The “North-South divide” is a major factor for entry-level tech roles. While London offers the highest “face value” salaries, Manchester is rapidly becoming the UK’s most competitive tech hub for junior talent.
The Salary Breakdown
In 2026, the demand for data literacy has pushed entry-level pay upwards. However, the location premium in the capital remains significant.
| Metric | London (2026) | Manchester (2026) |
| Average Junior Salary | £33,500 – £42,000 | £26,000 – £31,000 |
| Highest Reported (Top 10%) | £46,000+ | £36,500+ |
| Typical Bonus/Benefits | 5–10% + Travel Subsidy | 3–7% + Hybrid Flexibility |
Why the Gap?
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Concentration of Finance & Fintech: London’s junior analysts often work within high-margin sectors like Investment Banking or hedge funds, which naturally pay more.
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The “MediaCity” Effect: Manchester’s data roles are heavily influenced by the creative, retail, and e-commerce sectors (e.g., BBC, Boohoo, THG), which offer slightly lower starting salaries but faster internal promotion tracks.
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Competition: While London has more jobs, it has thousands more applicants. Manchester offers a better “jobs-to-applicant” ratio for graduates.
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