The number of new job opportunities increased by 1% in February compared to January, according to the Reed Job Index.

The data also revealed that the average salary of a new employee increased by 5%.

Despite the number of job opportunities increasing, the number of active job-seekers that have re-entered the market in 2010 means that the average number of applications for a job rose 50% compared to last year.

"Employer demand is slowly but steadily returning to the jobs marketplace, as the number of new job opportunities on offer continue to rise. Salaries for new positions have started to increase for the first time since the recession began," said Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk.

"Most striking is just how many more people are actively job-seeking now than at any time over the last couple of years. Pent up demand from people who felt trapped in their jobs throughout the recession seems to have been released with the first signs of returning confidence."