How to Become an RPA Developer in the UK
RPA (robotic process automation) developers build software robots that do repetitive computer work, such as copying data between systems, filling in forms, reading invoices and sending reports. You might map a process with the business, build and test the bot in UiPath, Blue Prism or Microsoft Power Automate, handle exceptions, and support it once it is live.
A degree helps but is not always required. Many RPA developers move across from IT support, software testing, business analysis or operations roles, using the vendors' free training to learn the tools, then join an automation team or consultancy.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £32,000 - £45,000
- Mid-career salary
- £50,000 - £70,000
- Senior salary
- £80,000 - £110,000
- Work environment
- Office or remote, desk-based
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Helpful, not always required
- Category
- AI, Data and Automation
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, Career change.
What a RPA Developer does
Build software robots (UiPath, Blue Prism) that automate clicking, copying and form-filling work.
- UiPath - Automate desktop and enterprise workflows in UiPath.
- Blue Prism - Build automations in finance and insurance environments.
- Power Automate - Build Microsoft 365 and Dynamics automations.
- Intelligent Automation - Combine RPA with LLMs and computer vision.
How to become an RPA developer in the UK
There is no required qualification. Employers often prefer a degree in computing, maths or a related subject, but experience counts. The main RPA vendors run online training and certification exams, including UiPath Academy and SS&C Blue Prism's training, and Microsoft Learn has learning paths for Power Automate. Learn process mapping, basic programming in VB.NET, C# or Python, SQL and how to work with APIs. Junior RPA developer roles sit in banks, insurers, the public sector, outsourcers and consultancies. In England, some software and data apprenticeships include automation work.
- Learn one RPA platform in depth through UiPath Academy, SS&C Blue Prism's training or Microsoft Learn for Power Automate, building practice bots as you go.
- Practise basic programming in VB.NET, C# or Python, plus SQL, Excel automation and regular expressions, which most real bots rely on.
- Learn process mapping, so you can document an as-is process, spot exceptions and judge whether it is worth automating at all.
- Build two or three portfolio bots, such as invoice data extraction or report generation, and share them with documentation on GitHub.
- Take a vendor developer certification for UiPath, Blue Prism or Power Automate to show employers you know the platform.
- Look for automation opportunities in your current job, or apply for junior RPA developer roles in banks, insurers, public sector bodies and consultancies.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move across from IT support, testing or business analysis | 6-18 months | Free vendor training | People already in tech or operations |
| Computing degree, then graduate automation role | 3-4 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers |
| Software or data apprenticeship | 18-36 months | Paid by the employer | Earning while learning to code |
| Self-taught with vendor training | 6-12 months | Free to low; exam fees vary | Career changers with portfolio bots |
How long it takes
With an IT or analysis background, you can be job-ready in six to 12 months. Starting from scratch, expect one to three years to reach a developer role.
RPA Developer salary in the UK
Junior RPA developers usually earn around £32,000 to £45,000. With a few years' experience delivering automations, pay rises to about £50,000 to £70,000, and lead developers, solution architects and automation managers earn roughly £80,000 to £110,000. Financial services and consultancies tend to pay most, and contractors charge day rates. Skills across more than one platform, and in intelligent automation such as document processing and AI services, also push pay up.
Key skills
- UiPath / Blue Prism
- Process mapping
- VBA / Python
- Testing
- Documentation
RPA Developer FAQs
How do I become an RPA developer in the UK?
Learn a platform such as UiPath, Blue Prism or Power Automate through the vendors' training, add basic programming and process mapping, and build portfolio bots. Then apply for junior RPA roles or move into your employer's automation team.
Do I need a degree to be an RPA developer?
Not always. Many employers prefer a computing or related degree, but RPA teams often hire people from IT support, testing, operations or business analysis who can show working bots and a vendor certification.
How much does an RPA developer earn in the UK?
Junior RPA developers earn around £32,000 to £45,000. Experienced developers earn about £50,000 to £70,000, and leads, architects and automation managers reach roughly £80,000 to £110,000, with financial services usually paying most.
Which RPA tool should I learn first?
Check job adverts in your area. UiPath is widely used, Blue Prism is common in banks, insurers and the public sector, and Power Automate suits organisations already using Microsoft 365. Skills transfer well once you know one platform.
Is RPA Developer right for you?
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Still deciding whether RPA developer is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.