UK workforce jobs: professional, scientific, technical
UK workforce jobs: professional, scientific, technical stood at 3,504 thousands in Q2 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Jobs by industry and sector table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q2 1978 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Jobs by industry and sector table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce jobs by industry | |||||||||||
| M Professional, scientific and technical | 3,504 | 3,476 | 3,448 | 3,454 | 3,453 | 3,469 | 3,484 | 3,503 | 3,481 | 3,467 | |
| N Administrative and support services | 2,971 | 2,974 | 2,991 | 2,944 | 2,987 | 3,017 | 2,995 | 2,984 | 3,008 | 2,994 |
Understanding UK workforce jobs: professional, scientific, technical
This series counts positions situated within professional, scientific, and technical activities across the United Kingdom, covering legal practices, accounting firms, engineering consultancies, advertising agencies, and scientific research laboratories. Administrative support units, financial institutions, and corporate head offices operating in other sectors are excluded. Both employed staff on corporate payrolls and independent technical consultants are captured.
Reading this metric requires recognising its sensitivity to corporate investment cycles and business confidence, which can cause rapid hiring or downsizing during economic turning points. Seasonality is generally mild compared to tourism or retail, though minor dips occur around summer holiday periods. Analysts must avoid confusing these specialist business services with routine administrative support roles, which are classified under a separate industry section.
Frequently asked questions
- Are legal and accounting firms included in this category?
- Yes, legal practices, accountancy partnerships, and management consultancies form a core component of this sector.
- How sensitive is this series to wider economic cycles?
- Because businesses scale back discretionary professional fees during downturns, this sector often reacts quickly to economic shifts.
- Does this cover scientific research laboratories?
- Yes, scientific research and development services are classified directly within this technical division.