The world of work can be scary, especially when you’re uncertain about the kind of career path you want to take.
More than half (54%) of Brits believe they’ll never land their dream job, while 46% think their perfect career doesn’t exist.
With such confusion and anxiety surrounding our professional lives, many people turn to industries where they think they’ll make the most money. Or, where they’ll be able to climb the corporate ladder quickly.
With that, Metro rounded up 10 jobs that have seen the biggest pay rises since 2023. Disclaimer: You can’t expect to land any of these roles immediately. Lots of hard work, dedication, and sometimes, degrees need to be sought first.
However, if you’re willing to put in the graft, what’s stopping you from making the big bucks?
10. Contracts manager
Industry: Procurement
Average salary (2024): £53,667
% salary increase since 2023: 6.8%
Starting off the list at number 10, we have contract managers. Who, by the way, have a pretty sweet salary to begin with. These professionals – who have seen a 6.8% salary increase since 2023 – oversee contracts within a company from start to finish. This means drafting a contract, negotiating, executing and renewing, all while ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Alongside these responsibilities, contract managers will maintain positive relationships with clients, contractors and stakeholders, monitor performance, and manage their own internal team.
In the UK, to become a contracts manager, a bachelor’s degree is generally required. Common fields include business administration, law, management, or other related areas.
9. Software architect (Microsoft Stack)
Industry: Technology
Salary (2024): £83,444
% salary increase since 2023: 7.2%
With a current salary of over £80k and a 7.2% pay rise rate, the tech industry is a pretty lucrative one to get into.
As a software architect specifically, you’re at the top of your game. You’re a senior-level software engineer responsible for the structure and behaviour of a software system. Complex design ability will be required, as well as helping to manage and train development teams.
A combination of education, experience, and specific skills is needed to reach this level. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is non-negotiable. It’s also a role that requires experience, so you’ll have to rise through the ranks.
8. In-house lawyer (1 year PQE)
Industry: Legal
Salary (2024): £54,000
% salary increase since 2023: 7.2%
An in-house lawyer basically means you’re a lawyer employed by one organisation. This could be a company or even the government. In your role, you act on behalf of your employer to provide legal advice and services.
There’s quite a lot of education that goes into becoming a lawyer, and for good reason. First, you’ll need a law degree or a non-law degree accompanied by a law conversion course. This could be a Graduate Diploma in Law. Next, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination needs to be completed, alongside two years of work experience.
You don’t want to be thrown in at the deep end, after all. Your company’s reputation (and life) is on the line.
7. Part-qualified accountant (finalist)
Industry: Finance
Salary (2024): £41,375
% salary increase since 2023: 7.6%
You’ve almost made it, but you’re not quite there. Being part-qualified means you’re legally allowed to work, but you’re not a fully-fledged accountant.
Rather, you’ll have made excellent progress towards completing your full accounting qualification (usually ACA, ACCA, or CIMA). You’ve still got a few exams to pass and more experience requirements to gain.
In this role, which has seen a 7.3% pay rise in recent years, you’ll likely be employed in accounting and finance roles, with your next step being promoted to full accountancy status.
6. In-house lawyer (7-10 Years PQE – commerce and industry)
Industry: Legal
Salary (2024): £87,625
% salary increase since 2023: 7.6%
Instead of just one year, now you’ve got between seven to 10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) under your belt. By now, these professionals will hold mid to senior-level roles and have more legal responsibility. This could be anything from corporate governance, regulatory compliance, or dealing with commercial contracts.
5. Site Supervisor
Industry: Engineering/manufacturing
Salary (2024): £45,000
% salary increase since 2023: 8%
In this role, you’ll manage and oversee construction projects, plus other on-site happenings. You’ll make sure each project is completed to the required safety and quality standards, and that the workflow is efficient.
As a site engineer, you’re kind of like the middleman between the on-site team and senior management. Managing resources, ensuring a safe work environment, and coordinating tasks is your jam.
A degree isn’t always needed to do this job. However, you do need relevant qualifications, like a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction Management. If you do want to go down the university route, try courses in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Surveying or Building Studies.
Alternatively, you can always apply for an apprenticeship where you’ll learn the skills on the job, while also getting the relevant qualifications.
4. Technology cyber manager (operational)
Industry: Technology
Salary (2024): £100,500
% salary increase since 2023: 8.5%
With a huge wage (plus a tidy pay increase rate) comes big responsibilities. You’re literally in charge of cybersecurity.
To explain further, a technology cyber manager will deal with the securing of Operational Technology systems. The development and implementation of cybersecurity will be on your daily agenda, as will managing security strategies and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
Incident response will also play a part in your workday, where you’ll need to report on cybersecurity metrics and provide expert advice.
If all that sounds a little confusing to you, same. So it’s no surprise it’s a long haul to get to this role and understand everything it entails.
First up, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, which is usually information technology, cybersecurity or computer science. A master’s in IT management should also be considered if you’re looking to progress to leadership roles in the future. You’ll also need to have plenty of experience in IT-related roles, in specific areas like network engineering, software development and systems administration.
3. Industrial engineer
Industry: Engineering/manufacturing
Salary (2024): £44,000
% salary increase since 2023: 8.6%
At number three, we have industrial engineers. With a £44k average salary and an 8.6% pay rise rate since 2023, those interested in the engineering and manufacturing industry, take heed.
Professionals focus on improving productivity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness through optimising processes and systems. Whether it’s traditional manufacturing or emerging technologies, daily life will involve things like supply-chain management, systems and tech integration and quality control.
A bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering is usually recommended, but some employers can also accept the following: an industry-recognised apprenticeship, a foundation degree, or a higher national diploma. If career progression is on the brain, it might also be worth looking into a master’s degree in operations or engineering management.
2. Risk surveyor/consultant
Industry: Insurance
Salary (2024): £55,400
% salary increase since 2023: 9.2%
With a huge salary increase of 9.2% since 2023, risk surveyors and consultants have it sorted. These workers assess and analyse potential risks for businesses, organisations, and often insurance companies. From assessing things like security, fire safety and regulations, they also make informed decisions about the likelihood of potential claims.
Essentially, these professionals make insurers’ lives easier by reducing risks and improving risk management practices.
There’s not one specific educational route to go down if you fancy this career path. However, there are some recommendations. This includes construction, surveying, engineering or risk management degrees. Qualifications from organisations such as the Chartered Insurance Institute are also helpful.
1. Fabricator/welder
Industry: Engineering/manufacturing
Salary (2024): £33,500
% salary increase since 2023: 9.5%
And last but not least, the role with the highest salary increase over the last two years is a fabricator/welder. But interestingly, the wage is the lowest on the list. Still, if regular pay rises are more important to you, and you fancy entering the manufacturing or engineering industry, this job could be for you.
These are skilled tradespeople who fabricate (shape and assemble) and weld (join) metal components to make products or structures. As well as being able to work well with different materials, master different welding techniques, and provide durable and high-quality results, you’ll also need to be able to read and interpret blueprints.
You can pursue this career in multiple ways. Either secure a Fabrication and Welding Engineering Higher National Certificate or a Higher National Diploma, which are often completed alongside further education at colleges and universities. Or, bag a Level 2 or Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering, which are typically achieved during an apprenticeship
(Sources: TotalJobs and Hays)
The 7 top-paying UK jobs you don’t need a degree for
If you desperately want to avoid going to university (and avoid the killer fees), there are other career options available.
There are so many jobs that don’t require a degree, but still pay the big bucks. (Disclaimer: all require hard work and dedication. Nothing is handed to us on a plate, remember.)
Interested to find out which path you could follow? Whether you’re leaving school this summer or thinking of a career change in later life, here are the 7 best-paying jobs in the UK you can get into without a degree.
