15 best paying jobs you can do without needing a degree

You don’t need a university degree to earn a decent salary. Here are the highest paid jobs in the UK.

Not all of the highest paying jobs need a university degree.

There are plenty of best paid jobs where you need transferable skills from one type of work to another.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the UK average national salary was £34,963 in 2023, but some of these jobs pay even more.

Take a look at these jobs that pay well and see if you would be interested in applying.

Highest paying jobs in the UK – without a degree

It doesn’t matter if you are starting your search on the career ladder or are just looking to switch things up to earn more; these high paid jobs don’t need an expensive and lengthy education.

Here are some of the highest paid jobs you can do without needing a degree, showing the average salaries.

Prison Officer – £27,000

As a prison officer, you will supervise the welfare of inmates in prisons, remand centres or young offenders’ institutes.

Starter salary: £22,000

Highest salary: £38,000

What you need

You don’t need to attend university but need to have a basic level of education.

The role is best suited to someone who works well under pressure and can stay calm in stressful situations.

You can’t have got into any severe trouble as they need to do complete criminal background checks before they can employ you. You will also need to be physically fit and pass a medical test.

Application process

To make sure you have the skills they’re looking for, you’ll need to take a Prison Office Selection Test.

You’ll complete written tests, maths, judgement skills, as well as checking your physical abilities.

Estate Agents – £27,500

As an Estate Agent, you will sell or rent out commercial or residential property.

You will also work in the middle of buyers and sellers and act as a negotiator.

Starter salary: £15,000

Experienced salary: £40,000 + (including commissions)

What you need

Starting as a Junior Estate Agent, you can build up your sales and customer service skills.

Having a good understanding of the local area would be a great help so you can help “sell” the areas your buyers are looking for.

Application process

You can have a university degree in the role, but it’s not necessary.

Apply directly and build up your experience as entry level jobs. You can always undertake training from a professional body while working.

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Recruitment consultant – £28,000

As a recruitment consultant for either temporary or permanent positions, you will match jobs to suitable people.

Wages also have a commission payment, so earnings can be higher.

Starter salary: £16,000

Experienced salary: £40,000

What you need

It’s best to have background knowledge in the job market you are planning to work in.

You’ll need good communication and business management skills, as well as thorough administration skills.

Application process

Search for recruitment companies locally and apply when they have a vacancy for a junior role.

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Digital Marketer – £30,000

With online and digital marketing, one minute you can be promoting a brand on social media, the next creating something SEO-wise for a website, and another could be helping to develop a service for an app.

Many people have degrees in marketing, but they aren’t necessary at all.

Starter salary: £18,000

Highest salary: £45,000 +

What you need

You will need a flair for creativity and have a thirst to continue learning as you go – things are continually developing. You’ll also need excellent computer skills.

Application process

If you are looking to work with an agency, unusually showcase your skills so you can stand out from the crowd.

An apprenticeship route could also be worth looking into as you can earn while you learn.

Police Officer – £30,250

As a Police Officer, you will help maintain law and order, support crime prevention, and investigate crimes

Starter salary: £19,000

Experienced salary: £41,500

What you need

You’ll need to have good resilience, work well under pressure and in stressful situations.

You’ll need to be sensitive, have excellent communication and leadership skills.

Roles will involve having complete background checks.

Application process

One of the best routes if you don’t have a degree is to take the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), a three-year work-based programme.

With your chosen police force, you can apply for the programme (which earns you a degree-level qualification).

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Nuclear Technician – £30,500

There’s not much sleeping on the job like Homer Simpson manages. As a nuclear worker, you will maintain equipment and monitor radiation levels at nuclear power stations.

Starter salary: £23,000

Highest salary: £38,000

What you need

Although you don’t need a university degree, you need to have competency in engineering.

You can undertake a nuclear technician higher apprenticeship while working in the role.

In terms of skills, you’ll need to understand engineering science and technology, maintain tools and machines and have excellent attention to detail.

Application process

Look for apprenticeship opportunities with your local power station, private training provider or college.

Firefighter – £31,500

You’ll be in the community – although it’s not just about putting out fires in an emergency.

A firefighter helps educate people about fire safety and prevention. They can also support other emergency services during things like car accidents, floods or even bomb alerts.

Not too sure how many cats they help get down from trees.

Starter salary: £23,800

Experienced salary: £39,300

What you need

You’d need to work in shift patterns, and you could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays. You’ll also need to have medical and background checks and hold a full driving licence.

Having a basic education with GCSE Maths and English passes, but don’t need any other specific qualifications.

Application process

You’ll need to pass an online test to check your judgement ability in a work setting, as well as numeric and reading tests.

Plus, you need to show you have a good level of physical and mental fitness. So, you need to make sure you train well before starting down the application or selection process.

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Household Manager – £32,500

As a Butler or Household Manager, you will take care of all your employer’s personal and household tasks

You could work in their home, in a hotel or even travel with them.

Starter annual salary: £15,000

Experienced salary: £50,000 (or very good money, depending on your employer)

What you need

It may be best if you have some experience working in the hospitality or personal services industry, but it’s not always essential.

You will need excellent active listening and communication skills, as well as customer service skills. You’d also need to be highly conscious of sensitivity and privacy.

Application process

You can apply directly to households where you’d have a face to face interview process to see if you’re the right fit for the family.

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Computer Games Tester – £37,000

You won’t be playing games for fun but will test that computer games work properly, looking out for any problems, typos, accessibility issues or bugs, then report them back.

Starter salary: £24,000

Salary for experience: £50,000

What you need

You’ll need to have an in-depth understanding of different gaming platforms. There is no formal educational requirement.

You’ll need to have a good memory, be analytical in your thinking and have an excellent eye for detail.

Application process

Apply directly with games companies, potentially looking at part time or short term work to build up work experience.

You can also gain experience by testing early release versions of games and joining industry forums to make contacts.

Chicken Sexer – £40,000

It’s not the most glamorous, but it’s one of the unusual jobs that pay well.

You’ll probably check the sex of around 1,000 chickens per hour, with your shift lasting around 12 hours at a time.

Average salary: £40,000

What you need

You don’t need any previous experience but need to have a LOT of patience.

You’ll also need to have nimble hands and see well enough to look at, well, chickens.

Air Traffic Controllers – £40,000

You have to ensure that planes take off and land safely and ensure that the airport runs smoothly.

You don’t need a degree to work as an air traffic controller as you can get training on the job through an apprenticeship or trainee scheme.

The role is complex and pressurised, which is why it can pay so well.

Starter salary: £17,000 – £23,000, plus expenses during training

Highest salary: £100,000, depending on where you work and shift allowances

What you need

You need to have at least five GCSE (at grade A–C or 1–5 for the new grade system). The role is quite maths heavy, so you’d need to be very good with numbers.

They aren’t looking for any particular experience but are looking for transferrable skills such as making quick decisions, working well under pressure, and having excellent communication skills.

Application process

You need to apply directly with the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), or you can apply with smaller companies too.

To start the application for a trainee air traffic controller, you need to undertake a three-year training program to get your air traffic control licence. It starts with college-based training for 12 – 18 months, followed by on the job training.

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Computer Security Specialists – £42,500

Working in cyber security or as a forensic computer analyst, you will investigate computer-based offences and thwart cyber crime.

Starter salary: £25,000

Experienced salary: £60,000

What you need

You need to have an excellent understanding of computer systems and applications and have the ability to use initiative and solve complex problems when you’re looking to uncover cyber crime.

Although a qualification in computer science could help, if you have natural talent, it should shine through.

Application process

You can look to start working in an IT support role or as a network engineer and build your way up. If you’ve tried hacking before, you can show potential employers how you’ve used ethical hacking in the past.

Train and Tram Drivers – £44,500

You will operate trains, which carry passengers and freight around the country.

The job could be with one of the main overground rail networks, underground trains, trams, or even Eurostar.

Starter salary: £24,000 (closer to £49,500 for the London Underground)

Experienced salary: £65,000

What you need

You will have to undertake background and medical checks before getting the role and will need to live within one hour of the train depot.

In terms of skills, you will need to have high levels of patience, stay calm under pressure and feel comfortable operating equipment.

Application process

You’ll need to have gained passes in English and Maths GCSEs.

Apply directly to the train operating company and start as a trainee driver.

Training will usually last up to 24 months.

Sales Manager – £46,000

As a Sales Manager, you lead a team towards sales goals and KPIs. You’ll also organise and coach your team to achieve their targets.

Salaries usually have a commission, with the potential to earn a lot more.

Starter salary: £22,000

Upper salary: £70,000 + commissions

What you need

You will need to use your initiative and work very well under pressure.

You’ll need leadership qualities and excellent communication skills.

Application process

Starting as a Sales Representative (which still has a high average to good salary), you can hone your skills as a salesperson.

You’ll need to have strong market knowledge of the product or service you’re selling and a track record of proven sales.

Member of Parliament – £87,000+

Some of the highest paid jobs are as an MP. You represent the interests and concerns of your local area in the House of Commons.

You could vote on new laws in Parliament, raise issues with other ministers, or hold surgeries and advice sessions locally.

Starting salary: £87,000

Experienced salary: £150,500

As well as decent pay, it’s also one of the jobs with the best pensions.

What you need

There are no formal qualifications needed to become an MP.

In basic terms, you need to have the backing of your local constituents and be elected by voters. You’ve got to be nominated by at least ten electors from your constituency and pay a £500 deposit.

You will also need to have a firm grasp on local and national issues and all current affairs.

Application process

Each political party has its selection process, but you could stand as an independent candidate.

You will then need to campaign in public and online, attend meetings and talk to local media.

Highest paid unskilled jobs UK

So, whether you’re looking for jobs in the UK or planning to switch steps on the career ladder, there are plenty of best paying jobs without a degree out there for everyone.