Whether you’re fresh out of uni and looking to take your first steps up the career ladder or you’re a seasoned professional looking for a change, there are thousands of jobs out there.
Seriously. From delivery driver to dentist and accountant to account manager, the world of work is vast and varied.
But in terms of the most common careers in the UK, which roles take the top spot? Thankfully, employment website Indeed has done some research to reveal exactly that — along with the salaries of each.
Intrigued to see if your job has made the list, or how your salary compares to others? Here are the 15 most common jobs and what they pay as of 2024…
Teacher – £32,939 per year
Now, there are different routes one can take in teaching. But in this instance (and looking at the salary average), we’re talking primary/secondary here.
For those wanting to go into higher education teaching, the Evening Standard reported that the average wage of a Professor is £60,482 per year. In terms of the main responsibilities, you are tasked with teaching students the knowledge and skills needed to progress.
As a primary teacher, this encompasses everything from reading, writing, basic maths and science, and encouraging play in young children. While as a secondary teacher, you can train in a specific subject and work for a singular department.
Consultant — £75,474 per year
The word ‘consultant’ can sound pretty vague. What industry does it belong to? What does the role require? Who do you report to, if anyone?
Firstly, the job title can apply to many different industries, from finance to business to law. In a nutshell, consultants are professional individuals who provide expert and leading advice/services to the field they specialise in.
They are typically called in by businesses to provide advice and solutions to clients. Consultants are often independent and self-employed, but may also work within an agency.
Software engineer — £44,547 per year
A software engineer is responsible for the designs, development, implementation, testing, and maintenance of computer software applications. This means they’re well-versed in computer science and programming.
They may collaborate with other professionals in the industry, from project managers to designers, to ensure that the software is delivered on time and has not gone over budget.
Data scientist — £50,317 per year
Do you excel in problem solving and have a penchant for computer science? Like a software engineer, you may also have a future as a data scientist.
These professionals do what it says on the tin: use data to solve problems for businesses. But they also lead research projects, meaning they need to be skilled in mathematics, communications, business and, of course, technology. The work of data scientists is then used to make more informed, better decisions, in a bid to improve future operations.
Project manager — £45,625 per year
You can be a project manager for different companies within many industries. Whether you work for a water company or an events firm, the gist of the job is to plan, organise and oversee the execution of a project from start to finish.
They are responsible for managing a team, delegating tasks, dealing with and resolving any challenges/changes, and ensuring the project is delivered to the highest standards and expected outcomes.
Business analyst — £43,340 per year
A business analyst is a person who analyses business operations and processes to identify areas for improvement within a company.
They help improve products and services by analysing data, with their end goal being to boost and maintain business efficiency. In this role, being proficient in business and IT is required.
Mechanical engineer — £36,292 per year
If you were the kid who was always trying to fix things, the role of a mechanical engineer might be for you.
The professionals design, develop and maintain mechanical systems and devices, using physics, mathematics, and materials science to both solve problems and create solutions.
Their products could include developing heating and cooling systems or designing machinery and vehicles. At a mechanical engineer’s heart is safety, efficiency and innovation.
Accountant — £34,974 per year
Always been good with money? An accountancy course is calling you. Once qualified, an accountant is responsible for examining financial records and identifying areas of opportunity and risk.
They also help provide informed monetary solutions for businesses and individuals, as well as ensuring taxes are paid properly and financial records are accurate. An accountant may work for a company, an accounting firm, or be self-employed.
Data analyst — £33,701 per year
It seems that the role of an ‘analyst,’ in whatever form, is a pretty common and popular career choice in the UK. In terms of a data analyst, they literally use data to help businesses make positive decisions and solutions.
They also use data visualisation tools to identify trends, patterns and insights that can inform these decisions. A data analyst is also required to present their research to company leaders, as well as create reports with their findings.
Executive assistant — £32,616 per year
Executive assistants support senior managers by handling administrative tasks and helping with projects.
Their responsibilities include managing appointments, correspondence, and schedules, making travel arrangements, answering phones, organising reports and documents, and representing their executives in meetings, to name a few.
Manager — £33,371 per year
Again, there are varying capacities of manager roles, all depending on the size of the company or industry you work for/in. But to generalise, managers are in charge of a group of employees, their primary goal being to ensure their team meets the company’s objectives.
Like other roles in this list, they must be comfortable delegating tasks, providing feedback, and supporting their team. Managers are also required to liaise with other departments within the business (often other managers) to ensure the smooth, efficient running of the overall organisation.
Delivery driver — £25,609 per year
The main objective of a delivery driver is to ensure the safe, efficient, and on-time delivery of packages. A delivery driver could work in any industry, from groceries, retail, fast food, and even huge corporations.
As well as delivering the goods, these workers are also often responsible for loading and unloading their vehicles, collecting payments and obtaining signatures from customers for receipt of the products.
Account manager — £32,204 per year
An account manager is basically the middle man between a company and its customers. They act as representatives and help to manage the relationships between the two.
A day in the life of an account manager may also include managing client accounts, meeting sales targets, negotiating contracts, preparing reports, managing budgets and payments and working with other teams.
Graphic designer — £26,621 per year
Those with a creative eye may want to look in this direction, as the main role of a graphic designer is to create visual designs and concepts for an array of clients. Using both computer software and working manually, they’ll develop designs for advertising, logos, websites, and packaging, to name a few.
A graphic designer will work closely with their client to ensure they understand the brand and the brief completely, helping the organisation to convey their messages visually.
Graphic designers can work for agencies, as a ‘house graphic designer’ within a company, or be freelance/self-employed, working to secure a roster of clients.
Administrator — £21,682 per year
As an administrator, you will manage and coordinate all the administrative elements of a company.
This will include document managing, record keeping, scheduling, and overseeing office operations. Plus, handling budgets, data entry, and customer service.
Ultimately, the goal of an administrator is to ensure an efficient, organised workplace that helps meet the company’s wider goals.
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