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Career change at 40: making a successful move

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Making a career change at 40: Quick summary

  • You bring valuable transferable strengths to any career at 40, like self-awareness, experience and emotional intelligence.
  • There is a huge range of career change options available to you, with education, management and technology being some of the most popular options.
  • People change careers for more reasons than just salary, with work/life balance, job satisfaction, and job security playing a role.
  • Retraining can lead to a more fulfilling career, providing you with greater confidence as you learn new skills.
  • An online master's programme can help you work towards your next career goal flexibly and alongside your existing commitments.

Changing career directions at 40

Thinking of starting a career change journey at 40? It can be hard to know where to start when finding a new career, and there are lots of questions you might be asking yourself, such as: Do I retrain? What are the different routes to go down? And what steps should I take to do this?

Our guide will take you through the steps to take if you are considering a new journey, some popular routes for a successful career change, and when you may want to retrain.

Is it too late to change careers at 40? Common challenges

Doubts about whether you've left it too late to reconsider your career are all too common, with research from the UK Learning & Work Institute finding that 30% of people feel they are too old for learning or reskilling. You might also be worried about factors like facing ageism, or have concerns that you'll be dismissed if you apply for a new role in a different industry because of lack of experience. A recent YouGov survey even found that 16% of UK professionals don't like their job, but are hesitant or unwilling to switch careers.

But while age 31 takes the top spot for career changes in the UK, 40 is still a popular age in which people start to question whether they're happy in their career. In a 2026 survey on UK career changes, people aged 40–49 were one of the two largest age groups considering a career change, alongside those aged 30–39.

In some cases, you actually have a lot of advantages when changing careers at 40. You likely have gained lots of transferable skills over the years that you can talk about at interviews and apply to other roles. Other benefits include connections you have made over the years that may be able to provide guidance or recommend you. At 40, you also have the self-awareness and emotional intelligence to really know yourself well and have a good understanding of your strengths. This is a hugely valuable asset that hiring managers will value.

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Why do people leave their current job at 40?

Though financial concerns or new opportunities play a large part in a career change, possible reasons people start reconsidering their career paths are not just salary-related. Here are some other possible reasons why people start a new career journey in their 40's:

  • Work-life balance concerns

    Flexibility plays a huge role in job satisfaction. In fact, a recent global study of 27,000 workers in 35 markets found work/life balance to be the most important factor for influencing job retention. This was compared with pay or even job security.

  • Burnout

    Burnout or stress in a job is another common reason why many professionals begin to consider a career change. The recent Burnout Report (Mental Health UK, 2026) shows 1 in 5 workers (20%) needed to take time off work due to poor mental health caused by pressure or stress in the past year.

  • Redundancy or job loss

    Some people might find themselves in a midlife career change due to circumstances out of their control, such as a loss of their current job and lack of similar opportunities in the same field. In this case, choosing a career that is both highly in-demand and enjoyable can be a great path.

  • The need for a more meaningful career

    You might also start to feel that your current career has little meaning, or you may want to look for a new challenge that is more rewarding with more meaning. For example, this could mean going into healthcare or doing meaningful work in education after building a successful career in a more corporate role. Or, for those with high emotional intelligence and management skills, this could involve going down the psychology or human resources route.

    Are you considering going into early childhood education? Read about the early childhood progression jobs and careers.

Our step-by-step guide to changing careers at 40

You might feel overwhelmed about where to start and what your options are in the current job market. Our step-by-step guide offers a clear plan to keep this process as stress-free as possible:

1. Firstly, clarify what you want in your career

What makes you feel fulfilled in a role? Do you want to use your finance skills in a business, administration or banking role, or do you want to move to a more nurturing role in early childhood or counselling? Going into management or taking on a leadership role can be a fulfilling option if you have excellent people skills and understand how to motivate a team.

Soft skills are equally as important as practical skills. If you have excellent time management and organisational skills, perhaps a project management role could be an exciting next step. Map your transferable skills to the new role; for example, employers often value adaptability and problem-solving skills in roles like leadership positions.

Look into the most in-demand careers and consider the salary range you're looking for. Read our guide to the most employable master's degrees for inspiration on careers that are highly in demand.

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2. Find skills gaps

When changing career at 40 to a new industry, it can help to identify and close skills gaps through short courses, professional bodies, or postgraduate study. For example, this could be technical skills needed for Information Technology (IT) or the tech industry.

Further education can help to really strengthen your profile and develop your industry knowledge in the sector you want to go into. Completing a master's course can also build up your confidence and skills as a leader, preparing you for further progression in your new career direction.

3. Build up your experience

Build experience through projects, volunteering, or freelance work. This can be valuable for job applications and interviews, and will really help to set you apart in showing off your passion and commitment to your chosen path.

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4. Update your CV and LinkedIn

Remember the basics when getting ready to apply to new, exciting roles, and make sure your CV and LinkedIn are accurately updated with your skills and tailored towards the roles you are seeking out. This doesn't mean taking off any experience you feel might not be relevant, as you likely have more transferable skills than you realise. But keep your profile fresh, current and think about what a recruiter might notice from your page. Read our tips on writing the perfect CV and cover letter.

5. Use your existing network

Don't forget your existing connections when considering a career change, as they may be able to recommend you or provide guidance on transferring to another role. Or, maybe you could gain experience freelancing or doing consultancy work for one of your connections.

Reaching out to former colleagues, managers and professional contacts about the direction you're considering can also be helpful. They may know of opportunities you haven't come across, or introduce you to someone in the industry.

What are the best careers to start at 40?

So, what are some popular options for changing your direction at 40? Here are some of the careers you could go into that are consistently in demand in the UK:

Management in a different sector

If you already have experience managing people, projects or budgets, you could use these skills to move into management in a different industry. Healthcare management, education management, project management and business operations are just some of the routes you could consider. You might also want to go into a management role in the sales sector, which can be particularly fulfilling if you are driven by targets and goals.

You may already have many of the management skills needed, but further study can help you understand your new sector and prepare for the move. Salaries for management positions vary depending on the sector, role level and your experience.

Read about the different career opportunities in business management.

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Technology and data

Technology offers career options well beyond coding and software development. Cyber security, IT management and technology project roles are all possible directions, depending on your existing skills and interests. Cyber security roles in particular offer excellent salary potential and progression paths.

For more technical positions, you might need to build specific skills through training or further study. Previous experience in areas such as digital marketing or project management can be useful if you want to move into this field.

Businesses also need people who can make sense of data and use it to support decisions. There are plenty of career opportunities in data analysis, business intelligence and data management across many industries. To move into a data role, you will usually need strong numerical and digital skills. Training or postgraduate study can help you develop more specialist knowledge to demonstrate at interview.

Read our guide to going into the cyber security industry for more advice.

Indicative salary: Data and technology salaries are so varied due to the large number of paths you can take. But as a guide, the average salary for a Cyber Security Professional is £51,861 per year, while a Data and Technology Manager could make up to £70,395 per year.

Healthcare management

A career in healthcare doesn't always mean retraining for a clinical role. The NHS and other healthcare organisations also need people to manage services, teams, finances and day-to-day operations.

If you already have management or business experience, some of those skills may transfer into healthcare management. Further study can also help you build knowledge of how healthcare organisations operate. Clinical management positions are different and generally require an appropriate healthcare qualification.

Indicative salary: NHS healthcare management roles can range from around £39,959 at Band 6 to £129,783 at Band 9, depending on the role and level of responsibility.

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Project management

Already used to managing deadlines, budgets and different people? You may have more relevant project management experience than you realise.

There are project management roles across construction, technology, healthcare, finance and the public sector. You can enter through existing experience or strengthen your CV with a recognised project management qualification or further study.

Indicative salary: The average salary for a Project Manager is £49,631 per year.

Human resources

HR can be a good route if your strengths lie in working with people, managing difficult situations and communicating clearly. It is also a very in-demand sector in the UK, so can make a stable and rewarding career option. Previous experience of recruitment, line management, staff development or workplace policies may also give you useful skills to build on.

There are several routes into HR, including moving across from a related role, completing a professional qualification or studying human resource management. Read our complete guide to getting into HR management.

Indicative salary: The average salary for an HR Officer is £33,907 per year. But if you want to progress to a management position, the average salary for a UK Human Resources Manager is £48,538 per year.

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Education and social work

Education remains an important career change route, with options both inside and outside the classroom. You could retrain as a teacher, work in early childhood education or move towards education management and leadership.

Teaching requires an appropriate teacher training route, whereas requirements within early years and education management vary by position. Social work is another option if you want to work directly with people and communities, although you will need an approved social work qualification to practise.

Salary potential: The average range varies depending on whether you're in early years education or primary and secondary, a maintained school, or an MAT. The average salary for a nursery manager is £29,589 per year, while you could earn around £43,822 per year as an early years advisor, with top earners in senior advisor roles making up to £86,061.

UK head teachers in maintained schools typically earn head teachers in UK public state schools typically earn between £58,491 and £146,313 per year, depending on location, role seniority, specialism, and more. If you want to progress into a very senior role, you could earn up to £87,000 per year as an Ofsted inspector in some schools.

How can postgraduate study help career changers?

You might have already come across small courses, or taken up hobbies that could be useful for your new career path. Postgraduate study can also be extremely useful for preparing you for your new role, and it could help you to:

  • Gain confidence and support your personal development

    Retraining and postgraduate study can be hugely beneficial in getting your spark and confidence back, as well as working towards a new career goal. The Adult Participation in Learning Survey shows nearly all (94%) of those engaging in learning identify at least one benefit, with self-confidence, personal development, the love of learning, and gaining new skills being the most reported.

  • Develop expert knowledge in your chosen area

    A postgraduate degree can help you build on the experience you already have and develop expert knowledge for your next role. For example, Walbrook's online MBA degrees offer specialisms in banking and finance, data analytics, AI, cyber security, healthcare management, HR, marketing and project management.

  • Strengthen your management and leadership skills

    Are you considering moving into a leadership role in another sector? An MBA is a good option if you already have professional experience and want to strengthen your management and leadership skills. Alternatively, an MSc Business and Management can help you build comprehensive knowledge across areas such as finance, marketing, leadership and international business. Our online MBA and on-campus MSc Business and Management programmes are valuable if you want to gain business management skills that will set you apart in your career.

    Completing a course that is Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited could also strengthen your CV by showing employers that you've developed management and leadership skills against recognised professional standards. CMI is the UK's Chartered professional body for management and leadership and awards Chartered Manager (CMgr) status.

    Read about the top 10 most employable master's degrees here.

Practical things to consider for your career change

It's useful to make sure you've done enough research on things like flexibility, finances and whether you can make the change gradually. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

  • The financial aspect

    Research the typical starting salary for your new career and how this compares with your current income. Some career changes may involve a temporary drop in salary, particularly if you need to enter at a more junior level. This can definitely be worth it for a role that you will find more rewarding, but consider how much you need to earn each month and whether you have enough savings to cover a period of training or a lower income.

    Costs of necessary training courses or qualifications are also something to research, but there are plenty of affordable further education courses out there to consider.

  • Whether you can study alongside work

    If you're short on time and have a busy lifestyle, you might also feel that it is simply not practical for you to retrain for a new job. However, studying online can help you fit in study time around your current role, commitments and lifestyle. Part-time and online courses can allow you to develop new skills and qualifications while continuing to earn. At Walbrook Institute, you can choose from plenty of engaging online courses that offer the flexibility of either full or part-time study.

    These programmes can be particularly useful at 40 if you have a mortgage or rent, family commitments or other financial aspects to consider. Studying online gives you the time to prepare for your next career without putting unnecessary pressure on your finances.

  • Can you make the change gradually?

    A career change doesn't have to happen all at once, and you could start by taking on volunteering, freelancing or spending more time on your relevant hobbies to improve skills. As mentioned above, completing a course before applying for a new role while you're working can make a career change a less intimidating leap and a smooth transition.

Start a rewarding career with a Walbrook degree

Do you have a busy lifestyle and existing work commitments? Our fully online MBA programmes allow you to study alongside working, with full and part-time study options, monthly start dates and the option to graduate in as little as one year. CMI accredited, they could help you stand out in the market and prove you have the skills to lead.

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My course content is engaging and easy to follow, which makes a huge difference when you’re studying online. I like that there’s pacing built in to keep you on track, but also the flexibility to fit around work, life and kids!

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Hayley CoatesWalbrook Online MBA Student

Career change at 40: FAQs

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