Entering one of the highest-paying careers straight out of school will set you on a path to financial success and future financial freedom. You may want one of the best-paying jobs to fuel an active social life, buy your first home or car, prepare for starting a family, or to clear student debt.
However, ‘straight out of school’ is a little ambiguous and could mean leaving school at the age of sixteen with GCSEs, college with a technical qualification, or university with a degree. In our list of highest-paying jobs, we include the minimum level of education to help steer you towards the most appropriate job. So, school leavers, college graduates, and uni postgraduates read on to discover the top high-paid entry-level jobs.
Top 25 Highest-Paying Jobs Straight Out Of School
Here is our rundown of the highest-paying jobs for school leavers:
1. SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Software Engineer Average Salary: £63,400 Per Year
Software Engineers have the highest-paying careers straight out of school. Software Engineers typically have a Higher National Diploma or Degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering. The most valuable skills to promote when job hunting include coding skills, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of Agile Methodologies. You can prepare for approaching employers by creating an outstanding CV with a free CV template.
Software Engineer Job Search | Software Engineer Career Advice
2. CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Construction Manager Average Salary: £55,800 Per Year
Construction Managers have the second-highest average salary straight out of school. To enter construction management, you will need a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Studies and Building Engineering or Construction Engineering. Alternatively, you could enrol in a Construction Site Management Apprenticeship.
Construction Manager Job Search | Construction Manager Career Advice
3. INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER
Industrial Engineer Average Salary: £49,000 Per Year
Industrial Engineers have the third-highest average salary straight out of school. You could find work with an Industrial Engineering University Degree by attaining a Project Management Professional Certification or by becoming a Certified Quality Engineer or Manufacturing Engineer.
Industrial Engineer Job Search | Industrial Engineer Career Advice
4. COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST
Computer Systems Analyst Average Salary: £39,200 Per Year
Computer Systems Analysts have the fourth-highest average salary straight out of school. You can break into this profession and secure a decent salary with a Higher National Diploma or Degree in Computer Science or Business and Information Technology.
Computer Systems Analyst Job Search | Computer Systems Analyst Career Advice
5. PROJECT MANAGER
Project Manager Average Salary: £47,300 Per Year
Project Managers have the fifth-highest average salary straight out of school. You will need to prove your project management skills by either earning a University Degree or completing a Chartered Management Institute, Project Management Institute, or Association for Project Management Apprenticeship.
Project Manager Job Search | Project Manager Career Advice
6. CHEMICAL ENGINEER
Chemical Engineer Average Salary: £42,200 Per Year
Chemical Engineers have the sixth-highest average salary straight out of school. You could complete a Science Industry Process Engineer Degree Apprenticeship to enter this career. Institute of Chemical Engineers recognised qualifications will help you find high-paid jobs.
Chemical Engineer Job Search | Chemical Engineer Career Advice
7. NUCLEAR ENGINEER
Nuclear Engineer Average Salary: £52,200 Per Year
Nuclear Engineers have the seventh-highest average salary straight out of school. They may design, build, or monitor power generation equipment, so students must complete a Nuclear Scientist or Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship or find a position with a nuclear industry employer that supports the Nuclear Graduates Training Scheme.
Nuclear Engineer Job Search | Nuclear Engineer Career Advice
8. CIVIL ENGINEER
Civil Engineer Average Salary: £46,400 Per Year
Civil Engineers have the eighth-highest average salary straight out of school. To find a job as a Civil Engineer, you will need to prove your knowledge of construction engineering principles. You can do this by completing a Level 4 HNC in Engineering Principles or a Level 5 HND in Construction and the Built Environment. Higher education, such as a Structural Engineering Degree, will produce the highest-paying careers.
Civil Engineer Job Search | Civil Engineer Career Advice
9. FINANCIAL ANALYST
Financial Analyst Average Salary: £50,800 Per Year
Financial Analysts have the ninth-highest average salary straight out of school. They may work in the private sector or for government agencies, analysing financial data to guide financial operations and strategies. A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Accounting, or Finance is the minimum qualifications to enter the career straight from school.
Financial Analyst Job Search | Financial Analyst Career Advice
10. SALES MANAGER
Sales Manager Average Salary: £45,000 Per Year
Sales Managers have the tenth-highest average salary straight out of school. A Sales Manager needs excellent communication skills, background knowledge of the industry, and some evidence of proven leadership. You could bag one of the highest paying jobs if you gain a professional qualification, such as a Level 4 in Managing a Sales Team.
Sales Manager Job Search | Sales Manager Career Advice
11. MARKETING MANAGER
Marketing Manager Average Salary: £43,900 Per Year
Marketing Managers have the eleventh-highest average salary straight out of school. The best-paying jobs go to candidates with a Marketing, Digital Marketing, or Advertising University Degree. However, you could enrol in a Marketing Manager Higher Apprenticeship to learn the technical skills and prove your worth to a prospective employer.
Marketing Manager Job Search | Marketing Manager Career Advice
12. SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
Software Developer Average Salary: £43,000 Per Year
Software Developers have the twelfth-highest average salary straight out of school. College graduates can find a job with an A Level in Computing. A Higher National Diploma, Higher National Certificate, or Degree in Computer Science or Programming will help you secure the best-paid jobs.
Software Developer Job Search | Software Developer Career Advice
13. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Human Resources Manager Average Salary: £41,800 Per Year
HR Managers have the thirteenth-highest average salary straight out of school. They manage employee relations, hire staff, and oversee disciplinary procedures and compliance with employment law. Hence, a Human Resources Management Degree is needed, and a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Accredited Course will help you progress your career further and earn a higher salary.
Human Resources Manager Job Search | Human Resources Manager Career Advice
14. PETROLEUM ENGINEER
Petroleum Engineer Average Salary: £48,800 Per Year
Petroleum Engineers have the fourteenth-highest average salary straight out of school. Petroleum Engineers may design or oversee drilling and production processes, creating efficient systems for extracting hydrocarbon fuels used in internal combustion engines. A Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering is a prerequisite for the role.
Petroleum Engineer Job Search | Petroleum Engineer Career Advice
15. AEROSPACE ENGINEER
Aerospace Engineer Average Salary: £42,900 Per Year
Aerospace Engineers have the fifteenth-highest average salary straight out of school. They design aeronautical vehicles or maintain equipment. You can find a job straight from college with a Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Level 5 HND Diploma in Electrical Engineering, or Level 5 HND Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. You could then learn in the workplace on an Aerospace Engineers Apprenticeship and work towards a University Degree.
Aerospace Engineer Job Search | Aerospace Engineer Career Advice
16. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER
Biomedical Engineer Average Salary: £41,300 Per Year
Biomedical Engineers have the sixteenth-highest average salary straight out of school. A Biomedical Engineer may test or design medical devices, artificial limbs, or implants. Employers may be interested in candidates with a Biomedical Science and Engineering Degree, and you could apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme to earn while you study for a Master’s Degree.
Biomedical Engineer Job Search | Biomedical Engineer Career Advice
17. MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Mechanical Engineer Average Salary: £40,100 Per Year
Mechanical Engineers have the seventeenth-highest average salary straight out of school. Mechanical Engineers design mechanical systems, produce technical drawings and oversee maintenance programmes. You can find the highest-paid jobs with a Level 4 or 5 Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or an Engineering Development Council Accredited Degree.
Mechanical Engineer Job Search | Mechanical Engineer Career Advice
18. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Electrical Engineer Average Salary: £39,600 Per Year
Electrical Engineers have the eighteenth-highest average salary straight out of school. Electrical Engineers design or maintain electrical equipment. School leavers can find work with a Level 4 or 5 Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or by enrolling in an Electrical Engineer Degree Apprenticeship.
Electrical Engineer Job Search | Electrical Engineer Career Advice
19. MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Marketing Executive Average Salary: £32,100 Per Year
Marketing Executives have the nineteenth-highest average salary straight out of school. School leavers could work as a trainee in a marketing department if they have excellent communication skills. The highest paying careers are enjoyed by those who have a qualification such as a Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Marketing, Level 3 Certificate in Digital Marketing and Analytics, T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development, or Marketing Degree.
Marketing Executive Job Search | Marketing Executive Career Advice
20. PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Personal Assistant Average Salary: £34,600 Per Year
Personal Assistants have the twentieth-highest average salary straight out of school. You could find work as a Junior Personal Assistant with GCSEs with highest-paying careers enjoyed by those with a Level 2 Diploma in Business Support, Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration, T Level in Management and Administration, or Business Administration Bachelor’s Degree.
Personal Assistant Job Search | Personal Assistant Career Advice
21. HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGER
Hazardous Waste Manager Average Salary: £30,100 Per Year
Hazardous Waste Managers have the twenty-first-highest average salary straight out of school. You will need an HND in Waste Management, Environmental Protection, or Environmental Science. You could earn a high-paying position by completing the Chartered Institute of Waste Management Apprenticeship.
Hazardous Waste Manager Job Search | Hazardous Waste Manager Career Advice
22. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER
Air Traffic Controller Average Salary: £29,300 Per Year
Air Traffic Controllers have the twenty-second-highest average salary straight out of school. To work as an Air Traffic Controller, you will need an Air Traffic Control Licence. You could secure your licence with five GCSEs by joining the National Air Traffic Services as a trainee or through an Armed Forces Apprenticeship with the Royal Air Force or Royal Navy.
Air Traffic Controller Job Search | Air Traffic Controller Career Advice
23. POLICE OFFICER
Police Officer Average Salary: £29,100 Per Year
Police Officers have the twenty-third-highest average salary straight out of school. Working hand-in-hand with other emergency services, a Police Officer career is highly desirable to many school leavers. You can become a Police Officer by completing the work-based three-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. You can meet the joining requirements by completing a Level 3 Diploma in Policing, Uniformed Protective Services, or Public Services.
Police Officer Job Search | Police Officer Career Advice
24. COMPUTER GAMES TESTER
Computer Games Tester Average Salary: £33,300 Per Year
Computer Games Testers have the twenty-fourth-highest average salary straight out of school. You can secure your first role and learn on the job through a Software Tester Higher Apprenticeship. Alternatively, high-paid jobs go to individuals with an A Level in Computing or Game Design Degree.
Computer Games Tester Job Search | Computer Games Tester Career Advice
25. PRISON OFFICER
Prison Officer Average Salary: £28,200 Per Year
Prison Officers have the twenty-fifth-highest average salary straight out of school. To work as a Prison Officer, you do not need qualifications, but you will need to pass an online HM Prison & Probation Service test. The test focuses on numeracy, reading, writing, and personal qualities. You will also need to pass fitness, eye, and medical tests.
Prison Officer Job Search | Prison Officer Career Advice
Industries With The Best-Paid Jobs
Our average salary data shows that the best-paying careers can be found in Leadership, Information Technology (IT), Marketing, Professional Services, and Telecommunications, all providing an average annual salary exceeding £40,000.
Here, you can read our career advice for these and all other industries and positions. If you are 16,17, or 18 years old, explore further job ideas by reading our guide - Jobs To Do If You Are Young.
Job Market FAQs
Here we answer your job market questions.
WHICH INDUSTRIES OFFER HIGH-PAYING SALARIES RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE?
Engineering and IT industry roles dominate our list of highest-paying jobs for school leavers. However, college graduates can enjoy high-paying careers in marketing, sales, law enforcement, and many other industries.
HOW DO I FIND MY HIGHEST-PAYING CAREER?
We recommend reading our research on the highest-paying jobs and exploring our career advice pages.
