The best paying jobs in the UK without getting a degree have been unrevealed. University isn’t for everyone, so finding the path perfect for you can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be.

Thanks to research conducted by job website Adzuna, entry into the world or work, or if you’re looking for a career change, finding a lucrative profession in the cost of living crisis just got a bit easier. Analysing data from job vacancies on its own website, Adzuna has listed the twenty best paying jobs where the average salary was over £26,000 a year and has seen an increase in pay over the past year.

Adzuna also predicted the year-on-year wage growth you could expect from that role - some of which could see wages rise by over 50 per cent, reported MirrorOnline. What’s even more important to consider is that these jobs don’t require a university degree.

According to Prograd , the average amount of debt an undergraduate student will be left with is £45,000 after studying. Although a degree isn’t a prerequisite for these jobs, other requirements such as GCSEs or other certificates.

The job with the highest annual salary advertised in November 2023 was the role of a security manager, who earned an average of £45,921. Their year-on-year salary growth is 52.8 per cent, on average.

Coming in second were train drivers, earning an average of £34,689 a year and seeing wage growth of around 42.2 per cent year-on-year. However, according to Adzuna, you will usually need to have received C grades in English and Maths at GCSE level for this role.

Topping the highest paid job on the list is the role of a casino gaming manager, which boasted an annual salary of £96,000. According to Adzuna, the year-on-year growth for this role is 37.1 per cent.

According to Adzuna, there were 446, 97, and 23 vacancies respectively for these job positions in November 2023. The second-highest paying job on the list is a buying manager.

This role requires you to buy equipment, goods and services for a business. The average salary for this role currently sits at £69,446, with wages rising by an average of 18.4 per cent every year.

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said: “A host of jobs that don’t require a degree have seen strong salary growth over the last year, with many beating inflation. These roles could be good picks for jobseekers looking to secure a salary rise in 2024."

Best paid jobs without degrees

  1. Casino Gaming Manager - £96,000 (37.1 per cent)
  2. Buying Manager - £69,446 (18.4 per cent)
  3. Food Safety Inspector - £60,522 (26.8 per cent)
  4. Landscape Designer - £50,000 (34.9 per cent)
  5. Operations Manager - £48,723 (8.7 per cent)
  6. Security Manager - £45,921 (52.8 per cent)
  7. Estate Agent - £45,481 (17.5 per cent)
  8. Sales Executive - £40,603 (14.1 per cent)
  9. Locksmith - £36,204 (25.4 per cent)
  10. Sommelier - £34,919 (16.6 per cent)
  11. Train driver - £34,689 (42.2 per cent)
  12. Social Care Worker - £33,105 (29.5 per cent)
  13. Private Chauffeur - £32,283 (9.4 per cent)
  14. Prison Officer - £31,419 (15.8 per cent)
  15. Wedding Planner - £31,158 (15 per cent)
  16. Courier - £30,412 (10.5 per cent)
  17. Window Cleaner - £26,197 (13.2 per cent)
  18. Digital Marketing Assistant - £26,283 (12.9 per cent)
  19. Dog Trainer - £24,303 (10.5 per cent)
  20. Computer Games Tester - £23,848 (19.5 per cent)