University is not the only path to a successful career as job experts highlight the jobs that school leavers could be eligible for paying up to £60,000
With A-Level results day now behind us, countless school leavers are facing life-changing choices about their future studies, yet university is not the sole route to a thriving career. CV-Library has compiled a list of the highest-paying positions across the UK that don’t demand formal degrees and boast thousands of vacancies.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library said:“The most important thing is figuring out where you want to go in life. If you’re academically minded then great, but if not then don’t lose hope – there are options out there for you.
“School is a good foundation, but you can build on what you learnt, I discovered there were routes to success which didn’t just revolve around the grades you achieved. It’s better to be successful at life than successful at school, because life lasts a lot longer. It’s also a lot more fun!”
High-paying jobs that do not require a University degree:
- Train driver
- Carpenter
- Plumber
- HGV Driver
- Estate Agent
- Builder
- Electrician
- Police Constable
- Recruitment Consultant
- Chef
- Sales Executive
- IT Support Technician
- Retail Assistant
- Parcel Delivery Driver
- Healthcare Assistance
- Administrator
- Warehouse Operative
- Construction Labourer
- Hairdresser/Barber
- Barista
Many of these positions do not require traditional university qualifications but instead prioritise alternative requirements such as hands-on experience, practical abilities, and volunteering. For example volunteering in care environments can provide the necessary experience to secure a job as a trainee healthcare assistant.
Certain industries may offer on-the-job training or mentoring to enhance your skills while you are employed, while others might provide a more structured education pathway such as an apprenticeship scheme or funding specific courses.
Train drivers topped the list for average salary at £60,850, according to CV-Library, with the National Careers Service listing a starting salary of around £27,000. To pursue this career, you’ll typically need GCSEs or equivalent and may be required to pass medical and psychometric tests.
Most drivers begin with apprenticeships that last between one and two years, combining practical training and classroom learning. Alternatively, you could start as a rail passenger assistant, progress to a train conductor, and then become a trainee driver.
Carpenters were next on the job expert’s list, with an average salary of £45,527, according to CV-Library. This is one of the most in-demand skills in the housing and construction industry, and most carpenters begin with apprenticeships or college courses which can equip you with the skills needed to secure a trainee position and continue your education with on-the-job training, according to the National Careers Service.
For those seeking a more office-based role, recruitment consultants earn an average salary of £32,466 according to the job listing site. The National Careers Service suggests that apprenticeships, volunteer work and degrees can help people break into this industry but even just starting as an office assistant in a recruitment agency and working your way up is also a viable route.
Data from CV-Library reveals that the most sought-after jobs on this list are chefs, with over 16,000 vacancies listed this year. This is closely followed by administrators with 15,472 vacancies and warehouse operatives with 14,810 vacancies. Electricians and sales executives also have around 12,000 vacancies each.