UK IT job vacancies jump 42%
Key Points
- UK IT job vacancies rose 42% between Q1 and Q2 2026
- IT vacancies remained 20% lower year-on-year in June 2026
- Manufacturing vacancies grew 18% quarterly and 21% year-on-year
- Logistics vacancies rose 24% and utilities 21% quarter-on-quarter
- Data came from Robert Half analysis of 1.4 million UK job postings
IT job vacancies in the UK rose 42% between the first and second quarters of 2026, according to job posting data from recruitment firm Robert Half.
The figures, drawn from an analysis of more than 1.4 million UK job postings compiled by Robert Half and labour market data provider Textkernel, showed professional hiring across core UK sectors increased between Q1 (January to March) and Q2 (April to June), despite annual declines in most fields.
IT recorded the sharpest quarterly increase of any sector, although vacancies remained 20% lower year-on-year in June.
Manufacturing was one of only a handful of sectors to report growth on both measures. Vacancies in the sector increased 18% between Q1 and Q2 and were up 21% year-on-year in June.
Logistics and utilities also posted gains on both comparisons. Logistics vacancies rose 24% quarter-on-quarter, while utilities increased 21% over the same period. Both sectors recorded 6% year-on-year growth in June.
Quarterly recovery
Phil Boden, Market Director at Robert Half, said the quarterly data pointed to a more resilient recruitment market than at the start of the year.
“While year-on-year vacancy levels remain lower across many professional sectors, the quarterly data points to a more resilient recruitment market than earlier in the year,” Boden said.
“Employers continue to navigate economic uncertainty, but increased hiring activity across a number of sectors suggests demand for talent remains present where organisations have critical skills needs.”
Boden said the rise in IT vacancies during Q2 was particularly notable, although activity remained below 2025 levels.
“Manufacturing, logistics and utilities also recorded stronger demand over the quarter, highlighting continued recruitment activity in sectors that play an important role in supporting day-to-day operations and infrastructure,” he said.
The analysis covered 1,412,331 job postings across the UK from Q3 2024 to Q2 2026, spanning professional roles in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and HR, administrative and customer support.
