The UK is often regarded as one of the best countries to work in, with its renowned capital city, London, continuing to attract both workers and tourists alike. There are numerous job opportunities available in a wide range of fields, from healthcare and advertising to law and recruitment. The choices are endless.
With the average annual salary surpassing £49,000, it’s a promising option for many who want to begin or advance their career. That said, you’re probably wondering which professions take home the most money.
Within this article, we’ll go through the 20 highest-paying jobs, their wages, and what it takes to land each role.
So, let’s dive right in!
20. Chartered accountant
Average annual salary: £38,000 to £63,000
What they do: Chartered accountants are at the highest level in their field. They manage financial accounts, conduct audits, and provide tax planning services to businesses and individuals. They also ensure financial operations are compliant with financial laws.
How to become one: To become a chartered accountant, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, followed by full completion of a series of professional exams, such as the ACCA exams. In addition, a minimum of three years of experience in a more junior role is necessary.
19. Investment banker
Average annual salary: £38,000 to £71,000
What they do: Investment bankers help clients raise funds by issuing stocks or bonds and providing advice on mergers and acquisitions. They often work in fast-paced environments and handle large-scale transactions.
How to become one: Becoming an investment banker is a highly competitive process. You must have a bachelor’s degree in economics, accounting, or finance. If you’d like a competitive edge, an MBA is advisable.
18. Data scientist
Average annual salary: £41,000 to £67,000
What they do: Data scientists are responsible for collecting data, processing it, and analysing the data to provide actionable insights that help businesses make decisions. They can be found in all fields, providing information on areas that influence decisions, such as consumer insights, patterns, trends, and business opportunities.
How to become one: You’ll need a degree in a quantitative field such as math and CS, and you’ll also need to develop core skills in Python, SQL, and machine learning to succeed in this position.
17. Dentist
Average annual salary: £42,000 to £81,000
What they do: Dentists diagnose and treat issues related to oral health. This includes gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and teeth misalignment. They also offer preventative care such as teeth cleaning and prophylaxis.
How to become one: A career in dentistry takes years to build. To begin, you must finish the 5-year dentistry course, and then go through one or two more years of training.
16. Pharmacist
Average annual salary: £42,000 to £56,000
What they do: These types of healthcare professionals dispense medications and explain the safe use of prescriptions. They can also help monitor patients' health and provide advice for basic health issues by offering tailored pharmacological solutions.
How to become one: A bachelor’s degree in a field like biology or chemistry is essential before attending medical school to become a pharmacist. In total, you’ll need 6-8 years to study before you can obtain your pharmaceutical license.
15. Software engineer
Average annual salary: £42,000 to £68,000
What they do: A software engineer designs software systems and maintains applications. They write and debug code, as well as improve software systems to meet the needs of the business.
How to become one: A degree in computer science or software engineering is a must to succeed in this role. While coding can be self-taught, most businesses look for higher education when recruiting.
14. Risk manager
Average annual salary: £43,000 to £69,000
What they do: Risk Managers identify, assess, and extract risks that could affect businesses from their financial operations to their reputation. They develop risk management strategies and ensure an organization complies with regulatory standards.
How to become one: You’ll need a degree in economics, business, or finance to succeed in this role. An MBA in risk management could also offer a competitive edge.
13. Petroleum engineer
Average annual salary: £47,000 to £82,000
What they do: Petroleum engineers create methods for extracting oil and gas from below the ground. They analyze geological data to find a way to conduct drilling to obtain oil with as little environmental impact as possible.
How to become one: A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or civil engineering is essential, while a master’s degree can be beneficial if you want to excel in this career.
12. Consulting partner
Average annual salary: £49,000 to £154,000
What they do: Consulting partners lead teams within consulting organizations. They offer high-level advice to businesses that need help improving their business strategy, performance metrics, and those who want to increase growth and employee morale.
How to become one: You can’t just go to a university to become a consulting partner. It’s a highly specialized area that requires years of experience in business and a strong network. It often takes 7-15 years to be established as a consulting partner, but once you’ve made it, you can be in for a hefty pay cheque.
11. Actuary
Average annual salary: £59,000 to £96,000
What they do: If you’re into economics and enjoy predicting the future, then this job could be for you. Actuaries provide insights that help businesses make decisions based on risk assessment and financial knowledge.
How to become one: A degree in science, mathematics, finance, or economics is essential to becoming an actuary.
10. Quantitative analyst
Average annual salary: £62,000 to £114,000
What they do: Quantitative analysts are assets in investment banks, trading firms, and hedge funds, and they analyze financial markets. In addition, they develop trading strategies and provide risk management services.
How to become one: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or engineering, followed by a master's or PhD in financial engineering, quantitative finance, or applied math.
9. Corporate lawyer
Average annual salary: £63,000 to £126,000
What they do: Corporate lawyers advise clients on legal issues and ensure companies are compliant with laws and regulations. They also represent businesses in court and offer guidance to avoid any legal risks.
How to become one: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in law, then a bar exam to become a fully qualified corporate lawyer. In total, this may take up to seven years of education.
8. Pilot
Average annual salary: £69,000 to £105,000
What they do: Airline pilots fly commercial airline planes and transport passengers via long-haul and short-haul flights. They ensure the safety of everyone on board, including passengers, airline crew, and communicate consistently with air traffic control.
How to become one: Besides meeting physical requirements, you’ll need to complete flight training and receive an airline transport pilot certificate. You’ll then need to build 1,500 hours by working as a flight instructor before you can be eligible as a pilot.
7. Marketing director
Average annual salary: £78,000 to £126,000
What they do: Marketing directors are responsible for developing, strategizing, and implementing the marketing strategy for a business. This includes branding, advertising campaigns, product launches, and additional procedures that drive business and awareness. They often manage large teams and manage brand reputation across multiple platforms.
How to become one: To become a marketing director, you’ll need a bachelor's degree in marketing, media, or a similar field. This is usually followed by 8 to 10 years of climbing the ranks to reach the director level.
6. Psychiatrist
Average annual salary: £86,000 to £129,000
What they do: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who identify, specialize in, and treat mental health disorders. This can range from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They combine medication and therapy to help patients manage their symptoms.
How to become one: In total, it takes around 12 years of studies and training to become a psychiatrist. This involves a medical degree, four years of medical school, plus a four-year residency.
5. Orthodontist
Average annual salary: £71,000 to £133,000
What they do: Orthodontists are responsible for checking their patients’ oral care and providing dental solutions, such as fillings, root canals, orthodontics, and more. They create personalized treatment plans based on the individual’s dental issues.
How to become one: You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, followed by four years of dental school, then proceed to a two- to three-year orthodontic residency. In total, it will take you around 10 years to become a fully qualified orthodontist.
4. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Average annual salary: £72,000 to £188,000
What they do: CEOs are at the top of a business hierarchy. They manage the overall strategy, including finances, product ideas, market launches, and compliance, and act as the main figure in making key decisions.
How to become one: You can’t just study to become a CEO; you generally need years of experience within the industry that you’re in and plenty of knowledge in business administration.
3. Surgeon
Average annual salary: £77,000 to £144,000
What they do: Surgeons carry out complex medical procedures to treat injuries, among other healthcare concerns. They take years to build a specialization, such as plastic surgery, neurosurgery, or cardiac surgery.
How to become one: Becoming a surgeon involves a long path of studying. In total, around 13-14 years of education are required to qualify as a surgeon. This includes an undergrad degree, four years of medical school, one to three years in a fellowship, plus licensing exams and continued training in your desired area.
2. IT director
Average annual salary: £85,000 to £136,000
What they do: IT directors oversee an organization's IT strategy and infrastructure. They implement processes, new systems, oversee that the company’s framework is up-to-date and running smoothly, and maintain a good level of cybersecurity.
How to become one: A bachelor’s degree in information technology is essential. Thereafter, you’ll need 8-10 years of experience within the field to progress into this role.
1. Anesthetist
Average annual salary: £103,000 to £122,000
What they do: Anesthesiologists play a vital role in the care of patients undergoing major procedures and operations. They administer controlled amounts of anesthesia so the patient doesn’t feel pain, while also monitoring vital signs to keep an eye on potential complications.
How to become one: Anesthesiology is one of the toughest areas in the medical field. You’ll need to first complete a bachelor’s degree in a science field, followed by four years of medical school and then a medical residency.
Final thoughts
While the UK market is highly competitive, it’s not impossible to succeed in high-paying roles. With the right education and experience, you can flourish and have a fruitful career. Don’t forget that personal branding is also a key determinant of success in any profession.
Salary information contained in this article was updated based on the 2025 data compiled by Glassdoor Salaries.
This article was originally published in January 2014.