WHAT WE’RE LEARNING

Growing Industries, Salaries & Local Trends in Essex, Suffolk & Hertfordshire

Where are the jobs in Essex, Suffolk & Hertfordshire? Which industries are hiring the most?

Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire are home to some of the UK’s fastest-growing industries, including finance, life sciences, logistics, renewable energy, and digital tech. But where are the best job opportunities? Which cities are experiencing the highest job growth? And which industries are driving SME hiring across the region?

Regional Job Market Overview: Essex, Suffolk & Hertfordshire

These three counties are experiencing rapid industry expansion, as new industries emerge while others face hiring slowdowns.

Hertfordshire

A growing tech & life sciences powerhouse, with high demand in AI, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Essex

A finance & logistics hub, with growing demand in banking, transport, and digital services.

Suffolk

Leading in green energy, tourism, and creative industries, attracting a rising number of young professionals.

📌 Note:
The percentages reflect the concentration of job opportunities within each county, indicating where the highest employment activity is happening.

Sources: Office for National Statistics (ONS) – UK Labour Market Overview (2023-2024)
Nomis Labour Market Data – Employment Density by Local Authority (2023), Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) – Economic & Job Growth Reports for Essex, Suffolk & Hertfordshire, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – SME Business Population & Employment Report (2023), UK Government Business & Trade Reports – Regional Hiring Trends (2023-2024)

This pie chart visualises the proportion of hiring demand across key industries, showing which sectors are driving employment growth.

📌 Note:
It highlights Finance, Digital Tech, Green Energy, and Life Sciences as dominant fields.
This graph is based on projected job growth trends across AI, green energy, healthcare, and skilled trades based on government labor market forecasts and industry research.

Sources: ONS (Office for National Statistics) UK Regional Industry Reports (2023-2024), UK Labour Market Overview (2023) – Sector Employment Data
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) – Industry Expansion Reports for Essex, Suffolk & Hertfordshire

Key Insights

SMEs account for over 90% of businesses across all three counties, making them the biggest job creators in the region.

Hiring demand is rising for AI, sustainability, and digital skills, yet many employers report skills shortages.

Which industries are hiring the most?

This bar chart breaks down hiring activity by industry, showing which sectors have the highest job openings across the region.

📌 Note: This bar chart breaks down hiring activity by industry, showing which sectors have the highest job openings across the region. The strongest hiring sectors include Healthcare, Sustainability, Tech, and Logistics, while traditional industries like Manufacturing & Retail have slower growth.

Sources: Department for Business & Trade – UK Skills & Employment Outlook (2023-2024), Indeed UK & Glassdoor Hiring Reports – Industry Job Demand Trends, Local Growth Hubs – SME & Corporate Recruitment Data by Sector

High-demand industries:

Life Sciences & AI: Hertfordshire’s biotech & pharmaceutical sectors are driving hiring demand in R&D, healthcare, and AI innovation.

Digital & Tech: Tech hubs in Essex & Hertfordshire are fuelling job growth in software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Finance & Professional Services: Essex remains a stronghold for banking, financial planning, and corporate roles.

Green Energy & Sustainability: Suffolk leads in renewable energy investments and eco-friendly business expansion.

Retail & Consumer Services: Local SMEs across all three counties continue hiring in e-commerce, sales, and customer experience roles.

Manufacturing & Engineering: Basildon, Stevenage, and Chelmsford are hotspots for industrial production and engineering jobs.

Hospitality & Tourism: Suffolk’s growing tourism sector means more opportunities in hotels, event planning, and leisure industries.

What this means:

If you’re a young job seeker, SMEs in these industries may provide the best entry-level opportunities without requiring a traditional university degree.

Top Cities for Hiring in Essex, Suffolk & Hertfordshire

Not all cities offer the same job opportunities, some regional hubs are seeing faster job growth and business expansion.

Sources: ONS – Employment & Economic Activity by Local Authority (2023), Local Government & Business Investment Reports – City-Specific Job Growth Data, Nomis Labour Market Data – Job Expansion Rates by City (2023)

Key Hiring Cities & Their Industry Strengths:

Chelmsford (Essex): A key finance & digital hub, attracting startups and young professionals.

Ipswich (Suffolk): A centre for tech, tourism, and logistics industries.

Colchester (Essex): Strong in education, creative sectors, and SME hiring.

Basildon (Essex): A hotspot for manufacturing, engineering, and industrial jobs.

Bury St Edmunds (Suffolk): Growing demand in hospitality, green energy, and retail.

Watford (Hertfordshire): Home to media, tech, and corporate headquarters.

Stevenage (Hertfordshire): A key location for life sciences, AI, and pharmaceutical research.

What this means:

If you’re looking for finance, tech, or digital jobs, cities like Chelmsford, Ipswich, and Watford are strong options. For sustainability, healthcare, or life sciences, Suffolk & Hertfordshire offer growing career opportunities.

Which Small Business Sectors Are Hiring the Most

This chart highlights the SME industries with the highest hiring demand in Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire. Finance & Professional Services, Digital Tech, and Hospitality lead in recruitment, while Retail & Consumer Services have slower hiring rates.

Sources: Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – SME Hiring & Growth Reports (2023), ONS Business Population Estimates – SME Employment by Industry (2023-2024), Local Growth Hubs & Chamber of Commerce Reports

Key Hiring Cities & Their Industry Strengths:

Finance & Professional Services: Strong demand for accountants, legal services, and consulting.

Digital & Tech: SMEs in cybersecurity, software development, and IT support are growing.

Hospitality & Tourism: Demand for roles in hotels, event management, and travel services.

Green Energy & Sustainability: Small businesses focusing on renewable energy and eco-friendly solutions.

Life Sciences & AI: Growth in biotech startups, AI-driven healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.

Retail & Consumer Services: SMEs in e-commerce, food businesses, and retail stores are expanding.

What this means:

SMEs create most of the jobs in these counties, but many struggle with skills shortages, particularly in digital, sustainability, and technical roles.

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