Job Hunting in 2025: A Look at the Devon Job Market

The job market across Devon, and indeed the UK, is a complex picture of resilience and change. While the UK as a whole is experiencing a cautious and contracting labour market, Devon’s unique economic make-up is shaping its own path. And interestingly it’s not actually as bad as you might think.

In fact there are trends that could work in the favour of us locals. And, for job seekers, businesses, and policymakers alike, understanding these trends is key to navigating the year ahead.

The Big Picture: A Market of Two Halves

Devon’s overall employment rate is a strong point, standing at 78.0% for the period of April 2024 to March 2025, well above the UK average. The county’s unemployment rate is also relatively low at 3.3%.

But these headline figures don’t tell the whole story. The broader UK economy is seeing a decline in payrolled employees, with a consistent fall in job vacancies. This suggests that while Devon retains a high level of employment, the number of new opportunities is shrinking as companies become more hesitant to hire. The days of a red-hot, candidate-driven market appear to be cooling.

And the issue of ‘underemployment’ is as much a hot topic as that of the unemployed.

Does Devon Have a Good Jobs Market in 2025?

While there are jobs to be found, anyone in the market for a new role will tell you that it can seem frustratingly hard to find a job out there. Especially away from the main urban centres. So, where are the jobs in Devon right now? The answer depends heavily on the sector.

Growth Areas:

• Health and Social Care: This is the undisputed growth engine of the Devon job market. As a region with a significant number of older adults and a growing demand for care services, the health and social work sector is expanding rapidly. Nationwide, it saw the largest increase in employees in July 2025. In Devon, this is reflected in a constant need for care workers, nurses, and support staff.
• Public Sector: Devon County Council and other local authorities are consistently recruiting for roles in social care, transport planning, and a wide array of professional and support functions.
• Professional Services & Tech: While some national reports suggest a slowdown, key employers like the University of Exeter and the Met Office continue to provide a steady stream of professional, scientific, and technical opportunities. Exeter, in particular, remains a hub for professional services.

Declining Areas:

• Tourism and Hospitality: Given Devon’s reliance on tourism, the national decline in the accommodation and food services sector is a major concern. This industry has seen the largest drop in employees across the UK and many businesses are facing “significant financial distress,” a trend that will undoubtedly impact the local summer season.
• Construction and Retail: A May 2025 report flagged over 8,500 businesses in Devon as being in financial distress, with the construction and retail sectors particularly vulnerable.

How Can You Find a Job in 2025?

The market is competitive and hiring can be slow, especially for big companies. Whether you’re an experienced worker, or someone trying to find their first role, it can be very hard work getting seen at the moment.

One of the best things to do is to ensure you have a well optimised CV, tailored for the industry you’re targeting rather than a general CV. For example, if you’re looking for any type of work, you might have one CV for hospitality and one for office administration and send those out for the specific roles.

You should also ensure you remain active on recruitment sites such as Indeed, Reed and CV Library.

Make your CV readable and scannable.

And above all, stay consistent with your applications, ask for feedback from recruiters when possible and try to stay positive.

The Rise of the Gig Economy in Devon

Devon has a uniquely high rate of self-employment, at 15.4% compared to the national average of 9.4%. This suggests, in part, that the county has a thriving gig and freelance economy. For many in Devon, particularly in rural areas, this flexibility is a vital source of income, allowing them to balance work with family life and the region’s unique lifestyle.

However many of these roles are in what is often known as zero-hours contracts or gig work. Whether this is as a delivery driver for a courier company (a role that is currently in heavy demand) or for other gig work, they can be hard work for relatively low pay.

Read more: Make your own job

Wages: A Cautious Rise

Across the UK, wages are rising, with regular pay increasing by 5.0% in the year to June 2025. This is slightly outpaced by the public sector, which saw growth of 5.7%. However, when you factor in inflation, the real-terms increase is modest at just 0.9%.

For many in Devon, this means that while their pay packet is slightly bigger, it’s not stretching as far as it used to. The latest data shows that the median weekly wage in North Devon is below both the South West and national averages, underscoring a persistent wage gap within the region.

What Do the Experts Say?

The consensus from economic commentators is that the UK labour market is “cooling but not crashing.” A PwC spokesperson noted that while wage growth is “stubbornly high,” the decline in vacancies and payrolled employees shows a slowing momentum.

The message is clear: the era of explosive post-pandemic growth is over. The current job market is one of consolidation, caution, and change.

For job seekers in Devon, this means a need to focus on sectors of growth, be adaptable, and leverage the county’s strong self-employment culture. For businesses, it’s a call to navigate the economic headwinds with a focus on retaining talent and investing in areas of opportunity, particularly in the ever-expanding health and care sector.