Top tech contractor trends for 2025

As the tech landscape continues to rapidly evolve, organisations are increasingly turning to contractors to stay ahead of the curve. From the ongoing adoption of AI tools through to growing urgency around managing cyber security threats, there are plenty of factors driving demand for technology specialists.

To help you stay up-to-speed with the trends shaping the tech contractor market, the 2025 Hays Tech Contractor Day Rate Guide analyses the responses from our research of more than 700 tech contractors and those engaging with them. Read on to discover the top trends you need to know for the tech contractor market this year.

At a glance: top tech contracting trends

• Digital transformation is driving demand for tech contractors
• A surge in AI adoption makes it the most sought-after skillset
• Cyber security roles are seeing the strongest day rate increases
• Employers are not aligned with contractor expectations

1. Digital transformation drives contractor demand

There are a number of reasons why organisations are engaging with tech contractors in 2025, but top of the list is due to business change and digital transformation, according to 58% of employers. The adoption of new and emerging technologies, more complex cyber threats, and the transformation of legacy systems are just some of the projects that organisations are investing in.

Other reasons organisations are working with tech contractors this year include needing to access specific skills for one-off projects, to ensure flexibility in staffing costs, and as a result of facing difficulties in finding suitable permanent tech workers.

2. AI adoption surge is influencing skills requirements

Skills shortages remain commonplace in the industry, with our research showing that almost nine in 10 employers have faced skills shortages over the last year. Employers identify AI as the specialist tech skill they are most in need of (39%), which is perhaps unsurprising given the surge in AI adoption over recent months. Over half of organisations (56%) told us they are currently investing in AI, rising from 35% who said the same last year. A further 24% say they plan to invest in AI.

Employers are turning to contractors to fill their AI skills gaps, with around half (47%) expecting to do so this year, an increase from 43% who said the same last year. As a result, the majority of contractors (81%) are planning to upskill in AI.

3. Day rates rising most for cyber security experts

Day rates continue to steadily increase across the tech contractor market, driven primarily by the cost of living, as well as the rising need for skills and a focus on new and niche technology areas. Certain specialist areas are seeing more significant day rate increases compared to others, with cyber security contractors receiving the highest rate rise of 3%. The importance of having a robust cyber security infrastructure in place has been highlighted in recent months, with well-known brands including Marks & Spencer and Co-op feeling the effects of cyber-attacks, which could further influence the need for cyber security contractors in the future.

4. Employers aren’t always aligned with contractor expectations

Two-thirds of employers say they have struggled to recruit tech contractors over the last 12 months, but our research indicates that organisations may not be offering the right things to secure in-demand specialists. For example, the top factor rated as most important to contractors when they consider a new role is a positive work-life balance (39%) but only 19% of employers believe offering this is the best way to attract tech specialists. Furthermore, one in 10 employers think their brand is the most important factor in helping them appeal to contractors, but this is only top of the list for 1% of contractors. Relying on your brand alone to secure tech skills is therefore not enough.

There are also mismatches in expectations when it comes to ways of working. The preferred way of working for contractors is the majority of the time remote, with some time spent in the office – this is the most popular approach offered by employers. However, disparity arises when it comes to fully remote working – nearly three in 10 (29%) contractors want to work this way, rising to 41% for those aged under 40 years’ old, but only 16% of employers offer this.

Key takeaways: employers need to stand out in a crowded market

Tech contractors remain an important asset for organisations to draw upon to meet their digital transformation and project needs. Employers will likely face strong competition with other organisations for those contractors with the most in-demand or hard-to-find expertise, such as AI and cyber security, so they need to consider how they can best optimise their offering to stand out from the competition.

Instantly access the 2025 Tech Contractor Day Rate Guide to discover other factors impacting the contractor market this year, insights from industry experts, average day rate information for hundreds of tech roles, and practical recommendations.