Posted on June 14 2023
Top 10 Highest Paid Professions in the UK, 2023
By , Editor
Updated February 24 2024
Why work in UK?
- Maximum working hours is 48 per week
- Paid leaves per year are 40
- Social security benefits
- High average salaries
- Opportunity to get permanent residency in the UK
*Check your eligibility to migrate to UK through the Y-Axis UK Immigration Points Calculator.
Job vacancies in UK
The total number of job vacancies from June 2022 to August 2022 was 1,266,000. The number of workforce in June 2022 was increased by 290,000. The different sectors in which the number of jobs is increased can be found in the table below:
| Sector | Increase in the number of jobs |
| Administration and support activities | +181,000 |
| Human health and social work | +180,000 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical activities | +146,000 |
UK Employment projections in 2023
The average salaries of employees can rise up to 5 percent in 2023 because of the inflationary pressure faced by a majority of organizations on employee pay. The number of employed people will increase between 2022 and 2023 and the count can go up to 32.75 million.
Top 10 Highest Paid Professions in UK
The table below will let you know the average salary for each sector:
| Sector | Salary per year |
| IT & Software and Development | £50,000 |
| Engineer | £50,000 |
| Finance & Accounting | £39,152 |
| HR | £35,000 |
| Hospitality | £28,500 |
| Sales & Marketing | £30,000 |
| Healthcare | £28,180 |
| Teaching | £27,440 |
| Nursing | £31,409 |
| STEM | £33,112 |
There are many professions in the UK and the details of the 10 highest paid ones can be found here:
IT & Software and Development
A software engineer has to write code for operating systems and software applications. Other requirements include
- Analysis of user requirements
- Writing code, testing, and developing new software applications
- Modify existing applications if required
- Writing operational documentation
- System maintenance through monitoring and removing defects in software applications
Salaries at different experience levels of a software engineer are as follows:
- Salaries for a fresh graduate can start from £18,000 per annum
- Average annual salary for an experienced software engineer can be between £25,000 and £50,000
- Senior management-level professionals can get a salary between £45,000 and £70,000
Salaries for other job roles in the IT industry in the UK can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries per year |
| Solution Architect | £72,150 |
| Java Developer | £55,000 |
| IT Manager | £50,000 |
| Software Engineer | £48,723 |
| .NET Developer | £46,598 |
| Business Analyst | £45,001 |
| Systems Engineer | £44,988 |
| Software Developer | £42,500 |
| Programmer | £32,496 |
| IT Analyst | £30,000 |
Need guidance to get IT & Software Development jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Engineer
Engineering is a rewarding career in the UK. As per a relevant report, engineers are one of the top five employees who earn high salaries in the UK. The total number of jobs available in the engineering field in the UK is around 87,000.
The average salary of an Engineer in the UK is £50,000. The salary of an engineer depends on different factors like:
- Sector
- Education
- Professional qualification
- Work experience
Salaries for different job roles in the engineering field can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries per year |
| Surveyor | £45,000 |
| Project Engineer | £42,500 |
| Design Engineer | £41,069 |
| Engineer | £40,007 |
| Maintenance Engineer | £35,516 |
| Service Engineer | £31,972 |
| Field Engineer | £30,766 |
There are many disciplines in the engineering field in the UK which require skilled workers. These disciplines are:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electronics Engineer
- Land-Based Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Petroleum Engineer
Need guidance to get Engineer jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Finance & Accounting
Employment in the finance and accounting sector can be divided into the following:
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Financial Planning
- Insurance
- Investments and pensions
- Tax
A huge number of jobs are available in this sector in the UK and employees are earning a high salary. Some of the job roles for which vacancies are available in the UK include
- Chartered accountant
- Chartered management accountant
- Chartered public finance accountant
- Corporate investment banker
- Corporate treasurer
- External auditor
- Financial adviser
- Financial risk analyst
- Insurance account manager
- Internal auditor
- Investment analyst
- Mortgage adviser
- Operational investment banker
- Pensions consultant
- Pensions manager
- Retail banker
- Risk manager
- Senior tax professional/tax inspector
- Tax adviser
Employers in the UK accept applications from graduates with any degree related to finance and accounting. Candidates need to gain work experience or internship which will let the employers know about their skills and practical experience.
The average salary for finance and accounting professionals in the UK is £39,152. Salaries for different job roles in this sector can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries per year |
| Finance Manager | £47,413 |
| Analyst | £35,512 |
| Account Manager | £32,714 |
| Assistant Manager | £28,052 |
| Account Executive | £28,000 |
| Advisor | £27,588 |
| Service Assistant | £23,000 |
Need guidance to get Finance and Accounting jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
HR
HR sector in the UK is trending as there are unprecedented number of job vacancies available. Jobs in this field have risen by 13.5 percent in comparison to 2021. According to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies, there is a high demand for HR professionals in 2022. The demand for internal recruiters is very high in the market. The average salary of a Human Resource professional in the UK is £35,000 per year. The salaries for the other job roles in this sector can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries |
| Technical Consultant | £46,563 |
| HR Manager | £43,138 |
| Consultant | £39,933 |
| Recruitment Manager | £37,500 |
| Recruiter | £30,000 |
| Recruitment Consultant | £28,389 |
| Pension Administrator | £27,000 |
| Operations Assistant | £25,000 |
| HR Administrator | £23,500 |
| Administrative Assistant | £22,500 |
Need guidance to get Human Resources jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Hospitality
According to UKHospitality, around 300,000 jobs have been created in this sector. In comparison to the period of March and May 2019, there were around 83 percent more job vacancies in the accommodation and food sector during the same period in 2022. The most in-demand jobs in this sector include:
- Accommodation Manager
- Catering Manager
- Chef
- Conference Center manager
- Event Manager
- Fast Food and Restaurant Manager
The average salary for a hospitality professional in the UK is £28,500 per year. The salaries for other job roles in this sector can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries |
| Operations Manager | £45,000 |
| General Manager | £39,105 |
| Food Manager | £34,000 |
| Restaurant Manager | £29,000 |
| Kitchen Manager | £28,675 |
| Assistant Manager | £28,052 |
| Housekeeper | £24,000 |
| Housekeeping Attendant | £23,000 |
| Cleaner | £21,727 |
Need guidance to get Hospitality jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Sales & Marketing
The sales and marketing sector in the UK has a wide variety of job roles in various agencies and organizations. Jobs are available in
- Marketing
- Sales
- Advertising
- Public Relations
One of the trending fields in this area is digital marketing which requires the creation of relevant content. Sales and marketing jobs can be found in almost all industries which include retail, transport, finance, manufacturing, etc. Sales executives can earn a basic Salary of £20,000 to £30,000. The salaries for the related job roles can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries |
| Director | £65,485 |
| Product Manager | £50,000 |
| Market Manager | £44,853 |
| Business Development Manager | £42,227 |
| Sales Manager | £40,000 |
| Supervisor | £28,046 |
| Store Manager | £26,000 |
Need guidance to get Sales and Marketing jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Healthcare
The demand for healthcare professionals in the UK is high. The National Health Services in the UK has vacancies for many job roles in this industry. Some of these roles are:
- Nurse
- Public Health Manager
- Paramedics
- Dental Technicians
Professionals who want to work in the healthcare industry in the UK need to apply for UK Health and Care visa. The average salary of a healthcare professional in the UK is £28,180. The top jobs and the national average salary of different roles can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries |
| Medical Director | £103,637 per year |
| Neurosurgeon | £94,434 per year |
| Anesthetist | £93,923 per year |
| Plastic Surgeon | £91,826 per year |
| Psychiatrist | £87,760 per year |
| Cardiologist | £79,421 per year |
| Director of Nursing | £72,243 per year |
| Clinical Director | £66,932 per year |
| General Practitioner | £65,941 per year |
| Pharmacist | £45,032 per year |
Need guidance to get Healthcare jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Teaching
There is a moderate demand of teachers in the UK. Candidates who want to work as a teacher in the country will enjoy more holidays and breaks in comparison to other countries. Teachers have to teach according to the British curriculum which is easily understandable. A variety of teaching positions are available in the UK and the schools are willing to welcome international teachers.
Teachers and the other teaching staff get a competitive salary in the UK. Plenty of opportunities are available for teachers to progress in their careers. The job duties of a teacher in the UK are as follows:
- Lesson preparation
- Marking and assessment
- Arrangement of extracurricular activities
- Administrative duties
The number of students in the UK is increasing and schools are struggling to fill the vacancies for teaching different subjects included in STEM. The average salary for a teacher in the UK is £27,440. The related salaries for different job roles can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries |
| Professor | £57,588 |
| Lecturer | £37,052 |
| Teacher | £34,616 |
| Tutor | £30,000 |
| Research Assistant | £29,390 |
| Instructor | £28,009 |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant | £24,050 |
| Graduate Assistant | £24,000 |
| Teaching Assistant | £23,660 |
Need guidance to get Teaching jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
Nursing
The UK has a plenty of job opportunities for nursing. Immigrants who want to work as a nurse in the UK need to have a relevant degree. There are many segments in the healthcare sector where candidates can work as registered nurses. Nursing professionals needed in the UK are:
- Children’s nurse
- Health visitor
- Health play specialist
- Mental health nurse
- Midwife
- High-intensity therapist
- Physician associate
- Paramedic
- Adult nurse
- Learning disability nurse
In order to work as a nurse in the UK, immigrants have to go through several exams which will include theoretical knowledge and practical training.
The average salary of a nurse in the UK is £31,409 per year. The salaries for different job roles can be found in the table below:
| Job role | Salaries |
| Staff Nurse | £27,000 |
| Registered Nurse | £31,000 |
| Dental Nurse | £25,000 |
| Veterinary Nurse | £22,000 |
| Mental Health Nurse | £33,000 |
| Pandemic | £26,000 |
| Operating Room Registered Nurse | £31,200 |
| Nurse Practitioner | £33,000 |
| Nurse Manager | £40,000 |
| Clinical Nurse | £39,122 |
| Charge Nurse | £36,999 |
| Registered Nurse | £35,588 |
Need guidance to get Nursing jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
STEM
STEM is a combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM education provides basic skills to the students like:
- Problem-solving initiative
- Critical thinking
- Ability to work with team
- Communication
Technology is making rapid changes in the world and there is a high demand of foreign workers for STEM careers in the UK. It is expected that the demand for STEM will increase in the coming years. STEM provides different career opportunities which can be found in the table below:
| STEM | Career |
| Science | Doctors |
| Nurses | |
| Dentist | |
| Physics | |
| Chemistry | |
| Biology | |
| Technology | Web and Software Developers |
| Graphic Designers | |
| Fintech | |
| Software Testers | |
| Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Mechanical Engineering | |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | |
| Agricultural Engineering | |
| Mathematics | Financial Analyst |
| Research Analyst | |
| Economics | |
| Auditor | |
| Statistician |
The average salary for a STEM professional in the UK is £33,112.
Need guidance to get STEM jobs in UK? Avail Y-Axis job search services.
How to start your career in the UK?
You may have plans to work in UK and there are many tips and tricks that you can follow to get a job in the UK. Some of these tips are discussed below:
UK style CV
The first step to get a job in the UK is a CV. A well-written CV will be a good option due to which you will be invited for an interview. The CV has to be written in the UK style. A concise, clear, and neat CV with headings is liked by employers in the UK. Employers are not allowed to ask for age, gender, and photo details as per UK laws so there is no need to add these details to the CV. Use your name and add recent qualifications, educational skills, and achievements. You can also add references that will support your application.
Network
Network through social media and other means is a great way to get a job in the UK. You can communicate with your family, colleagues, friends, and others about your needs and interests. You will never know from where you will get an opportunity. Be in touch with people through social media and other platforms which will open a door to plenty of job opportunities.
Make a target and apply for jobs
Don’t apply for a lot of jobs. Narrow down the choice of potential employers and apply for jobs. You also need to update your skills and keep working on them. Make changes in the CV according to the requirement of the company you are applying for. Gather information about the company which will help you in the interview.
Look for jobs online
Keep searching for jobs online relevant to your interests. You can create alerts that will help you in getting a job according to your liking.
Work visa requirements
If you are an EU or EFTA citizen, you can work and settle in the UK and there is no need of a work visa. If you live outside the EU or EFTA, you will need a work visa to work in the country. A local employer, approved by the UK Home Office, has to sponsor you for the work visas.
The UK invites highly skilled immigrants on the basis of a points system. Applicants have to score a minimum of 70 points to become eligible to apply for a UK work visa. You have to get 50 mandatory and 20 tradable points to get a score of 70. The table below reveals the details:
| Characteristics | Mandatory/Tradeable | Points |
| Offer of job by approved sponsor | Mandatory | 20 |
| Job at appropriate skill level | Mandatory | 20 |
| Speaks English at required level | Mandatory | 10 |
| Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | Tradeable | 0 |
| Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | Tradeable | 10 |
| Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher) | Tradeable | 20 |
| Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee | Tradeable | 20 |
| Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job | Tradeable | 10 |
| Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job | Tradeable | 20 |
Visa requirements
You can apply for any of the visas listed below to work in UK:
- Skilled worker visa
- Health and care worker visa
- Global talent scheme
- Graduate immigration
How can Y-Axis assist you to find the right profession in UK?
Y-Axis provides the following services which you can avail of to get the profession of your choice:
- Counseling: Y-Axis provides free counseling services
- Job services: Avail job search services to find jobs in United Kingdom
- Eligibility: Use Y-Axis UK Immigration Points Calculator to check your eligibility
- LinkedIn Marketing Services: Y-Axis will help in creating a LinkedIn profile through LinkedIn Marketing Services
- Resume Writing: Avail Y-Axis Resume Writing Services to make an outstanding CV
Willing to migrate to UK? Talk to Y-Axis, the world’s no. 1 overseas immigration consultant.
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