2024 hasn’t been the easiest year for jobseekers, with competition for roles on the rise and economic instability affecting various industries. However, there’s good news for those open to exploring new roles—or even new sectors—in 2025. Several industries are showing impressive growth in vacancies and advertised salaries, offering promising opportunities for jobseekers looking to move.
Below, we’ll highlight the top-performing sectors and job titles driving vacancy and salary growth. This will provide insight into where the demand is highest and the rewards most compelling. Whether you’re seeking a fresh start or simply curious about where the job market is heading, these trends are worth exploring.
Top sectors by vacancy growth
1. Logistics & Warehouse
Percentage change since January 2024: +31%
With an increase in vacancies of 13,893, warehouse and logistics remains an industry with a high demand for talent. This demand is also met by the highest advertised salary growth (12.8%, £3,570) of all sectors.
Despite this, the industry still pays below the UK average of £39,501. However, some roles in this sector pay higher than the national average, including coach driver, HGV fitter, and HGV 1 driver.
You’ll need the right qualifications, including an up-to-date driving license and any additional licenses depending on the specific role. However, if you’re open to a warehousing role, you won’t be required to have any specific qualifications.
2. Teaching
Percentage change since January 2024: 28%
There’s been a massive jump in teaching roles available (32,717), and it’s hardly surprising. In the UK and globally, there’s a huge shortage of teachers. Here, secondary school teachers are in high demand with increasing student numbers not being met by recruitment drives.
In May 2024, the UK government published a committee report detailing ways of incentivising people to train as teachers and to stay in teaching positions. This could be worth considering if you’re looking for an industry that will support training and financially encourage you to stay.
3. Manufacturing
Percentage change since January 2024: +21%
Manufacturing companies such as Greencore, Muller Dairy, and 2 Sisters Food Group are some of the biggest employers in this sector. It’s an industry where jobseekers are in high demand, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to high wages.
On the plus side, many roles, such as packaging and production operatives, do not require specific qualifications and certainly wouldn’t expect you to have a degree. Plus, big companies often have big opportunities for training and development, which can lead to some very healthy pay packages.
4. Legal
Percentage change since January 2024: +17%
If significant earning potential is a big priority, then the legal sector could be for you. The amount of advertised roles has increased by over 2,000 opportunities, and with an average salary of £53,147, now could be the time to become a legal eagle.
If you want to become a lawyer or solicitor, you’ll need to do a lot of studying, including a degree, postgraduate qualifications, and on-the-job training. However, there are plenty of supporting roles, including legal administrator or paralegal, that could be a faster route into the industry.
5. Sales
Percentage change since January 2024: +13%
Sales is a big industry, with over 50,000 roles advertised in November 2024. In addition to baseline salaries, which average £40,050, there’s also the potential to earn a lot in performance-based bonuses.
If you can walk the walk and talk the talk, then sales could be a great sector for you to become a high flyer in.
There was a small reduction in roles annually, but since January, this sector has grown.
Top sectors by salary growth
We’ve already shared that Logistics & Warehouse also saw the highest growth in advertised salary and advertised roles, topping both our lists. In a close second is Maintenance, where advertised salaries increased by over £4,000. Next, Customer Services (11.6% increase), Admin (10.1% increase), Retail (8.9% increase), and IT (8.3% increase).
This year, salaries have seen the biggest annual growth since April 2021 (+6.9%), but these sectors are far above the rest.
Top job titles by vacancy growth
1. Childminder
Percentage change since January 2024: +617%
Yep, you read that right, there has been a huge 616.8% increase in job adverts for childminders this year. The numbers, though, are pretty small. In January, we had 34 advertised vacancies, rising to 245 in November.
This still not-to-be-sniffed-at increase could reflect significant childcare shortages. A Coram Family and Childcare report found that less than a third of councils (29%) had enough space for children under two. Following on from this, national and local governments committed to increasing access to childcare, and this leap in roles could be a direct result of their actions.
2. Sales consultant
Percentage change since January 2024: +462%
With the sales sector coming fifth on our sector vacancy growth list, it’s hardly surprising that a sales-based job title would appear here. The average sales consultant salary is below the national average at £33,131; however, this role is where performance-based bonuses are not uncommon. Just 20% in bonuses could place you at the national average, while a 50% bonus could place you amongst some of the UK’s highest earners.
Sales isn’t for everyone, as it’s a highly numbers and results-driven industry (hence the bonuses), which some can find very stressful.
3. Delivery driver
Percentage change since January 2024: +326%
With the Logistics & Warehouse sector performing at the top of our vacancy and salary increases, delivery drivers earn more than you might think. With an average salary of £43,443, you could spend a pretty comfortable life on the road.
Further down our list are a few other roles in the same sector. Tramper driver (+239.4%) and hand packer (+186.3%) are also in high demand.
4. Store assistant
Percentage change since January 2024: +314%
It may not be surprising to see a big leap in retail roles at the end of the year, as the whole nation heads out to do their festive shopping and then tries to bag a bargain in the sales. The retail sector has had a slight annual decline (-2.8%) since 2023.
If you’re already thinking about seasonal roles for 2025, then working as a store assistant could be something to keep in mind. Sure, there might not be the same job security as you might find elsewhere, but if you’re a student who wants to make some extra cash when you’re not studying, this role could be perfect. Plus, depending on the store you might get a discount too!
Looking for something similar but less seasonal? Supermarket assistant roles grew by 137.2%.
5. Nursery manager
Percentage change since January 2024: +291%
Another childcare role on our list, and not the last either, this really could be a great sector to move into if you’re looking for some job stability and opportunities to grow.
If you’re not quite at a managerial point in your career, then nursery assistant vacancies increased by 144%. By moving from assistant to manager, you could see a salary increase from £26,542 to £31,192 based on current advertised salaries.
Top job titles by salary growth
If salary is your biggest motivator, sales engineer and data analyst roles had a 45.3% increase in average advertised salaries, equating to £19,003 and £17,228, respectively. The most significant cash increase was for management consultant roles (£20,017, +27.6%), where salaries could soon hit six figures.
All of these increases are well above current salary growth (+6.9%), and 65% of our top 20 are paying above the national average advertised salary (£39,501).
As we enter 2025, the job market is evolving, and a wave of opportunity comes with it. Sectors like logistics, teaching, manufacturing, legal, and sales are proving their resilience with impressive vacancy growth and competitive salary increases in key roles. At the same time, emerging opportunities in childcare and data-driven positions highlight the diversity of paths available to jobseekers.
Whether you’re motivated by salary potential, job stability, or the chance to make a difference, these trends offer a roadmap to navigate the job market in the coming year.
Read more: Hiring now: The top sectors for internships and grad schemes