The Tech Skills That Will Pay Most in 2027 (and What to Learn If You’re Between Roles)

“Which skills should I be learning?” is one of the questions our tech consultants hear most from candidates right now. It comes from people at the top of their game who want to stay there, and from capable professionals who are between roles and wondering why the market feels harder than it used to.

The honest answer for 2027: pay is rising, but not evenly. It’s rising fastest for a narrow set of skills that employers can’t find enough of. Here’s where the money is going, and how to position yourself to follow it.

UK tech pay in 2027: rising, but selectively

Tech still pays well above the UK average. Totaljobs’ analysis of more than 21 million job adverts put the median advertised tech salary at £48,595 in 2025, up 9% year on year, against around £33,500 across all industries.

But the averages hide a split. UK job-market data shows the median advertised salary for Solution Architects rising from £85,000 to £90,000 over the past year, while Data Engineer and DevOps Engineer medians held flat at £70,000. In other words, employers will pay a premium for proven, senior specialist skills, not for general experience.

The 6 tech skills set to pay most in 2027

1. AI and machine learning engineering

AI is the skill employers are talking about most. Machine Learning Engineer roles advertise a UK median of around £70,000, and the biggest premiums go to people who have shipped AI into real products, not just experimented with it.

What employers want isn’t just model-building. It’s people who can take AI from proof of concept into production: integrating models into existing systems, handling data pipelines, and monitoring performance safely.

2. Data architecture and data engineering

AI is only as good as the data underneath it, and businesses have realised it. Data architects and data engineers who can design clean, governed, scalable data platforms are in demand across finance, insurance, healthcare and the public sector. Skills to prioritise: cloud data platforms (Azure, AWS, Databricks, Snowflake), Python, SQL and data governance.

3. Cloud architecture and platform engineering

Solution Architect is one of the best-paid roles in UK tech, with a median advertised salary of £90,000, up £5,000 on last year. Multi-cloud experience, infrastructure as code (Terraform, Bicep) and cost optimisation (FinOps) are the differentiators that move people up the pay scale.

4. Cyber security engineering

Cyber Security Engineers command a UK median of around £70,000, and security is one of the areas least likely to be automated by AI, making it one of the most resilient career paths in tech. Cloud security, identity and access management, and security for operational technology (OT) are especially sought after. If you’re coming from IT, software or engineering, read our guide to moving into cyber security without starting again.

5. DevOps and automation

DevOps Engineers advertise a UK median of £70,000. Employers want people who can automate delivery end to end: CI/CD, containers (Docker, Kubernetes), observability and, increasingly, MLOps for teams running AI models in production.

6. AI literacy, whatever your role

The skill that will matter most in 2027 isn’t a job title. Mentions of technical skills in UK job adverts rose 12% between 2024 and 2025, and AI is increasingly on that list for every tech role. A software developer, tester or project manager who can show they use AI tools to work faster and better will out-earn and out-compete one who can’t.

Out of work? What to upskill on first

If you’re between roles, it’s tempting to sign up for every course going. Be more deliberate:

1. Build on what you already know. A sysadmin moving into cloud, or a developer adding data engineering, is far more hireable than someone starting from scratch.
2. Pick one certification with market value. Microsoft Azure, AWS, CompTIA Security+ or a Databricks/Snowflake certification is recognised by hiring managers immediately.
3. Show it, don’t just list it. A GitHub project, a home lab or a small automation you built tells an interviewer more than a certificate on its own.
4. Make AI part of your everyday work. Use AI tools on real tasks and be ready to explain how they made you more productive.
5. Talk to a specialist recruiter. We can tell you which skills our clients across South Wales and the UK are actually asking for, so your time goes where the demand is.

What this means for your next move

The market in 2027 rewards depth over breadth. Engineers who combine solid fundamentals with one high-demand specialism (AI, data, cloud or security) will have the strongest negotiating position. If you’re planning a move, read the questions tech engineers should ask before accepting a job and our advice on switching jobs as a mid-level professional.

Looking for your next tech role? IntaPeople’s specialist tech recruiters work with employers across South Wales, the UK and Europe. Browse our latest tech jobs or get in touch for a confidential conversation about where your skills are worth most.

FAQs

What is the highest paying tech skill in the UK for 2027?

Cloud and solution architecture currently command some of the highest salaries, with a UK median around £90,000. AI, data engineering and cyber security skills are also in strong demand.

Which tech skills should I learn if I’m out of work?

Start with a skill adjacent to your experience, such as cloud, data engineering or cyber security. Pair it with a recognised certification and a practical project you can show employers.

Is AI going to replace tech jobs?

So far, AI is automating tasks rather than whole roles. Software roles are changing fastest, while security and infrastructure roles remain among the most resilient.

Are tech salaries still rising in the UK?

Yes, but selectively. Pay is rising fastest at the top of ranges for scarce specialist skills, while entry-level salaries are broadly flat.

Sources

• IT Jobs Watch, UK median advertised salaries, six months to November 2026: Solution Architect, Machine Learning Engineer, Cyber Security Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Data Engineer
• Totaljobs analysis of UK tech salaries, via IT Brief UK, February 2026