London, Manchester, or Remote?
25/06/2025
Where Will the Best IT Jobs be in the UK in 2025?
As we move into the second half of this decade, tech jobs continue to boom in the UK, especially in software engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, DevOps, and cloud computing. But a question many IT employees and graduates may still be asking themselves is:
Where are the best cities in the UK for IT roles in 2025?
Is it old faithfuls like London, the rapidly growing Manchester tech economy, or new remote IT jobs?
When it comes to the best cities for jobs, this article looks into the number of jobs available and the respective salaries, cost of living and work-life balance to help you figure out where to invest your IT career in 2025.
London: Hub of Highly Paid Tech Roles
✅ Why London is Special
Being the UK’s financial and tech capital, London does not lack in number of IT job opportunities in 2025. It has the most IT jobs available in our research. London exclusively has:
- Big tech companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta)
- Fintech superstars like Revolut, Monzo, and Starling
- Enterprise IT companies and Government digital services
Top Roles Hiring in London
- Software Developers (Python, JavaScript/React, Node.js)
- DevOps Engineers & Cloud Architects
- Cybersecurity Analysts
- AI/ML Engineers
- Product Managers
Average Salaries in London (2025):
|
Role |
Avg. Salary (2025) |
|
Software Engineer |
£60,000 – £95,000 |
|
DevOps Engineer |
£70,000 – £110,000 |
|
Cybersecurity Analyst |
£55,000 – £90,000 |
|
Cloud Architect |
£85,000 – £130,000 |
Pros of Working in London:
- Highest salary potential in the UK
- Diverse tech ecosystems and networking opportunities
- Access to global headquarters and venture capital
Challenges:
- High cost of living (rent, transport, food)
- Competitive job market
- Limited work-life balance for some roles
Manchester: The North's Tech Powerhouse
✅ Why Manchester is Booming in Tech
Manchester is quickly becoming a favourite alternative to London. Dubbed the "Silicon Canal," the city has attracted tech investments from:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- com’s global tech HQ
- BBC and MediaCityUK for digital and media jobs
It offers a more affordable lifestyle without compromising on job quality.
Top Roles Hiring in Manchester:
- Front-End & Full-Stack Developers
- IT Support & Infrastructure Engineers
- Data Analysts & Business Intelligence
- QA/Automation Testers
- Game Developers
Average Salaries in Manchester (2025):
|
Role |
Avg. Salary (2025) |
|
Software Developer |
£45,000 – £70,000 |
|
Data Analyst |
£40,000 – £60,000 |
|
QA Engineer |
£38,000 – £55,000 |
Pros of Working in Manchester:
- Lower cost of living (30–40% cheaper than London)
- Strong work-life balance
- Vibrant culture and supportive tech community
- Plenty of co-working and start-up hubs
Challenges:
- Slightly lower salaries
- Fewer global company HQs than London
- Limited niche or ultra-specialized roles
Remote IT Jobs in the UK (2025): Work from Anywhere
✅ Why Remote is Thriving
Remote work is not a benefit, it is now a common employment model at this point in 2025. Tech companies throughout the UK have embraced remote first, or hybrid work in:
- Software development
- SaaS product management
- Tech support and help desk
- Cloud infrastructure and monitoring
- Cybersecurity
Top Remote Friendly Tech Roles:
Backend Developers (Node.js, Java, Golang)
DevOps & SRE Engineers
UI/UX Designers
Cloud Security Specialists
IT Project Managers
Average Remote Tech Salaries (UK-wide):
Role Avg. Remote Salary
Software Developer £55,000 – £85,000
DevOps Engineer £65,000 – £95,000
UI/UX Designer £50,000 – £75,000
Advantages of remote tech jobs:
- Flexibility and location freedom
- No London/ Manchester rental fees
- Increased job satisfaction by many jobs
Access to employers throughout the UK and international employers
Pro Tip: Mix Remote + City Hubs
Many professionals choose to work hybrid careers, meaning they work remotely and travel to a London hub or Manchester hub a few times a year for meetings, workshops, and networking. You get all the salary and project quality of top cities, and the lifestyle balance of remote work.
Other Potential UK Tech Cities to keep an eye on in 2025:
- Leeds - fast growing health IT and digital transformation
- Birmingham - fast growing fintech sector, the fast-growing app development
- Bristol - hardware + AI/robotics start-ups
- Edinburgh & Glasgow - increasing demand for data science and fintech, and DevOps talent.
These cities may not be on a par with London or Manchester yet - but offer some good opportunities; particularly for people early in their careers or for specialists.
Final Thoughts: Where Should You Be in 2025?
If your current motivation is to maximise your earnings and access to elite networking opportunities, London is still the top destination for tech jobs and prospects.
If you want value for money whilst working through your career, and still maintaining a good work balance, then Manchester fits that profile well.
If you like autonomy and transparency (freedom), with total career flexibility, then remote IT jobs in the UK are
