Highest Paying Jobs in the UK For Students (2025)

The UK job market presents numerous opportunities across various industries. Despite rising numbers of graduates, a degree can still significantly enhance lifetime earnings potential.

The average graduate salary in Britain is £35,170 a year, though this figure is skewed towards larger employers and financial services.

In 2024, graduate starting salaries at the UK’s leading employers are set to increase for the third year running to a median of £34,000, a 13.3% rise since 2020.

Top Paying Jobs in the UK

The United Kingdom offers a diverse job market with opportunities catering to a wide range of skill sets and interests. With over 1 million vacancies and rising employment levels, now is the time to explore your options and discover the best-paid jobs in the UK in 2025.

Here are the highest-paying jobs in the UK:

1.  Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

• Role: As CEO, your role revolves around directing the strategic vision and overseeing the entire operational spectrum of a company. Duties include setting goals, making key decisions, overseeing all departments, and ensuring profitability. The CEO serves as the public face of the organisation.
• Average Salary: £58,000 – £143,000 per year
• Entry Requirements: Strong strategic thinking and communication skills; proven track record of successful leadership in previous roles; results-driven and business growth mindset.

2.  Investment Banker

• Role: Investment bankers provide financial guidance and facilitate capital-raising services to enterprises, governments, and institutions. Their primary duties involve market analysis, making fair deals, and executing transactions to meet clients’ financial goals. This role is common in financial institutions like JPMorgan or Barclays.

• Average Salary: £60,000 – £120,000 per year

• Entry Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field; experience in investment banking or related finance roles at banks; strong quantitative and math skills.

3. Solicitor / Lawyer

• Role: Solicitors and lawyers offer legal advice and representation to clients, managing diverse legal matters such as contracts, property transactions, and litigation. They conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and represent clients in court proceedings.

• Average Salary: £24,000 – £250,000 per year

• Entry Requirements: Law degree (LLB) or conversion course (GDL); legal Practice Course (LPC).

4.  Data Scientist

• Role: Data scientists extract, analyse, and interpret large datasets using algorithmic and AI principles to gain valuable insights and further drive decision-making. They develop and use machine learning models to solve complex business problems and support decision-making across various industries. 

• Average Salary: £38,000 – £62,000 per year

• Entry Requirements: Undergraduate degree in a quantitative field, such as mathematics, statistics, or computer science.

5. IT Administrator

• Role: The IT Administrator manages an organisation’s technology strategy and infrastructure to ensure that systems work in harmony to achieve business objectives. In today’s world, when everything is going digital, IT executives have become necessary in various industries, not to mention the technology sector, finance, and healthcare.
• Average Salary: £81,000 per year
• Entry Requirement: Large experience in IT and leadership skills are needed to succeed in this post.

6. Consultant

• Role: Consultants are business professionals who provide expert advice and solutions to companies on various issues like strategy, operations, and human resources. They can work independently or be employed by consulting firms.
• Average salary: £ 40,000 – £ 60,000
• Entry requirements: Compensation for consultants depends on factors like their area of expertise, experience, the type of project, and the client base.

7. Cybersecurity Specialist

• Role: Businesses and individuals alike entrust vast amounts of sensitive data to digital systems, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. Cybersecurity specialists are the valiant defenders in this ever-evolving battleground.
• Average salary: £ 65,000
• Entry requirements: A bachelor’s degree is commonly required. Key skills include information security, network security, vulnerability assessment, and project management.

8. Professor

• Role: Professors play a vital role in nurturing young talent and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. They are the cornerstone of universities and research institutions, shaping the future through education and innovation. 
• Average salary: £ 80,000
• Entry Requirements: A PhD is generally required, along with a very good bachelor’s degree (first or upper second-class honours). Some may have a master’s degree, particularly in humanities.

9. Product Manager

• Role: Product managers are the bridge between product development and business strategy. They play a crucial role in identifying customer needs, envisioning innovative solutions, and guiding products through the development lifecycle.
• Average salary: £ 70,000
• Entry Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is typically required, preferably in fields such as business, computer science, or engineering. Some positions may prefer candidates with a master’s degree or MBA.

10. Architect

• Role: Architects provide advisory services to clients, helping them articulate their vision and needs for a project. This involves discussing design ideas, project goals, and feasibility.
• Average Salary: £40,000 – £100,000
• Entry Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in architecture (usually a five-year program), completion of a master’s degree may be required for advanced positions and relevant work experience through internships or apprenticeships.

Employability and University Rankings

Choosing the right university can significantly impact your employability.

The Global University Employability Ranking 2025, designed by the HR consultancy Emerging and published by Times Higher Education, identifies the universities that recruiters at top companies believe are best at preparing students for the workplace.

Top UK Universities for Employability

The Times Higher Education Global University Employability Ranking 2025 assesses universities on how well recruiters at top companies believe they prepare students for the workplace.

Here are the top UK universities for graduates in 2025, according to that ranking:

UK Employability Rank 2025	Global Employability Rank 2025	Global Employability Rank 2024	University	City/Town
1	5	4	University of Cambridge	Cambridge
2	7	8	University of Oxford	Oxford
3	10	11	Imperial College London	London
4	23	24	London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	London
5	39	41	London Business School	London
6	64	68	King’s College London	London
7	65	67	University of Manchester	Manchester
8	128	137	UCL	London
9	142	139	University of St Andrews	St Andrews
10	148	147	University of Edinburgh	Edinburgh
11	169	180	University of Birmingham	Birmingham
12	187	189	Cardiff University	Cardiff

What Are The Highest-Paying Companies In The UK?

The highest-paying companies in the UK span the tech, finance, and consulting sectors. Salesforce leads with a median total compensation of £100,000.

Financial firms like Man Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and Credit Suisse also offer substantial packages. Man Group’s median base salary reaches £85,312. 

Consulting firms such as Kearney and McKinsey & Company also offer competitive compensation.

These companies attract top talent by offering lucrative salaries and bonuses, particularly for roles requiring specialist skills in data science and software engineering.

Entry-level positions at companies like Thought Machine and Meta also offer competitive salaries for those starting their careers.

What Are The Best Companies In The UK To Work For?

Glassdoor’s annual ranking identifies the best companies to work for in the UK, assessing firms based on work-life balance, team culture, pay and perks, leadership, and career growth.

Bain & Company, a management consultancy, secured the top spot with a score of 4.7 out of 5. Software provider ServiceNow, which was first in 2021, was closely followed by the Boston Consulting Group.

Other companies that made the list include Equinix, Ocado Technology, Mastercard, Arup, and Salesforce. The ranking also featured household names such as Google, Microsoft, and Heathrow Airport.

Additional top companies recognised for employee satisfaction, competitive salaries, and growth opportunities include Rolls-Royce, McLaren, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, and Airbus.

Employee feedback also highlighted Housing 21, Equal Experts, and Netcompany for their positive work environments, flexibility, and focus on employee well-being.

What University Degrees Have the Best Employment Prospects in the UK?

For UK students in 2025, degrees in finance, accounting, and business offer bright job prospects, ranking high in job availability and workplace flexibility.

The average annual salary in these fields is around £43,000. Medical and computer sciences also offer excellent job prospects, with I.T. and medical programs holding the second position overall.

Degrees in engineering, robotics, actuarial sciences, astronautics, and aeronautics are also promising, with the job market expanding by 7.4% between 2019 and 2021.

Notably, a large percentage of British employees hold jobs unrelated to their degrees, so it’s important to consider opportunities within a chosen industry when selecting a degree program.

Imperial College London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford are among the top universities in the UK for graduate employability.

Conclusion

Pursuing a degree remains a worthwhile investment for enhancing lifetime earnings despite increasing university costs and a competitive job market.

Identifying the highest-paying jobs and degrees can guide students toward financially rewarding career paths.

While financial compensation is important, it’s also crucial to consider personal interests and skills when making career decisions. Combining passion with potential earnings can lead to a fulfilling and successful career in the UK.

FAQs

1. What is the average graduate salary in the UK for 2025?

The average graduate salary in the UK is £35,170, with top employers offering a median starting salary of £34,000, marking a 13.3% increase since 2020.

2. Which job has the highest salary potential in the UK?

Solicitors and CEOs have the highest salary range, with solicitors earning between £24,000 and £250,000, while CEOs earn between £58,000 and £143,000 annually.

3. Which UK universities have the best employability rankings for 2025?

The University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Imperial College London rank highest for graduate employability, according to the Times Higher Education Global University Employability Ranking 2025.

4. What are the best-paying companies in the UK?

Salesforce offers the highest median total compensation of £100,000, followed by Man Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and top consulting firms like Kearney and McKinsey & Company.

5. Which degree offers the best employment prospects in the UK?

Finance, business, medical sciences, computer science, and engineering degrees offer excellent job prospects, with an average salary of £43,000 and expanding job opportunities across sectors.