UK Technology Contract Rates and Salary Guide (2026/27)
Technology contractors in the UK typically earn £350–£750 per day, with cloud architects, security specialists and machine learning engineers at the top of the range. Inside IR35 roles usually pay a higher headline rate to offset lower take-home.
Updated October 2026 · 8 min read
Software engineering
| Role | Level | Contract (per day) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | Mid | £350–£500 | £45,000–£65,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | Senior | £500–£650 | £65,000–£90,000 |
| Lead Engineer / Architect | Lead | £600–£800 | £85,000–£115,000 |
Data, AI and cloud
| Role | Level | Contract (per day) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analyst / BI Analyst | Mid | £300–£450 | £35,000–£55,000 |
| Data Engineer | Mid–Senior | £450–£650 | £55,000–£85,000 |
| Data Scientist / ML Engineer | Mid–Senior | £500–£700 | £60,000–£95,000 |
| Cloud / DevOps Engineer | Mid–Senior | £450–£650 | £55,000–£85,000 |
Security and support
| Role | Level | Contract (per day) | Permanent (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyber Security Analyst | Mid | £400–£550 | £45,000–£65,000 |
| Penetration Tester | Senior | £500–£700 | £60,000–£85,000 |
| IT Support Engineer | 1st / 2nd line | £16–£25 per hour | £25,000–£35,000 |
| Systems Administrator | Mid | £250–£400 | £35,000–£50,000 |
These are indicative UK market ranges for standard hours. Final pay depends on the employer, location, experience and engagement model. Your Actionus consultant confirms the exact rate before you start.
Inside vs outside IR35
The end client sets the IR35 determination. Outside IR35 contractors invoice through a limited company; inside IR35 contractors are paid through PAYE or an umbrella company with tax and National Insurance deducted.
BPSS, SC or DV clearance is required for many public sector and defence roles and often raises the rate.
Holiday pay and pensions
Hourly PAYE workers accrue 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, usually calculated as 12.07% of hours worked. Rates may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of holiday pay; we always confirm which before you start.
Workers engaged on PAYE through an agency or umbrella company are auto-enrolled into a workplace pension once they earn over £10,000 a year and are aged 22 or over. You can opt out within one month of enrolment for a refund, and opt back in at any time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a typical software developer day rate in the UK?
- Typically £350–£500 per day for mid-level developers and £500–£650 for senior engineers.
- Do inside IR35 roles pay more?
- Headline rates are often slightly higher to offset the tax position, but take-home pay is usually lower than an equivalent outside IR35 role.
- Do tech contractors get holiday pay?
- Hourly PAYE workers accrue 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year, usually calculated as 12.07% of hours worked. Rates may be quoted inclusive or exclusive of holiday pay; we always confirm which before you start.