Leeds is emerging as a major competitor to London's tech dominance, with top data roles commanding equivalent salaries of up to £120,000 in both cities, according to a new industry salary survey.

The research from SPG Resourcing reveals Leeds' tech sector is growing 125% faster than the national average, with software development expanding at an annual rate of 20%. While the average tech salary in Leeds (£62,500) remains £15,000 below London levels, several senior positions now match or exceed the capital's compensation.

Key findings show Leeds-based heads of transformation can earn £98,750 - surpassing London equivalents by £6,250. Data leadership roles in Leeds command identical salaries to London, with heads of data positions averaging £120,000 and potential earnings reaching £160,000.

"While London leads in salaries across the entire sector and investment, Leeds is booming, with competitive career opportunities proving hugely appealing to the best talent and fostering innovation in their tech ecosystems," says Sam Hameed, co-founder and managing director of SPG Resourcing. "Continuous growth, a strong collaborative ethos and innovation makes tech an exciting career choice in Leeds."

The city's tech ecosystem is particularly strong in fintech, cybersecurity, and AI, supported by its universities and innovation centres. Other notable Leeds salary benchmarks include:

Enterprise architects: £90,000
IT programme managers: £70,000
Cyber security managers: £65,000
Business analysts: £52,500

The salary parity in senior roles comes as the government has made unprecedented moves in recent years to position the UK as a pioneer in data-driven innovation worldwide. It has pledged to invest £20 billion per year in research and development by 2024/25 as part of a larger goal to reach 2.4% of GDP spent on R&D by 2027.