What Are The Highest Paying Jobs in UK?

When it comes to the highest paying jobs in the UK, medical professionals, senior executives, and directors consistently top the earnings charts. According to Indeed UK 2025 data, job roles like Vice President of Sales, Nephrologist, Ophthalmologist, etc., command six-figure salaries. The demand for the best paying jobs in the UK remains fierce. Major cities like London and Cambridge see tough competition for these coveted positions.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the specific roles that command six-figure salaries and explore the cities where your paycheque will stretch the furthest.

If you plan to work while studying, check this article on best part-time job opportunities in the UK for international students

What are the Highest Paying Jobs in UK?

We’ve scoured the data from Indeed UK to bring you a definitive list of the 15 highest paying jobs in the UK for 2025. 

Source: uk.indeed.com

Here’s a closer look at 15 of the most well paid jobs in the UK.

1. Vice President of Sales

Average Salary in UK: £133,846 per year

If the CFO is the financial guardian, the Vice President of Sales is the engine of revenue growth. It is the highest paid job in the UK in 2025. This role is all about leadership, strategy, and driving a company’s sales teams to meet and exceed targets. 

A VP of Sales develops the overarching sales strategy, builds relationships with key clients, and mentors a team of sales managers and representatives. 

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2. Nephrologist

Average Salary in UK: £122,232 per year

A Nephrologist is a medical doctor who specialises in diseases of the kidneys. They deal with complex conditions like chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, and may oversee dialysis treatments and kidney transplants. It is the highest paid medical job in the UK.

Like other medical specialities, the journey is incredibly demanding, requiring a medical degree, years of foundational training as a junior doctor, and then several more years of specialised training in nephrology.

3. Ophthalmologist

Average Salary in UK: £121,542 per year

Ophthalmologists are the experts of the eye. They are medically trained doctors and surgeons who can diagnose and treat a full spectrum of eye diseases and conditions, from glaucoma and cataracts to performing complex surgical procedures. Securing a consultant post places you firmly among the top earners.

4. Plastic Surgeon

Average Salary in UK: £120,585 per year

Plastic surgeons reconstruct, restore, or alter parts of the human body. This field is incredibly diverse, covering everything from reconstructive surgery for trauma or burn victims to cosmetic procedures. 

While NHS consultant salaries are high, the earning potential in private practice is astronomical, making it one of the most lucrative medical professions. The surgical skill, aesthetic eye, and years of dedicated training required are what justify the significant compensation.

5. Director of Engineering

Average Salary in UK: £120,488 per year

The Director of Engineering is a senior management role that oversees a company’s entire engineering department. They bridge the gap between high-level business strategy and the technical execution of engineering projects. This role is one of the best paying jobs in the UK, particularly in tech and manufacturing industries.

6. Anaesthesiologist

Average Salary in UK: £119,761 per year

Known as an Anaesthetist in the UK, this is one of the most critical roles in any hospital. They are responsible for administering anaesthesia to patients before, during, and after surgery, ensuring they remain pain-free and stable. 

The high level of responsibility and the intense training required make this one of the most respected and highest paying jobs in the UK. They literally hold a patient’s life in their hands.

7. Paediatrician

Average Salary in UK: £113,318 per year

A Paediatrician is a medical doctor dedicated to the health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. 

While the average salary listed covers a broad range, a Consultant Paediatrician, who has completed all specialist training, can expect to earn a salary comparable to other medical specialists. 

8. Orthodontist

Average Salary in UK: £110,361 per year

An Orthodontist is a specialist dentist who focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws. The path to becoming an orthodontist is long and rigorous, involving a five-year dentistry degree, followed by several years of hands-on dental work, and then a three-year specialist postgraduate training course. 

This extensive education and the high demand for cosmetic and corrective dental work make it one of the highest paying jobs in the UK’s healthcare sector.

9. Dermatologist

Average Salary in UK: £107,303 per year

A Dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. With a growing awareness of skin health and a rising demand for both medical and cosmetic dermatology, specialists in this field are highly sought after. Achieving consultant status ensures a place among the UK’s top medical earners.

10. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Average Salary in UK: £100,919 per year

The CFO is the financial mastermind of a company. They aren’t just accountants; they are strategic leaders who oversee the entire financial health of an organisation.

To land this top-tier role, you’ll typically need a degree in finance or accounting, a professional certification (like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA), and extensive experience climbing the corporate finance ladder. It’s one of the most demanding jobs in the UK, but the rewards are substantial.

11. Managing Director

Average Salary in UK: £92,409 per year

The Managing Director holds the ultimate responsibility for a company’s performance and operations. The buck stops with them. They are the top executive who directs strategy and steers the company towards its goals.

The salary for an MD can vary dramatically based on the size and success of the company. It is the pinnacle of the corporate ladder.

12. Tax Director

Average Salary: £90,775 per year

In the complex world of finance, a Tax Director is a senior leader responsible for a company’s tax strategy, planning, and compliance. They ensure the organisation navigates the intricate web of tax laws efficiently and ethically, minimising liabilities and mitigating risk. 

This role requires a deep, almost encyclopaedic knowledge of tax legislation, strong analytical skills, and the strategic foresight to plan for future financial changes. It’s a critical role for any large business, making it one of the highest paying jobs in the UK’s corporate sector.

13. IT Director

Average Salary in UK: £85,047 per year

In our digitally-driven world, the IT Director is a cornerstone of any modern organisation. They are responsible for the company’s entire technology infrastructure and strategy.

As technology becomes ever more critical to business success, the role of the IT Director has grown in importance and compensation, making it one of the best paying jobs UK has to offer in the tech space.

14. Marketing Director

Average Salary in UK: £77,145 per year

The Marketing Director is the creative and strategic force behind a company’s brand, image, and customer acquisition. They must have a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and the ability to build and lead a creative team. 

15. Actuary

Average Salary in UK: £63,150 per year

Actuaries are the risk analysts of the financial world. Using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory, they assess the financial risk of future events. They are most commonly found in the insurance and pension industries.

The path to becoming a qualified actuary involves passing a notoriously difficult series of professional exams. This high barrier to entry and the critical importance of their work ensure that actuaries are extremely well-compensated professionals.

Cities in UK with the Highest Paying Jobs

It’s a well-known fact: where you work can have a huge impact on what you earn. London, Cambridge, Manchester, Winchester, Milton Keynes, and Edinburgh frequently outperform the rest of the UK cities in salary levels. 

Many of the highest paying jobs in London offer salaries that are 20-30% higher than the national average for the same role. If you’re chasing the absolute biggest paycheque, the best paying jobs London has to offer are often the pinnacle.

However, London isn’t the only city with lucrative opportunities. Other major UK cities are becoming hotspots for high earners:

• Cambridge and Oxford: High demand for life sciences, artificial intelligence, and research roles pushes salaries to £44,075 on average.
• Manchester: A thriving digital and media powerhouse, Manchester offers competitive salaries, particularly in the tech and creative sectors, without the extreme living costs of London.
• Edinburgh: A major financial centre, second only to London in the UK. Scotland’s corporate hub, with strong financial services and public sector pay nearing £41,000 per year.
• Bristol: With a strong aerospace and engineering sector, alongside a growing tech scene, Bristol offers some of the best salaries outside of the South East.
• Milton Keynes: Major businesses like Santander support high salaries, especially in tech and engineering.

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What Factors Influence High Salaries in the UK?

Experience is one of the biggest drivers of salary growth. Industries also play a huge role in determining salaries. Sectors like finance and banking remain top-paying because of high stakes and the vast amounts of money involved. 

Technology, healthcare, and management consulting are also among the UK’s most lucrative industries. Tech professionals in AI, data science, and cybersecurity earn well due to high demand. 

Medicine rewards consultants and surgeons for their years of training and responsibility, while consulting firms pay generously for solving major business challenges. Together, these industries define where the biggest financial rewards lie.

How Can You Secure One of the Highest Paying Jobs in UK?

• Pursue High-Demand Education

Your educational foundation is crucial. Degrees in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Economics, Finance, Law, and Medicine are traditional pathways to high-earning careers.

The most well paid jobs in the UK mandate postgraduate education and professional accreditations. Beyond your degree, focus on acquiring skills that are in high demand.

• Build Professional Networks

The old saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” holds a lot of truth. Building a strong professional network is vital. Attend industry conferences, be active on professional platforms like LinkedIn, and seek out mentors. This will give you access to the best paying jobs UK employers have.

• Develop Leadership Skills

As you move up the career ladder, technical skills become less important than your ability to lead and manage people. The highest-paying roles are almost always leadership positions. 

To land roles like CFO, Managing Director, or IT Director, candidates must demonstrate visionary leadership, people management skills, and strategic acumen. Soft skills, combined with a robust track record, greatly increase market value for demanding jobs in UK.