6 December 2022

• Hays reveals the top twenty salary increases for 2022 based on analysis of over 10,000 salaries across the UK
• Engineering, technology and life sciences roles dominate the top increases
• Overall, analysis from Hays reveals wages increased by an average of 5.4% over the last year

Engineering, technology and life sciences roles have secured the top salary increases over the past 12 months according to new data released by the leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment, Hays. In a list of the top 20 roles which received the highest increases demonstrates the continued demand for staff across a number of skill short industries.

Salesforce solutions architects saw an increase of 18.5%, the highest increase within the top twenty, whilst system design engineers in the engineering and manufacturing sector saw an increase of 18.2%.

Other job roles within the top 20 list were in legal, HR and marketing. Overall, salaries across the UK increased by 5.4% according to the Hays Salary & Recruiting Trends 2023 guide, above the 2.8% witnessed last year and 1.2% the year prior.

The salary guide reports annually on recruitment intentions across the UK and this year is based on the analysis of over 10,000 salaries, alongside survey data of over 13,500 employers and professionals.
 

Top 20 salary increases:

Rates of pay expected to continue increasing well into 2023

According to the research, over the last year 83% of employers have increased their employees’ salaries or rates of pay, compared to just 57% who did so the year before. However, over half (54%) say this is not only to retain staff but a direct result of the rise in the cost of living. Additionally, a greater proportion of employers offered staff a performance-related bonus this year (58%) compared to last year (42%).

Counteroffers are also on the rise as two-thirds (66%) of employers always or sometimes make counter offers to staff as opposed to 51% last year. Despite this, only 29% of professionals say they would be likely to take a counteroffer of better pay.

Simon Winfield, Managing Director of Hays UK & Ireland, said:

“As demand for staff has increased rapidly over the last 12 months, we’ve seen double digit salary growth across a number of industries – particularly those with acute skills shortages. Although the frenzied hiring we saw in Spring of this year has calmed slightly, employers are still going over and above to attract the staff they need to grow and navigate the challenges ahead.

Not only are employers are having to increase pay to attract talent, but also to retain their existing workforce. Although the right salary is crucial, especially at this moment in time, I’d urge employers not to neglect other factors which will attract staff to work with you and, crucially, stay. This includes offering hybrid and flexible working if you can, making sure career progression pathways are clear and supporting the wellbeing of your workforce.

Employers also need to put in the effort to attract staff for the long-term by looking at the types of talent they can access, investing in their learning and development offerings, as well as hiring for potential.”

-ends-

About the salary collection:
The salary data was compiled using information gathered during 2022 from Hays offices across the UK, and is based on job listings, job offers and candidate registrations.

About the research: The research is based on a survey carried out between August 22nd – September 26th 2022 and received 13,421 responses from professionals and employers across the UK

Contact

Helen Flannery
Senior PR Manager
helen.flannery@hays.com
T: 020 3040 0282
M: 07548 778306

About Hays

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in workforce solutions and recruitment, such as RPO and MSP. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in

permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As at 30 June 2022, the Group employed c.13,000 staff operating from 253 offices in 32 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2022:

• the Group reported net fees of £1,189.4 million and operating profit of £210.1 million;
• the Group placed around 83,750 candidates into permanent jobs and around 250,000 people into temporary roles;
• 16% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 26% in Germany, 22% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 36% in Rest of World (RoW);
• the temporary placement business represented 55% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 45% of net fees;
• Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 26% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (14%) and Construction & Property (11%), are the next largest
• Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, the UK and the USA