These are some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK

If you’re looking for a career change or are merely curious about careers that are financially rewarding, it’s time to explore some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK.

According to government data from the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) under “Earnings and hours worked, occupation by four-digit SOC,” here are some of the highest-paying jobs in the UK, based on annual pay from 2020:

Air traffic controllers and flight engineers

Median salary: £92,330

Air traffic controllers help ensure a safe flow of air traffic. These professionals give information and advice to airline pilots to help them take off and land safely and on time.

In the UK, you can become an air traffic controller through an apprenticeship or a trainee scheme.

Gov.uk notes that you need a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to be an aircraft maintenance engineer. You can get involved in aircraft engineering through an apprenticeship route. 

Chief executives and senior officials

Median salary: £78,457

There may not be requirements for CEOs of managing directors to have certain qualifications, and many of these professionals come from different educational backgrounds. 

It’s worth noting that some of the leaders helming top companies in the world have an MBA, such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

Marketing and sales directors

Median salary: £74,122

Sales and marketing is a critical part of any business — without it, a business or company will struggle to grow. The role of a marketing or sales director can be highly stressful, but the financial reward can be worth it.

You don’t necessarily have to have a specific set of credentials, but it’s helpful to stay on top of trends by consistently updating your knowledge in the field.

This can be done through certifications, or other credentials that could be useful in your role as the field is constantly evolving.

An executive education, for instance, is a graduate-level education that is helpful for professionals who want something more targeted for their professional development.

Many exec-ed courses can bolster your leadership or decision-making skills. Alternative, there are also short certification courses to familiarise yourself with new sales and marketing platforms.

Ultimately, being successful in the field may require a commitment to lifelong learning.

Information technology and telecommunications directors

Median salary: £68,732

IT has become an indispensable part of both large and small businesses in our tech-driven era, whether in the public or private sector.

Not unlike some of the roles mentioned prior, candidates for these roles don’t necessarily need a specific degree to become an IT or telecommunications director. Still, many may start out with a related degree in the field.

Additional certifications or degrees can be helpful if you’re looking to complement your current skill set with additional soft or hard skills, be it leadership, strategy, among others.