Quick Overview
Getting a good job in the UK without a degree is absolutely possible — and increasingly common. Many employers now prioritise skills, experience, and attitude over formal qualifications. From transport and trades to tech and government roles, there are countless ways to earn well and build a stable career without going to university.
This guide covers:
✅ The best high-paying jobs in the UK that don’t require a degree
✅ Industries where skills and training matter more than academic credentials
✅ Roles that can help you earn £50,000–£100,000+ without higher education
✅ Government and public sector jobs open to non-graduates
✅ Work-from-home and remote opportunities without degree requirements
✅ Low-stress and unconventional careers offering financial stability and flexibility
Can I Get Jobs in the UK Without a Degree?
In the UK job market, the assumption that a university degree is the only pathway to a lucrative career is being increasingly challenged. Degrees might help, but they are only one of the many possible routes to achieving success. In fact, some of the highest-paid positions in the UK are held by people who never pursued higher education. This is understandable, especially when many people are pushed to attend university. However, the truth is that more and more employers value skills, work experience, and a positive attitude towards training just as much — and in some cases, more — than a degree.
The UK economy is diverse, and so are the job opportunities in transport, technology, healthcare, trades, and public services, many of which are available to those without a degree. What is often most important is your determination and willingness to learn. In many cases, you can gain the required industry-specific certifications in a much shorter time than a three-year university degree. There are plenty of opportunities, from emergency transport services to digital freelancing and tech support.
Can you get a job in the UK without a degree? Yes, you can! A better question is what jobs can offer employment stability and good pay without requiring a degree? This is what the guide will help you with.
In this guide, we’ll focus on the best options available that provide financial stability and freedom without requiring a degree, from middle incomes to six figures. To help with your query, I will focus on the best UK jobs that can pay you the most without a degree.
What Job Pays the Most without a Degree in the UK?
This question is asked because people are looking to make good money without investing years in a degree. While pay will depend on a few factors, the job that most people will consider the best is an Air Traffic Controller.
Why choose Air Traffic Control?
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Other Contenders
Although air traffic control is frequently highlighted, there are many other options. For instance, train drivers receive an average salary of £55,000 per year, and depending on the employer and location, they may earn even more. This position requires more concentration and responsibility than most other jobs, and the safety measures that must be followed are very strict. Achieving the requisite skills for this job does not require a college degree, and the employer provides the training in the position. Employers in this position expect applicants to have a minimum of GCSEs and to have good rational and analytical thinking skills.
Likewise, advanced positions in sales can generate impressive profits, particularly in real estate, technology, and marketable financial services. Although the range of potential earnings in these jobs is very broad, top performers are frequently able to earn six-figure salaries without the need for a college degree. However, in highly structured roles, like an air traffic control position, the level of sales and the results obtained are mostly determined by the balance of these subjective traits, perseverance, and toughness.
What Makes These Jobs Unique
One important reason these roles pay so much without needing a degree is that they need a professional balance between responsibility and accessibility. Employers know that formal education is useful, but what matters most in these roles is a mix of skills, aptitude, and attitude. Whether it’s the laser-like concentration of an air traffic controller, the dependability of a train driver, or the charm of a senior salesperson, these traits cannot be learned in a classroom.
If your goal is to land the highest salaries without spending multiple years in university, it’s safe to say that Air Traffic Controllers and Train Drivers are the most lucrative options. However, as we will discuss in the following sections, there are many other jobs available that provide a good income and a satisfying career without needing a degree. These jobs span a wide range, including positions that are creative, government-funded, or offer other forms of economic stability.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a Degree in the UK
Most people think earning a lot of money means many years of university education. But the truth is, some of the best-paid jobs in the UK can be done with vocational training, apprenticeships, or just starting at the bottom and working your way up the ladder. Here is a list of ten high-paying jobs available in the UK.
1. Train Driver
You probably know this already. Train drivers top the list of people earning money without needing a higher education. They earn about £55,000 a year and can earn more with overtime and seniority. It is also an excellent option for people who appreciate a high level of training and education because it is provided for you while you work. For people who like order and routine, this is also a very good option because you work predictable hours.
2. Air Traffic Controller
As mentioned earlier, this is the front-runner in the ‘earning potential’ list. Air Traffic Controllers earn between £50,000 and £90,000. This is a challenging job because it has an expected emergency and safety protocol as well as legal and regulatory restrictions. It offers a high level of job security in the UK and is considered to be one of the most respected careers.
3. Senior Sales Executive
Sales may be challenging, but for those with great communication skills and perseverance, the prizes are great. Most base salaries are on the low side, but the earnings for successful salespeople in industries like tech solutions, finance, and luxury goods typically exceed £70,000–£100,000 because of commissions.
4. Construction Manager
It is possible to work in management positions in construction without going to university. People often begin as apprentices or site labourers and work their way up to management, which earns £45,000–£70,000. Strong management skills and knowledge of the construction trade are essential for this.
5. Police Inspector
Even though joining the service requires training and assessments, there are no degree requirements. Inspector-level positions bring in salaries of £52,000+ and offer the additional benefits of a government pension and job security.
6. Firefighter Crew Manager or Station Manager
Like the police service, firefighting begins with low pay, but the opportunities for job advancement allow for considerable increases in salary and job satisfaction. A station manager earns £50,000–£60,000 and has a highly regarded job in the community.
7. Offshore Oil and Gas Roles
Jobs on oil rigs require long, difficult, and often very high-stakes shifts. However, the pay does reflect the demand for the position. For example, drill operators and offshore maintenance supervisors take home over £50,000 every year, on top of offshore living allowances.
8. Electrician
Self-employment is one of the many ways to increase earnings as an electrician. An electrician working for someone else earns between £40,000 and £60,000, and those who start a business in addition to those self-employment opportunities make well over £60,000. With demand remaining steady, it is a profession with both job security and strong earning potential.
9. Pilot (Private/Commercial via Training)
Commercial airline pilots make far more money, and they don’t require a degree. They must take structured courses to get a license to fly. Depending on the experience and the type of aircraft, a pilot makes between £40,000 and £120,000. However, the training is expensive, time-consuming, and not for the faint of heart.
10. Web Developer (Self-Taught or Bootcamp)
In the tech world, experience and knowledge take precedence over academic credentials. For example, many developers trained themselves, or learned at a coding boot camp (which is very expensive) and at a very high pace. They also make between £35,000 and £60,000 as a salaried employee, and make well over £100,000 as a freelancer or in a senior position.
These job examples demonstrate that in the UK, there are a number of high-paying jobs that do not require a degree.
High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree or Experience
What about those starting from the bottom with little or no work experience? While some of the jobs above may need an apprenticeship or years of advancement, there are still well-paying jobs that only care about one’s attitude and willingness to learn.
Most entry-level sales jobs require no experience, and the recruiting company will provide training. And the individual will earn commission right away. After a while, these jobs can lead to attaining an income higher than most office jobs.
Another easy-to-access job is in logistics, especially delivery driving, with the growth of the internet. After getting the right license, an HGV driver’s salary starts at over £40,000, and training is often free.
The care industry also has a lot of available jobs. Mental health support workers, senior carers, or those who take supervisory roles in residential homes receive decent pay, even without a degree. This field is unique in that experience is valued over schooling, and there are opportunities for advancement.
Furthermore, many hospitality management and retail operations positions really do promote from within. A lot of managers in these areas began their careers as part-time employees with zero experience, which means that determination and social skills can lead to valuable positions of influence. Promotions happen from within, so why do you want to leave to find a better job?
To summarise, of course, the highest paying careers need years of work to advance in the career or specific education, but there are positions in the UK that have no educational requirements and offer the opportunity to earn a meaningful income while learning skills that are in high demand.
Reaching a Salary of £50,000 a Year in the UK Without a Degree
For a lot of people, a salary of £50,000 a year is a good level of salary to achieve. Thankfully, you do not need a degree to reach this goal; there are numerous positions in the UK that offer this salary.
Within the transport industry, and especially on the London Underground as a train operator, this is one of the best positions to achieve this level of income. This position requires a high level of concentration, the ability to work safely under strict procedures and to manage long work shifts, but you can earn a good income and save on a pension with the opportunity to work overtime.
Likewise, self-employed tradespeople, especially electricians or plumbers, can earn at or above this level. For self-employed tradespeople with strong reputations in large cities where demand is high, the hourly rate can greatly exceed what is usual in the profession. For example, electricians in London or Manchester, with a few years of experience, can command rates above £50k annually.
In addition to the jobs mentioned above, supervisory roles in public services (e.g., fire service managers and police inspectors) also exceed this salary level. Such roles combine responsibility with a unique form of job security, making them very appealing as a long-term career option. Furthermore, they offer the convenience of lateral advancement through promotions and training, eliminating the need to obtain a degree.
Jobs That Pay Over £100,000 Without a Degree
While making £50,000 a year is appealing, some people are more interested in the prospect of earning above £100,000 a year without going to university. Although these opportunities are rare and can be highly competitive, they do exist.
Sales and business development is one of the most non-traditional avenues that can lead to high earnings. In commission-driven fields like real estate and high-ticket B2B sales, as well as finance, it’s common to see sales folks earning six-figure salaries. These jobs are not high in salary but are high in sales commission, directly linking pay to sales performance. If you have the right personality, these jobs can offer high commission potential and other sales incentives.
Being your own boss is yet another option. You can engage in e-commerce, property investing, and digital freelancing. All these avenues can lead you to entrepreneurship, and while you can earn six figures without a degree, it can be a risky endeavour. In the UK, it is common to hear success stories from business owners who dropped out of school and attained a net worth in the millions through sheer ingenuity, hard work, and the ability to pivot.
The potential within the creative and digital fields is remarkable, too. Self-made web retailers, self-positioned and profitable designers, and digital marketers who establish their own agencies or partner with clients within the high-value to six-figure range gain access to six-figure yearly salaries. While it can take time to gain the necessary experience to construct the client base needed to be lucrative, the overall entrance to the sector is much easier in comparison to other fields that would require a formal higher education.
It is wise to remain grounded in your expectations. You can certainly find high-earning positions in the six-figure range, which will require you to take bold entrepreneurial risks or have out-of-the-box abilities within a specific role. For those looking to earn without the need for a degree, the potential is certainly within reach.
Best Paying Work-from-Home Jobs Not Requiring a Degree in the UK
It is no secret that flexible remote jobs have become the new norm as per engagements globally. Many individuals are attracted to the remote employment lifestyle. Luckily, there are remote jobs that are highly rewarding financially and do not require a bachelor’s qualification.
One of the most easily obtainable remote jobs is freelance digital work. Many highly skilled professional remote freelancers have jobs as writers, social media managers, graphic designers, or web developers. Many freelancers start with platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, and most of the highly paid freelancers no longer work with these platforms as they have long-term remote contracts with clients in the UK or several international clients. Freelancers typically start with below-average pay, but highly skilled individuals can elevate their pay to six figures within a short period.
Account management with a remote sales focus is another option. Many companies require remote sales representatives, especially for telesales and digital product sales. Sales and customer success roles also have remote opportunities. As in-person sales, the commission structure gives the salesperson the potential to earn more than their base pay.
There are plenty of remote customer service and IT support jobs available. Job-specific training is frequently given to employees, as little training is usually required beforehand. Support specialists who advance to management and consultancy positions earn competitive salaries without leaving their homes.
E-commerce and content creation provide people with opportunities to establish their own remote sources of income. You can run an online store, control affiliate websites, or create YouTube videos and earn pay comparable to or greater than traditional office jobs. Although it is challenging to achieve, it is still possible as it doesn’t require a traditional job to earn a living.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that people with the right attitude can achieve their goals without a degree. If £50,000 a year, a six-figure salary, or simply the freedom to work from home is your goal, the UK job market offers such opportunities. The common lesson is that a certificate in a frame is of little value compared to skills, determination, and adaptability.
Government Jobs in the UK Without a Degree
When it comes to getting a job in the Government sector, people consider it to be stable, have a good pension, and have a good career progression. Many consider a job in the public sector means a college education, but that is not the case. Government job positions do not require a college education. There are a number of public sector positions that are open to people without further education, and these positions are available to people who have passed vocational assessments, are trained, or have completed apprenticeships.
The police force also has paths for non-graduates through non-degree entry-level police officer positions and police vocational training. Applicants for police vocational training do not need a college education, although some specialist positions in the force require a degree. Many police officers who enter the police force with A-levels or similar qualifications, and work their way up. Those senior positions of inspector or sergeant have salaries of over £50,000, and come with the best pension schemes in the country.
Likewise, the fire service does not require university degrees and offers training positions to people without a college education. The position is training of trainers, and the focus is on their problem-solving, information technology skills and community awareness. As for the position of a firefighter, there are well-paid and highly respected managerial positions that can be achieved through progression.
Other Government positions that do not require a college degree are in the Civil Service. Positions of Administrative Officer and Executive Officer require a degree. Employees can get into policy and management with the org and internal training, and specialist roles in the Government. These positions have pay and benefits that are well over private sector positions.
The chances for advancement and the security offered by government jobs are unrivalled. If you are someone whose preference is stability with good benefits and a decent salary, government jobs are great for you.
Unusual High-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Although most conversations around jobs that do not require degrees centre around the transport and trades, there are other unusual jobs in the UK market that pay well without requiring a degree.
Consider commercial diving. It is a difficult career that needs training and certification, but it does not require a degree. Divers who do underwater construction, maintenance, and inspections can make well above the national average salary, and in some cases, more than £60,000.
More unconventional is professional gaming and streaming. Although it is still a niche, some earn six-figure incomes by streaming on Twitch and YouTube, and combining gaming with entertainment. No, it is not a guaranteed career, but it shows how many new industries are changing what a “career” can be.
Other unique paths include working as a tattoo artist and a make-up specialist. Many professionals in these fields make significantly more than typical office workers, having developed the skills, credibility, and a loyal clientele. The same applies to photographers and videographers. Many work in the niches of weddings, branding, and social media content and do not need a higher education to make a great income.
These options show unique jobs and the paths one can take to achieve a desired and successful career. It shows that there is not one right and rigid way to achieve a desired career. It is possible to achieve career success by finding a niche that aligns with one’s personal skills, interests, and goals.
Low-Stress Jobs That Pay Well Without a Degree
Not every person works in high-pressure jobs, like air traffic control or working in the sales department. The dream of many is to have a job that earns great money and has little to no stress. Jobs like that do exist, and one does not need a degree to get one.
For instance, one can work as a librarian assistant or in certain administrative roles which offer a predictable routine without the stress. The pay might not be as high, but there are positions in local councils or universities that have great benefits and pay between £30,000 and £40,000.
Doing gardening or landscaping can also be pursued, given the physical fitness. Gardening or landscaping can be portable by self-employed gardeners in the UK. Strong bases of clientele can be developed, and established ones earn more than £40,000.
IT support can take on a technical role, providing support with a free range in smaller organisations, making this a simple role site. These jobs can grow into higher-paid specialist roles and also don’t require a degree, given the additional certifications.
No need to be mistaken about the previous text. These points are provided to highlight the endless opportunities/ potential that can be achieved with low stress and a balanced mental state in activities.
What Is the Best Job Without a Degree in the UK?
After exploring all these options, you might be asking: which one is truly the best? The answer depends on your personal goals. If your priority is maximum pay, careers like air traffic control or high-level sales stand out. If you want stability and progression, government roles such as police inspector or civil service positions could be the right fit. For those chasing flexibility, freelance digital work or remote opportunities are hard to beat. And if you value low stress and balance, trades like gardening or supportive administrative roles may be ideal.
The real takeaway is this: Which job is best without a degree is the one that matches your skills, personality, and lifestyle goals. What unites all these roles is that they prove one essential truth — a degree is not the only ticket to success in the UK job market. With the right attitude, willingness to learn, and some targeted training, you can build a rewarding career and earn a strong salary, all while bypassing the traditional university route.