Best paying Jobs in the UK

The United Kingdom holds the 6th position for having the largest economies in the world.  The country’s highly progressive technology and multicultural environment make it one of the top work destinations. The UK has one of the top companies with plenty of employment opportunities with the top highest paid jobs in the UK. Foreign nationals seeking job opportunities in the UK can apply for a UK visa for jobs. International students who have completed their education in the UK and explore post-study work visa options. Last year, the country granted over 242,000+ work visas across different work visa categories.

Most of the best-earning jobs in the UK are available in the tertiary sector, which includes schools, hospitals, financial institutions, corporate offices, etc. The jobs are grouped into four classifications, such as:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary
• Quaternary

Companies in the UK provide a maximum of 28 paid leaves in a year, with other employee benefits that include medical insurance, social security, retirement benefits once eligible, and more. Foreign nationals with prior professional experience, the required educational qualifications, and the right skill set can earn tenfold their current salary by applying through the highest paid occupations in the UK.

UK Work Visa Overview

Job seekers worldwide are moving to the UK for better employment prospects. The high wages, job opportunities, and plenty of career benefits offered in the UK are some of the prime reasons that make it an ideal destination for job aspirants. To work in the UK, one requires a valid UK work visa. The country offers different types of UK work visas for different categories of workers. The UK work visa gives you the right to enter, reside, and work in the country for the duration of your work visa.

Types of UK Work Visas

The UK offers different work visa types for foreign nationals seeking employment there. Some of the most common UK work visas are as follows:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Global Talent Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Health and Care Worker Visa
• Innovator and Start-Up Visa

Eligibility Criteria for UK work visa

To apply for a UK work visa, you must fulfill the below eligibility criteria:

• Be 18 years of age
• Have a valid employment offer
• Proof of at least B1 Level of English language proficiency
• Maintain the required amount of proof of funds
• Provide a criminal clearance certificate
• Provide a medical certificate

*Want to apply for a UK work visa? Let Y-Axis assist you with the process.

Cost of UK Work Visas

You can refer to the below table for UK work visa costs:

UK work visa	UK work visa cost
Skilled worker visa	£719 - £1,639 + £1,035 as healthcare surcharge for 12 months
Global Talent visa	£716 + £1,035 as healthcare surcharge for 12 months
Seasonal Worker Visa	£298
Health and Care Worker visa	£284 for 3 years & £551 for more than 3 years
Innovator and Start-Up Visa	£1,191 + £1,035 as healthcare surcharge for 12 months

 

Application Process for a UK Work Visa

You can apply for a UK work visa of your choice to start working in the UK. With a UK work visa, you can live and work there throughout the visa validity. The country offers many career opportunities, allowing you to expand your network globally, explore the UK job market, and access other career-enhancing work options.

Step-by-Step Guide for UK Visa

Here is a 5-step guide to work in high-paying jobs in the UK:

Step 1: Check if you are eligible to apply for a UK work visa

Step 2: Choose the correct type of UK work visa

Step 3: Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK employer

Step 4: Arrange the requirements as per the work visa

Step 5: Complete the visa fee payment

Step 6: Submit the requirements along with the biometrics

Step 7: Apply for the UK visa

Step 8: Wait for the visa status

Processing Time for UK visas

Most of the UK visas listed below have an average processing time of 3-8 weeks. The processing time for UK visas applied outside the UK takes around 3 weeks, while visas applied from within the UK take around 8 weeks.

You can refer to the table below for the processing times of UK visas:

UK work visa	UK work visa cost
Skilled worker visa	3-8 weeks
Global Talent visa	3-8 weeks
Seasonal Worker Visa	3 weeks
Health and Care Worker visa	3 weeks
Innovator and Start-Up Visa	3-8 weeks

Documents Required for a UK Visa

The requirements to apply for a UK visa are as follows:

• Passport

• Reference number of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Medical certificate
• Police Clearance certificate
• Proof of financial savings or funds
• Results of the English language test (If required)

Highest-Paying Jobs in the UK

The average salary offered to a full-time employee in the UK is around £37,430 per annum, whereas the average weekly pay is £728 and £18.64 per hour.

Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in the UK

The table below has the list of the top 10 highest-paying jobs in the UK, along with their average annual salaries:

Occupations	Average Salaries (per annum)
Engineering	£41,052
IT	£41,124
Marketing & Sales	£36,328
HR	£32,991
Healthcare	£45,904
Teachers	£35,222
Accountants	£37,500
Hospitality	£30,161
Nursing	£35,100
STEM	£38,142

 

In-Demand Professions in the UK

Skilled workers in the UK can earn around £26,394 -£34,200 per year, depending on the region and job role. Individuals working in London can earn an average annual salary of £34,200, while those working in the North-eastern region of the UK can earn a comparatively low wage of up to £24,450.

The table below has the list of top 10 in-demand professions in the UK:

Job role	Average Salary (per annum)
Business Analyst	£42,000
Operations Manager	£42,500
Programmers and Software Developers	£26,000
Cyber Security Specialists	£25,000
Architects	£28,000
Health Services and Residential Care	£21,000 - £30,000
Graphic Designers	£18,800
Physical Scientists	£29,000
Sales Assistant	£16,977
Customer Service Advisor	£18,801

How to Apply for Jobs in the UK?

Before you can start applying for jobs in the UK, it is crucial to understand the UK job market and the prerequisites that could land you your dream job.

Here are some of the pointers to keep in mind before applying for jobs in the UK:

• Study and understand the UK job market: Get a comprehensive understanding of the in-demand job roles and occupations currently facing labor shortages in the UK. Learn about the required UK visa type and other requirements to be submitted with the visa application.
• Create an impressive resume/CV: Design your CV as per the job market trends by highlighting all your skill areas and professional experiences.
• Expand your network: Contact industry experts and other professionals in your niche. You can expand your networking through websites like LinkedIn and other verified job search platforms.
• Be prepared for interviews: Update yourself with the latest interview skills and prepare the frequently asked interview questions that can give you an upper hand during your interview.
• Start applying for jobs: Research the jobs available in your field or domain and start applying through job search portals.

Job search platforms for jobs in the UK

While it is recommended to seek expert guidance while looking for jobs in the UK, you can also avail some of the other job search platforms listed below:

• Government websites such as National Careers Service
• Recruitment Agencies
• Indeed UK
• Jobsite UK
• Reed
• Monster
• CV Library

Writing a UK-Style CV and Cover Letter

Individuals looking to apply for jobs in the UK require a CV. A good CV can fetch you more points and improve your chances of getting hired. To apply for UK jobs, you must design your CV as per the UK style.

Here are all the sections that should be included in your UK-style CV:

• Contact information (Contact details, Educational details, a self-introduction, and details of the professional experience as well as other references)
• Introduction (Self-introduction)
• Educational history (Qualifications, academic institutions, dates)
• Work experience (Names of the employers, job titles with job descriptions, and years of work experience)
• Any gaps or breaks in your work history
• References (if any)

Interview Tips for UK Employers

Attending an interview can be quite unnerving, but you can crack it with the proper preparation and groundwork.  

Below are some interview tips that can help you with the interview:

• Prepare yourself as per the guidelines and job description posted by the company
• Introduce yourself clearly
• Maintain consistency and honesty throughout the interview as well as in your CV
• Be observant of the questions asked and answer them considerately
• Maintain a positive body language and attitude during the interview

Financial Planning for Moving to the UK

Planning your finances and expenditures before moving to the UK is advised. The cost of living in the UK depends on whether you live alone or with your family. Living expenses may also differ based on the locality or region you plan to move to.

Cost of Living in the UK

Living costs in the UK vary depending on the locality, whether you live with family and other factors. The average cost of living in the UK as a single adult is around £754, with the rent included.

The below table gives you an overview of the cost of living in the UK:

Factors	Average Cost of living (per month)
Accommodation	£690 - £955
Food	£200 - £350
Bills (Gas, electricity. broadband, TV license and water)	London: £200
	Rest of UK: £120
Groceries	London: £175
	Rest of UK: £136
Mobile phone	£18 (SIM-only plan)
Laundry	£25 (approx.)
Stationery and textbooks	£35 - £55
Travel (buses, trams, and trains)	£110 (in London)
	£70 (The rest of UK)
Movie ticket	£9 (approx.)
Dinner at restaurant	£15-16

 

Taxation in the UK

The UK’s National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are a form of direct tax. Self-employed individuals and those working in the UK are required to pay NIC once they reach the specified salary threshold.

Individuals with a standard personal allowance worth £12,570 and onwards must pay income tax. The table below has details of the tax rates that are to be paid as per the given bands:

Band	Taxable income	Tax rate
Personal Allowance	Up to £12,570	0%
Basic rate	£12,571 to £50,270	20%
Higher rate	£50,271 to £125,140	40%
Additional rate	over £125,140	45%

Additional Resources for UK Workers

Some of the additional resources available for UK workers are listed below:

• Jobcentre Plus: Offers training for English language proficiency and other IT skills while helping you to find jobs.
• Job Help: Job help mainly assists individuals over 50 in finding employment in the UK.
• Age UK: Offers job search advice to find jobs as an elderly worker.
• Other forms of government assistance

Rights of UK Workers

Workers in the UK can enjoy several rights and liberties, some of which include:

• The minimum wage per hour in the UK is around £11.44 as of 2024.
• Workers in the UK can get up to 28 paid leaves
• UK workers can enroll themselves in government-offered pension plans
• Workers are ensured safety with equal and unbiased treatment at workplaces
• Workers receive protection against illegal and uninformed deductions from the regular wages
• They need not work more than a maximum of 48 hours per week, and they can opt out if willing.
• Some of the leave allowances include:

• Statutory Sick Pay
• Statutory Maternity Pay
• Statutory Paternity Pay
• Shared Parental Pay
• Statutory Adoption Pay