Tech Skills in Demand in 2026: AI, Data and Cyber Lead, While General IT Roles Fall
New analysis of graduate outcomes shows which tech skills are in demand and which roles are shrinking. Here is what it means if you are planning your next move in IT.
One of the most common questions on UK tech forums is what to learn next. Cloud or Power Platform? A masters in AI? Cyber? With so much noise, it helps to look at what the data actually says. Analysis from Prospects, published by techUK, gives a useful picture of the tech skills in demand in 2026 and the roles that are shrinking.
What the Data Shows
In March 2026, Charlie Ball, head of labour market intelligence at Prospects, looked at Graduate Outcomes survey data, which tracks people 15 months after they graduate (techUK).
AI graduates had the highest full-time employment rate of any subject at 65%, with computer science close behind at 63%. The average across all subjects was 56.4%. Most working AI and computer science graduates, 88% and 84%, were in professional-level jobs.
The Tech Skills in Demand Right Now
According to the analysis, demand is booming for:
The Roles That Are Shrinking
The same analysis found demand falling for IT technician, general IT and web design roles. That fits with what many people describe online: routine support and simple web work are being automated, consolidated or outsourced.
That does not mean these jobs are disappearing overnight. Support and infrastructure roles are still a common way into the industry. But it does suggest that anyone in those roles should be thinking about the next step, whether that is cloud, networking, security or systems administration.
Where the Tech Jobs Are
London had the largest share of tech jobs at 29%. The South East, North West and Scotland each had around 10%, and the North East and Wales about 3%. Average salaries for tech and IT graduates ranged from about £25,000 to £40,000, with AI roles paying the most.
People Skills Still Matter
The analysis also made a point that often gets lost. Resilience, adaptability and creative problem solving are an advantage in an economy shaped by AI. Being able to explain technical work to non-technical people, and to work out what a business actually needs, is a skill that is very hard to automate.
What to Learn Next
If you are deciding where to focus, a few practical suggestions. Pick an area with clear demand, such as cyber security, data or cloud. Get a recognised entry-level certification if it is valued in that field. Then build something real with it, because a project you can explain is worth more than a list of courses.
You can find IT and tech roles on our vacancies page and read more on our IT jobs hub. Our Job Matcher can also search a wide UK job feed against your CV.
Tech Skills in Demand: Frequently Asked Questions
What tech skills are in demand in 2026?
Analysis by Prospects found demand booming for data analytics, AI and cyber security, with IT business analysis, architecture and systems design also growing.
Which IT jobs are declining?
The analysis found falling demand for IT technician, general IT and web design roles.
Is cyber security a good career in the UK?
Cyber security was one of the areas described as growing strongly, so it remains a good option for people building tech skills.
Where are most UK tech jobs?
London had the largest share at 29%, followed by the South East, North West and Scotland at about 10% each.
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