The UK job market witnessed a nuanced landscape in April, as vacancies declined yet salaries surged to unprecedented heights.
- Advertised vacancies in the UK fell by 0.94% to 854,171 in April, despite growth in certain sectors like Hospitality and Teaching.
- The average salary rose by 0.45% to £38,810, marking one of the highest levels seen on the Adzuna platform since 2016.
- Unemployment increased to 4.3%, while the number of jobseekers per vacancy remained stable, indicating a competitive job market.
- Longer hiring times and specific sector trends point to evolving dynamics within the UK employment landscape.
In April, the UK experienced a slight decline in advertised job vacancies, down by 0.94% from March, totalling 854,171 open positions. This overall decrease was partly alleviated by increases in key sectors such as Hospitality & Catering, Manufacturing, and Teaching, with these sectors showing confidence in business recovery. However, annually, vacancies have decreased by 18.34% since April 2023, reflecting broader market challenges.
The average advertised salary on Adzuna reached £38,810, up by 0.45% from the previous month and 3.06% year-on-year. This rise in salary reflects the tight labour market, as companies vie for skilled workers. Although the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, the ratio of jobseekers per vacancy stayed constant, indicating ongoing competition among candidates.
Vacancies in sectors like Hospitality & Catering saw monthly rises, while others such as PR, Marketing, and Creative roles faced significant declines. Year-over-year, the Travel sector uniquely saw an increase in vacancies, contrasting with sectors like Domestic Help and Construction, which halved in advertised roles. Salary offers are rising in many sectors, with significant gains in the Energy, Oil & Gas industries.
With an increasing average job posting duration now at 39 days, recruitment timelines are stretching, especially in Energy and Legal sectors. In contrast, faster closing times are observed in Voluntary roles, highlighting varied hiring challenges across sectors.
Regionally, the East Midlands continued to lead salary growth, driven by professional services and tech roles, while London maintained the highest average salaries. Job seeker hotspots like Cambridge contrast with challenging markets such as Bradford, where competition for jobs is fierce.
Warehouse work sustained its popularity, remaining the most sought-after position according to Adzuna’s data. The healthcare and social care sectors also generated significant interest, reflecting broader employment trends.
The UK job market remains complex, marked by varied sector performances and rising salaries amidst declining vacancies.
