According to the Office of National Statistics, a third of graduates earn less than those who went straight into the job market after finishing higher education, showing that while a degree can be admirable, it is not always necessary to get into the field you want to.
Below, Learn Retail Arbitrage’s careers advisor, Sharon Murphy, reveals ten of the most high paid jobs in the UK and advises the route into getting a foot in the door.
Construction – average annual salary of £47,500
A career in construction is rewarding and varied, especially as there are many routes to go down. The construction industry is open to absolutely everyone, with many entry-level positions not needing any qualifications at all. However, although many routes do not require qualifications, if learning is something you would still like to do in your career, there are routes which require taking a relevant college course to succeed.
One of the best ways to get into the field is to approach employers for work experience or use the job search site. Bigger companies will be happy to offer you different roles and can even sponsor further training, should this be of interest to you.
Pilot – average annual salary of £42,000
Yes, you read this right. A pilot does not require a university degree, however to become a pilot it will require training and certain qualifications and should definitely not be taken as an “easy” option, as the training can be quite tough. Firstly as a minimum, you will require five GCSEs, including the core subjects of Maths, English and Science, then you will need an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) and a Class 1 Medical certificate. Some workplaces or colleges offer a “modular” route, which allows you to work while you train, helping you gain valuable experience before qualifying.
HR – average annual salary of £41,000
The role of HR is essentially to maximise employee productivity and ensure the company is a safe and risk-free place to work. If you have an eye for detail, super organised and are able to listen to colleague’s work-related issues, then HR is a great option. While a degree is not necessary, for those who enjoy learning new skills, a perk of HR is there are many courses and extra qualifications you can take in order to grow your CV even further.
Digital Marketing – average annual salary of £37,500
Digital marketing careers have grown in popularity in recent years and with good reason. A career in digital marketing allows for creativity and flexibility, as there are numerous industries or roles you can move into. You could work for one brand, an agency or even focus on events. Another bonus is that although there are lots of different roles you can try, the key principles and knowledge will remain, so there is opportunity to try various industries and gain valuable experience.
You can quite easily develop new skills whilst on the job but also by doing research and even taking classes to excel even better at your job. You can get the help of SEO experts in the industry to improve your SEO skills. Browse the website of Top SEO Consultant in Lahore and why not contact the team of an assessment?
Web Developer – average annual salary of £35,000
For years now, the tech industry has made waves across the world, with new success stories of tiny websites, which began in someone’s parent’s basement taking off and making millions, coming out on a seemingly constant basis. So, it may seem shocking that in order to join this tech world you don’t necessarily need a university education. In fact, as many developers claim they started learning their craft on their own, many tech companies and especially start-ups are willing to look past formal education in favour of a strong portfolio of code.
Air traffic controller- average annual salary of £32,000
Air traffic controllers rarely require qualifications past higher education, so just GCSEs are needed. To train, you can either go through an apprenticeship which offers you paid, on-the-job training, or specific training with the National Air Traffic Services training.
Data Analyst – average annual salary of £32,000
While a degree is seen a desirable, it is not at all necessary in order to become a Data Analyst. Instead, you just need to show a mathematical and analytical skills and ideally have some experience working with certain tech programs, which can be done in your own time. In order to stand out, however, it might be advisable to take a few courses in order to get a stronger understanding of the role. As companies rely on Data Analysts to analyse data in order to make important decisions, the role is exceptionally rewarding as your information can help grow a business.
Personal Assistant (PA) – average annual salary of £29,500
Personal Assistants do not require any specific qualifications, so you can enter this straight from school. As the role requires managing schedules and keeping your cool under pressure, you will need strong organisation skills and patience. Many companies require PAs to keep everything running smoothly, so that means there are numerous industries or individuals you can support. If you have an interest in a certain field, then working as a PA can give you a strong understanding of the industry.
Business Owner – average annual salary of small business owners is £29,000
Why not be your own boss? If you have a hobby you’d like to turn full-time, or you have a particular skill which people would pay to access, then consider opening your own business. Although of course a degree specifically in Business Management might be ideal, a lot of information is online and is definitely not a requirement to opening your own business. If, for example, you have a dream of opening your own restaurant, it might be a good idea to work in a similar environment for a few years in order to gain some experience. Once you are up and running then the sky’s the limit for salary.
Additionally, if you’re a business owner there are plenty of effective ways to market your business online. For example, SEO can transform your website rankings, increase your organic traffic and boost customer conversions. If you’re considering implementing an SEO strategy, we’d recomend working with professional search engine optimisation consultants. Not only do they have the experience and expertise to ensure the strategy is effective, but they also offer a range of affordable services that range in price. No matter your budget, you’ll be sure to find the right ones for your business. For more information, please contact Ignite SEO today!
Recruitment consultant – average annual salary of £26,000 (however with commission this can see a huge rise of up to £60,000)
Finding good employees to join companies has always been difficult but has been particularly worsened thanks to the pandemic and the “Great Resignation.” With this means many companies are seeking external help in filling their important roles and place the responsibility into the hands of the consultant. A degree, although is a bonus, is definitely not a necessity for this role. Instead, most recruitment agencies require strong communication skills, computer competency and a hard-working nature.
In addition to strong base salaries, most recruitment companies work with a commission structure, meaning the more places you fill, the more money you will receive.
