Job vacancy data shows British workers are applying to higher-paying roles but could push harder
British workers have a shot at boosting their wages.
Jobs advertised in January had an average salary of £39,576 – up 2.6 per cent on the year, according to data from reed.co.uk.
Those hunting new roles applied for jobs paying £27,020 on average.
This was 4.3 per cent higher than in January 2015, but well below what companies were offering.
Mark Rhodes, marketing director of reed.co.uk, said many candidates started 2016 by raising their aspirations and applying for better-paying positions.
But applicants could still be selling themselves short.
“While businesses continue to grow steadily, many employers are offering higher salaries to secure the talent they need to support their ambitions,” he said.
“For anyone who’s been sitting tight while the recovery takes hold, now is a great time to make a move and improve their earnings.”
The Reed job index, which tracks the number of vacancies available, was up nine per cent on a year earlier and 153 per cent on December 2009.
Manufacturing, accountancy, strategy and consultancy, and marketing have seen the biggest surge in applications for higher-paid roles.
Unsurprisingly job openings in London offered the top median pay, followed by Liverpool and Birmingham.
