In 2025, a growing number of UK workers are turning away from traditional university paths in search of faster, more practical, and financially rewarding careers. Whether it’s to avoid student debt or to pursue work that offers real-world skills and job security, there are now more options than ever. Here are 10 high-paying jobs in the UK that you can land without a university degree — all packed with salary details, training paths, and strategic keywords to boost visibility and search traffic.
If you’re looking for high-paying jobs without a degree in the UK, this guide is packed with valuable insights to help you build a successful and secure career.
1. AI Product Manager
Average Salary: £77,343
Entry Path: No degree needed, but a background in product development, UX, or coding is useful. Online certifications in AI and product management (e.g., Coursera, edX) help.
Job Description:
AI Product Managers are responsible for overseeing the development of artificial intelligence software and platforms. They act as a bridge between technical teams—such as software developers and data scientists—and business stakeholders to ensure that AI products meet user needs and business goals. This role involves market research, product strategy, user testing, and managing timelines.
AI product managers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of automation and machine learning in industries such as healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and logistics. With the UK emerging as a leader in AI technology, demand for these roles is growing rapidly. The job does not require a formal university education but benefits from certifications in product management and basic technical skills. If you’re looking for high-paying tech jobs in the UK without a degree or careers in AI in 2025, this is a standout option with upward mobility, particularly among remote jobs with no degree requirements.
2. Real Estate Associate (Legal Executive)
Average Salary: £75,599
Entry Path: Take a Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) course or complete a legal apprenticeship.
Job Description:
Real estate legal executives play a critical role in managing property transactions, drafting and reviewing contracts, and ensuring that real estate deals comply with UK laws. Unlike solicitors, you don’t need a university degree to become a legal executive. Most professionals enter the field through CILEx or a legal apprenticeship.
These roles are typically found in property law firms, housing associations, or in-house legal departments. As the UK’s property market remains highly active, legal associates in this sector are in constant demand. Professionals in this role often transition into senior legal positions, making it an ideal career path for those seeking legal jobs in the UK with no degree, or real estate careers without university requirements, particularly through CILEx pathways.
3. Automation Tester
Average Salary: £73,622
Entry Path: Learn programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript via bootcamps or self-paced courses.
Job Description:
Automation testers are a key part of modern software development teams. Their job is to design, develop, and maintain automated test scripts that check the functionality of software products. Rather than manually testing software, they create scripts and tools that automatically run tests every time a new code update is made. This speeds up development and ensures higher quality products.
Many automation testers begin their careers as manual testers before upskilling in test automation tools such as Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright. These roles are common in tech startups, large corporations, and digital consultancies. If you’re interested in QA tester jobs with no degree or remote tech jobs in the UK, automation testing offers strong earning potential and flexibility within the tech sector.
4. Air Traffic Controller
Average Salary: £59,693 to over £100,000
Entry Path: Apply to NATS (National Air Traffic Services). No degree needed, but you must pass tough aptitude tests.
Job Description:
Air traffic controllers are tasked with the enormous responsibility of managing aircraft in UK airspace. They coordinate takeoffs, landings, and in-flight navigation to ensure planes operate safely and efficiently. The job is highly structured and mentally demanding, with professionals working from air traffic control towers or radar rooms.
Although the training is rigorous, it’s fully funded by NATS and accessible to those without a university degree. This makes it one of the highest-paying aviation jobs available to school leavers. If you’re looking for non-degree aviation roles or high-paying airport careers in the UK, this job offers a clear and rewarding path.
5. PTS Electrician (Rail Industry)
Average Salary: £51,895
Entry Path: NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation + Personal Track Safety (PTS) certification.
Job Description:
PTS electricians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems along the UK’s rail network. They work on signalling, overhead lines, lighting, and other essential systems that keep the railways functioning. Due to the high-risk environment, these professionals must complete a Personal Track Safety course and meet stringent safety standards.
The rail industry is undergoing huge expansion with projects like HS2, and qualified electricians are in high demand. If you’re looking for trade jobs with training or rail industry jobs that offer high salaries without a degree, becoming a PTS-certified electrician is an excellent choice.
6. Private Personal Assistant
Average Salary: £53,856
Entry Path: No degree required. Experience in admin, event planning, or executive support helps.
Job Description:
A private personal assistant (PA) supports high-net-worth individuals with everything from calendar management and travel booking to event planning and personal errands. Unlike standard office PA roles, this job is often more dynamic and may include international travel and high levels of discretion.
Trust and loyalty are vital in this role, and salaries reflect the responsibility. Some PAs go on to become estate managers or executive assistants in luxury industries. It’s an excellent career for those with strong communication and organisation skills looking for admin careers with high salary potential. If you’re searching for personal assistant jobs in the UK with no experience requirements or roles supporting private clients in luxury services, this career is a strong contender.
7. Train Driver
Average Salary: £46,090 (can exceed £60,000 with experience and overtime)
Entry Path: Train driver apprenticeships or direct applications to TOCs (Train Operating Companies).
Job Description:
Train drivers operate freight and passenger trains across the UK rail network. They follow strict safety protocols, manage real-time rail operations, and ensure on-time performance. The role requires attention to detail, calm under pressure, and strong time management skills.
Many train drivers start as conductors or customer service agents and work their way up. If you’re considering transport jobs without university qualifications or jobs on the railway in 2025, train driving offers long-term job security and excellent pay.
8. Crane Supervisor (Construction)
Average Salary: £44,157
Entry Path: Start as a slinger/signaller or crane operator. Gain CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) certification.
Job Description:
Crane supervisors manage all aspects of crane operation on a construction site. They ensure that safety guidelines are followed, coordinate teams, and communicate with site managers and operators. This position is crucial in lifting operations involving steel beams, pre-fab units, or heavy equipment.
The role combines technical know-how with leadership ability and offers one of the best-paying jobs in construction that doesn’t require a degree. For anyone interested in site supervisor roles or crane operator careers in the UK without formal qualifications, this path is reliable and lucrative.
9. Sales Executive
Average Salary: £26,000–£35,000 base (with uncapped commission, total can exceed £50,000)
Entry Path: Start in telesales or field sales. Learn CRM systems and negotiation.
Job Description:
Sales executives work across industries, selling products or services to consumers or businesses. Roles may be inbound, outbound, or B2B. Your income grows with performance—meaning this is a rare career where your earnings are limited only by your ambition.
In high-demand sectors like SaaS (software as a service), finance, and property, top performers often exceed six-figure earnings. If you’re looking for sales jobs with high commission in the UK or B2B sales roles that offer great entry-level opportunities without a degree, this is an ideal fit.
10. Digital Marketing Specialist
Average Salary: £30,000–£45,000 (freelancers can earn more)
Entry Path: Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, internships, portfolio projects.
Job Description:
Digital marketers are responsible for driving traffic, leads, and sales through online channels. They may specialise in SEO, PPC advertising, email marketing, social media, or content marketing. Many start as freelancers or junior marketing assistants and scale their skillset through hands-on experience.
This is one of the most accessible and scalable online jobs in the UK with no degree required. Whether you’re interested in freelance SEO jobs, remote digital marketing roles, or launching your own internet business, this career path is one of the most flexible and in-demand in 2025.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re switching careers, skipping university, or looking to upskill without a traditional degree, these careers offer income, growth, and security. With the rise of bootcamps, apprenticeships, and digital certifications, 2025 is the best time to rethink the degree-to-career pipeline. Jobs with apprenticeships in 2025 are becoming a mainstream pathway into top roles across technology, law, transport, and marketing.
For more practical guides, industry breakdowns, and workforce trend reports, explore Nezt’s blog at nezt.co.uk.
