Trending 25 Highest Paying Jobs in the UK for 2024 (2024)

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Choosing a future career can be quite a difficult decision – whether you want to change your current career or decide which path to follow after completing your education. There are a lot of points you need to consider before making a decision.

While it’s vital to consider your interests and what you want to do in life, it’s also important to ensure your chosen career will provide you with a comfortable life. That’s why in this article, we will mention the Highest Paying Jobs in the UK to help you choose the career that’s best for you.

If you decide to invest in your progress, the last thing you would want is to spend years developing your skills in a career that won’t support you or your family if you decide to have one. There are plenty of different, exciting career options in the UK that will help you meet your financial goals! So in this article, we’ve included the top 25 highest paying jobs in the UK to help you decide the most suitable career for you!

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In the UK, the highest average salary is enjoyed by CEOs. Their average salary is £97,083, which is a staggering 228% above the average salary in the UK. However, their salary can range from £50,000 to £250,000 per year.

The Chief Executives and Senior Managers are the big cheeses of any business. They can work in the public or private sector. Chief Executives are the highest level managers responsible for the whole company, including the Senior Managers. Senior Managers report directly to the Chief Executive. They focus on all the critical areas of a business, such as finance, sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.

This is a career that takes time to establish yet isn’t promised. For example, If you decided to become a Doctor, as long as you pass your exams and demonstrate competency, you’d find a job as a Doctor. But that’s not necessarily the same in roles as a CEO.

In most cases, people work up through the ranks and gain experience in their chosen careers before landing their first job as a Chief Executive or Senior Manager. Similarly, most Chief Executives will have worked as Senior Managers before they made it to the CEO. Some crucial skills for Chief Executive Officers are leadership, strategic planning, business analysis, operations management, people management etc.

Entrepreneurs are people who create their work and businesses. They get an idea, validate it and then get to work building it. It’s a rewarding career financially if it’s done well and it also gives back because it creates jobs, and keeps the economy flowing.

There are many pros of being an entrepreneur; financial gain, opportunities to express your creativity and to change the world. But there are also cons, such as many problems along the way that you’ll need to figure out yourself. Cash flow can be a problem, and you’ll need to develop a diverse range of skills to market your business. But it’s worth the risk if you make sure that your ideas are viable and worth pursuing.

There are many opportunities for Entrepreneurs in the UK in all niches imaginable. If you want to work with dogs, you could develop adog walking and pet sitting business. You may want to create awedding planning business, or even startcoachingpeople to help them do better in their life.Entrepreneurial salaries vary a lot.You might start at zero and can build up to millions if you stick at it and have the right strategy.

As a physician, doctor or general practitioner, you can earn an average base salary of $75,855 a year. And the total pay can range from £39,500 to £114,003 if you work at the NHS. However, the salary may exceed £200,000 with increased experience levels.

You can check out the pay grades of doctors working at the NHS that has been effective from 1 April 2021 in the table below.

However, you will need tocomplete a medical degreefirst. Training at medical school can take about four to seven years to become a fully-trained Doctor, but it is surely great to know that you have a guaranteed career at the end of it all waiting for you!

Judges have huge responsibilities associated with their job. Hence, they earn quite high salaries. Also, deciding people’s fates is not a simple task, so the high wage is absolutely justified.

The compensation for judges can range from £91,217 to £267,509 in eleven different salary groups. You can check out more on judicial salaries by the Ministry of Justice here.

Enterprise Architect or, in short, EAs make sure that the business is investing in the right systems and services. An enterprise architect is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of an organisation’s IT networks and services. The average base salary of an enterprise architect is £71,400 a year. But the total pay can range from £53,000 to £113,000 depending on their compensation package, location, company etc.

An enterprise architect is expected to have at least five to 10 years of IT experience. Common skills for a successful career as an enterprise architect include information architecture, IT consulting, strategy development, enterprise application integration, etc. They will also need excellent communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Having a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or any related field is also expected. In addition, having a master’s of business administration (MBA) in education would also be helpful.

So, if you are tech-savvy, proactive, and can turn ideas of tech-led change into a business reality, enterprise architecture is a great position to aim for.

Risk managers basically help businesses mitigate risks, such as financial or regulatory risks.

Efficient risk managers utilise their skills to combine industry insight and regulatory knowledge to help their organisations sustain and flourish. They also analyse and predict how business decisions will impact risk exposure or create opportunities.

The yearly average base salary of a risk manager is £68,600. And the total annual pay can range from £34,000 to £89,000 for risk managers.

The HR Director is an executive position within an organisation. HR Directors plan, set goals for the HR department, lead, direct, and enforce policies regarding recruitment, management, employee relations and more.

The average salary for a Human Resources (HR) Director is £69,818. And the total salary for an HR director can range from around £55,000 to £120,000. Moreover, as an International HR Director, you could get around £165,000 a year or more depending on the company. Or you could earn £175,000 if you join as a senior HR director.

To become a Human Resources Director, you will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and preferably amaster’s degree in human resources, industrial psychology, business administration, or any other related field. In addition, most recruiters prefer prospective employees to have at least 5-7 years of experience (or more) in management positions.

To be a great HR director, you’ll need to have expertise in the following areas – HR management, international human resources, labour relations, change management, , people management, strategic planning etc.

If you are fascinated by what makes people tick, have great influencing ability, and work well with people, HR can be a really enjoyable career for you.

There are so many forms of marketing, all of which are lucrative financially. Every type of business and company you can think of will require a marketing team to help grow their business, attract new customers, and make sales.Therefore, working in marketing can be an incredibly versatile career, as you can work in different industries. And it doesn’t matter what niche we are talking about:email marketing,essay writing services, IT consulting orweb design and development.

Moreover, if you develop your marketing skills, you can work on a freelance basis quite efficiently, ensuring that no two days are ever the same!

There is a range of specialist roles within the marketing department that you can follow to become a marketing specialist. For example, you could try online marketing, copywriting, or even become a Marketing Director.

Entry-level salaries can start at around £25,000 and continue rising to Senior Manager levels as you develop your career. For instance, the current average base salary for a Marketing director is £66,519 a year, and the total annual pay can be well over £170,000 starting with £63,000.

Here are some other related positions and corresponding total annual salaries –

Having a strong and well-crafted CV is essential when job hunting for the most paying jobs. Your resume is often the first impression potential employers will have of you, and it can determine whether you get an interview. That’s why ensuring your CV showcases your skills, experience, and achievements in the best possible way is essential.

However, only some have the time or expertise to create a great CV. That’s where professional resume services ratings and reviews can help. Checking a list of top-rated CV writers, you can find companies that will work with you to create a standout resume highlighting your strengths and accomplishments. Investing in a professionally written CV could be the best decision in your job search for one of the most highly paying jobs out there, as it can give you a competitive edge over other candidates.

Sounds like an interesting job, right?

Not only that, in the UK, lawyers earn some of the highest graduate starting salaries. So if you decide to branch out into the world of law, you’re sure to have a gratifying career. You may choose to study law to put yourself on the path to becoming a Lawyer or a Paralegal. Even if you don’t look for a law degree right now, you may choose to do so later, after you’ve trained as a Paralegal.

As a lawyer, you can get on average £70,321 per year, and it can go up to £122,000 over time. The average salary for a lawyer is £49,928 a year. And in case you’re wondering whether paralegals make good money in the UK. Well, an experienced paralegal to earn up to £55,000, and in some rare cases, it can rise up to £70,000.

However, you might see a significant salary difference depending on your geographical location and the area of law you choose to specialise in. Also, some USA based firms pay the highest trainee and newly-qualified salaries compared to UK firms. For example – in London, Kirkland & Ellis pay their newly qualified solicitors £150,000, while RPC pays £66,500 a year.

Nevertheless, being a lawyer is more than just earning big bucks. In the words of Will Rogers, “Make crime pay, become a lawyer.”

The average salary for an actuary is £67,727 per year in the United Kingdom. Usually, Actuaries get the most salary in Leeds, London, and Edinburgh. An entry-level Actuary may get an average salary of £30,000 per year. However, with 10 to 15 years of experience at the senior level, salaries are typically more than £60,000, and it can exceed £200,000 for senior directors.

However, to succeed in an actuarial career in any industry, skills in data analysis and management, risk management and data-based decision-making are essential. And you’ll need to have strong numerical skills. More importantly, you’ll need to pass the actuarial exams to be a qualified actuary, which may take a few years.

Nonetheless, you can become an Actuary for a mentally stimulating, low stress yet challenging career!

In most universities, Professors are one of the most senior academic staff. Professors can follow a research career, teaching career, or a combination of the two. Some relevant academics are – faculty, lecturer, instructor, research fellow, research assistant etc.

The average base salary for a professor is £63,427 per year in the United Kingdom. But the average pay varies a lot depending on the location. For instance, if you wish to be a Professor in London, the average salary is £84,597. And the total pay can range from £59,000 to £100,000 depending on experience.

Usually, most Professors have a PhD. But, of course, they will also have an excellent bachelor’s degree and separate master’s degrees.But rarely a Professor with personal vocational experience will be considered without a PhD. That’s because, for more vocational courses, it requires several years of experience in the relevant field along with a degree or professional qualification. In such instances, significant expertise in the profession is just as valuable as a PhD.

As Aristotle once said, “Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.” So choose the one that best suits you.

Who hasn’t dreamed of being a pilot in their childhood?

Flying high with the best view in the plane, finding paths in the sky and travelling – all in one!

While a pilot’s life may seem exciting, you may be away from home for long periods, so ensure this is the sort of career path you want to follow before you begin your intensive training period.

Along with the glamour of travelling for a living, Aircraft Pilots can expect to earn around £54,000 per year. An Aircraft Pilot can expect an average starting salary of £25,000 and the highest salaries can exceed £150,000.

In some related occupations, such as – Air Traffic Controller’s earn £52,000 a year, Airport Manager’s make £48,000 a year.

Even though a degree is not required to become an Aircraft Pilot, you will need to complete a significant amount of training before you can safely fly a plane. This will include getting your pilot’s licence, as well as passing a rigorous medical exam to ensure that you are fit to fly. Pilot training is expensive and extremely competitive. But on the other hand, it is a challenging and rewarding career with the added bonus of travelling the world for free.

You may also be interested in: Types of Airlines and Airline Business Models

If you’re interested in pursuing a medical career, but you’re not sure about becoming a Doctor, another smart choice could be to become an Orthodontist! Orthodontists work in dental medicine and are specially trained to deal with tooth and jaw alignment. This means doing things like assessing whether patients need braces, as well as performing teeth straightening surgery!

As an Orthodontist, you will have to complete basically the same training as a Dentist and then complete further education to ensure you have the specialist knowledge required of an Orthodontist. In the UK, Orthodontists will earn about £97,830 per year on average. But it can exceed £225,000 depending on the company or location.

A Back End Developer uses technology to develop products for the backend of any website. As a backend developer, you will also be responsible for building the structure of a software application. Back End Developers use various kinds of tools, languages, and frameworks to accomplish their tasks and have sufficient training and experience.

The average base salary for a back end developer is £56,012 per year in the UK. And in London, a Back End Developer’s average salary is £66,000 per year. But it can vary between £22,000 to £91,000 depending on the Developer’s experience, skill, and location.

Some related positions and the corresponding average salary per year are:

One of Wall Street’s most coveted roles – Investment Banking. So it’s no surprise that an Investment Banker’s average days are long and stressful. However, those who manage to survive the adjustment period often have long and financially rewarding careers.

An Investment Banking Associate performs support tasks for clients to ensure efficiency and client satisfaction. And they are mainly responsible for identifying and fulfilling clients’ needs. Thus, they assist clients in reaching their financial goals.

The average base salary for an Investment Banking Associate is £60,000 per year in the UK. But it can vary between £67,000 to £120,000 depending on experience, skill, and location.

And in London, an Investment Banking Associate’s average salary is £88,628 per year. The highest salary that an Investment Banking Associate in London gets is £116,521 per year.

On average, Investment Banker hours are between 70-85 hours per week across the industry. So if you can put in the hours and are up for a challenging career, you might want to consider becoming an Investment Banking Associate.

There are different types of analysts. And they are in high demand across all sectors, finance, consulting, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, government, and education. Therefore, you can be a data analyst, criminal intelligence analyst, financial analyst or business analyst.

Salaries can range from £30,000 upwards to around £78,000. However, the highest salaries in the UK goes to London-based Financial Analysts, which can be up to £100,000. The average base salary for an Equity Research Analyst in the UK is £62,900 per year.

If you have strong mathematical skills, a curious mind and expertise in analytical skills, this might be a great career choice for you.

Related: How to Become a Criminal Intelligence Analyst

One of these management roles is Police Inspector, where you will manage Constables and Sergeants and act as a link between investigating teams and senior officers. While it may take some time to work up to this level, Police Constables usually earn around £20,880 and £24,177 per year at the beginning. And the highest salary of a Police Inspector in the UK is £75,718 per year.

Here are some other salary ranges:

Working closely with the marketing team, an Advertising and Public Relations Director is another exciting career path you could follow. Advertising and Public Relations Directors work on creating a positive public image for their employer or clients. This means coordinating advertising and public relations campaigns and working closely with the press to ensure high levels of coverage.

You can work as an Advertising and Public Relations Director in-house or as part of an agency team, meaning you will be managing many clients simultaneously. You can also work as an Advertising and Public Relations Director on a freelance level. However, it may mean you need to work harder to achieve the same salary you would get working for an organisation.

The average salary for a Public Relations (PR) Director in the United Kingdom is £67908. However, total annual pay for an Advertising and Public Relations Director can vary between £34,000 and £128,000.

We mentioned what it takes to be an Orthodontist above, but if you choose to follow a Dentist career, you can still set yourself up for a fantastic job with an excellent salary attached.

To become a Dentist, you will need to complete a five-year degree in dentistry. Afterwards, you will earn around £67,613 per year. Depending on where you work, you can earn up to £218,619 or more.

From financial accounting to payroll and tax advice, Chartered Accountants have it all covered. Usually, the salary of a Chartered Accountant can range from £33,900 to £117,000. The average base salary for a chartered accountant is £35,888 per year.

Besides, it is important to remember that starting salaries for accountants can vary depending on the firm’s location, sector, size, and type. For instance, the average salary for Chartered Accountants is £42,792 per year in London. But it can go up to £84,500 with a yearly bonus of £17,300 on average.This is a healthy sum compared to a typical CPA salary in the US, where average annual earnings for certified public accountants with plenty of experience are around $77,000, equivalent to roughly £61,250.

However, becoming a CPA may be worth it if you move to the United States. If you’re interested in obtaining this certification, you can learn more oncpa exam.

Psychiatrists can prescribe medication to their clients and hold sessions with clients and trying to help them work through their issues. Working as a Psychiatrist means you will be able to work as part of a community health team, outpatient clinics, hospital wards, or GP surgeries.

While it requires extensive training, a career as a Psychiatrist is extremely gratifying as, on average, Psychiatrists earn an average base salary of £66,911 per year. And the total annual pay can range from £41,000 to £137,000 on average.

If you value the unique opportunity to help people take care of their mental health and improve their quality of life, you may decide to become a Psychiatrist.

While starting salaries for a Train Driver usually begin at around £20,000 per year, experienced Train Drivers can earn approximately £65,000 per year. And the average base salary for a driver is £54,901 per year. However, it is important to know that train drivers’ salaries depend on which company they work for and their experience. Currently, Eurostar pays the most salary – £71,489 a year.

With extensive mechanical knowledge, excellent hand-eye coordination and the ability to concentrate for long periods, you can also be a Train Driver.

Customer Success Manager is one of the most promising sales jobs. But it is definitely not a sales rep job. Instead, they usually straddle the gap between company interest and customer interest, between product expertise and customer insight.

Therefore, Customer Success Managers (CSMs) are a novel hybrid role between customer service and sales. Their purpose is to support customers as they transition from prospects to active users.

The highest salary for a Customer Success Manager in the United Kingdom is £82,694 per year. Conversely, the lowest salary for a Customer Success Manager in the UK is £26,544 per year. You can also aim for the Customer Success Director position, with a national average salary of £65,760 per year.

To get a job as a Customer Success Manager, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement. However, getting a master’s degree would be wise since many employers tend to require a master’s degree. You can also get a Diploma in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to enrich your skillset.

Customer Success jobs are fuelled by customer interaction. While working with people, building relationships may bring us joy, fulfilment, satisfaction; it also comes with stress and exhaustion. However, if you have excellent people skills, and you are a pro at navigating difficult conversations and personalities, this might be the right job for you.

Project managers are responsible for keeping the project schedule on track, meeting the budget, and collaborating with team members to ensure everything runs smoothly. As a result, project managers help companies improve efficiency, save money to improve the organisation’s performance and reach the organisation’s objectives. Project managers are needed in various sectors, including construction, IT, HR, marketing.

In the UK, the national average salary for a Project Manager is £46,201 a year. But depending on the sector and importance of the project, the salary for a Project Manager can exceed £135,200.

In most cases, project managers have a degree and at least three years of project management experience. But it is possible to become a project manager without experience if you have sufficient knowledge and skills. For example, you can take courses like – Project Management or Project Management Bundle Course.

Lastly, if you are a skilled planner with a real passion for organising people and resources, you can be a good project manager.

If you have a keen eye for detail and are highly organised, you might consider a role as a Pharmacy Technician. However, Pharmacy Technicians need to be highly skilled, so you will need to complete Pharmacy Technician Training to ensure you have the professional skills and knowledge required to succeed.

Typical tasks for a Pharmacy Technician include preparing, dispensing, and supplying medicines and pharmacy products to patients. You’ll need to keep on top of a busy workload and be great working with people to succeed as a Pharmacy Technician.

Pharmacy Technicians can expect to earn around £29,266 per year. At the NHS, a Pharmacy Technician can earn an average of £26,354 per year. But it can vary between £22,000 to £52,000. Some related job titles are Certified Pharmacy Technician, Lead Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Clerk.

Related: 7 Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in the UK

As we explore the highest paying jobs in the UK, it is essential to also address critical global challenges such as climate change and global warming. These pressing issues demand our attention and action. While pursuing successful careers is important, it is equally vital to engage with topics like climate change to foster awareness and understanding. By supporting research and knowledge dissemination, such as essays on climate change and global warming, we can contribute to finding solutions and promoting sustainable practices. Balancing our personal and professional pursuits with environmental consciousness will help build a better future for both our society and the planet we call home.

By now, you have all the information about the highest paying jobs in the UK. You may have already chosen one from above, to start or progress your career. But getting hired is a different story. You need to be a skilled person to get your dream job.

We recommend watching the following video to learn three skill sets that will help you get hired and build your dream career.

Related:
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2. Your Dream Job Needs Only One Successful Interview!
3. Top Courses That can Help to Develop Lucrative Side Jobs
4. 20 Best Job Search Platforms in 2023

Whichever career you might like to pursue, you need to consider the financial rewards before you make any final decisions. Building a career for yourself requires significant investment on your part – in time, training, and money.

The average salary in the UK is £29,600 a year, or about £1,950 per month. But there are plenty of opportunities to earn high-paying salaries in the UK. It is high time to peak your dream career path. Be skilled in the technical sectors. Get training from the CPD accredited platform like One Education. Increase your chances of getting hired in highly paid, trending jobs in the UK.

1. What are the highest paying jobs in the uk?

The highest paying jobs in the UK encompass various fields, including medicine, finance, and technology. Surgeons, general practitioners, and anesthetists typically rank among the top earners in the medical profession. In finance, roles such as investment bankers, financial managers, and actuaries often command substantial salaries. Additionally, within the technology sector, software engineers, data scientists, and IT directors tend to receive high compensation. Overall, these professions offer lucrative opportunities for individuals seeking well-paying careers in the UK.

2. What jobs earn 250k a year?

Jobs that can earn $250,000 a year include anesthesiologists, surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists, orthodontists, and psychiatrists. These high-paying professions typically require advanced degrees and extensive training, reflecting the specialized skills and expertise needed in fields such as medicine and dentistry.

3. What jobs earn the most money?

The highest paying jobs often include positions such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and chief executives. Surgeons and anesthesiologists typically earn the most, with median annual salaries exceeding $250,000. Chief executives also command substantial salaries, often earning over $180,000 per year. Other well-paying roles include psychiatrists, orthodontists, and obstetricians and gynecologists, all with median annual salaries surpassing $200,000. These professions require advanced degrees and specialized training, contributing to their high earning potential.

4. What jobs pay 120k a year?

Jobs that pay around $120,000 per year include positions such as anesthesiologists, dentists, financial managers, marketing managers, and lawyers, among others.

5. What jobs make the most money?

The highest-paying jobs vary across industries and sectors. However, careers such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and chief executives are known for offering substantial salaries. Other well-compensated professions include lawyers, engineers, and IT managers. Ultimately, the earning potential depends on factors like education, experience, and location.

6. What is the highest paying job in london?

The highest paying job in London can vary depending on factors such as industry, experience, and qualifications. However, some of the highest-paying professions in London include roles in finance, medicine, law, and technology. For example, investment bankers, surgeons, corporate lawyers, and software engineers are often among the top earners in the city. It’s essential to consider individual circ*mstances and market demand when determining the highest paying job in London.

7. How much does information technology pay?

Information technology can be a lucrative field, offering competitive salaries. According to data, the average salary for IT professionals ranges from $48,000 to $130,000 annually.

8. What are the best paying entry level jobs?

The best-paying entry-level jobs encompass various fields such as software development, data analysis, and engineering. These positions offer competitive salaries to individuals who are just starting their careers. Examples include software engineer, data analyst, and mechanical engineer, among others. These roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and offer excellent opportunities for career growth and advancement.

9. What jobs pay the most at 15?

The highest paying jobs at $15 per hour typically include roles like customer service representatives, retail sales associates, and administrative assistants. These positions often offer competitive hourly wages for entry-level or part-time work.

10. What are high paying entry level jobs?

High-paying entry-level jobs include software engineer, financial analyst, data scientist, registered nurse, and electrical engineer. These roles typically offer competitive salaries to recent graduates or those with minimal work experience.