Robotics roles lead AI salary growth as traditional positions see declines

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New figures from CV-Library reveal a striking divergence in the UK’s AI job market, with robotics-related positions surging ahead in pay growth while many traditional AI roles experience steep declines.

The job board analysed data from more than five million vacancies posted between 2023 and 2025 and found that, despite sector growth, average salaries for AI positions fell by 0.5% year-on-year, signalling a competitive and fast-changing employment landscape.

Robotics Software Engineer salaries jumped by an impressive 51.7% over the period, reaching an average of £52,779 – making it the fastest-growing AI role. Principal Data Scientist pay rose by 31.9% to £83,844, while Head of Data Science climbed 30.1% to £91,993. At the very top end, Algorithm Specialists earned the highest average salary at £100,634, though this was accompanied by only a modest 1.7% rise.

In contrast, traditional AI roles recorded steep declines. Senior Data Scientist salaries fell by 27.4% to £85,368, AI Engineer pay dropped 26.8% to £89,780, and Data Science Engineer earnings fell 19.8% to £53,534. Even junior positions saw reductions, with Junior Data Scientist salaries down 12.9%.

CV-Library attributes the shift to an automation boom in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare and logistics, alongside greater investment in robotics software and a saturation of traditional AI job markets. “Roles such as Robotics Software Engineer and Principal Data Scientist are gaining momentum, driven by automation demands and the need for data-driven business strategies,” a spokesperson said.

With more than 6,000 AI-related vacancies posted since 2023 and an average salary of £65,636, the UK’s AI sector remains a lucrative but increasingly competitive career path. Those who adapt to emerging technologies, particularly robotics, stand to benefit most in the years ahead.

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