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Highest paying jobs in the UK

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The highest paying jobs in the UK: Quick summary

  • You could earn a six-figure salary in several UK sectors. Senior roles in finance, sales, law, healthcare and technology can all pay more than £100,000, depending on location and seniority.
  • Director-level careers offer some of the highest earning potential. For example, UK salaries reach an estimated £121,458 for finance directors.
  • Specialist technical skills can also lead to higher earnings. Machine learning engineers have a median total compensation of £85,000.
  • There isn't just one route to working towards a higher-paying role. For example, you could develop advanced knowledge through a postgraduate qualification to prepare you for senior specialist roles, or move into management in your current company.
  • It's important to consider other work priorities as well as salary when choosing a fulfilling role. Consider working hours, progression, flexibility and job security.

Considering high-paying jobs in the UK

Salary can be an important consideration when choosing your next career, or where to progress in your field. Roles with higher salaries are often associated with seniority, specialist knowledge and significant responsibility.

Keep in mind that there is more to consider than just salary when choosing your ideal role. You may want to also think about things like job satisfaction, work-life balance and whether you are passionate about the role. But it can be helpful to see which roles and sectors offer the highest average salaries and what you may need to progress into them.

Here, we'll explore some of the highest paying roles in the UK, using salary figures from Glassdoor. For public-sector roles, such as those in education, official government sources and published pay scales are used for salary guides.

What are the highest paying jobs in the UK?

So, what sectors and roles offer the highest salaries? Some of the highest paying jobs in the UK are senior positions in sales, management, finance and law. Glassdoor estimates average salaries of £126,296 for senior directors in sales, £121,458 for finance directors, and £109,954 for legal directors.

The table below compares some of the best-paying jobs in the UK job market. These are average salary estimates from Glassdoor, rather than starting salaries or guaranteed earnings.

Woman using computer in office environment

Highest paying jobs UK summary

RoleSectorEstimated UK salary
Head teacher Education

A maximum of £153,490 in state schools (highest point on the statutory pay range).

Read our full head teacher salary guide.
Healthcare manager Healthcare management

A maximum of £129,783 at Band 9.
Sales director Business and sales

£126,296
Finance director Finance

£121,458
Legal director Legal services

£109,954
Cyber security manager

Technology

£90,000
Machine learning engineer

Technology

£85,000
Marketing director

Marketing

£82,190
Data scientis

Technology

£75,000
Software engineer

Technology

£70,000

Read our complete guide to career progression for advice on reaching a higher role.

What are the highest paying jobs by sector?

Below, we take you through what you can expect from some of the highest paying roles in the UK, including what you'll likely do day-to-day and popular routes for reaching the position.

Business, finance and management

Business and finance offer lots of fulfilling career options, particularly if you enjoy mathematics and solving complex problems. It might also appeal to you if you have an interest in project management and business operations. Below are some of the highest-paying roles in this sector:

Man leading a meeting and speaking in front of coworkers

Finance director

A UK finance director earns an estimated average total pay of £121,458 a year, though salaries vary largely depending on employer size, sector, location, and experience. The role normally requires extensive finance experience and many finance directors also hold a degree in finance, economics or business.

As a financial director, or chief financial officer, you'll oversee financial planning, reporting, risk and investment decisions. In this role, you might also advise a board, manage finance teams and help set organisational strategy. Many people progress through positions such as accountant, finance manager, financial controller and head of finance before making their way up to senior management level. Online further education qualifications, such as an online MBA Finance, can support you in working towards senior financial leadership without pausing your career.

Sales director

As a sales director in the UK, you could earn an estimated average total pay of £126,296 a year, according to Glassdoor. There is no single required qualification to reach sales director level, and many people work up to the position through strong sales results and leadership experience. But a degree or professional training in business, sales or marketing may help to develop your sales and business knowledge further and provide you with useful leadership and management skills. Many sales managers work their way up to director levels through offering new ideas to the company, building effective sales strategies and supporting revenue growth.

As a sales director, you can expect to lead sales teams and decide how an organisation approaches new markets and major clients. Pay often includes commission or bonuses, so total earnings can vary more than in roles with a fixed salary.

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Marketing director

A UK marketing director earns an estimated average total pay of £82,190 a year. Employers usually expect substantial marketing and leadership experience, as well as a solid understanding of business development. Common routes include a marketing, communications or business degree, a Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification, or progression through hands-on marketing roles.

Marketing directors are responsible for an organisation’s marketing direction, budget and team. Your role could also cover customer research, digital channels and commercial performance.

Management consultant

A UK management consultant earns an estimated average total pay of £59,802 a year, with reported top earners above £100,000. A degree is common for this route, but firms and businesses can also consider candidates with relevant commercial experience and strong management skills. A postgraduate business and management qualification may support entry or later progression, providing you with excellent leadership and managerial knowledge.

Management consultants help organisations solve problems, improve performance or deliver major change. Earnings as a management consultant differ largely by experience - for example, a graduate consultant will typically earn much less than a partner or consulting director.

Are you looking to move into the business or finance sector? Read our tips on writing the perfect CV here.

Technology and data

Are you interested in strengthening your expertise in technology? Software, data and AI careers can offer strong salaries, particularly as you gain experience or develop specialist skills. Here are just some of the roles you may be able to go into in the technology and data sector:

A confident machine learning engineer in a meeting about deep learning techniques.

Machine learning engineer

As a machine learning engineer, you could earn an estimated average salary of £85,000, and you may earn much more as you progress further in the field. As a machine learning engineer, you could develop, test and use systems that learn from data. You will usually need software engineering knowledge and an understanding of data and machine learning models. Read our full guide to the tech roles available in the industry to find out more.

Postgraduate education can demonstrate your expertise and help prepare you for senior roles in the sector. However, a strong technical portfolio and relevant experience can also be very valuable.

Software engineer

As a software engineer, you could earn an estimated average salary of £70,000. A computer science or software engineering degree is common for this role. But if you haven't had experience or completed a computing degree, an MSc Computer Science with Software Engineering conversion course, or apprenticeships and practical coding experience can offer other routes.

As a software engineer, you could design, build and maintain applications and systems. But how could you increase your salary in this field?

Seniority, specialist skills and experience may all make a difference, and further education can keep you informed on relevant changes in the industry.

Man working on a monitor in an office environment

Data scientist

As a data scientist, you could earn an estimated average salary of £75,000, but you could earn much more as you progress to senior and leadership roles. Typical routes include a degree or relevant computing work experience, with a master’s in computer science with data science being a popular route for developing advanced skills and knowledge.

Data scientists interpret complex information and develop models that support decisions or products. As you progress, you may need stronger software engineering, machine learning or sector knowledge. Employers may also value experience with cloud platforms and the ability to explain findings clearly. Read more about the benefits of an MSc in data science.

Cyber security lead, or cyber security manager

As a cyber security lead, or cyber security manager, you could earn around £90,000 depending on your experience and seniority. Employers normally look for advanced security experience, knowledge of networks and cloud systems, and certifications such as CISSP or CISM. A computing or cyber security degree is also common.

Cyber security leads set security priorities, oversee risk and respond to incidents. Many people begin in IT support, networking, security operations or software development before specialising. Programmes such as a master's in computer science with cyber security could develop your skills further and prepare you to go into a cyber security role. Find out more about the different jobs in cyber security.

Healthcare and healthcare management

Healthcare is an extremely rewarding career and is ideal if you are passionate about improving people's quality of life and making a real impact on care environments.

  • Healthcare manager 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. Senior NHS management roles can pay considerably more under the upper Agenda for Change bands. Routes include progression from a clinical or administrative role, the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, or management study.

    Healthcare managers oversee services, people, budgets and performance. Responsibilities range from managing a department to planning services across a trust. In England, Agenda for Change Band 9 reaches above £100,000, but these positions carry organisation-level responsibility and require substantial leadership experience.

    An MBA Healthcare Management can provide you with the knowledge and tools to deliver significant improvements across healthcare organisations. A master's course can prepare you to get ready for leadership roles across health and social care, policy, and global healthcare management.

  • Consultant physician, or consultant doctor

    A consultant physician is a type of consultant doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating medical conditions rather than performing surgery. This role can offer a high salary, particularly if you are at a more senior level and have lots of experience. Consultant physicians, or consultant doctors, typically earn around £57,752 in the UK, though this can vary depending on factors like role level and your location.

Education leadership

There are many ways to make your way up in the education sector, ranging from school leadership positions to specialist roles like Ofsted inspectors or advisor roles.

  • Head teacher

    Head teachers in UK public state schools typically earn between £58,491 and 153,490 per year, depending on the size and complexity of the school and location. But you could earn much more than this in a multi-academy trust position, or in some larger secondary schools. Head teachers normally need qualified teacher status, several years of teaching experience and a record of successful school leadership.

    So, what could impact your earnings as a head teacher? School size, location and level of responsibility can all play a part, as well as whether you specialise in a certain area. For example, maybe you specialise in special educational needs, and have a track record in working in complex schools. Qualifications such as a master's degree may also help to strengthen your profile and show your commitment to staying on top of school policies and developing your senior leadership skills.

    Read our full guide to head teacher salaries in the UK.

  • Ofsted inspector

    Ofsted inspectors are responsible for visiting education settings to assess the quality of education, leadership and safeguarding. You might want to progress into this role if you are passionate about ensuring early years settings provide the best-quality and supportive care.

    This role has a published government salary profile. The National Careers Service (GOV.UK) lists a typical salary of £55,000–£87,000 per year for Ofsted inspectors.

Legal and professional services

The legal sector offers many opportunities for progression, and a legal director is one of the highest-paying jobs in this field.

Man giving a talk through a microphone in a corporate environment

Legal director

A UK legal director earns an estimated average total pay of £109,954. Most UK legal directors are qualified solicitors with substantial post-qualification experience, although senior legal leadership titles and requirements differ between law firms and in-house teams.

Legal directors oversee complex legal work and may manage lawyers, client relationships or organisational risk. Becoming a solicitor normally involves a degree or equivalent qualification, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination and qualifying work experience. Barristers follow a separate regulated route.

What are the highest paying jobs in the UK without a degree?

Is a degree always required to earn more money? While it can be very helpful in some cases, some of the highest paying jobs in the UK without a degree are found in skilled trades, property and real estate, transport and self-employment.

Some jobs that offer high salaries but don't typically require a degree include:

  • Construction manager

    Average UK salary: £58,932.

    As a construction manager, you can expect to oversee building projects, coordinating workers, budgets, materials and schedules. Many people in this position progress from construction trades or supervisory roles, sometimes supported by vocational qualifications or an apprenticeship.

  • Real estate manager

    Average UK salary: £55,500.

    Real estate managers oversee properties on behalf of a business, investor or property company. Their work may include managing leases, budgets, maintenance and relationships with tenants. Most real estate managers work their way up to the position through experience in property management or a similar real estate role. For example, you could start as a property administrator, or a trainee estate agent and gain valuable experience and skills.

  • Sales lead

    Average UK salary: £64,771.

    A sales lead guides a sales team and helps the organisation meet its revenue targets, and could be a great position to work towards if you are numbers-driven and enjoy the challenge of meeting targets. Responsibilities can include coaching colleagues, monitoring performance and managing important customer relationships, and progression is often based on sales experience and results.

  • Train driver

    Average UK salary: £59,513.

    Train drivers operate passenger or freight trains safely and according to strict procedures. A degree is not normally required if you want to explore this role, but you will be expected to complete specialist training and pass medical, concentration and psychometric assessments.

  • Hotel general manager

    Average UK salary: £52,612.

    As a hotel manager, you'll oversee the day-to-day running of a hotel, including its staff, budgets, guest experience and commercial performance. Many general managers work their way up to the position through working on reception, food and beverage, housekeeping or in departmental management roles.

    Bear in mind that the actual earnings for these roles may be higher where bonuses or commission are available, particularly in sales and property roles.

Which jobs pay over £100k in the UK?

You may be wondering which careers can realistically lead to a six-figure salary. Jobs that can pay over £100,000 in the UK include a finance director, sales director, and legal director. Senior positions in medicine, software, data, consulting and marketing can also reach this level, depending on your experience and employer.

Reaching £100,000 often takes years of work experience, developing knowledge, and qualifications, particularly in regulated professions and director-level careers. Progress can be faster or slower according to opportunity, performance and career breaks. Bonuses and shares can also play a part, and may significantly impact your base salary.

How can you move into a higher-paying job?

Once you have found a role that interests you, how can you work towards it? There is no single route into a higher-paying career. However, the following steps can help you make a practical plan.

Woman holding laptop walking down stairs

Build skills employers find difficult to replace

Look at vacancies for your target role and identify the requirements that appear repeatedly. These might include data analysis, financial management, business strategy, cyber security, strategic planning or experience in leading people. It's useful to choose training and work projects that provide evidence of those skills, rather than collecting qualifications without a clear purpose.

Skills for senior roles can also involve soft skills as well as technical knowledge, such as the ability to solve complex business problems and having excellent communication skills. These could prove helpful in managing a team or making important decisions for a company. Read more about useful transferable skills here.

Decide whether to specialise or move into management

Specialist and management careers can both pay well, and are popular paths for reaching a more senior level. Consider which route suits your strengths before assuming management is the only way to earn more. A technical specialist develops depth in an area such as machine learning, tax or engineering safety. If you have in-depth knowledge and expertise in a certain area and feel confident advising others, a specialist route could be a great fit. A specialist position could even mean you consult others and advise businesses in a certain industry.

On the other hand, if you enjoy motivating people and have strong project management skills, you might want to work your way up to running a team in a management position. A manager takes responsibility for people, budgets and organisational decisions. To prepare for a more senior management position, it can be helpful to improve your financial expertise and gain an understanding of how to achieve business growth for your company.

Three colleagues discussing over a tablet and two other screens

Gain experience with greater responsibility

Ask to lead a project, manage budgets, mentor colleagues or present work to senior decision-makers. These opportunities can demonstrate readiness for progression, as well as an eagerness in developing your financial knowledge and management skills. If your current employer cannot offer them, you may want to consider moving to another organisation or a related role.

Use postgraduate and professional study

A master’s degree or other types of formal education can help you develop specialist or leadership knowledge and help you move into a new field. Some courses also offer professional accreditation recognised by employers in a particularly industry. Online or part-time courses and degrees can allow you to study without having to put your current work experience on hold. Always remember, further study does not guarantee a particular title or salary, so it's important to look carefully at course module content and cost before you choose your programme.

Explore our guides to career progression and career opportunities in business management.

What are the highest paying jobs for career changers?

Project management, business analysis, management consulting, technology, data, sales and healthcare management can all value transferable skills from another sector. For example, a teacher may bring communication, planning and stakeholder-management skills into project work. Or, a finance professional may move into data analytics or technology consulting after developing technical knowledge. Similarly, a clinical professional may progress into healthcare management using their understanding of services and patients.

Start by identifying the gap between your present experience and the entry point for the new field. A short course may be enough for a specific skill. A conversion master’s can offer a more structured route into computer science or data. An MBA may be more relevant if you already have professional experience and want to develop commercial and leadership knowledge. Our full guide to career progression can help you further in reaching your ideal role.

Are you considering a career change at 40? Read our career change tips here.

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