Law firms face mounting pay pressures as technology talent shortage deepens

Salaries for legal technology professionals are rising sharply, with firms paying record sums for skills in cyber security, data science and IT architecture, according to new research from SPG Resourcing.

The findings highlight both the scale of demand and the fragility of supply. Senior cyber security architects command base salaries of up to £150,000, with chief information security officers in major firms can earn packages that exceed £200,000 once bonuses are factored in.

Experienced IT architects, meanwhile, can expect £120,000–£160,000, reflecting the premium placed on those capable of guiding firms through cloud migration and AI programmes.

Business analysts and change professionals, though less well compensated, remain central to transformation projects, typically earning between £80,000 and £110,000 at senior levels. Data scientists with the ability to apply predictive analytics and machine learning in a legal context are increasingly valuable, with managers able to command up to £130,000.

Geography and firm size are key drivers of pay. London roles carry a 20 to 30 per cent premium over regional equivalents, though hybrid working is beginning to narrow the gap. The largest firms typically offer 15 to 25 per cent higher base salaries than mid-sized rivals, while boutique consultancies and legal tech vendors compete by offering equity and greater flexibility.

Sam Hameed, group managing director of SPG, said the market reflected a fundamental shift in the legal services model: “The sector is in a war for talent. The highest premiums are awarded to professionals who combine technical expertise with in-depth knowledge of the legal domain. Firms that want to compete need to think beyond headline salaries and focus on career progression, flexibility and long-term development.”

The report points to a market under strain. Law firms are being forced to invest heavily in skills that clients increasingly expect as standard, particularly around data protection and automation. The risk, analysts say, is that firms unable to sustain rising labour costs may struggle to balance transformation imperatives with client demands for efficiency.

SPG Resourcing recently entered the expanding resource augmentation market, aiming to give technology-driven organisations rapid access to specialist talent without the delays of traditional recruitment cycles.

About SPG:

SPG Resourcing and SPG Intelligence sit under The Solution Performance Group. While SPG Resourcing specialises in providing rapid access to technology talent, SPG Intelligence works with public and private sector clients to modernise cloud infrastructure, enhance digital security, and deploy AI tools such as automation and intelligent agents. Together, the two businesses reflect the group’s broader strategy to position itself at the crossroads of talent, technology and AI-driven transformation.

SPG will be holding an event in Manchester on 6 November for the legal sector. The ‘Legal Gathering’ will explore the law firm of the future.