Submitted on Tue 02 Sep 2025
Let’s talk about something we all care about, getting paid what we’re worth. (And ideally, a little more than that so we can keep ordering almond lattes without the guilt.)
In 2025, salaries in software development aren’t skyrocketing like they were during the post-COVID hiring frenzy, but the market hasn't flatlined either. The key difference? Salary increases are now tied directly to specialisation. It's no longer enough to just "know how to code”, it's about what you bring to the table, and whether you bring it with Python, AI frameworks, or cloud certs in tow.
So if you’re in a permanent role (or looking for one), here are the top 5 skills that are actually driving salary increases this year, straight from the front lines of hiring.
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AI & Machine Learning
You knew this was coming. AI isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the skillset that’s pushing developers into new salary brackets faster than you can say “ChatGPT.”
Employers are on the hunt for devs who can build, deploy, and fine-tune machine learning models. And if you're fluent in frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or know your way around LLMs (Large Language Models)? Congratulations, you're in the 30%-above-average salary club.
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Cloud Architecture
With most companies well into their “lift-and-shift-to-the-cloud” phase, cloud-native development is no longer optional, it’s essential.
Developers who understand how to build scalable, secure, and high-performance systems on AWS, Azure, or GCP are commanding serious salary lifts in 2025. And if you’re bringing DevOps skills to the cloud party (think Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform), even better. You’ve officially become the Swiss Army knife of engineering.
Pro tip: Stack a cloud cert on your resume and watch hiring managers’ eyes light up.
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Cybersecurity
As cyber threats evolve, so does the need for secure code. Developers who embed security best practices into their workflow, and actually enjoy doing it (bless you), are in high demand.
Whether it’s building APIs that don’t spill secrets, or integrating secure CI/CD pipelines, these skills are proving invaluable. Especially in industries like finance, health, and government, where data is more protected than your mate’s Netflix password.
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Fullstack Development
Fullstack devs are the MVPs of the 2025 tech scene. Companies want developers who can seamlessly jump between frontend finesse and backend muscle without blinking.
Why? Because leaner teams = more responsibilities = a need for devs who can do it all. If you're a fullstack pro who can manage everything from UI polish to database design, and maybe even bring a bit of DevOps knowledge along for the ride, you’ll find yourself in high-salary territory this year.
Bonus: Fullstack roles are often stepping stones to lead and architect positions, even more $$ if you play your cards right.
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Leadership & Soft Skills (Yes, Really)
Technical skills might land you the job, but soft skills can push your salary over the edge.
Companies are actively looking for devs who can:
- Lead teams
- Mentor juniors
- Collaborate across departments
- Communicate clearly with stakeholders who don’t know an API from a BLT
If you’ve got the tech skills and the ability to bring calm to chaos (or at least not lose it during sprint planning), then you’re exactly what employers are hunting for.
You don’t need to be a unicorn (or a ninja, or a wizard, can we retire those terms?) to earn more in 2025. You just need to know where the market is going and what skills are in short supply.
I’ve packed even more salary benchmarks, skill trends, and insider insights into our brand-new 2025–2026 Software Development Salary Guide, and it’s 100% free to download.
Got questions about your market worth? Or building a dev team that doesn’t cost the earth but still delivers like one?
Reach out via phone or email, I’m always up for a chat!
The Recruitment Company – Making people enjoy the recruitment experience again
Specialist Sydney Employment Agency within Information Technology, Project Services, IT Infrastructure, Software Development, SAP, Data and Analytics, Devops and Cloud.
