The market at a glance · Jobmundo analysis
West Midlands hiring demand is rising, while advertised pay is rising.
New online job adverts in West Midlands were 5.6% higher than three months earlier, in August 2026. Median advertised pay in West Midlands is £31,200 in May 2025, 4.0% 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.
West Midlands hiring demand
New online job adverts in West Midlands
New online job adverts have increased since Aug 2025.
60,049
Aug 2026 · West Midlands
Median advertised salary
Job adverts by annual salary range (ONS)
The median annualised asking salary is £31,200.
£31,200
May 2025 · West Midlands
Number of job adverts · annual salary bands in GBP
Highest in demand careers in West Midlands
New online job adverts and year-on-year change
| # | Occupation | New adverts | Change (YoY) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sales accounts and business development managers | 3,015 | — | |
| 2 | Business sales executives | 2,222 | — | |
| 3 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | 2,186 | — | |
| 4 | Book-keepers, payroll managers and wages clerks | 1,979 | — | |
| 5 | Programmers and software development professionals | 1,939 | -15.2% | |
| 6 | Other administrative occupations n.e.c. | 1,899 | -4.8% | |
| 7 | Vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians | 1,832 | — | |
| 8 | Delivery drivers and couriers | 1,700 | +22.3% | |
| 9 | Warehouse operatives | 1,674 | -1.5% | |
| 10 | Chefs | 1,621 | -19.7% |
Hiring near West Midlands
New online job adverts in nearby areas
| # | Area | New adverts | Change (60d) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 13,365 | -3.9% | |
| 2 | Coventry | 3,893 | +3.1% | |
| 3 | Shropshire | 3,126 | +1.9% | |
| 4 | Stoke-on-Trent | 2,893 | +6.9% | |
| 5 | Wolverhampton | 2,625 | +13.9% | |
| 6 | Solihull | 2,526 | +5.5% |
Careers gaining momentum
Occupations with the strongest year-over-year rise in new adverts
| # | Occupation | New adverts | Change (YoY) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Artists | 40 | +122.2% | |
| 2 | Typists and related keyboard occupations | 28 | +86.7% | |
| 3 | Shopkeepers and owners - retail and wholesale | 171 | +85.9% | |
| 4 | Tyre, exhaust and windscreen fitters | 126 | +41.6% | |
| 5 | Charitable organisation managers and directors | 25 | +38.9% | |
| 6 | Street cleaners | 39 | +30.0% | |
| 7 | Elementary storage occupations n.e.c. | 113 | +28.4% | |
| 8 | Managers and directors in the creative industries | 82 | +28.1% | |
| 9 | Librarians | 21 | +23.5% | |
| 10 | Other elementary services occupations n.e.c. | 102 | +22.9% |
Careers losing momentum
Occupations with the steepest year-over-year fall in new adverts
| # | Occupation | New adverts | Change (YoY) | View |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Printing machine assistants | 51 | -49.5% | |
| 2 | Chief executives and senior officials | 75 | -46.8% | |
| 3 | Market and street traders and assistants | 23 | -46.5% | |
| 4 | Public relations and communications directors | 37 | -45.6% | |
| 5 | Social and humanities scientists | 116 | -43.1% | |
| 6 | Aerospace engineers | 20 | -42.9% | |
| 7 | Tailors and dressmakers | 24 | -41.5% | |
| 8 | Education advisers and school inspectors | 109 | -40.8% | |
| 9 | Houseparents and residential wardens | 401 | -40.0% | |
| 10 | Web design professionals | 52 | -39.5% |
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
West Midlands · 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
West Midlands · 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 West MidlandsSource: Office for National Statistics