Developer Salary Calculator 2026
Estimated Salary
Based on current 2026 market data from UK tech companies
Is coding a good career? It’s not a yes-or-no question. It’s a coding career question - and the answer depends on what you want, how you learn, and where you’re willing to work. In 2026, the tech job market isn’t exploding like it did in 2021, but it’s not collapsing either. It’s settling into something real, steady, and surprisingly accessible.
You don’t need a computer science degree
A lot of people think you need a four-year degree to get into coding. That’s not true. In Scotland, where I live, over 40% of junior developers hired last year didn’t have a CS degree. They had bootcamps, online courses, or built projects in their spare time. Companies like Skyscanner, TransferWise, and even smaller Edinburgh startups care more about what you can build than where you went to school.Look at it this way: if you can write a small app that helps someone track their grocery budget or automates their weekly report, you’ve already done more than most applicants with degrees who only memorized algorithms.
Salaries are still strong - but not everywhere
In Edinburgh, a junior developer with six months of experience can expect to earn between £32,000 and £40,000. In London, it’s £40,000 to £50,000. In Berlin or Lisbon, it’s lower - but so is rent. The key is this: coding pays better than most entry-level jobs in retail, hospitality, or even marketing. And the pay doesn’t stop at entry level.After three years, most developers hit £55,000 to £75,000. Senior roles in fintech or AI can push past £90,000. That’s not lottery money, but it’s enough to live well, save, and not stress about bills. The real catch? You have to keep learning. Tech doesn’t sit still.
The work isn’t all glamorous
Movies show coders typing furiously, solving global crises in 30 seconds. Real life? Most days are spent fixing bugs, writing documentation, sitting in meetings, and waiting for CI/CD pipelines to finish. You’ll spend hours reading error messages that make no sense. You’ll rewrite code three times because a teammate didn’t explain their logic clearly.But here’s the flip side: when you fix a bug that’s been breaking the app for weeks, and the customer thanks you? That feels good. When your code helps a small business automate their inventory and they finally get some sleep at night? That’s why people stick with it.
You don’t have to code in Silicon Valley
You don’t need to move to San Francisco or New York. Remote work is normal now. Many UK-based companies hire developers from Glasgow, Manchester, or even rural areas. I know someone in the Highlands who works full-time for a Toronto-based startup - and they’ve never flown there.Even in Scotland, there are over 1,200 tech companies hiring developers right now. From fintech in Edinburgh to health tech in Dundee, the demand is spread out. You can work for a startup, a bank, a hospital system, or even a museum building digital exhibits. Coding isn’t just for tech firms anymore.
It’s not for everyone - and that’s okay
Coding is a problem-solving job. If you like puzzles, patience, and figuring things out step by step, you’ll thrive. If you hate sitting alone for hours, get frustrated easily, or expect constant praise, it might wear you down.Also, don’t expect to become a senior developer in six months. Most people take 18 to 24 months to go from zero to job-ready. That’s not a failure. That’s normal. The people who quit usually do so because they expected instant results. The ones who stick with it? They treat it like learning a language - slow, messy, but deeply rewarding.
What skills actually matter in 2026?
Forget learning every framework. Focus on these:- JavaScript or Python (pick one and go deep)
- How to use Git and GitHub (non-negotiable)
- Basic HTML and CSS (even backend devs need this)
- How to read documentation - not just watch YouTube tutorials
- How to ask good questions when you’re stuck
Companies aren’t hiring you because you know React or Angular. They’re hiring you because you can break down a problem, test your solution, and fix it when it breaks. Those skills transfer across languages and tools.
Start small. Build something real.
Don’t wait for the perfect course. Don’t wait to feel ready. Open your laptop right now and build something tiny:- A to-do list that saves to your browser
- A page that shows the current weather in your city
- A script that organizes your downloaded files into folders
That’s it. That’s your first portfolio piece. That’s proof you can start and finish something. No degree needed. No certificate required. Just action.
The biggest risk? Not trying
The real danger isn’t that coding is hard. It’s that you’ll look back in five years and wonder what would’ve happened if you’d just started. You don’t need to become a tech billionaire. You just need to build something that works - and keep building.There are more coding jobs open than qualified people to fill them. The market isn’t perfect, but it’s still one of the best entry points into a stable, well-paying career - especially if you’re willing to learn, adapt, and show up every day.
Do I need to be good at math to code?
No. Most coding jobs require basic arithmetic - adding, subtracting, maybe some percentages. You don’t need calculus or linear algebra unless you’re working in machine learning, graphics, or scientific computing. For web dev, apps, or business tools, you’re fine with high school math. The real skill is logic, not numbers.
How long does it take to get a coding job?
Most people land their first job between 6 and 24 months, depending on how much time they put in. If you study 15-20 hours a week, you can be job-ready in about a year. If you’re only coding on weekends, it might take 18-24 months. The key isn’t speed - it’s consistency. Build one small project every week. That’s how you learn.
Is coding still in demand in 2026?
Yes. While the hiring boom of 2021-2023 has cooled, demand remains strong. The UK government estimates over 1.4 million tech roles are unfilled. Companies need developers for everything - from AI tools and cybersecurity to websites for local dentists and apps for elderly care. The types of jobs are changing, but the need isn’t going away.
Can I learn to code while working full-time?
Absolutely. Most people do. You don’t need to quit your job. You just need to use small pockets of time - 30 minutes before work, an hour after dinner, or a few hours on Sunday. The trick is to make progress every week, even if it’s tiny. A 10-minute code fix counts. A new concept learned counts. Momentum matters more than hours logged.
What’s the easiest way to start learning?
Start with free resources: freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, or Codecademy’s free Python or JavaScript courses. Pick one, stick with it for 30 days, and build one small project. Don’t jump between tutorials. Don’t chase the "best" platform. Just start. Your first project doesn’t have to be perfect - it just has to exist.
What to do next
If you’re serious about trying, do this today:- Go to freeCodeCamp.org and click "Start Learning"
- Choose JavaScript or Python
- Complete the first 3 lessons
- Write down one thing you learned
That’s it. No sign-up. No credit card. No pressure. Just one small step. If you do that, you’ve already done more than 90% of the people who say they want to learn to code.
