Manchester hiring rebounds as vacancies outpace Birmingham and Glasgow
Key Points
- Manchester recorded 2,830 job vacancies in May 2026, more than Birmingham (1,671) and Glasgow (1,527).
- Manchester vacancies fell from 3,104 in January to 2,232 in March before rebounding, according to Robert Half.
- Job vacancies in Manchester rose more than 21 per cent between March and April 2026, followed by a 4.6 per cent rise in May.
- Manchester leads hiring outside London, driven by demand for data, technology and project delivery roles.
Job vacancies in Manchester have recovered strongly after a slowdown at the start of the year, with the city now posting more openings than any other regional hub outside London, according to new data from talent solutions and consulting firm Robert Half.
The figures show vacancies fell sharply in the first quarter, dropping from 3,104 in January to 2,232 in March, before rebounding to 2,830 in May.
Robert Half identified March as the turning point in employer demand, marking the start of what it described as a “reset and rebuild” phase.
Vacancies rose by more than 21% between March and April, followed by a further 4.6% increase in May. Robert Half characterised the recovery as a sustained rebound rather than a one-off spike, pointing to a steadier trajectory than other regional markets that have seen more variable demand.
Manchester’s 2,830 vacancies in May placed it ahead of Birmingham, which recorded 1,671, and Glasgow, at 1,527.
The firm said the city continues to lead hiring outside the capital, supported by demand across core business functions and transformation-focused roles, particularly in data, technology and project delivery.
Catherine Henry, Branch Director for Manchester at Robert Half, said the city was emerging as one of the strongest regional performers for hiring momentum, with vacancy levels rising steadily over consecutive months and employers showing renewed confidence in workforce investment.
“This sustained demand reinforces Manchester’s position as a leading hub for professional talent outside London, supported by a diverse economy that continues to generate opportunities and attract employers across a range of sectors,” she said.
Henry added that hiring conditions across the UK remained mixed, but that Manchester’s ability to generate consistent vacancy growth pointed to a robust recovery.
She said the city was well placed to remain the strongest regional labour market outside London in the months ahead if the trajectory continued.
The findings are based on a Robert Half analysis of more than 124,000 professional job postings across the United Kingdom between June 2024 and May 2026.
