The job market has changed dramatically in the last year, but what are the skills and jobs that will be the Highest-Paying jobs in the United Kingdom in 2023? To find out, read our article!
The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita in the United Kingdom was last recorded in 2020 when it was 39102.90 US dollars. It is expected to rise slightly to 41100.00 trillion USD by the end of 2021.
The GDP of a country and its unemployment rate is inextricably linked. Historically, for every one percent decrease in a country’s GDP, the country’s unemployment rate rises by about two percent.
Have you had difficulty finding a new job in the aftermath of the UK’s economic woes? Are you a student attempting to plan your future career?
In either case, this guide can be useful. Some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK and the highest-paying industries in the UK are listed below, along with a breakdown of the degrees and qualifications required to get hired.
What Salary Is Considered Rich in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, the average annual salary for a full-time employee is around £35,423. If your salary is much higher than this, closer to £50,000 per year or more, you are most likely above-average or “rich.”
It’s worth noting that the cost of living in the United Kingdom is lower than in some other countries, such as the United States. To live modestly in a major UK city like London, for example, you need to earn around £3,411 (USD 4,700). Experts estimate that you need to earn around $5,822 (£4,225) to live in a major U.S. city like New York City.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About Work Visas in the United Kingdom
What Is the Highest-Paid Job in the UK?
What types of full-time workers in the UK earn enough money to be considered “rich”? What are the highest-paying jobs in the United Kingdom?
The highest-paid job in the United Kingdom is that of a chief executive or senior manager. Chief executives and senior managers are important business leaders who bear a great deal of responsibility. They are highly skilled professionals, and their annual salary should be commensurate with their skill set and the amount of work they do each day.
Chief executives and senior managers can earn anywhere from £50,000 to nearly £600,000 per year on the low end.
Aside from working as a chief executive or senior manager for a company, the UK has a plethora of other high-paying jobs available. We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 highest-paying jobs to give you some ideas for potential careers:
Position |
Average Annual Salary |
Aircraft Controller |
£50,000 |
Medical Doctor |
£50,000 |
Dentist |
£51,000 |
Construction Manager |
£55,000 |
Epidemiologist |
£55,400 |
Higher Education Teacher – Mathematics |
£61,000 |
Aircraft Pilot |
£62,000 |
Legal Professional |
£65,000 |
Accountant |
£65,000 |
Analyst |
£70,000 |
Investment Banker |
£78,000 |
Software Application Developer |
£79,000 |
Recruitment Consultants |
£80,000 |
Geologist |
£82,000 |
Economist |
£82,600 |
Optometrist |
£86,900 |
Computer Hardware Engineer |
£87,000 |
Advertising and Public Relations Director |
£100,000 |
Orthodontist |
£120,000 |
Chief Executive/Senior Manager |
£355,790 |
Top 5 Highest-Paying Industries in the U.K.
Now that you’ve learned about the highest-paying industries in the United Kingdom, let’s look at some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK for recent graduates and seasoned workers looking to advance their careers.
Here are the top five industries to be aware of, as well as the three highest-paying jobs within each:
Healthcare
Many industries in the United Kingdom have suffered in recent years. The healthcare industry, on the other hand, has fared well in the storm.
A healthcare career is generally a safe bet no matter where you live. After all, people will always need to work with doctors, nurses, dentists, and so on.
In the UK, there are always job openings for healthcare professionals, and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand is even higher than usual.
The following are the top three job titles and salaries:
- The average salary for a medical doctor is £50,000.
- Dentists earn an average of £51,000.
- Optometrist: £86,900 on average
Technology and Science
The science and technology industry is a broad umbrella that encompasses a wide range of jobs, from engineering to computer programming and web development.
Science and technology-related careers like these are typically very lucrative. As businesses around the world begin to become more digitally focused, there will be numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to be hired and earn a good living.
Also Read: Top 30 High-Paying Best Jobs for Women in the United Kingdom
The following are the top three job titles and salaries:
- The average salary for a software application developer is £79,000
- The average salary for a computer hardware engineer is £87,000
- Geologist: £82,000 on average
Education
Educators, like healthcare professionals, are always in demand throughout the UK (and in other countries, for that matter).
A career as a teacher is extremely rewarding, and you have the opportunity to earn a high salary if you teach at a higher level (such as post-secondary education).
The job market at this level is more competitive than that of other teaching jobs. However, with sufficient experience, you will be able to stand out from the crowd and be hired.
The following are the top three job titles and salaries:
- Higher Education Teacher (Mathematics): £61,000 on average
- Higher Education Teacher (Philosophy and Religion): £62,900 on average
- The average salary for a headteacher ranges from £47,735 to £108,282. (depending on location)
Finance and business
As previously stated, business managers and chief executives are the highest-paid employees in the United Kingdom. You don’t have to be a CEO to make a lot of money in business or marketing.
Marketing experts, financial advisors, and other business-minded individuals are always in demand to assist companies in growing and increasing their profitability year after year.
The following are the top three job titles and salaries:
- The average annual salary for an investment banker is £78,000
- The average salary for an advertising and public relations director is £100,000 per year.
- Chief Executive: £355,790 on average
Legal
True, the legal industry has struggled in recent years due to high turnover rates. However, for those who live in the United Kingdom, a career as a legal professional is still a lucrative one.
There are numerous opportunities for those who want to work in the field, many of which offer competitive pay and long-term career prospects.
The following are the top three job titles and salaries:
- Solicitor: £52,098 on average
- The average salary for a barrister is £65,000
- The average salary for a legal partner is £90,414 per year.
Top 5 Highest-Paying Job Positions in the United Kingdom
If you’re about to graduate from university and begin your career, you’ve probably wondered about the highest paying jobs in the UK for recent graduates.
These aren’t necessarily the best-paying jobs in the UK. However, they are still lucrative positions with the potential for higher earnings in the future. Consider researching them as you begin to make plans for the future.
Software Developer
Software engineers (also known as software developers, app developers, web developers, and so on) create and maintain computer software. They also create websites and software applications.
A career in software engineering or software development would be an excellent choice for a recent graduate in the UK, especially if they have a degree in computer science or a related field.
Many businesses can benefit from having a developer on their team, and there are many web development agencies that are constantly looking for new engineers to join their teams.
In the United Kingdom, the average salary for a software engineer is around £34,106 per year. With a job in this field, you’d start out earning the average salary for a full-time worker in the UK. For many students, this is a dream come true!
It’s also worth noting that a university degree isn’t required to work as a software engineer or developer. There are many companies willing to provide on-the-job training, as well as web development “boot camps” that will help you learn the basics quickly (and, as an added bonus, more affordably than if you attended a traditional university).
Analyst in Investment Banking
If you want to work in finance after graduating from university, a position as an investment banking analyst is an excellent choice to consider.
Every day, investment banking analysts perform a wide range of tasks, from reviewing and analyzing transactions to providing guidance and creating presentations for investment bankers. They may also be required to handle administrative duties or hold client meetings.
Financially savvy individuals are always in demand in a variety of investment banks and other businesses. If you have experience in finance or economics, you will be a valuable asset to the team and will assist them in properly managing their funds.
Also Read: Where Can I Find High-Paying Part-Time Jobs in Australia?
There is no specific degree required to work as an investment banking analyst, as there is for a career in software engineering or software development. If you have a degree in economics, finance, accounting, or mathematics, you are more likely to be able to do the job well and provide sound financial advice to your coworkers.
The average investment banking analyst earns £50,752 per year. This is already a very good starting salary, especially for a recent graduate. But there’s more.
As you gain experience, you can work your way up to becoming an investment banker, earning around £78,000 or more per year.
Optometrist
If you want to work in the healthcare industry after graduation, optometry is one of the highest-paying positions to consider.
Unlike the other professions mentioned above, optometry requires a specific education path before you can practice. After all, becoming a medical professional is not for the faint of heart.
If you have a BSc in optometry and are registered with the General Optical Council, you will be ready to work as an optometrist once you graduate.
You will complete supervised work under the supervision of a registered optometrist during your first year after graduation. You’ll be able to branch out on your own from here and begin working toward a very generous salary (remember, the average is £86,900).
Analyst, Business
Business analysts collaborate with various organizations to improve workflows, systems, and processes. They conduct research, analyze results, and develop solutions to business problems in order to keep the company running smoothly.
A business analyst’s median base salary is only £32,142. However, if you’re good at what you do, you won’t be stuck with that slightly lower-than-average salary for long.
Remember that if you want to earn the kind of six-figure salary (the average is £355,790) that chief executives and business managers do, you’ll need to start at the bottom.
Working as a business analyst is an excellent way to put your business management skills to use and demonstrate your worth.
After you’ve established yourself as an analyst, you’ll have more opportunities to advance through the ranks and earn promotions. You may eventually find yourself in a management or chief executive position.
A degree in business management (or something similar) will be very useful in getting hired as a business analyst. Degrees in finance, accounting, and even marketing may be beneficial to you (and help you stand out from other applicants).
Specialist in Marketing
In terms of marketing, the final high-paying job for a recent graduate is that of a marketing specialist. Marketing specialists collaborate with marketing teams to develop ad campaigns, analyze results, and assist businesses in expanding their reach to reach more customers and sell more products or services.
In the United Kingdom, the average salary for a marketing specialist is around £40,648. This is an excellent starting salary for a recent graduate, with plenty of room for advancement as you gain experience and spend more time working with a specific company.
You may even decide to branch out and start your own marketing agency or work as a marketing consultant, allowing you to earn even more money per year.
Of course, a marketing degree will help you become a marketing specialist. However, other degrees, such as a business degree, can be beneficial as well.
What is the highest-paying degree in the United Kingdom?
In most cases, you’ll need a university degree to qualify for one of the highest-paying jobs in the UK or to work in one of the highest-paying industries in the UK.
Are you a student who is having difficulty making plans for the future? Do you want to know which degrees will give you the best return on your investment?
If so, the following chart breaks down some of the best degrees you might want to consider pursuing, especially if earning a high salary after graduation is your top priority:
Degree Type |
Potential Salary/Year |
Dentistry |
£38,000 |
Medicine |
£33,500 |
Veterinary Medicine |
£35,330 |
Economics |
£29,700 |
Computer Science |
£27,000 |
Business and Administration |
£25,000 |
Of course, these are only the average starting salaries for various positions within these fields. If you earn any of these degrees, you have the option of earning more or less than the amounts listed above, depending on your experience, location, and other factors.
All of these degrees offer plenty of opportunities to advance and increase your earnings over time. As a medical doctor, you might start out earning around £33,500 per year. However, with a few years of experience, you can easily work your way up to earning £50,000-£60,000 or more.
It’s Time to Get One of the Highest-Paying Jobs in the United Kingdom
What do you think now that we’ve broken down the Highest-Paying Jobs in the United Kingdom, as well as the degrees and qualifications required to land them?
Are you ready to take your income to the next level? Which of these jobs (if any) piques your interest?
Keep this list of the top 20 highest-paying jobs in mind as you begin to develop the skills required for them. You’ll soon be on your way to a job in one of the Highest-Paying Jobs in the United Kingdom.
If you’re ready to begin your job search right away, keep in mind that CareerCartz is here to help. Use our Job Search page to find the ideal position for you.
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