New research indicates a significant increase in demand for AI prompt engineering roles in the UK, reflecting changes in the technology job market fuelled by the growth of generative artificial intelligence.
SPG Resourcing, a technology recruitment firm, has reported that job listings for AI prompt engineers have grown by 180% over the last year. This surge is attributed to the broad adoption of generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT and other large language models.
The research from SPG Resourcing is consistent with wider market data. ITJobsWatch, a tracker of technology job trends in the UK, found that job advertisements mentioning 'prompt engineering' have risen by 209% year-on-year. Salaries for these roles are now averaging GBP £72,500, while those in the upper quartile command up to GBP £87,500. In contrast, job postings related to AI overall have increased by 109% during the same period.
Prompt engineers are now considered among the most in-demand professionals within the AI sector. Organisations spanning industries such as finance, healthcare, education, and e-commerce are aiming to recruit experts who can optimise the quality and efficiency of AI interactions to improve productivity, customer service, and product development.
The responsibilities of a prompt engineer include designing, testing, and refining the textual instructions—or prompts—that guide AI models to produce precise and relevant outputs. The role involves experimenting with variations in language, structure, and format to achieve the best results for specific applications, including handling customer queries, document summarisation, content generation, and programming tasks. Additionally, prompt engineers are tasked with analysing the behaviour of large language models, identifying and resolving inconsistencies, and collaborating with other teams to ensure that AI solutions meet organisational objectives. The position draws upon knowledge from programming, linguistics, and user experience, demanding a blend of technical knowledge and creative skills.
Sam Hameed, Managing Director of SPG Resourcing and SPG Intelligence, said: "The talent crunch in AI is real, and prompt engineering is quickly proving to be a foundational skill. It's not just about knowing how to use AI tools; it's about knowing how to make them work efficiently in real-world settings. As pressure builds in the market, we expect salaries to be pushed higher over the coming years."
Despite having little presence in the job market two years ago, prompt engineering is now being formalised as companies establish dedicated AI teams. The expansion coincides with predictions that the global prompt engineering sector will grow at a compound annual rate of 32.8% from 2024 to 2030.
Industry analysts attribute the increase in demand not only to technology firms but also to other sectors automating operations such as content and code generation, document summarisation, and customer interactions. This trend underscores the growing recognition of the importance of skilled workers who can oversee and adapt advanced AI systems.
While there are ongoing concerns that AI might reduce the number of available jobs, the current hiring trend demonstrates a simultaneous development: as artificial intelligence capabilities advance, the requirement for human expertise—especially in the discipline of prompt engineering—is also increasing rapidly.
