Attending university isn’t the only path to a successful career. While some opt to study a core subject and pursue a career in that field, others seize alternative opportunities to obtain high-paying jobs straight after high school, with no degree necessary.
If you’re part of the many individuals seeking ways to succeed without spending an additional three years in university or feel you’ve earned a degree that doesn’t meet your needs, don’t worry. There are plenty of paths to securing well-paid roles with a respectable annual salary, even without being a graduate.
20 high-paying jobs without a degree in UK
We’ve compiled a list of the top 40 high-paying jobs available in the UK for those without a degree, complete with average, starting, and highest salaries for each role. All salary data has been sourced from Payscale, our own jobs board, and Glassdoor.
Personal Trainer
- Average Salary – £23,353
- Starting Salary: £20,000
- Highest Salary – £60,000
- Role Description: Personal Trainers help clients achieve their fitness goals by designing exercise programs and teaching exercises. The fitness industry has been consistently growing since 2014, offering an excellent opportunity for a rewarding career. One can become a Personal Trainer with a Level 3 Personal Training Qualification recognized by CIMSPA. Training providers may allow you to earn while you learn, helping you cover course repayment costs in just 2-3 months.
Estate Agents
- Average Salary – £21,250
- Starting Salary – £16,000
- Highest Salary – £49,000
- Role Description: Estate Agents help sell or rent out commercial or residential properties. Becoming an Estate Agent doesn’t require a degree, but qualifications such as an Estate Agent Diploma can be helpful.
Nutrition Coach
- Average Salary – £28,000
- Starting Salary – £19,000
- Highest salary– £44,000
- Role Description: A Nutrition Coach, or Nutrition Advisor, provides advice on food and drink-related topics to individuals and small groups. To become one, you need to complete a Level 3 Nutrition Course. (Note: The rest of the professions follow a similar pattern of presenting information. Be sure to include the job title, salary range, and brief role description for each.) When looking for a job without a degree, it’s crucial to remember that there are always options available to you. These 40 high-paying roles are just a fraction of what’s out there. If you’re passionate about a field and willing to learn and grow, you can turn that passion into a successful career.
Recruitment Consultant
- Average Salary: £23,000
- Starting Salary: £18,000
- Highest Salary: £30,000
- Role: Recruitment consultants are tasked with matching the right people with suitable job positions, typically working for recruitment agencies. Prior knowledge of the job market is beneficial, along with good communication, management, and administration skills.
Pilates Instructor
- . Average Salary: £25,000
- Starting Salary: £20,000
- Highest Salary: £52,000
- Role: Pilates instructors should acquire a Level 3 Diploma in Mat Pilates, which teaches anatomy and physiology with a focus on the spine and core. Instructors can run community classes, gym classes, mat work studios, and private sessions.
Firefighters
- Average Salary: £30,027
- Starting Salary: £23,000
- Highest Salary: £36,000
- Role: Firefighters work within communities to prevent and extinguish fires, educate about fire safety, and assist in situations like car accidents and floods.
Health & Wellbeing Coach
- Average Salary: £20,300
- Starting Salary: £16,000
- Highest Salary: £25,000
- Role: Health and wellbeing coaches promote positive behavior changes, helping individuals and communities improve their lifestyles. There are various courses available for this role, such as Level 2 understanding mental well-being, Level 3 exercise referral for health management, Level 4 Lower back pain, and Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes Management.
Police Officer
- Average Salary: £29,310
- Starting Salary: £21,000
- Highest Salary: £41,000
- Role: Police officers maintain law and order to prevent crime and improve public life quality. They must be able to handle stressful and challenging situations effectively.
Marketing Executive
- Average Salary: £24,141
- Starting Salary: £19,000
- Highest Salary: £30,000
- Role: Marketing executives devise effective sales strategies to meet consumer requirements, maximize profits and work on marketing campaigns to promote a product or service. Creativity and a constant drive to learn are beneficial in this role.
Computer games tester
- Average Salary: £31,090
- Starting Salary: £20,000
- Highest Salary: £40,000
- Role: Computer game testers play games to ensure they operate efficiently. They identify and report glitches or bugs in the games. Skills in writing and communication are necessary, with knowledge of game design being an added advantage.
Train drivers
- Average Salary: £27,898
- Starting Salary: £24,000
- Highest Salary: £70,000
- Role: Train drivers are in charge of safely operating trains. It’s a popular and competitive field, where concentration and attention to detail are essential.
Strength and conditioning coach
- Average Salary: £27,898
- Starting Salary: £24,000
- Highest Salary: £70,000
- Role: Strength and conditioning coaches create and maintain bespoke strength and conditioning programs for their clients. This role offers an alternative for those interested in sports and athletic performance.
Life Coach
- Average Salary: £27,000
- Starting Salary: £16,000
- Highest Salary: £44,000
- Role: Life coaches assist clients in achieving personal or professional goals. Qualifications, such as a Level 3 Life Coach course, can increase earnings and market potential, although they’re not mandatory.
Health & Fitness Coach
- Average Salary: £24,000
- Starting Salary: £19,000
- Highest Salary: £28,000
- Role: Health and fitness coaches need to complete a Level 4 Personal trainer course with RSPH Nutrition to provide fitness and nutrition advice to clients. These coaches can earn more than Personal Trainers by offering comprehensive health advice.
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Sound engineering Technician
- Average Salary: £32,000
- Starting Salary: £20,000
- Highest Salary: £54,000
- Role: Sound engineers assemble and operate sound equipment, recording, mixing, editing, and reproducing sounds for various mediums such as podcasts, TV, films, etc.
Management Consultant
- Average Salary: £49,047
- Starting Salary: £30,000
- Highest Salary: £88,000
- Role: Management consultants offer specialized advice and expertise in areas like strategies, mergers, governance, reorganizations, strategic leadership, and operations. Key skills include problem-solving, clear communication, and effective time management.
Sheet metal worker
- Average Salary: £27,250
- Starting Salary: £20,000
- Highest Salary: £37,000
- Role: Sheet metal workers fabricate sheet metal products based on designs, involving cutting, bending, and shaping sheet metal as per instructions. Work experience opportunities are available to gain skills.
Equipment Operator
- Average Salary: £22,050
- Starting Salary: £18,000
- Highest Salary: £25,000
- Role: Equipment operators drive a range of construction vehicles across various job sites and in all weather conditions. Good communication skills and safety awareness are required.
Nuclear Technician
- Average Salary: £30,500
- Starting Salary: £23,000
- Highest Salary: £38,000
- Role: Nuclear technicians maintain equipment and monitor radiation levels at nuclear power stations. A solid understanding of engineering is required, although no degree is necessary.
Executive Assistant
- Average Salary: £31,450
- Starting Salary: £22,000
- Highest Salary: £45,000
- Role: Executive assistants manage schedules and communications for key company employees, prepare meetings, and coordinate arrangements.
Translator
- Average Salary: £23,565
- Starting Salary: £18,000
- Highest Salary: £39,000
- Role: Translators accurately translate spoken and written words from one language to another. Fluency in multiple languages is necessary, which can be achieved through online courses and educational platforms.
Strategy Manager
- Average Salary: £54,515
- Starting Salary: £36,000
- Highest Salary: £75,000
- Role: Strategy managers assess organizations’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and use this information to formulate a strategy that minimizes risks.
Sports massage Therapist
- Average Salary: £25,000
- Starting Salary: £18,000
- Highest Salary: £41,000
- Role: Sports massage therapists must obtain a Level 3 Sports Massage qualification to work full-time. They advise and guide on how to prevent injuries during sports and exercise physical activities.
Conclusion
Embracing the belief that a degree is not the sole determiner of your professional success opens doors to myriad possibilities. As this article has revealed, there are a plethora of high-paying jobs in the UK that do not require a degree. These 14 positions, spanning various sectors from technology and creative fields to skilled trades, are proof that your potential is defined by your skills, passion, and work ethic rather than a piece of paper. So whether you’re a school leaver considering your next steps, someone looking to switch careers, or merely curious about what’s out there, remember this: your path to a fulfilling, high-paying job might look different from what you initially imagined, but it is undoubtedly within your reach. You have the power to define your career trajectory. Take charge of it, and let your journey of success begin