The happiest industries in the UK.

What support at work currently helps with job fulfilment?

When it comes to employee fulfilment in the workplace, a variety of factors come into play.

According to our survey, 34% of respondents said that generous perks positively contribute to their sense of fulfilment, with 28% emphasising the importance of flexible working arrangements.

21% appreciate access to new tools and technologies like AI, which help them work more efficiently and develop their skills. If you’re in the creative sector, our latest AI advancements offer a variety of ways to enhance your workflow. With everything from text-to-image AI art generators to background removal tools, there are a variety of features to explore.

It’s not only new technologies that contribute to job fulfilment however, with a further 19% stating that transparency (including regular salary reviews) is crucial.

Despite these factors, 16% feel their employer offers no support for their job satisfaction whatsoever.

What factors might influence your decision to leave your current role to pursue your dream career?

When it comes to factors that might influence an employee to switch roles, 58% mentioned the importance of a significant salary increase. However, pay isn’t the only thing on people’s minds, with 46% mentioning better work-life balance too.

For 27% of participants, perks such as additional holidays and work from anywhere schemes top the ranking, with 18% mentioning opportunities for learning and development.

Pursuing more meaningful work is a top priority for many, with 26% revealing that they’re chasing a career that makes a difference. 20% also said they’d consider moving for a better company culture, with the opportunity for travel enticing 17%.

What's stopping you from making the switch to your dream career?

Making the switch to your dream career isn’t always straightforward, and for many, multiple obstacles stand in the way. According to our survey, the most common barrier is age, with 34% believing they’re too old to make a significant career change. 23% feel they lack the necessary experience, with a further 20% admitting they lack confidence.

18% pointed to financial concerns, while 17% feel as though they lack the guidance or resources to make the transition. A smaller yet notable number of participants (12%) highlighted educational barriers, with 11% mentioning childcare barriers.

Are workers in different industries in their dream roles?

Job satisfaction varies across industries, so let’s reveal the sectors that excel when it comes to the happiest workers.

The Information Technology industry takes the top spot, with 59% of workers revealing that they’re currently in their dream roles. Next up we have Business Consulting and Engineering, Manufacturing, and Property and Construction (all 54%). Workers are fulfilled in the Creative Arts and Design industry too, with 53% happily working their dream jobs.

Further down the ranking we have sectors like Recruitment and HR, where 50% of workers are not in their dream roles, as well as Public Services and Administration (38%). 29% of people in Marketing, Advertising, and PR said they’d leave their role if a new opportunity arose, suggesting a degree of dissatisfaction there too.

When it comes to factors that influence fulfilment, 43% of those in Marketing, Advertising, and PR mentioned the importance of innovative tools, with industries like Law favouring flexible working arrangements (33%) and salary transparency (27%). 59% of those in Business, Consulting and Management favour perks and benefits, while 40% of those in the Media industry feel a complete lack of support.

How does career fulfilment vary by city?

Career fulfilment doesn’t just vary by industry; it also looks different across the UK’s major cities. So, let’s dive into the locations where workers feel the most aligned with their career goals.

Glasgow and Manchester lead the way with the highest percentages of people currently in their dream jobs (51% and 46%). In contrast, Edinburgh sits closer to the bottom of our ranking, with just 28% of workers expressing fulfilment.

43% of those in Birmingham said they don’t currently have a dream role, with 13% of those in London admitting they’re unsure of what their ideal career looks like. Sheffield shows the highest level of potential turnover, with nearly a third of workers admitting they’d jump at a better work opportunity (compared to just 5% of those in Nottingham).

Belfast stands out in several ways too: 40% of workers feel supported by innovative AI (the highest across all cities) yet a huge 80% would consider leaving their role for a significant salary increase. Notably, 60% of respondents are also seeking more meaningful work, indicating a desire for purpose as well as pay.