The start of the year is often a time that people seek change, both in their professional and personal lives. People’s reasons for a career change can be due to a number of factors, with salary usually being top of the list (probably why you’ve searched for the highest paid jobs in the UK in 2025). 

With the rise in the cost of living in the UK, people are turning to new career opportunities. Throughout the year, there will be a rise in energy bills, council tax and water bills, along with an increase in public transport costs. Many businesses have announced they are unlikely to provide as many pay rises as a result of the rise in national insurance on employers. Because of this, you might be looking for a new job in a different sector to keep up with the cost of living. 

When looking for a job, as well as the salary, we consider other factors such as job satisfaction, flexibility and work-life balance. Whilst reading the highest paid jobs in the UK, it’s important to remember that although these are careers that will likely bring you the largest income, other factors may be just as important. This is one of the reasons why people opt for a career change to jobs in the fitness industry where the earning potential is uncapped and it can also be extremely rewarding. 

No degree? No problem 

Most of the careers listed in the highest paid jobs in the UK in 2025 require a degree. However, that isn’t always the case. Not all high paid jobs require a university degree and if you’d like to know the list of the highest paid jobs in the UK without a degree, you can read about them in our other blog post. 

You might not be surprised to hear that Personal training is one of the highest paid jobs in the UK that doesn’t require a degree. That is why studying  a Level 3 qualification is a popular career choice for young people who are looking for an alternative to university education and also those further along looking to change careers. Studying to become a personal trainer can be done in your own time, at your own pace and is a fraction of the cost of a university degree.  

Career trends in 2025

With each year comes a new challenge. In 2025 we’re seeing developments in technology and sustainability, hence, many of the highest paying jobs in the UK are centred around these sectors.

Technology: We’re still in the middle of a huge industrial revolution and it isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. In 2024 Artificial intelligence exploded. Nearly every single business is planning and developing ways to integrate AI into their growth. As a result, there will be a high demand for people with tech-based skills such as AI, cybersecurity and technological literacy.

Sustainability: With growing concerns of climate change and the negative effect industry is having on the planet, there is a demand for people working in roles such as renewable energy engineers, electric vehicle specialists and environmental engineers.

Up-skilling the workforce: It’s estimated that nearly 60% of the current workforce will need upskilling by 2030. The skills gap is considered to be one of the biggest barriers to growth for business transformation, technology has made some skills redundant, whilst also making other skills such as technological literacy more sought after. 85% of employers surveyed by the Future of Jobs Survey said their priority was to upskill their workforce. What does this mean for you? If you’re searching for a highly paid job, looking at alternative ways to develop a new skill set could make you more desirable in the job market.

How much does a personal trainer earn? 

Personal Training is the highest earning profession in the UK without a degree. The average salary for a Personal Trainer in the UK is £30,972, but this can vary depending on experience and qualifications. Most PTs earn between £15,000 – £60,000 per year, this would make it one of the highest paid jobs in the UK. A gym instructor usually earns less than a Personal Trainer because a gym instructor holds a Level 2 qualification, whereas personal training is Level 3. 

You can earn more money by up-skilling. This can include doing additional training in other areas of fitness such as Level 3 Pre and Post Natal qualification so that you can become a specialist in a certain area and increase your prices. A career as a Nutrition consultant is another highly paid job without a degree, earning up to £44,000 per year. Our Nutrition courses can help you take the steps towards becoming a qualified nutritionist. 

Where you live can also impact your income, personal trainers in London often charge up to £150 per session. If you were working 20 hours a week, this would put you at the top of the list of the highest paid jobs in the UK in 2025. 

Here’s a breakdown of how much you can earn as a personal trainer working 25 hours a week depending on your rates:  

Another thing to consider is the type of business you build. As a Personal Trainer, there are other ways of producing income that aren’t just 1-1 coaching sessions. Small group training is a lucrative way to make more money within the hour session without putting more hours in. Another option is online coaching. Working with clients online isn’t exactly a passive income source, but it’s a way to build your income without spending additional time on the gym floor. Owning your own gym is also a way to increase your income in the long term.

With a self-employed career, your earning potential is unlimited. Being a Personal Trainer is extremely rewarding and it’s a highly paid job, giving you both career satisfaction and a healthy income.

30 Highest paid jobs in the UK in 2025

All of the data for these roles can be found at the Office For National Statistics. We have provided the median annual earnings for each role. It’s important to remember that all of the careers require years of experience before becoming the highest paying jobs in the UK.

• Chief Executives and Senior Officials – £88,956 

This is one of the highest paid jobs in the UK in 2025. A Chief Executive or Senior Official is responsible for overseeing and leading the operations of a large organisation. They are a representative of the organisation, some of their main responsibilities include: 

• Plan and control the allocation of resources
• Select and recruit senior staff
• Act upon legislations 
• Prepare and arrange the preparation of reports, budgets and forecasts 
• Analyse economic, social and legal data to create a strategy for the organisation  

Chief Executives and Senior Officials will usually hold a degree in business or specialise in the area of the organisation and will have spent several years building up to the position.

• Marketing, Sales and Advertising Director – £87,309  

A marketing, sales or advertising director is the second highest paid job in the UK and their role is to oversee the creation of advertising campaigns and market research to increase their client’s sales. 

• Oversee ad campaigns 
• Produce and assess marketing reports, advertising and sales strategies 
• Stay on top of the latest marketing trends 
• Recruitment and training of staff 
• Monitor and manage marketing and ad campaigns 
• Liaise with clients and help their reach their marketing objectives 

To earn the top amount in this role, you will need a marketing or advertising qualification and many years experience under your belt.

• IT Director – £86,033  

An IT Director is responsible for managing the IT systems within an organisation. They will create strategies and implement policies to achieve the company’s goals. 

• Direct and organise resources to provide IT infrastructures for the company 
• Technical oversight of the company 
• Clarify the aims, objectives and requirements of an IT programme 
• Research new technologies 
• Schedule major IT projects 
• Create a business plan and operational budget for the company 

To hold a position in one of the highest paid jobs in the UK, you will need an IT degree and relevant experience in similar IT roles before becoming a director.

• Director of Logistics, Warehouse and Transport – £81,422 

A director of Logistics, warehouse and transport manages the flow of goods through a supply chain. They also make sure that goods are delivered, received and stored safely and efficiently. 

• Create safe and efficient movement of goods and passengers by road, rail, sea and air 
• Renew and develop stock control and handling 
• Decide on storage conditions and allocate warehouse space 

A director in these areas might not need a degree, but experience is vital and will take several years.

• Aircraft pilot and air traffic controller – £80,414  

A pilot is responsible for safely flying commercial, freight or military aircraft safely. An air traffic controller’s job is to direct the aircraft from the ground, usually for take off and landing. 

• Navigate and pilot aircraft 
• Prepare flight plans 
• Plan routes, calculate fuel consumption and assess weather conditions for flying
• Schedule flight departures and arrivals 

You will need to undertake specific qualifications to become a pilot and air traffic controller. There is also the option of working for the armed forces as a route to gain these qualifications.

• Public Relations and Communications director  – £77,186  

A public relations and communications director is in charge of maintaining the public image of the organisation/person they are representing. They plan and deliver communication campaigns, build and maintain media relations and deal with crisis management. 

• Plan, organise and co-ordinate the public relations of an organisation on behalf of clients 
• Stay on top of changes in the media 
• Plan, review and revise campaign strategies 
• Liaise with clients to discuss their needs and develop a strategy to deliver objectives of the public relations campaign. 

PR and communications directors often hold a degree in PR or marketing and will spend time working in a variety of PR roles before becoming a director.

• Finance Manager and Director – £75,093  

The Finance manager or director is responsible for the financial management and health of a company. They manage financial operations, manage risk and are the senior figure within the finance department of an organisation. 

• Assess and advise factors that affect business performance
• Plan and direct activities in financial institutions
• Ensure compliance of accounting and following a statutory regulatory framework 
• Create a long-term financial business plan 

As well as attaining a degree, most roles in finance require specific qualifications to advance to higher roles.

• Specialist Medical Practitioner – £74,979  

A specialist medical practitioner is a highly experienced medical professional who has undertaken additional training to become an expert in their area of medicine. 

• Diagnose injuries, disorders and diseases within their speciality
• Specialise in a particular area within medicine 
• Help to conduct medical research and education 
• Direct and supervise care and treatment plans for patients 
• Supervise patient progress 

A specialised medical practitioner is one of the most sought after and highly paid jobs in the UK. As a result, you must undertake years of formal training an experience as a doctor.

• Functional Manager and Director – £74,666 

A functional manager is responsible for a particular functional area of an organisation, for example, a department or a team. They manage and provide the resources for a project.

• Plan and coordinate resources within the organisation 
• Help formulate and implement local government policies 
• Create and assess reports 
• Oversee projects within the business 

Functional manager might not necessarily possess a degree, but specific qualifications in project management can help to break into a career in this sector.

• Head Teacher and Principle – £71,064   

A head teacher is the most senior member of staff in a school. They are responsible for the school’s daily operations and supporting the staff’s continued professional development. They are also in charge of student progress and ensuring their safety and wellbeing. 

• Liaise with parents and pupils 
• Monitor the school’s performance and set achievement goals 
• Make decisions on the curriculum, budget and disciplines of the school 
• Set the school’s values 
• Hire and train staff 

To become a head teacher, you will need a teaching qualification, as well as experience working as a teacher and deputy headteacher.

• Senior Police Officer – £63,986  

A Senior Police Officer’s main responsibility is to keep the public safe within their community. They also manage a team of officers and lead police operations. 

• Direct and coordinate record keeping systems 
• Oversee criminal investigations 
• Plan and direct policing for an area 
• Monitor the work of other officers within your unit 

Many police officers possess a degree, however it is also possible to gain your qualifications upon joining the service.

• Train or Tram Driver – £63,958  

Not commonly known as a highly paid job, the main role of both train and tram drivers is to operate the train/tram on designated routes following a schedule. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety of the passengers or goods they are transporting. 

• Transport passengers and goods 
• Watch for track hazards and observe signals 
• Check safety equipment and ensure the safety of passengers 

You do not need a degree to work as a tram or train driver, you will undertake all of the appropriate training if you successful with your application.

• Barrister and Judge – £59,423  

A Barrister is a lawyer that specialises in courtroom advocacy, legal writing and offers legal advice. They mainly work on criminal cases. A Judge makes sure legal cases are conducted fairly, they hear evidence in court and pass sentences. 

• Prepare and conduct court cases 
• Announce verdicts and give sentences 
• Hear, read and evaluate evidence 
• Advice and teach the jury on points of the law 
• Advise the client on legal knowledge 

Both Barristers and Judges have to complete their qualifications in law school before obtaining their titles.

• Electrical Engineer – £58,734  

An Electrical Engineer designs, maintains, repairs and builds electrical machinery, systems and equipment. 

• Research, design and direct the construction of electrical equipment 
• Manage the operation and maintenance of power stations and building control systems 
• Monitor the safety of electrical systems 
• Supervise and control the operation of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems. 

As an electrical engineer, it is useful to hold an engineering degree, however you can also take an apprenticeship and earn money as you learn.

• IT Project Manager – £58,213
  

IT Project Managers plan, organise and execute IT projects for an organisation, adhering to a specific budget and timescale.

• Coordinate and supervise IT projects 
• Monitor progress on projects such as the budget, timescale and quality control 
• Manage third party contributions to the project 
• Plan all stages of the project 

Any career in IT is set to be one of the highest paid jobs in the UK in 2025. To work as a project manager you will need to hold a project management qualification and have relevant experience working in IT.

• Rail and Rolling Stock Builder – £56,984  

A rail and rolling stock builder is also known as a rail engineer. They build and repair rail vehicles and fit, test and repair engines for trains. 

• Repair, erect, fit and assemble rolling stock parts 
• Test and adjust new engines for trains 
• Oil and grease train engines 
• Inspect and test new and repaired machinery 
• Fit and assemble parts to make train engines 

Rail and rolling stock builders often enter the industry through an apprenticeship or degree.

• Business, Research and Administration Professional – £56,605 

Business, research and administration professionals are responsible for the researching and processing information within the business. They deal with day-to-day administrative tasks and ensure the smooth running of the company.  

• Manage administrative functions
• Prepare are review financial reports
• Implement business strategies
• Recruit and manage staff

You don’t need to hold a degree to work as a professional in their area, but a formal qualification in business or administration can help increase your earnings.

• Business and Finance Project Manager – £56,484 

The main role of a business and finance project manager is to oversee business and financial related projects within an organisation. They will plan the project, delegate tasks and deliver the final project. 

• Oversea and manage business and finance projects 
• Create detailed plans to achieve each stage of the project
• Negotiate contracts 
• Outline the client’s financial and business objectives for the project 
• Manage the cost, timescale and quality of the project 

A degree in either business or finance will help you pursue a career in this field. You will also need to gain a qualification in project management.

• Sales Accounts and Business, Development Manager – £55,138  

A Sales Accounts and Business Development Manager manages customer accounts (sales accounts) and seeks out new clients to grow and expand the company’s revenue. 

• Plan, organise and evaluate market research to meet the requirements of the company 
• Report and recommend marketing and sales strategies 
• Handle customer accounts 
• Build and maintain customer relationships 
• Analyse sales figures and create proposals for marketing campaigns and promotional activity  

This is a highly paid job that relies on experience rather than formal qualifications. Managers usually work their way up from a sales team and progress onwards.

• Actuaries, Economist and Statistician – £55,138   

An Actuary uses statistics to assess the likelihood of future events and how they might financially impact an organisation. An Economist studies trends and data to help organisations make informed investments and develop financial policies. A Statistician analyses and interprets data to help organisations make business decisions. 

• Apply theoretical principles to assess the risk and formulate probabilistic outcomes to inform economic and business decisions and policies. 
• Provide economic and statistical advice to governments and companies 
• Interpret quantitative data and implement strategies from it 
• Establish risk and probability  

An economics or statistics degree is usually required when applying for a job in this area as well as strong mathematical skills.

• Production Managers and Directors in Manufacturing – £55,001  

Production Managers and Directors within manufacturing are responsible for overseeing the entire manufacturing process in a factory. They supervise the production line and staff. 

• Plan production schedules 
• Manage staff and ensure their safety 
• Monitor quality control 
• Make sure production is safe and efficient 

A production manager might possess qualification within manufacturing that they will acquire over the course of their career. This is another role where experience trumps formal qualifications.

• IT Manager – £54,997 

An IT Manager is the lead in the IT department within an organisation. They manage and oversee the company’s IT systems. 

• Install and maintain hardware and software 
• Recruit and train IT staff 
• Identify and fix problems in the IT system 
• Improve the efficiency of IT operations  

IT managers will hold the relevant qualifications in computing and will need to build experience working in a lower IT position before progressing to management.

• IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers – £54,905 

This group of workers help organisations effectively utilise IT systems to meet the company’s objectives. 

• Research, analyse and evaluate network infrastructure 
• Provide advice on the purchase, installation and maintenance of IT systems 
• Examine current business models, test and install new models 

• Purchasing Managers and Directors – £54,745 

Purchasing Managers and Directors oversee the procurement process of goods and services for an organisation. They make sure that the products are the best quality and the most competitive price. 

• Evaluate suppliers 
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers 
• Manage a purchasing team 
• Draw up tenders and assess bids from potential suppliers

To work as a purchasing manager, you will need to hold the relevant procurement qualifications and also work within procurement for several years before advancing to a management role.

• Programmers and Software Development Professionals – £54,669  

Programmers and Software Developers write code to design, build and test computer programmes. 

• Write and amend computer code 
• Test software and fix problems 
• Maintain software updates 
• Write code for specialist programmes 
• Write operational documents for users   

Programming qualifications can be obtained through university or alternative education providers.

• Paramedic – £54,638 

A Paramedic is part of the ambulance service. They respond to emergency calls and provide immediate care to people in an emergency situation. 

• Assess patients clinical status 
• Perform emergency treatment 
• Use a defibrillator to revive patients  
• Help deliver babies 
• Attend non-emergency calls and decide whether patients need to visit the hospital 

You will need to enroll on an approved paramedic degree or apprenticeship to become a qualified paramedic in the UK.

• Physical Scientist – £54,550  

Physical Scientists study various physical properties of the world and the universe. They study non-living natural systems such as physics, the climate and materials. 

• Collect data from the earth and space 
• Conduct laboratory experiments
• Mathematical and statistical analysis 
• Report and present findings 
• Bid for research funding 

Physical scientists will possess in degree in physics, geology or another material-based science degree.

• Research and Development Manager – £54,360  

Research and Development Managers lead and manage a team of researchers and developers to create and improve products. 

• Manage the production budget 
• Coordinate the team’s work 
• Assess staff performance 
• Monitor the standards of scientific and technical research 

To become a research and development manager, you will need to acquire experience working within the research and development team before moving to a managerial position.

• Production Manager and Director in Mining and Energy – £53,994  

Production Managers and Directors working in mining and energy plan, organise and coordinate the team and materials needed to safely and efficiently extract minerals from the earth or create energy. They oversee the extraction and production process. 

• Arrange the provision of gas, electricity and water supplies 
• Ensure the process is in compliance with regulatory requirements 
• Ensure compliance with issues relating to the environmental impact 
• Coordinate activities in mines, quarries, wind warms, solar power stations and other renewable energy sources. 

A knowledge of sustainability and energy is essential to work as a production manager in this field. You will often need to possess a degree in sustainability or geology.

• Production Manager and Director in Construction – £53,393 

A Production Manager or Director working in construction oversees the day-to-day running of a construction site. They are responsible for ensuring that work is carried out on time and within budget. 

• Organise and coordinate the construction team 
• Liaise with clients and architects on the project 
• Implement quality control to make sure safety standards are met 
• Create construction schedules 
• Enforce safety protocols

Production managers in construction will need to have prior knowledge of construction, working in the industry before advancing to a management role.

Now you’ve read the highest paying jobs in the UK in 2025, have you decided if it’s time for a career change?