The market at a glance · Jobmundo analysis
South West hiring demand is rising, while advertised pay is rising.
New online job adverts in South West were 4.1% higher than three months earlier, in August 2026. Median advertised pay in South West is £30,500 in May 2025, 5.0% higher on the latest comparison.
Latest available releases can cover different periods. Pay figures are nominal, before inflation. ONS data is generally two months late.Comparing a job offer? See what common UK salaries pay after tax.
South West hiring demand
New online job adverts in South West
New online job adverts have increased since Aug 2025.
68,026
Aug 2026 · South West
Median advertised salary
Job adverts by annual salary range (ONS)
The median annualised asking salary is £30,500.
£30,500
May 2025 · South West
Number of job adverts · annual salary bands in GBP
Highest in demand careers in South West
New online job adverts and year-on-year change
| # | Occupation | New adverts | Change (YoY) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chefs | 3,128 | -8.3% | |
| 2 | Kitchen and catering assistants | 2,806 | +2.6% | |
| 3 | Delivery drivers and couriers | 2,690 | +29.1% | |
| 4 | Sales accounts and business development managers | 2,518 | — | |
| 5 | Business sales executives | 2,225 | — | |
| 6 | Programmers and software development professionals | 2,201 | +11.3% | |
| 7 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | 2,116 | — | |
| 8 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | 2,088 | — | |
| 9 | Warehouse operatives | 2,024 | +6.0% | |
| 10 | Other administrative occupations n.e.c. | 1,958 | -6.7% |
Hiring near South West
New online job adverts in nearby areas
| # | Area | New adverts | Change (60d) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol, City of | 10,712 | -4.4% | |
| 2 | Somerset | 6,519 | +1.3% | |
| 3 | Wiltshire | 5,223 | +14.4% | |
| 4 | Cornwall | 5,189 | -0.9% | |
| 5 | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | 5,012 | +1.1% | |
| 6 | Gloucester | 4,075 | -0.9% |
Careers gaining momentum
Occupations with the strongest year-over-year rise in new adverts
| # | Occupation | New adverts | Change (YoY) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale | 213 | +208.7% | |
| 2 | Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers | 35 | +169.2% | |
| 3 | Brokers | 259 | +161.6% | |
| 4 | Hire services managers and proprietors | 140 | +115.4% | |
| 5 | Directors in consultancy services | 40 | +110.5% | |
| 6 | Rail transport operatives | 92 | +80.4% | |
| 7 | Typists and related keyboard occupations | 24 | +71.4% | |
| 8 | Artists | 29 | +61.1% | |
| 9 | Print finishing and binding workers | 53 | +60.6% | |
| 10 | Musicians | 32 | +60.0% |
Careers losing momentum
Occupations with the steepest year-over-year fall in new adverts
| # | Occupation | New adverts | Change (YoY) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Train and tram drivers | 27 | -49.1% | |
| 2 | Web design professionals | 42 | -46.2% | |
| 3 | Marine and waterways transport operatives | 59 | -38.5% | |
| 4 | Scaffolders, stagers and riggers | 63 | -37.0% | |
| 5 | Health care practice managers | 87 | -34.1% | |
| 6 | Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services | 50 | -32.4% | |
| 7 | Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors | 21 | -30.0% | |
| 8 | Air travel assistants | 25 | -28.6% | |
| 9 | Elementary storage occupations n.e.c. | 81 | -28.3% | |
| 10 | Non-commissioned officers and other ranks | 36 | -28.0% |
About this report
Sources, periods & methodology
Each chart shows its own reporting period. These are observation dates, not publication dates. ONS data is generally two months late. Missing comparisons stay unavailable. The hiring glance compares the latest month with three months earlier. Pay still uses published annual changes and does not compare mismatched pay periods.
Hiring demand August 2026
South West · New online adverts first appearing in each period. This is not the ONS Vacancy Survey.
Office for National Statistics · textkernel_job_adverts · Release: September 2026Advertised salary May 2025
South West · Annualised advertised asking pay. This is not employee earnings.
Office for National Statistics · online_job_advert_salaries · Release: January 2017 to May 2025Source: Office for National Statistics — employment and labour market. Charts and interpretation by Jobmundo. ONS does not endorse this analysis.
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View jobs in South WestSource: Office for National Statistics