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50 Highest Paying Jobs in the UK: Wages, Definitions, and Qualifications

Yaping Duan
highest-paying-jobs-uk

Wondering what the highest paying jobs in the UK are? Whether you’re an incoming student deciding on your major or a working professional thinking about changing your career, there are too many factors to consider, including your preferences, career planning, and development. What’s more practical and direct is how much you can earn in the future. Thus, we compiled the top 50 best paid jobs in UK to offer you some insights by using the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Table of Contents
Highest Paying Jobs UK: Top 201. Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers2. Chief executives and senior officials3. Transport associate professionals4. Information technology directors5. Marketing, sales and advertising directors 6. Financial managers and directors7. Specialist medical practitioners8. Public relations and communications directors9. Functional managers and directors10. Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services11. Head teachers and principals12. Medical Practitioners13. Brokers14. Health services and public health managers and directors15. Senior Officers in Protective Services16. Corporate managers and directors17. Senior police officers18. Train and tram drivers19. Solicitors and lawyers20. Production managers and directors in mining and energyHighest Paying Jobs UK: Top 50Highest Paying Jobs UK: Key InsightsStudy in the UK: Where to StayFinal ThoughtsFAQs on Best Paid Jobs UK What jobs make the most money in the UK? What are the top 10 highest paying jobs in the UK? What jobs earn 300k a year in the UK? How to earn 200K a year in the UK? What jobs earn 100k a year in the UK? What is considered a high salary in the UK?

Highest Paying Jobs UK: Top 20

To identify the highest paing jobs in the UK, we adopted the latest data on Earnings and Working Hours from the Office for National Statistics. Occupations are listed from the highest mean weekly pay. Dive into our list of best paying jobs in UK to find out your future career.

1. Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers

    • Mean weekly pay: £2120.8
    • What they do: As the highest paying job in UK, aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers operate and navigate aircraft to ensure the flying is safe. They also need to check, prepare, maintain, as well as give flying lessons. A lot of training is necessary before taking the job.
    • What’s required: Pilot’s license, extensive training, NATS programme, Aviation Engineering courses.
    • Best universities: Kingston University, University of Bath.

2. Chief executives and senior officials

    • Mean weekly pay: £2054.9
    • What they do: It is not a surprise that chief executives like CEOs and Managing Directors are highest paid jobs in the UK. They are usually responsible for leading and directing the whole company, including setting policies, managing resources, making essential decisions, and more. Extensive experience and higher education are the basic requirements for success.
    • What’s required: Leadership and management,  strategic thinking, communication, decision-making, governance, etc.
    • Best universities: London School of Business Administration, University of Salford.

3. Transport associate professionals

    • Mean weekly pay: £1752.1
    • What they do: Transport associate professionals are supporting roles at business and public serveice sector, including transport planner, traffic engineer, and people in logistics and freight management who assist in the planning, management, and operation of transport systems. It tells us that there are many highest paying jobs in Britain at transport and logistics sector although it is often overlooked.
    • What’s required: Transport Planing Professional (TTP), Chartered Engineer (CEng), Engineering Technician (EngTech), etc.
    • Best universities: Cardiff University, University of Glasgow.

4. Information technology directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1731.1
    • What they do: An Information technology director (IT Director or CIO) is responsible for the effective function of a company’s IT infrastructure, including managing networks, servers, storage, security, applications, and technology initiatives. With both strong technical expertise and leadership required, IT director is surely one of the high paying jobs in the UK.
    • What’s required: Technical expertise, leadership skills, communication skills, problems-solving skills, etc.
    • Best universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, LSE.

5. Marketing, sales and advertising directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1653.4
    • What they do: Another one of the highest paying jobs in UK is marketing, sales, and advertising directors who are responsible for driving business growth and market presence by marketing, sales, and advertising campaigns. 
    • What’s required: Creativity, leadership and communication skills, analytical skills, market insight, etc.
    • Best universities: University of Bath, Durham University, University of Exeter.

6. Financial managers and directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1602.8
    • What they do: Financial managers and directors are top paid professions in the UK for its crucial role in planing, organizing, and directing the fanancial activities, policities, and systems of a company. 
    • What’s required: Analytical skill, communication and probelm-solving skills, leadership skills, etc.
    • Best universities: LSE, University of Warwick, University of Bath.

7. Specialist medical practitioners

    • Mean weekly pay: £1587.1
    • What they do: Specialist medical practitioners specialise in specific areas of medicine after additional training and learning and can diagnose, prescribe, and give treatment. Healthcare professionals like cardiologists, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and paediatricians are widely recognised as having the best-paid jobs in the UK.
    • What’s required: Medical degree, foundation training, specialist training, Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), etc.
    • Best universities: University College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Bristol.

8. Public relations and communications directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1557.5
    • What they do: Apart from the CEO, CMO,  and CFO, Public relations and communications directors are another key position in a private company, as well as one of the highest paid jobs in the United Kingdom. Their work is about managing the public image of an organization, including strategic planning, media relations, content creation, crisis communication, etc.
    • What’s required: Communication skills, interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, leadership skills, media relations, creativity, related degree, etc.
    • Best universities: Loughborough University, Lancaster University, University of Sheffield.

9. Functional managers and directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1484.6
    • What they do: Functional managers and directors in an organization oversee and direct a specific area like finance, marketing, operations, human resources, information technology, sales, etc. Also listed as highest paying jobs in United Kingdom, they require both specialized expertise and leadership skills.
    • What’s required: Skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, strategic thinking, etc, and related experience and degrees.
    • Best universities: University of Manchester (Human Resources), University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, LSE.
    • Mean weekly pay: £1432.1
    • What they do: Jobs that are well paid in the UK in the public service sector include senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison, and related services. Although in different fields, they are all about planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating resources to ensure the activity runs efficiently.
    • What’s required: Skills and knowledge in monitoring, active listening, critical thinking, writing, reading comprehension, etc, and related education and training.
    • Best universities: LSE, King’s College London, University of Strathclyde.

11. Head teachers and principals

      • Mean weekly pay: £1414.2
      • What they do: In the UK, headteacher (state schools) and principal (academies and multi-academy trusts) refers to the person who is in charge of a school. They need to provide leadership, direction, and coordination to ensure the school runs smoothly. 
      • What’s required: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Initial Teacher Training (ITT), teaching experience, skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, etc.
      • Best universities: University of Bristol, University of Manchester, Durham University.

12. Medical Practitioners

    • Mean weekly pay: £1407.4
    • What they do: Specialist medical practitioners focus on specific areas of medicine, while medical practitioners diagnose, care for, and treat patients. Also known as doctors or consultants, they work in various settings including hospitals, family doctors, universities, research institutions or in private practice. Like specialist medical practitioners, they are both one of the best paying jobs in UK.
    • What’s required: Medical school degrees, work experience, foundation and specialist training, and registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
    • Best universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University College London, Imperial College London.

13. Brokers

    • Mean weekly pay: £1375.6
    • What they do: A broker is an individual or firm that acts as an intermediary between a buyer and a seller to push the deal and charge for a commission. There are many types of brokers, and the most familiar ones are real estate brokers and broker-dealers, and some might top paying jobs in the UK.
    • What’s required: Degree in related fields like accountancy, management, business, and economics; professional qualifications; personal skills in communication, data analysis, etc.
    • Best universities: LSE, University of Bath, University of Warwick.

14. Health services and public health managers and directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1331.2
    • What they do: Mangers and directors in health services and public health are also good paying jobs in the UK. They monitor and report public well-being, coordinate promotion and policies and report effectiveness, manage staff and resources, provide health expertise and advice, etc.
    • What’s required: Skills in public health, qualifications in a related field, and professional registration like the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR). 
    • Best universities: University of Lincoln, Bangor University, Sheffield Hallam University.

15. Senior Officers in Protective Services

    • Mean weekly pay: £1310.3 
    • What they do: Senior officers in protective services like police, fire service, and military play a crucial role in directing and coordinating activities to ensure the safety and well-being of communities and personnel. This kind of grave responsibility comes along with high requirements for experience and skills, leading to one of the highest paying jobs in the UK.
    • What’s required: Skills and experience in leadership, communication, legal knowledge, public safety and security, etc, and related degrees.
    • Best universities: University of Bath, University of Birmingham, University of Reading.

16. Corporate managers and directors

    • Mean weekly pay: £1295.3
    • What they do: In a corporation, directors make and oversee long-term plans, make high-level decisions, and report to shareholders or the board of directors. Managers are responsible for the short-term plans, day-to-day operations, and team leadership. As the core of a corporation, they also represent some best paid jobs in the UK.
    • What’s required: Strong skills in leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, etc; profound business knowledge and experience.
    • Best universities: University of Oxford, University of Bath, University of St Andrews.

17. Senior police officers

    • Mean weekly pay: £1276.7 
    • What they do: Senior police officers are people who plan, organise, direct and coordinate the resources and activities of a specific area of police work to ensure people and property are kept safe, crime is reduced or prevented, and law and order are maintained. Roles like Chief Inspectors, Superintendents, and Chief Constables are also some highest paying jobs in Britain.
    • What’s required: Significant experience in police service, specialized training, physical and health fitness, leadership skills, formal education, etc.
    • Best universities: UCL, Staffordshire University, Durham University.

18. Train and tram drivers

    • Mean weekly pay: £1238.4 
    • What they do: Jobs like train and tram drivers is also on list of top paid professions in the UK. Their duty is to operate trains and trams along set routes and ensure passengers and freight arrive safely and on time. They provide stable employment and career development opportunities but require you to work during unsociable hours and in challenging conditions.
    • What’s required: GCSEs in English and maths, driving license, medical exam, extensive training, skills like concentration and focus for long periods of time, decision-making, work alone, etc.

19. Solicitors and lawyers

    • Mean weekly pay: £1202.6 
    • What they do: Solicitors and lawyers (barristers) is another publicly recognized highest paying job in UK. Solicitors primarily act as the first point of contact for clients, providing legal advice, drafting documents, and representing clients in lower courts, while barristers specialize in court advocacy and legal research. 
    • What’s required: Related degree, solicitors qualifying examination (SQE), work experience, passing background checks, etc.
    • Best universities: University of Cambridge, UCL, LSE, Durham University.

20. Production managers and directors in mining and energy

    • Mean weekly pay: £1174.3 
    • What they do: As a production manager or director in mining and energy, you will be responsible for overseeing the whole process from extraction and utilization to production, storage, and provision. Energy activities are deeply related to people’s everyday lives and can generate huge wealth; thus, managers and directors in this field are crucial and have one of the highest paid jobs in the UK.
    • What’s required: Leadership and management, technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, communication, organization, etc.
    • Best universities: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Bristol, Durham University.

Highest Paying Jobs UK: Top 50

We listed more high paying jobs in the UK, most of them are managers, directors, officers in different fields, and usually require a computing or engineer background. Check more information below:

NO. Occupantion Mean Weekly Pay/£
21 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers 1147.8
22 Production Managers and Directors 1136
23 Business and Financial Project Management Professionals 1133.2
24 IT managers 1128.2
25 Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers 1120.4
26 Electrical engineers 1119.3
27 Sales accounts and business development managers 1109.3
28 Programmers and software development professionals 1103.5
29 Ship and hovercraft officers 1101.8
30 Information Technology Professionals 1101.5
31 Research and development (R&D) managers 1096.8
32 Purchasing managers and directors 1094.5
33 Human resource managers and directors 1087.5
34 Actuaries, economists and statisticians 1084.1
35 Aerospace engineers 1076.9
36 Finance and investment analysts and advisers 1076.1
37 Legal Professionals 1075.1
38 Production managers and directors in construction 1063
39 Business, research and administrative professionals n.e.c. 1057
40 Managers and directors in the creative industries 1046
41 Information technology professionals n.e.c. 1044.5
42 Research and Development (R&D) and Other Research Professionals 1042.6
43 Engineering project managers and project engineers 1042.4
44 Cyber security professionals 1040.5
45 Management consultants and business analysts 1038.5
46 Finance Professionals 1036.4
47 Rail transport operatives 1034.9
48 Quantity surveyors 1023.2
49 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals 1021.5
50 Electronics engineers 1001.5

Highest Paying Jobs UK: Key Insights

After looking into the top 50 best paid jobs in the UK, some interesting facts and features stand out that might have also come into your mind. Together with analyzing the detailed report from the Office of Nation Statistic, we believe that some key insights about highest paid occupations in UK that is informative are:

  1. Sector Dominance
  • Finance and Business: Roles like chief executives and senior officials, managers, and directors top the list of great-paying jobs in the UK, often with median annual earnings exceeding  £100,000. Bonuses and stock options in sectors like investment banking significantly boost total compensation.
  • Tech and STEM:  IT directors, software engineers (specializing in AI and cybersecurity), and engineering professionals (e.g., aerospace, mining, and energy) command high salaries due to their specialized skills.
  • Healthcare: Medical practitioners are among the highest earners, reflecting advanced qualifications and demand.
  • Legal: Judges, barristers, and corporate lawyers feature prominently, with senior roles earning six-figure salaries.

2. Private vs. Public Sector:

  • The top well paid jobs in UK are majorly dominated by private-sector roles (e.g. CEOs, directors and managers in a corporation), while some public-sector professionals (NHS consultants, judges) also rank highly.

3. Qualifications and Education:

  • Skills: Since most of the top paid jobs in the UK are senior and managing roles, a lot of related experience and skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making are necessary.
  • Education: Although in different fields, a good educational background from top universities (University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, LSE, KCL, IC) is very helpful.

4. Regional Disparities:

  • London and the Southeast account for the highest concentration of top-paying jobs, driven by finance (City of London) and tech hubs. Regional salaries in sectors like energy (e.g., Aberdeen for oil/gas) also stand out.

5. Gender and Pay Gaps:

  • Men disproportionately occupy top-tier roles even in highest paying jobs in the UK. For example, male chief executives earn ~20% more than their female counterparts on average, per ONS gender pay gap data.

6. Bonus-Driven Compensation:

  • Sectors like finance and tech often see total compensation inflated by bonuses, stock options, or profit-sharing, unlike public-sector roles (e.g., NHS consultants) with more fixed pay scales.

7. Trends Over Time:

  • Tech roles have seen rapid salary growth due to digital transformation, while finance remains stable. Post-pandemic, hybrid/remote work has expanded competitive salaries beyond traditional hubs.

8. Within-Occupation Inequality:

  • The top 10% in best paying jobs (e.g., CEOs) earn exponentially more than the median, highlighting significant income stratification even in elite roles.

9. Tech Boom:

  • Salaries in AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity are rising rapidly.

Study in the UK: Where to Stay

Planning to study at some of the best universities in the UK to get a high-paying job? After receiving the offer, it might be challenging to find an ideal student accommodation in the UK to begin your university life. That’s where uhomes.com comes for. With diverse housing options, price guarantees, 24/7 assistance, and exclusive offers and listings, securing the perfect student accommodation is sure to be a breeze.

We provide a wide range of room types close to some of the best universities in the UK within walking distance. Whether you are looking for University of Cambridge accommodation, LSE accommodation, University of Birmingham accommodation, or more, we will do everything we can to help you find the ideal home away from home. 

Final Thoughts

From our listed highest paid jobs in the UK, it is easy to notice that most of them are directors, managers, and senior officers who boast strong experience, outstanding education background, substantial expertise, as well as comprehensive skills in management, leadership, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, etc. Other best-paying jobs mainly come from specialized expertise like aircraft pilots, medical practitioners, lawyers, and police officers.

FAQs on Best Paid Jobs UK

Based on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, the highest-paying jobs in the UK are concentrated in senior leadership, specialized professions, and high-demand technical fields like chief executives and senior officials, medical practioners, air traffic controllers and aircraft pilots, IT directors, legal professionals, etc.

The top 10 highest paying jobs in the UK based on latest data on Earnings and Working Hours from the Office for National Statistics are:

  1. Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers
  2. Chiet executives and senior officals
  3. Transport associate professionals
  4. Information technology directors
  5. Marketing, sales, and advertising directors
  6. Financial managers and directors
  7. Specialist medical practioners
  8. Public relations and communications directors
  9. Functional managers and directors
  10. Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services

Jobs in the UK that can earn £300,000 or more a year:

  1. CEO/Managing Director
  2. Specialist Surgeons/Doctors
  3. Investment Bankers
  4. Law Firm Partners
  5. Private Equity/Venture Capital Executives
  6. Consulting Partners
  7. Professional Athletes
  8. Senior Airline Pilots
  9. Real Estate Developers
  10. Tech Entrepreneurs

To earn £200,000 a year in the UK, you can:

  1. Become a CEO or Senior Executive
  2. Work as a Specialist Doctor or Surgeon
  3. Become a Law Firm Partner
  4. Work as an Investment Banker
  5. Invest in or Develop Real Estate
  6. Work in Senior Tech Roles (e.g., CTO)
  7. Become a Management Consultant (Partner Level)
  8. Run a Successful Business
  9. Become a Professional Athlete
  10. Work as a Senior Airline Pilot

Jobs in the UK that can earn around £100,000 a year:

  1. Senior Software Engineer
  2. Lawyer (Senior Associate or Specialist)
  3. Marketing Director
  4. Financial Analyst/Manager
  5. Project Manager (Large Projects)
  6. Architect (Senior Level)
  7. Sales Director
  8. Consultant (Experienced Level)
  9. Doctor (Specialist in Private Practice)
  10. Senior Data Scientist

In the UK, a high salary is generally considered to be:

  • £50,000+ per year: This is above the average UK salary and is considered a good income for many people.
  • £70,000+ per year: This is a strong salary, often associated with senior professionals or roles in high-demand sectors.
  • £100,000+ per year: This is considered a high salary in most industries and is typically seen in senior management, specialist roles, or high-earning fields like law, finance, and tech.

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