Many people think not having a degree or experience is a huge barrier to finding a well-paid job. But in the UK, you can find a wide range of great paying jobs with no experience or flashy certificates. Opportunities abound whether you’re keen on tapping away at a keyboard in your living room, plunging into the fast-paced world of sales, or getting your hands dirty in logistics and operations. In this article, we look at 30 top-paying entry-level jobs in the UK that don’t require experience or a degree, including remote roles that allow you to work from the comfort of your own home, as well as pillar roles for various industries. After reading this, you’ll realise you can still earn a good income, even without a well-crafted career plan.
Find Great Paying Jobs with No Experience
The employment landscape in the UK is constantly changing, and opportunities for careers that don’t require a university degree are increasing. Whilst some people will study a core course and make a career out of it, there are always other opportunities that allow you to start working straight out of high school or without a relevant professional background. If you’re someone who is willing to explore, don’t hesitate; the market is ripe with potential.
With the rise of remote working, especially after the COVID-19 period, opportunities to earn a great salary from home are becoming more and more common. Jobs such as virtual assistants, online customer service and remote data management ensure a steady income while allowing you to stay in the comfort of your own private environment, perfectly suited to the lifestyles of modern young people and a perfect example of great paying jobs with no experience in the UK. For those who are creative or specialise in non-traditional careers, there are also plenty of opportunities in career fields such as event planning, shopping recommendations or content creation. These fields often require more inspiration and creativity than the regular education system can foster. They can be both uniquely fulfilling and financially rewarding.
Advantage of Taking Great-paying Jobs with No Experience in UK
Pursuing a well-paid job without qualifications in the UK not only speeds up your career but also saves you from the heavy financial burden of university tuition fees. You can start earning money earlier and enjoy gaining valuable hands-on experience early in your career. According to the Office for National Statistics, a significant proportion of university graduates earn less than those who enter the job market straight out of high school. Not only that, but the cost of pursuing an undergraduate degree in the UK cannot be ignored – between £11,400 and £38,000 per year – suggesting that the majority of students will need to cover the high cost of their education before they even start earning.
30 Great Paying Jobs with No Experience
Here is our selection of the top 30 best-paying jobs without a degree in the UK. We’ve researched average salaries as well as starting and top salaries to give you all the information you need.
1. Air Traffic Controller
Average salary: £46,000 (starter) to £100,000 (experienced).
Air traffic controllers monitor and direct aircraft at airports and in the sky to ensure safe, efficient travel. The role requires strong focus and communication skills, but new recruits enter via training academies or apprenticeships – no prior job experience is needed.
Example: Instructing a pilot to hold a pattern altitude while clearing a landing runway.
2. Police Officer (Constable)
Average salary: £29,000 (starter) to £46,000 (experienced).
Air traffic controllers monitor and direct aircraft at airports and in the sky to ensure safe, efficient travel. The role requires strong focus and communication skills, but new recruits enter via training academies or apprenticeships – no prior job experience is needed.
Example: Investigating a minor road accident and interviewing witnesses to prepare a report.
3. Firefighter
Average salary: £28,000 (starter) to £42,000 (experienced).
Firefighters respond to emergency calls like fires, road accidents and rescue missions. They also educate the public on fire safety. Fire services generally accept recruits with minimal experience – training (physical and technical) is provided in academia.
Example: Using cutting equipment to free a person trapped in a vehicle after a collision.
4. IT Support Technician
Average salary: £24,000 (starter) to £36,000 (experienced).
IT support technicians help people and organizations solve computer problems. They troubleshoot hardware, software or network issues by phone, email or in person. This entry-level tech job often requires only basic computer knowledge, and many roles hire school leavers or career changers without experience, providing on-the-job training and courses.
Example: Resetting a colleague’s password and guiding them to connect to the company Wi-Fi network.
5. Train drivers
Average salary: £30,000 (starter) to £48,500 (experienced).
Train drivers (engineers) operate passenger or freight trains on scheduled routes. New drivers typically enter through comprehensive training schemes run by train companies. It’s a high-responsibility role, keeping to strict timetables and safety rules.
Example: Controlling the speed of a commuter train to arrive at a station on schedule while ensuring passenger comfort.
6. Postal Delivery Worker
Average salary: £23,000 (starter) to £30,000 (experienced).
Postpeople sort and deliver letters and parcels to homes and businesses. This role involves early starts and physical work (walking or driving delivery routes) but requires no prior experience. It’s suitable for those who enjoy routine outdoor work and meeting the public.
Example: Sorting mail by postcode in the depot and then delivering a bundle of letters along a street route.
7. Healthcare Assistant (HCA)
Average salary: £24,000 (starter) to £26,000 (experienced).
Healthcare assistants support nurses and medical staff in hospitals or care homes, helping with patient care (washing, feeding, moving patients, taking basic vitals). Entry is open to those with little or no experience; most NHS trusts offer training and sometimes ask for a basic healthcare certificate (which can be done on the job).
Example: Assisting a nurse by helping a patient from bed to chair and recording their blood pressure.
8. Dental Nurse
Average salary: £23,000 (starter) to £31,000 (experienced).
Dental nurses assist dentists during treatments, prepare equipment, and look after patient comfort. Entry-level positions can be gained via apprenticeships or trainee programs that combine on-the-job work with study. Trained dental nurses register with the General Dental Council, and salaries rise with experience.
Example: Setting up a patient’s treatment room, sterilizing tools before a filling procedure.
9. Pharmacy Technician
Average salary: £27,000 (starter) to £36,000 (experienced).
Firefighters respond to emergency calls like fires, road accidents and rescue missions. They also educate the public on fire safety. Fire services generally accept recruits with minimal experience – training (physical and technical) is provided in academia.
Example: Counting and labelling prescription pills for a patient’s ordered medication.
10. Electrician (Apprentice/Junior)
Average salary: £26,000 (starter) to £45,000 (experienced).
Electricians install and maintain electrical systems in homes and businesses. You can start as an apprentice or trainee with no prior experience. Apprentices combine paid on-the-job training with classroom study. It’s a hands-on job suited to those good at problem-solving and working with tools.
Example: Installing electrical wiring and sockets for a new lighting system in a building.
11. Plumber (Apprentice/Junior)
Average salary: £24,000 (starter) to £46,000 (experienced).
Plumbers install and repair water and heating systems in homes and businesses. Many plumbers start as apprentices (4 years or so) with pay while learning. This career is ideal for those who like practical work and tinkering with tools and enjoys growing to a skilled trade.
Example: Connecting a new hot water tank to the mains and testing for leaks.
12. Bricklayer (Apprentice)
Average salary: £25,000 (starter) to £45,000 (experienced).
Bricklayers build and repair walls, houses, and chimneys. Trainees usually enter through college courses or apprenticeships (often 2–4 years). No previous job experience is required beyond basic numeracy and reading. Work is outdoors and physically demanding, good for those who want a trade career.
Example: Lay bricks at a level and plumb to construct a wall segment according to building plans.
13. Carpenter/Joiner (Apprentice)
Average salary: £24,000 (starter) to £40,000 (experienced).
Carpenters and joiners make and install wooden structures (floors, roofs, furniture). Entry-level work is often via apprenticeships or college courses. Prior experience isn’t needed if you join a training scheme. The job suits those good with tools and measurements.
Example: Cutting and fitting wooden floorboards to match room dimensions accurately.
14. HGV (Lorry) Driver
Average salary: £25,000 (starter) to £42,000 (experienced).
Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers transport freight across the UK. You can start as a driver trainee: employers or training schools teach you to get an HGV (LGV) licence. No prior driving job experience is needed (just a clean driving record); firms often reimburse training costs. It’s suitable for self-motivated people who don’t mind long hours.
Example: Delivering goods to a customer’s warehouse and checking off items on a delivery manifest.
15. Data Analyst (Junior)
Average salary: Around £30,000
Junior data analysts gather and interpret data to help companies make decisions. They use spreadsheets and basic statistical tools to clean and report data. Some entry-level roles accept candidates without formal experience or degrees (especially if they have strong numerical/logical skills), offering training on the job. It’s suitable for logical thinkers who enjoy puzzles.
Example: Preparing a sales spreadsheet and creating a simple graph to show monthly revenue trends.
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16. Junior Web Developer
Average salary: £31,817 per year (entry-level average).
Junior web developers build and maintain websites and web applications. Many employers hire graduates or self-taught coders into trainee or junior roles, providing mentorship. You don’t always need work experience; a portfolio or coding bootcamp often suffices.
Example: Adding a new page to a company website using HTML/CSS and linking it from the menu.
17. Electrical Engineering Technician
Average salary: £24,000 (starter) to £48,000 (experienced).
These technicians install, repair and maintain electrical equipment and systems. Entry can be via technical college courses or apprenticeships – no previous engineering job experience is required, just interest in electronics. The work involves testing circuits, fixing faults, and following electrical schematics.
Example: Testing an industrial machine’s control panel and replacing a faulty relay.
18. Motor Mechanic / Vehicle Technician
Average salary: £22,000 (starter) to £42,000 (experienced).
These technicians install, repair and maintain electrical equipment and systems. Entry can be via technical college courses or apprenticeships – no previous engineering job experience is required, just interest in electronics. The work involves testing circuits, fixing faults, and following electrical schematics.
Example: Changing brake pads and performing an oil service on a customer’s vehicle.
19. Marketing Executive (Entry-level)
Average salary: £23,000 (starter) to £50,000 (experienced).
Marketing executives help promote a company’s products or brand through advertising, digital media, and campaigns. Graduates or school-leavers can enter this role via trainee positions or apprenticeships; companies often train new hires in marketing tools and techniques.
Example: Drafting a post for the company’s social media to advertise a new product launch.
20. Junior Graphic Designer
Average salary: £23,904 (UK average for juniors).
Junior designers create visual content (logos, ads, layouts) for companies or agencies. Entry usually requires a design portfolio or qualification, but many start as interns or assistants with no formal experience. Creative individuals familiar with design software can learn on the job. This role is good for artistic people with attention to detail.
Example: Creating a digital banner for a website using Adobe Photoshop.
21. Video Editor
Average salary: £28,277 per year (UK average).
Video editors cut and assemble filmed footage into finished videos. Media companies often hire trainees or media school grads with little experience, providing on-the-job training in editing software. Creative storytelling skills are key.
Example: Cutting together interview clips and background music to make a short company promo video.
22. Wind Turbine Technician
Average salary: £25,000 (starter) to £47,000 (experienced).
Wind turbine technicians service and repair wind farm turbines. You can enter via an engineering or renewable energy apprenticeship or degree, with on-site practical training – no previous turbine experience is needed.
Example: Inspecting turbine blades and using tools to replace a worn gearbox part at the top of a turbine.
23. Solar PV Installer
Average salary: £35,100 per year (UK average).
Solar installers fit solar panel systems on roofs or grounds. Many start with no experience through apprenticeships or on-the-job training schemes offered by solar companies. Basic electrical or construction skills help, but the company will train you.
Example: Mounting solar panels on a roof and wiring them into a home’s electrical system.
24. Agricultural Engineer (Technician)
Average salary: £25,000 (starter) to £45,000 (experienced).
Agricultural engineers maintain and repair farm machinery (tractors, harvesters) and equipment. New entrants typically train via agricultural engineering apprenticeships or diplomas – no prior farm mechanic experience is needed. It’s a practical, rural role for those who like machinery and countryside work.
Example: Servicing a tractor’s engine and hydraulic systems on a farm’s machinery shed.
25. Telecoms Engineer (Field Tech)
Average salary: £24,000 (starter) to £40,000 (experienced).
Telecom engineers install and maintain telephone, internet and broadband networks. Entry-level roles often come via apprenticeships or college courses, with training on wiring and network hardware. No previous telecom experience is needed – companies teach the necessary technical skills.
Example: Running and terminating fiber-optic cables to connect a new office to the city network.
26. Construction Plant Operator
Average salary: £25,000 (starter) to £45,000 (experienced).
Video editors cut and assemble filmed footage into finished videos. Media companies often hire trainees or media school grads with little experience, providing on-the-job training in editing software. Creative storytelling skills are key.
Example: Using an excavator to dig foundations according to site plans.
27. Procurement Officer (Junior Buyer)
Average salary: £32,939 per year (UK average).
Procurement officers purchase goods and services for an organization (materials, supplies). Entry roles (assistant buyer or junior officer) often require only general qualifications; companies train new hires in procurement systems. No specific prior industry experience is required, just good organizational and negotiation skills.
Example: Researching suppliers and requesting quotes for bulk office stationery.
28. Commis Chef
Average salary: £22,500 per year (UK average).
A commis chef is a trainee cook who assists chefs in preparing meals in a professional kitchen. Kitchens often hire school-leavers or career changers with little experience, teaching them culinary skills on the job (often alongside a culinary course). The work is fast-paced and physical but suitable for anyone who enjoys cooking and learning in a team environment.
Example: Chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients under the guidance of the head chef.
29. Crane Driver
Average salary: £25,000 (starter) to £52,000 (experienced).
Crane drivers operate tower or mobile cranes at construction sites, ports, and docks. Entry is typically through a lifting technician apprenticeship or on-the-job training. No prior crane experience is needed; apprentices learn to manage heavy loads safely. The job suits careful, technically minded individuals.
Example: Using controls to lift and position steel beams onto a high-rise building frame.
30. Recruitment Consultant
Average salary: £28,547 per year (average).
Recruitment consultants match job candidates to employer vacancies. Many firms hire trainees with no recruitment background, training them in sales, interviewing, and industry knowledge. The role involves networking, interviewing candidates, and liaising with clients.
Example: Reviewing CVs and calling applicants to schedule interviews with a client company.
Conclusion
From rail networks to digital roles, entry-level UK jobs now offer salaries between £22,000 – £48,000 without prior experience. Employers across construction, IT and energy sectors offer apprenticeships letting recruits earn while they learn. Technology and renewable roles, such as junior web development and wind turbine technician, reflect growing demand and start around £25,000 per year. Success in these roles depends more on attitude and willingness to learn than background, making them accessible to school-leavers and career-changers alike. Aspiring candidates should explore the National Careers Service to apply and build a well-paid career path.
