A consideration for most job searches is how much you can earn, and in the case of a city like London, Manchester, Bristol, Leads and more, it’s especially key as the cost of living in the city is comparatively high. While money isn’t the only motivation in taking on a job, it is a factor, and in your job search, you may want to start out looking at the jobs that pays well.
We’ll take a look at these jobs for UK, listing 20 of the highest-paying jobs in United Kingdom to give you a sense of the types of jobs you can pursue in UK and if the salary meets your expectations.
1. Software Developer
The UK has a rich history of innovation and technical prowess, and that can be seen in the huge growth in Software engineering. It is estimated that the UK software market had total revenues of $23.7bn in 2019, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.7% between 2015 and 2019.
Despite highly-publicised layoffs, workers with tech skills remain in high demand and software developers and engineers are particularly needed. That is thanks to the increasing pace and adoption of digitalisation and because software developers are required across almost every industry, not just tech.
Typical graduate software engineer salaries start from £18,000 a year. The average annual salary for a software engineer is between £25,000 and £50,000. At senior or management level, software engineers can earn £45,000 to £70,000 or more per annum. Bonus schemes may be available.
2. Lawyers
While some of this growth may be a statistical anomaly, a large portion of legal demand growth in the UK is solid — and a good sign for the health of the market going forward.
It can be very competitive to get a job in the legal industry. Larger firms tend to have more training contracts on offer, but they often receive many applicants. Travers Smith currently offers up to 40 training contracts annually.
Graduates will be entering a high-paying industry with competitive salaries offered across varying specialties. On average, UK lawyers are paid £68,700 per year with some salaries reaching as high as £200,000 later in lawyers’ careers when experience counts.
3. Marketing Management
You could take your first steps into marketing through a marketing assistant or marketing executive advanced apprenticeship. If you already have experience or level 3 qualifications, you could do a marketing manager higher or degree apprenticeship.
However, you do not need to specifically have a marketing degree or related qualification to work in marketing. There are a number of different degrees disciplines that would provide skills for a marketing career: for example in business, journalism or languages.
Marketing assistants start on salaries of around £18,000 to £22,000. As a marketing executive, you can expect to earn in the region of £20,000 to £30,000. Senior marketing executives (with around five years’ experience) can earn between £30,000 and £45,000, with marketing managers earning up to £60,000.
4. Surgeon
The majority of full-time consultant surgeons in the UK are contracted to work for 40 hours per week. This can be lengthened to 48 hours per week if agreed by both the surgeon and local trust. Surgeons can find themselves working overtime if there are delays in the theatre list or cases take longer than expected.
Neurosurgeons are the highest paid physician specialists, earning an average of $788,313 annually, according to Doximity’s “2023 Physician Compensation Report.” The results were drawn from survey responses from 190,000 physicians over the last six years, including 31,000 in 2022.
As a doctor undertaking your specialist training, your basic salary ranges from £39,467 to £53,077. The basic salary for specialty doctors ranges from £45,124 to £77,519. Newly qualified consultants earn a basic salary of £84,559 rising to £114,003, depending on length of service.
5. Psychiatrist
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for 7,000 more medical school places and a £1.73bn annual investment. Record numbers of people need mental health treatment but there aren’t enough psychiatrists to meet demand, the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ 2021 census has revealed.
The least competitive medical specialties in the UK include psychiatry, general practice, genitourinary medicine, geriatrics and palliative medicine. Exactly how competitive it is to enter training in any given specialty will vary from year to year but these fields tend to be less fiercely fought over.
The average psychiatrist salary in the United Kingdom is £93,649 per year or £48.03 per hour. Entry level positions start at £80,200 per year while most experienced workers make up to £99,281 per year.
6. Dental hygienist
To practise as a dental hygienist, you need to take a course approved by the General Dental Council (GDC) and then need to register with the GDC. Subjects studied include: anatomy and physiology. preventive dentistry.
Specialist dental hygienists can earn between £33,706 and £40,588 (band 6). Experienced hygienists with training responsibilities may be able to earn up to £47,672 (band 7). Hourly rates can range from around £16.56 to £32.50 per hour.
The average dental hygienist salary in the United Kingdom is £63,375 per year or £32.50 per hour. Entry level positions start at £48,321 per year while most experienced workers make up to £76,050 per year.
7. Pharmacist
The UK Government has recognised the shortage of pharmacists as a serious issue and has included Pharmacists all jobs in the shortage occupation list for healthcare visas.
NHS hospital pharmacists typically work 37.5 hours a week, which may include weekends. Some extra hours may be required at times.
The average pharmacist salary in the United Kingdom is £47,708 per year or £24.47 per hour. Entry level positions start at £41,144 per year while most experienced workers make up to £58,500 per year.
8. Project Manager
Considering the UK specifically, there is immense potential for growth in the infrastructure industry, which stands to be the No. 1 industry to require project management related jobs.
It is a lucrative career path you will definitely be satisfied with. Although a project manager’s salary can vary depending on location, company and level of experience, the average salary for a project manager in the UK is around £45,600, according to employment website Indeed.
The average salary for Project Manager is £52,149 per year in the United Kingdom. The average additional cash compensation for a Project Manager in the United Kingdom is £3,929, with a range from £2,001 – £7,714.
9. Pilot
Gaining your first pilot job will be a pivotal moment in your career. Airline pilot. Alternative titles for this job include Aircraft pilot, co-pilot, first officer, captain. Airline pilots fly passengers and cargo to destinations.
Federal regulations set the maximum work hours and minimum requirements for rest between flights for most pilots. Airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours per month and work an additional 150 hours per month performing other duties, such as checking weather conditions and preparing flight plans.
Starting salaries are usually around the £45,000 mark. This increases quickly, though. Depending on the airline, some pilots can become a captain in as little as five years and then make well over £100,000 a year. Senior long-haul captains can make as much as £200,000 a year when including flight pay.
10. Registered Nurse
Being a nurse in any part of the world is important to provide people with support and medical treatment.
London has been a popular choice for nurses. Many nurses still opt to work and live within the city because of the vast career opportunities, ease of commute (you can go around the city without any need for a car) and vibrant culture.
The average nurse salary in UK per month is 4,541 GBP which is calculated to be around 54,500 GBP per year. Further, the salaries of a working nurse can range from 28,300 GBP to 83,300 GBP per year. This average salary per year includes various benefits like housing, transport and other allowances.
11. Financial Manager
There aren’t many places in the world more suited for working in finance industry than London. Home to hundreds of the world’s biggest companies, the city is known as the world’s financial capital, trading blows only with New York for the top spot.
Finance managers typically complete more big-picture tasks and make high-level decisions that can impact the overall performance and financial status of the company, which is why they usually earn more than accounting managers.
The average salary for Finance Manager is £61,949 per year in the United Kingdom. The average additional cash compensation for a Finance Manager in the United Kingdom is £6,379, with a range from £3,561 – £11,427.
12. Construction Management
Construction management is in very high demand in the UK. The field is expected to grow by 11% in the future. How to be the best construction manager in UK? One of the ways you will have a successful career in construction is by studying in one of the top universities in the UK.
According to the Construction Skills Network report, the UK construction industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 4.4% from 2021- 2025, translating to more job opportunities for skilled professionals.
The average salary for Construction Manager jobs is £67,500.
13. Engineering Management
Engineering management graduates have 97% employability rate within 3 months of course completion.
This is because the study programme is rated the third-best degree in the UK in terms of demand and payment. The Average Salary in UK after Masters in Engineering Management is £36,000 for mid-career professionals. Also, employment in this field is projected to grow by approximately 6% in the future.
The average salary for Engineering Manager is £107,734 per year in the London. The average additional cash compensation for a Engineering Manager in the London is £15,983, with a range from £6,774 – £37,714.
14. Real Estate Agent
Real estate is a suitable career for those who want a good income. Real estate agents, in particular, have the potential to earn an above-average salary. This is because real estate agents can earn money from commissions on their sales and from money that clients pay them for services like finding properties.
Job vacancies have increased across a number of sectors, including estate agency. According to kobere.com, a major jobs website, the volume of advertised estate agency vacancies significantly increased in the final quarter of last year.
Do estate agents make a lot of money? Estate agents earn a good living, and once you’re established, you can easily make over the national average of £33,000. Newcomers earn less, but as you move up, the commission structure can improve, and once you reach Branch Manager you can make a lot of money at a good firm.
With experience, salaries can rise to £25,000 to £60,000, plus commission. At the higher end of the scale, in certain management positions, and particularly if you’re in a high-end London agency, you could be earning up to £100,000.
15. Orthodontist
Orthodontists train for years to earn their license, but enjoy high salaries and excellent work-life balance.
“It takes many years of higher education to become an orthodontist, but it is the most rewarding career I can imagine.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.5% employment growth for orthodontists between 2021 and 2031. In that period, an estimated 300 jobs should open up.
The average orthodontist salary in the United Kingdom is £85,000 per year or £43.59 per hour. Entry level positions start at £50,700 per year while most experienced workers make up to £96,390 per year.
16. Sales Manager
Designing and implementing a strategic sales plan that expands company’s customer base and ensure it’s strong presence. Managing recruiting, objectives setting, coaching and performance monitoring of sales representatives.
Sales managers influence nearly every stage of the sales process, whether they’re setting price points, optimizing product descriptions, setting goals, or analyzing sales data. The position of a sales manager allows you to exercise both creative and analytical skills.
The average salary for Sales Manager is £70,348 per year in the London. The average additional cash compensation for a Sales Manager in the London is £19,620, with a range from £8,691 – £44,293. Salaries estimates are based on 4647 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Sales Manager employees in London.
17. Anesthesiologist
Anaesthetists are the largest group of hospital-based specialists and give anaesthetics for surgical, medical and psychiatric procedures. They facilitate pain-free childbirth, resuscitate acutely unwell patients, run chronic pain services and lead intensive care units.
A career in anaesthesia can be rewarding, challenging and fulfilling. If you are interested in becoming an anaesthetist, the Royal College of Anaesthetists can support you into your future career. We provide an undergraduate membership service that is available to both medical students and foundation doctors.
The typical NHS Consultant Anaesthetist salary is £96,000 per year. Consultant Anaesthetist salaries at NHS can range from £83,792 – £165,899 per year. This estimate is based upon 17 NHS Consultant Anaesthetist salary report(s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods.
18. Petroleum Engineer
A petroleum engineer is involved in nearly all of the stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development and production. Their aim is to drill for hydrocarbons in the most efficient way, and to resolve any operating issues.
Petroleum engineers are in high demand throughout the United Kingdom (UK) and this is one such field with soaring job prospects, especially in terms of job growth and average salaries.
These figures relate to international oil company graduate training programmes; salaries in smaller companies are likely to be lower. With experience, petroleum engineers can expect to earn £55,000 to £95,000. When demand is high, experienced freelance engineers may earn over £1,000 per day.
19. Chief Executive Officer
A chief executive officer (CEO) (also known as a central executive officer, or just chief executive (CE), or as managing director (MD) in the UK) is the highest officer charged with the management of an organization – especially an independent legal entity such as a company or nonprofit institution.
The average chief executive salary in the United Kingdom is £50,000 per year or £25.64 per hour. Entry level positions start at £35,664 per year while most experienced workers make up to £77,339 per year.
20. Data Scientist
Your career as a data scientist offers excellent prospects for advancement. In addition to going deeper into data science through experience and postgraduate study, you can move into other fields. You could specialise in an area of data science such as artificial intelligence or machine learning.
According to recent findings, data science is one of the fastest-growing and in-demand job titles in the UK. Machine learning in particular has become an increasingly important element of the job as companies lean on vast amounts of AI-generated data to streamline decision-making processes in real-time.
Salaries for junior data scientists tend to start at around £25,000 to £30,000, rising to £40,000 depending on your experience. With a few years’ experience you can expect to earn between £40,000 and £60,000. Lead and chief data scientists can earn upwards of £60,000, in some cases reaching more than £100,000.
