Getting A Levels and a bachelor’s degree has often been seen as the best path to success, but with rising costs and fewer job opportunities, many Gen Zers are thinking about other options. In fact, the number of 18-year-olds applying for university is now at its lowest since before the pandemic.
While getting a degree is one way to start a good career, it’s not the right choice for everyone.
For some jobs, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and relevant work experience can be just as valuable — sometimes even more so — than a traditional three-year degree. Plus, they allow you to earn while you learn.
Below is a list of the UK’s highest paying jobs without a degree as a requirement for entry, along with the number of expected job opportunities.
1. Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers
- Median hourly wage: £54.81
- Wage increase from 2023: 6.6%
- Number of jobs: 13,000
Pilot
Pilots fly planes or helicopters. They check the plane before take-off, navigate, operate the controls, monitor fuel, and teach flying if they’re instructors.
You can apply for airline sponsorship with GCSEs, A Levels, or a BTEC. Private training is also available if you have GCSEs, a BTEC, or a Private Pilot’s Licence (with 700 hours of flying). Training takes up to 15 months.
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers manage aircraft movement from the ground. They guide planes by planning flight paths, approving take-offs and landings, and communicating with pilots via radio and radar to keep everyone safe.
Training takes 74 weeks, and you must be 18 for a Student Licence or 21 for a full licence from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Both pilots and air traffic controllers require a medical exam and normal colour vision.
Related job titles:
- Airline pilot
- Air traffic controller
- First officer (airlines)
- Flight engineer
- Flight planner
- Flying instructor
- Helicopter pilot
2. Train and tram drivers
- Median hourly wage: £35.21
- Wage increase from 2023: 7.1%
- Number of jobs: 18,000
Train and tram drivers operate various trains (e.g., diesel, electric, and steam) and trams to carry passengers and goods on railways and tramways.
There are no formal academic requirements, but you must pass a series of tests and a medical examination. Training is provided on the job, and vocational qualifications (NVQs and SVQs) are available at Level 2. Good hearing, eyesight, and normal colour vision are required.
Related job titles:
- Diesel driver (railways)
- Train driver
- Train operator
- Tram driver
- Shunter driver
3. Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers
- Median hourly wage: £29.52
- Wage increase from 2023: 50.1%
- Number of jobs: 5,000
Rail and rolling stock builders and repairers build, fit, assemble and repair parts for trains, as well as test and adjust new train engines.
Typically, you’ll need GCSEs, a general vocational qualification (GNVQ or GSVQ), a BTEC award, or a similar qualification such as T Levels. You can also enter through apprenticeships available at Level 3 (NVQ/SVQ) in engineering.
Related job titles:
- Coach repairer (railways)
- Mechanical fitter (railway and rolling stock)
- Railway engineer
- Rolling stock technician
4. Financial and accounting technicians
- Median hourly wage: £25.61
- Wage increase from 2023: 5.0%
- Number of jobs: 39,000
Financial and accounting technicians support accountants in managing an organisation’s finances.
There are no formal academic requirements, but you can get professional qualifications from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants or the Association of Accounting Technicians. Vocational qualifications in Accounting are also available at Levels 2, 3, and 4, and may count towards some professional exams.
Related job titles:
- Accounting technician
- Business associate (banking)
- Financial controller
- Insolvency administrator
- Managing clerk (accountancy)
5. Paramedics
- Median hourly wage: £25.01
- Wage increase from 2023: 1.8%
- Number of jobs: 40,000
Paramedics provide first aid and life support treatment in emergency situations and transport sick and injured people who need skilled medical help.
You can become a paramedic through a Level 6 Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship as an alternative to completing a full-time university course in paramedical science. You’ll also need a full, manual driving licence, so make sure to add your driving licence on your CV when applying for this role. Additionally, NHS paramedics must be registered with the Health Professions Council.
Related job titles:
- Ambulance paramedic
- Emergency care practitioner
- Paramedic
- Paramedic-ECP
6. Rail transport operatives
- Median hourly wage: £23.61
- Wage increase from 2023: -2.8%
- Number of jobs: 13,000
Rail transport operatives support train drivers, drive engines in settings like coal mines, guide wagons in train yards, control signals, and monitor train movements on surface and underground railways. Some may also drive engines in settings like coal mines.
No formal qualifications are needed, but you may need good hearing, eyesight, normal colour vision, and to pass a medical exam for some roles. Training begins in training centres and continues with hands-on experience. Vocational qualifications (NVQs and SVQs) in Rail Services are available at Levels 2 and 3.
Related job titles:
- Protection master
- Railway worker
- Shunter
- Signalman (railways)
- Transport supervisor (railways)
7. Police officers (sergeant and below)
- Median hourly wage: £22.36
- Wage increase from 2023: 7.3%
- Number of jobs: 285,000
Police officers investigate crimes, patrol public areas, arrest suspects, and keep law and order. Officers of the British Transport Police focus on safety across Britain’s railway network.
No specific academic qualifications are needed, but entry requirements vary by police force. You’ll need to pass an entry test, medical exam, and background check. Police officers start with two years of probationary training. You can also join through the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA). Age, nationality, and residency rules apply.
Related job titles:
- Detective (police service)
- Police constable
- Police officer
- Sergeant
- Transport police officer
8. Health and safety managers and officers
- Median hourly wage: £22.30
- Wage increase from 2023: 5.0%
- Number of jobs: 72,000
Health and safety managers and officers help keep workplaces safe. They give advice to employees, run safety checks, and help prevent accidents at work.
You’ll usually need a Level 3 vocational qualification (NVQ or SVQ) in Occupational Health and Safety Practice. Higher-level qualifications (Levels 4 to 6) are available through the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Some entrants also have a degree or a Level 6 vocational qualification in Health and Safety.
Related job titles:
- Asbestos surveyor
- Health and safety officer
- Occupational hygienist
- Safety consultant
- Safety officer
9. Aircraft maintenance and related trades
- Median hourly wage: £22.27
- Wage increase from 2023: 2.5%
- Number of jobs: 11,000
Workers in aircraft maintenance fit, service, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines and other assemblies to ensure safe and efficient operation.
You’ll usually need GCSEs or a BTEC award. Apprenticeships in Engineering Maintenance are available at Level 3, and vocational qualifications (NVQs or SVQs) in this field can be taken at Levels 2 and 3.
Related job titles:
- Aeronautical engineer
- Aircraft electrician
- Aircraft engineer
- Aircraft fitter
- Aircraft mechanic
- Maintenance engineer
10. Engineering technicians
- Median hourly wage: £21.51
- Wage increase from 2023: 5.1%
- Number of jobs: 94,000
Engineering technicians support engineers with tasks such as designing, developing, installing, and maintaining engineering systems and structures.
You’ll typically need GCSEs or equivalent. Vocational training options include full-time study for a BTEC followed by two years of on-the-job training, or an apprenticeship leading to a Level 3 or 4 qualification.
For licensed roles in aircraft engineering, you’ll need a vocational qualification (NVQ or SVQ) in Aircraft Engineering Maintenance at Level 3 plus additional professional qualifications, such as the EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance License (AML).
Related job titles:
- Aircraft technician
- Commissioning engineer
- Engineering technician
- Licensed aircraft engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Mechanical technician
- Wind turbine technician (construction)
11. Protective service associate professionals
- Median hourly wage: £20.90
- Wage increase from 2023: 11.1%
- Number of jobs: 40,000
Workers in this group handle a variety of security and protective roles. They inspect goods for customs regulations, check authorisation for people entering and leaving the UK, monitor maritime conditions, and may also conduct search and rescue operations. Some plan and manage private security or detective services, investigate crimes like fraud, and handle other protective service tasks.
Entry requirements for these roles vary. While some roles don’t require any academic qualifications, others roles will require you to have GCSEs or relevant practical experience. Some positions also include a period of probationary training and may require passing professional exams.
Related job titles:
- Crime scene investigator
- Customs officer
- Immigration officer
- Investigation officer
- Fingerprint expert
- Fraud analyst
- Private investigator
- Security manager
- Security services operations manager
12. Electrical and electronic trades
- Median hourly wage: £20.48
- Wage increase from 2023: 7.2%
- Number of jobs: 24,000
Workers in this group handle various electrical and electronic tasks that don’t fall under other specific job categories. These jobs might include working with communications equipment, electronics, or power lines.
While there are no specific academic requirements, most jobs will require you to have GCSEs. Training is often through an apprenticeship that combines hands-on work and technical training. Level 2 and 3 vocational training (NVQs or SVQs) is available, and some manufacturers also offer specialised courses for their products.
Related job titles:
- Communication engineer
- Electronics engineer
- Field engineer
- Linesman
13. Energy plant operatives
- Median hourly wage: £20.38
- Wage increase from 2023: 5.2%
- Number of jobs: Unknown
Energy plant operatives run and monitor equipment like boilers, compressors, turbines, and generators to produce power, heat, and steam for various facilities. They may also work in nuclear plants and electricity substations.
There are no formal academic requirements, and training is typically through an apprenticeship that combines technical learning and hands-on experience. NVQs/SVQs in Electrical Power Engineering are available at Levels 2 and 3.
Related job titles:
- Boilerman
- Control room operator
- Hydraulic engineman
- Plant operator
- Power station operator
14. Pipe fitter
- Median hourly wage: £20.10
- Wage increase from 2023: 14.3%
- Number of jobs: Unknown
Pipe fitters install, maintain, and repair pipe systems in large utility, industrial, and construction sites.
No formal qualifications are required but some employers may prefer you to have GCSEs. Training is usually through an apprenticeship with hands-on experience and technical training. NVQs and SVQs are available at Levels 2 and 3.
Related job titles:
- Pipe engineer
- Pipe fitter
- Pipe welder-fitter
15. Rail travel assistants
- Median hourly wage: £19.69
- Wage increase from 2023: 4.5%
- Number of jobs: 15,000
Rail travel assistants help railway passengers by issuing, collecting, and inspecting tickets, providing information, operating train doors, and ensuring safety and comfort on trains and station platforms.
No formal qualifications are needed, but you must pass a medical exam and have normal colour vision. Training is provided both on and off the job, and vocational qualifications (NVQs and SVQs) in Rail Services are available at Level 2.
Related job titles:
- Conductor (railways)
- Station assistant (underground railway)
- Station supervisor
- Ticket inspector (railways)
- Train conductor
- Train manager
Methodology
This study’s primary data was drawn from the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2024, with a focus on Table 14, which details earnings and hours worked by occupation using four-digit SOC codes. We concentrated on roles that don’t require a university degree, including those with entry requirements ranging from no formal qualifications to degree-equivalent apprenticeships without the need for university attendance.
Next, we sorted occupations in Table 14 by median hourly wage in descending order. Each occupation’s SOC code was then checked against the Computer Assisted Structured Coding Tool to verify educational requirements, and those that mandated or recommended a university degree were excluded. The top 15 occupations from this list were selected for in-depth analysis.
Our researchers used the latest data available at the time of this writing to provide an accurate view of current labour market trends.
Limitations
The study is limited to occupations in the United Kingdom and may not reflect global trends. Please note that labour market conditions are subject to change, and the data reflects the situation as of the release of the ONS’s Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings on 29 October 2024.
Sources
- Office of National Statistics, ‘Earnings and hours worked, occupation by four-digit SOC: ASHE Table 14’
- Warwick University, Computer Assisted Structured Coding Tool, ‘SOC 2020’
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