Looking for contractor jobs? Here are the top industries hiring in 2025
The end of 2024 provides us with a chance to reflect on our experiences and achievements in the last 12 months. It’s also the ideal moment to think about what we want in 2025, as some of us seek changes or a fresh start in some way or another.
What about in the world of work? We’ve already explored the opportunities for professionals seeking permanent positions in the year ahead. In this blog, we’ll look at where contractors can expect to find exciting projects in 2025.
Why are so many contractor jobs available?
In a recent edition of Hays’ LinkedIn newsletter, The Talent Blueprint, we explored the reasons that organisations should turn to a blended workforce of permanent staff and contractors. Employers need to bring in specialists who offer expertise, experience and diversity of thought. Working with contractors allows them to do this effectively while maintaining the flexibility that’s become all important in recent years.
As such, there will continue to be plenty of opportunities for highly skilled professionals in 2025, so it’s a good time to be searching for projects as a contractor.
Criteria when choosing a new contractor job
- Greater flexibility: As uncovered in the Hays Salary Guides in the US and Canada, this has been the most popular reason for contractors to switch from permanent roles in 2024.
- Learning opportunities: Choosing a new project is also about finding the right balance between utilising your expertise and supporting your personal development. Contracting offers the opportunity for regular exposure to new areas. Naureen Jamal, an IT contractor in Canada and our first guest in the Contractor Hacks YouTube series, explained: “The areas in which I feel most confident are where I like to look at jobs – as well as opportunities for growth. I don’t want to be stagnant or just come in, only do my job and be out. I want to be able to learn from that experience”.
- Remuneration: While many organisations turn to contractors in order to reduce costs, professionals can expect higher daily pay than they would in a permanent position.
The top industries to find contractor jobs in 2025
Pharmaceuticals
The UK’s Golden Triangle (London, Oxford, Cambridge) remains a hub for innovation and there’s high demand in Research & Development, with skill shortages often met through contingent hiring. Within this space, AI-enabled drug discovery and ATMP discovery, development and production are key skills.
In France, demand for contract jobs will focus on biostatisticians, regulatory affairs specialists and clinical research associates. With the pharmaceutical industry’s digital transformation, roles in data management, machine learning and AI specialists will also be sought after. Sustainability roles for eco-friendly pharmaceutical processes will gain prominence. For contractors, 2025 will see a strong shift towards flexible and remote work arrangements. Companies will also emphasise ongoing training and development to ensure consultants stay up to date with rapid industry changes.
Germany’s pharmaceutical sector will see high demand for contractors in data analysis, digital therapeutics and personalised medicine. Regulatory affairs and compliance professionals will also be crucial due to stringent regulations. Additionally, the number of contract research and manufacturing roles will grow as companies seek to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
The largest demand for contract workers in the US will continue to be within drug discovery and manufacturing. At the big pharmaceutical companies, roughly 80% of the positions in the latter field will be contract roles. Expect opportunities as lab technicians and in quality control, albeit mostly below a senior level. We’re also seeing a large spike in pay for technical positions, although these are fewer in number than the other roles mentioned.
Tech
Tech professionals looking for contract work can expect to find plenty of projects worldwide in 2025. Although it’s a competitive market, the need for specialists with niche skillsets means that organisations of all kinds will continue with contingent hiring. In additional to digital transformation, the evolution of AI and growing cyber security challenges offer exciting opportunities.
For a sense of what you can expect to earn in 2025, it’s worth looking at our Tech Contractor Day Rate guides in the UK, Ireland and Australia.
Engineering
As with technology, there are opportunities for engineers across a range of sectors. From infrastructure to technology and telecommunications, there’s demand globally for people who can join organisations for particular projects.
Paul Gibbens, National Specialism Director of Engineering for Hays UK&I, comments: “The temporary engineering recruitment market in the UK has been growing steadily. The engineering market in the UK is quite diverse, with several sectors showing strong demand for contractors.
“Major infrastructure projects, such as the HS2 high-speed rail network and various road and bridge upgrades, require a substantial number of engineering contractors. The expansion of 5G networks and advancements in technology infrastructure create opportunities for contractors specialising in telecommunications and IT engineering, Embedded Software and Software Development.”
Sustainable energy / ESG
In Europe, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) means organisations are under pressure to measure their carbon emissions across all scopes. In Germany, this has led to greater demand for skilled professionals because, while the number of undergraduate degrees in sustainability is growing, employers are seeking experience. As a result, a recent report from Hays Austria and Germany found that 98% of companies are recruiting external support or consulting on this subject.
With the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, there’s a significant push towards renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and tidal energy. Contractors with expertise in these areas are in high demand.
Likewise, in Canada, the efforts to convert buildings to more energy efficient spaces will see greater demand for Energy Managers, as well as ESG Managers and Facilities Managers.
Further reading on preparing for contractor jobs:
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