IT and administration roles are attracting the highest levels of interest from UK jobseekers, with technology vacancies drawing more applications per job than any other sector.
An analysis of application behaviour shows that software engineering positions are currently the most sought after, reflecting a wider appetite for digital skills and long term career security. Administration roles follow closely behind, suggesting that dependable, transferable positions continue to hold strong appeal in a competitive labour market.
The data, published by CV Library, an independent UK job board, examined thousands of live vacancies during the final quarter of 2025 and ranked sectors according to the number of applications received per role.
Tech roles dominate candidate interest
IT topped the list for applications per vacancy, with Software Engineer roles attracting the greatest volume of interest. The average advertised salary for these positions was £61,268, placing them among the highest paid roles in the ranking.
The popularity of IT roles comes amid continued employer demand for digital capability. Separate labour market data has shown persistent demand for tech skills across sectors, while research from industry bodies has warned that digital talent shortages remain a constraint on growth. The rise of artificial intelligence and automation has further intensified interest in roles linked to coding, systems development and software architecture.
Administration roles ranked second overall. Receptionist positions were the most popular within the category, with an average salary of £30,805. Despite lower pay compared with IT, these roles benefit from broad availability across industries and relatively accessible entry routes.
Distribution and customer service roles also featured prominently. Delivery Driver positions, with average salaries of £27,847, ranked third, while Customer Service Advisor roles averaged £27,980 and placed fourth. The figures suggest that roles offering clear tasks, flexible shifts and widespread demand continue to draw significant application numbers.
Passion driven sectors remain competitive
Marketing and media roles ranked fifth, with Marketing Executive positions offering an average salary of £31,869. Arts and graphic design roles also made the top ten, with Graphic Designer positions averaging £30,000.
Hospitality and hotel roles ranked seventh overall. Cleaner roles were the most popular in that category, with average pay of £25,365. While these salaries were among the lowest in the ranking, application levels remained high, indicating that some candidates may prioritise flexibility, sociability and immediate availability over pay alone.
Public sector roles also featured in the top ten, with Housing Officer positions averaging £33,000. Recruitment Consultant roles within the personnel and recruitment sector rounded out the list, with an average salary of £35,204.
Katie Emerton, a recruitment expert at CV Library, said the most popular roles tended to combine stability with progression potential.
“These roles attract such high application numbers because they tick a lot of boxes for today’s jobseekers: flexibility, stability and clear progression. Roles such as Software Engineer, Marketing Executive and Graphic Designer offer future-proof skills and long-term career potential,” she said, “while others, like Receptionists and Cleaners, appeal because they’re widely available, flexible and don’t require lengthy entry routes.
“Together, these jobs feel secure but also rewarding: key to attracting UK candidates to apply.”
What employers are facing
For HR leaders and hiring managers, the data offers a snapshot of where competition for roles may be most intense. High application volumes can ease sourcing challenges but may also increase screening burdens and prolong time to hire if processes are not streamlined.
At the same time, sectors receiving fewer applications per vacancy may need to reassess their employer branding, pay structures or flexibility policies to remain competitive. Broader workforce trends suggest candidates are increasingly weighing long term resilience and skill portability when choosing where to apply.
The research was based on candidate behaviour and application trends across UK job sectors in the fourth quarter of 2025, covering October to December. CV Library analysed sectors with the highest number of applications per vacancy, identifying the most advertised job title in each and the average salary on offer.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
