The shortage of professionals in the digital media is pushing wages above the rate of inflation, according to a new report released this summer.
 
A European salary survey by new-media recruitment agency Aquent, which interviewed 500 UK companies, found that new-media industries are starting to benefit from a stable economy. But the growth is creating demand for staff, with many new-media businesses desperate for staff who have the relevant skills and experience.

A creative services director in the South East will take home an average of £60,750, with the top earners in this sector pocketing £65,675. In the North, the respective salaries are £54,975 rising to £60,012.

A design director takes an average of £50,117 in the South East, with the potential to earn up to £59,167. In the North, design directors earn an average figure of £47,744, with £49,953 for top earners.

"The survey shows that talented new-media and creative industry staff will become increasingly hard to find and keep," Terry Sheppard, Aquent's area manager for the North, said.

"Even though there have been some predictions that the UK job market may start to slow over the next year, particularly in the public sector, it looks as though the job picture will continue to remain very healthy in the new media sector."