15+ Highest-Paying Jobs in the UK Right Now

The highest-paying jobs in the UK right now include executive and senior roles, careers in IT, and medical specialists, some of whom can earn over £100,000 a year. This is significantly higher than the UK’s average annual salary, which stands at approximately £37,430, according to the data from 2024.

To help you discover what skills pay the most in the UK and which career to pursue, we’ve researched the market and compiled a list of the highest-paying jobs in 2025.

Read on to see whether your dream job features on the list.

#1. Financial Director: £98,000/year

Brief overview: Financial directors are members of the board, whose main responsibilities are to supervise financial operations and develop and maintain the company’s financial strategy. They determine what resources to allocate to specific projects and establish budgets for departments, according to their requirements.

Furthermore, financial directors handle risk assessment and give advice on investment decisions. That way, they ensure the company’s overall economic health and sound financial practices.

Considering all this, it’s clear that this is a highly demanding role, suitable only for people with impressive credentials and extensive experience. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that it’s one of the highest-paying jobs in the UK.

#2. Anaesthetist: £96,000/year

Brief overview: Anaesthetists are medical doctors who administer anaesthesia before surgeries, adjust its level to keep the patient stable, and help with pain management. Their role is crucial for patients’ safety and comfort, so being one of the highest-paying jobs in the UK is justified.

In addition to shouldering great responsibility, anaesthetists also spend years obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills.

According to the National Careers Service, an aspiring anaesthetist must obtain a medical degree, complete a two-year foundation programme, and undertake specialist training that can last up to eight years. That amounts to approximately 15 years of learning, which, of course, is why this is one of the highest-paying jobs in the medical field in the UK.

#3. CTO: £90,000/year

Brief overview: CTOs, or Chief Technology Officers, ensure that a company’s use and implementation of technology aligns with its goals and vision. Essentially, they are responsible for devising a tech strategy, following market trends, and overseeing and evaluating IT departments.

CTOs play a crucial role in their company’s growth and development, and their decisions impact its production, communication, and infrastructure. As such, they have one of the highest salaries among senior-level positions, second only to financial directors.

#4. Psychiatrist: £89,000/year

Brief overview: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental conditions, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and more. Unlike psychologists, therapists, and other mental health specialists, psychiatrists can prescribe medication for treatment.

In the UK, mental health has been on a steady decline for decades, so the demand for psychiatrists has grown. However, the burnout and round-the-clock availability that’s expected of many psychiatrists have made this career generally unpopular, despite the high salary.

#5. Orthodontist: £86,000/year

Brief overview: Orthodontists are dental specialists who focus on diagnosing and correcting teeth and jaw irregularities. For instance, they are the ones you visit when you need braces to improve the functionality and aesthetics of your teeth.

Aside from applying braces and similar corrective devices, orthodontists give advice on dental health, create personalised treatment plans, and monitor their effectiveness. In other words, they maintain regular communication with their patients, which requires their interpersonal skills to be top-notch.

Furthermore, a university degree is a must; you must first obtain a bachelor’s in dentistry before you can apply for further training and specialisation. The orthodontist specialisation takes an additional three years to complete, and you must also gain experience as a dentist in the meantime.

#6. CEO: £85,000/year

Brief overview: Chief Executive Officers, or CEOs, are essentially the leaders of a company; they define its long-term goals and strategies. They also oversee all departments, guide the executive teams, communicate with investors and stakeholders, and represent the organisation publicly.

In other words, CEOs are among the most important people in a company, which is reflected in their position on the list of highest-paying jobs in the UK. Granted, their average salary is lower than that of CTOs and financial directors, but they can earn far more than either in large companies and international corporations.

#7. General Practitioner: £85,000/year

Brief overview: General practitioners (GPs) are doctors who provide primary care to patients, representing the first point of contact in the healthcare system. As a result, their role is crucial; they must correctly identify the illness to either treat it or refer the patient to a specialist.

Aside from treating and referring, GPs provide preventive care (vaccinations and health screenings), manage chronic conditions, and keep patient records. All this serves to ensure the population’s health and better address patients’ individual needs.

#8. Marketing Director: £82,000/year

Brief overview: Marketing directors are in charge of a company’s marketing strategy, so they must oversee the content and design teams, conduct market research, and analyse campaign performance. Their goal is to build brand awareness, which, ultimately, results in more customers and higher profits.

Like other senior-level positions on our list of the highest-paying jobs in the UK, marketing directors earn a lot because their responsibilities are versatile and demanding. Not everyone can perform their tasks effectively; they need to combine an analytical mind with creativity and innovation.

#9. Consulting Partner: £78,000/year

Brief overview: Consulting partners are shareholders and senior-level advisors who help their clients improve business strategies, identify business opportunities, and give insights on the company’s direction.

One of their most important responsibilities is maintaining professional relationships with clients and ensuring their satisfaction. As a result, consulting partners must be excellent communicators with a deep understanding of what their clients need and how to approach them.

Furthermore, they often oversee complex projects, manage teams, and train junior consultants. Due to the versatility and importance of their responsibilities, consulting partners require extensive training and experience, so they usually earn this position after 7–10 years.

#10. Corporate Lawyer: £77,000/year

Brief overview: Corporate lawyers handle all legal matters for a business: contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and regulatory compliance. Simply put, they ensure the company operates within the law while it strives to achieve its goals.

However, the road to becoming a corporate lawyer isn’t easy; aside from a bachelor’s degree, you must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and gain Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). All this amounts to approximately 6–8 years of studying before you can become a legal representative of a company.

It’s also worth noting that corporate lawyers’ salaries vary greatly depending on the client they represent. Large corporations with complex bureaucracy pay much more than start-ups and small firms, so working for them, especially in the London area, can be very lucrative.

#11. Airline Pilot: £72,000/year

Brief overview: Airline pilots fly commercial aircraft, safely transporting passengers from one destination to another. To ensure that the flight passes smoothly and without incidents, they must be skilled at managing emergencies, communicating with air traffic controllers, and cooperating with the cabin crew.

Though you can attend university to become a pilot, this isn’t necessary; an airline pilot is one of the highest-paying jobs in the UK without a degree. You do, however, need to enrol in a flight school and complete appropriate courses before you get a Commercial Pilot License.

Additionally, airline pilots must hold appropriate medical certificates to be allowed to operate a commercial plane. In particular, you need a Class 1 UK medical certificate, which you can obtain if you undertake and pass an extensive medical examination.

#12. Surgeon: £58,000/year

Brief overview: Surgeons are medical doctors who perform surgeries to treat illnesses and injuries and manage pre- and post-operative care. They may work in general surgery or specialise in other branches (neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery), which can significantly impact their salaries.

Like anaesthetists, surgeons spend up to 15 years in school, training and preparing for their careers. That, combined with work-related stress, numerous responsibilities, and irregular working hours, more than justifies their position on the list of the highest-paying jobs in the UK.

#13. Air Traffic Controller: £51,000/year

Brief overview: Air traffic controller is one of the highest-paying jobs in the UK because it is a demanding, stressful career that ensures air traffic’s smooth operation. Its responsibilities include monitoring and directing aeroplanes, communicating with pilots, coordinating takeoffs and landings, and responding to emergencies.

Air traffic controllers must possess excellent concentration and the ability to multitask. Even the smallest mistake can result in a huge incident, so they can’t afford to be distracted or hesitate when giving directions.

Still, it’s another job on our list that doesn’t require a university degree; training and apprenticeships are sufficient. However, it’s certainly not a job everyone can do, so only apply if you’re confident you possess the required skills and mindset.

#14. Data Scientist: £49,000/year

Brief overview: Data scientists analyse datasets to spot trends and build predictive models based on the available information. Then, they use these predictions to help businesses make data-driven decisions and solve challenges when they arise.

Data scientists have to be well-versed in computers, machine learning, and statistics to do their jobs well, so they typically need a university degree in a related field. Most get one in maths, computer science, or statistics, although there are also apprenticeship options that can replace bachelor’s degrees.

Typically, data scientists work in IT companies, financial firms, retail, and government agencies, but many find employment elsewhere, too. For instance, the National Health Service (NHS) often hires them for research purposes.

#15. Software Developer: £49,000/year

Brief overview: Software developers design and maintain computer programs, so they are currently one of the most in-demand careers both in the UK and in the world. Their primary responsibilities include writing code, debugging and testing applications, and updating existing systems.

Since they work in a highly dynamic field, software engineers must be willing to learn new information and stay up to date with the trends. After all, coding practices, languages, and frameworks change regularly, so it’s easy to be left behind if you don’t put in enough effort.

Most software developers obtain university degrees in computer science, IT, software engineering, and related fields, but some rely on courses or self-study. Because of that, software development is one of the highest-paying jobs in the UK for foreigners who may not have the necessary qualifications but possess the relevant skills.

#16. Investment Banker: £46,000/year

Brief overview: Investment bankers provide financial advice to companies, institutions, and stockbrokers, helping them find investment opportunities, raise capital, and meet strict financial regulations.

Since investment bankers often work with millions of pounds, they must be highly responsible and well-versed in economics, financial markets, and corporate finance. As a result, they should have a degree in a related field, such as finance, economics, business, or maths.

#17. Pharmacist: £43,000/year

Brief overview: Pharmacists are healthcare workers who prepare and dispense medication and help patients use it safely. Aside from patients, they often work with doctors and other medical professionals, advising them on medication choices and their correct usage.

In the UK, you can only become a pharmacist if you have a master’s degree; a bachelor’s alone isn’t enough. After that, you must also complete the pharmacist foundation training scheme, which takes up one additional year, on top of the four years you need to get your degree.

For the most part, pharmacists work in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, but some are employed in research centres, and others travel for work. The dynamic nature of the job appeals to individuals who dislike structure, routine, and traditional corporate settings, although it does require great flexibility and adaptability.

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Final Thoughts

Knowing what the top 17 highest-paying jobs in the UK are helps you make a more informed decision if you’re just starting your career or considering a career change. Whichever profession you choose from the list, you won’t go wrong; at least not if financial security is your primary concern.

However, consider how your skills and personality play into this, too. Many of these jobs are well-paid because they are demanding and stressful, so they may not be ideal for those who prefer a more relaxed lifestyle.