The employment rate in the United Kingdom has finally risen to numbers that resemble those from the pre-COVID era. Currently, the country’s employment rate sits at a little over 75 per cent, and it’s expected to reach 76.20 per cent in the year 2024.
With employment rates rising, this means more opportunities for job seekers to find well-paying jobs in a variety of industries.
We’ve created other resources for UK-based job seekers in the past, including this one of the 22 Best Job Sites in the UK and this one on the Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs in the UK. However, before you start searching for jobs, it’s a good idea to have more information on the average salaries for various positions.
This UK salary guide will teach you everything you need to know so you can set clear expectations at the beginning of your job search.
Whether you want to know the average salary in the UK across the board or the average salary for employees in a specific industry, one of the easiest ways to find this information is to check out the GrabJobs Local Salary Guide Tool.
This tool allows job seekers to easily find top-paying jobs in various industries. They can also search for jobs that offer specific salary ranges so they don’t waste their time applying for jobs that pay too little or don’t check their unique boxes.
What Skills Are in High Demand in the UK in 2024?
Continuing with our UK salary guide, let’s touch on the specific skills that are in high demand in 2024.
It’s important to remember that when you’re searching for jobs, that you will often be eligible for higher salaries if you have taken the time to develop certain skill sets. Having specific skills also makes it easier for you to negotiate and get a higher salary after you’ve been offered a job.
Listed below are 10 of the most in-demand skills UK job seekers ought to consider developing in 2024 and beyond:
Why SQL Skills Are in High Demand
Structured query language is a programming language. It’s used in a variety of programming-related tasks and is in high demand as the tech sector continues to grow in the UK.
Relevant Jobs
- Software engineer
- Business analyst
- Data analyst
- Database administrator
Where to Learn SQL Skills
Codecademy, Coursera, and W3Schools all offer programs to help you learn and expand your SQL skills.
Why SEO Skills Are in High Demand
Search engine optimisation plays a key role in helping businesses to expand their online presence and become easier to find on search engine results pages. As more businesses shift their operations and services online, increased visibility is key to their success.
Relevant Jobs
- SEO specialist
- Digital marketing specialist
- Search engine marketing specialist
Where to Learn SEO Skills
Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera all offer useful, easy-to-understand SEO courses.
Why Foreign Language Skills Are in High Demand
Many businesses in the UK partner with companies from all over the world. This makes multilingual employees very valuable.
Relevant Jobs
- Translator/interpreter
- International liaison
- Teacher
Where to Learn Foreign Language Skills
Apps like Duolingo and Babbel can be very useful when it comes to learning new languages.
Why Project Management Skills Are in High Demand
Project management skills are particularly valuable in the tech industry, as they allow teams to get projects completed faster, more accurately, and more cost-effectively.
Relevant Jobs
- Project manager
- Project director
- Assistant project manager
Where to Learn Project Management Skills
LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and EdX all offer high-quality, detailed project management courses.
Why Customer Service Skills Are in High Demand
Customer service always matters, but in 2022, it will become even more important as businesses begin to grow and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relevant Jobs
- Customer service representative
- Customer service manager
- Salesperson
Where to Learn Customer Service Skills
LinkedIn Learning and Hubspot both offer useful courses to help you sharpen your customer service skills.
Why Sales Skills Are in High Demand
High sales numbers are necessary for any business to succeed. If you are a good salesperson, you will be a valuable asset to virtually any company.
Relevant Jobs
- Sales associate
- Retail sales associate
- Sales manager
Where to Learn Sales Skills
MasterClass and Udemy both offer useful courses to help you improve your sales skills.
Why Business Analysis Skills Are in High Demand
Business analysts collect and analyze data to help businesses make wise decisions for the future. For businesses that want to be successful long-term, a skilled business analyst can be a very valuable employee.
Relevant Jobs
- Business analyst
- Data analyst
- System analyst
Where to Learn Business Analysis Skills
LinkedIn Learning and Coursera both offer impressive, detailed business analysis courses.
Why Graphic Design Skills Are in High Demand
Graphic designers can help businesses of all kinds create impressive logos, marketing images, social media graphics, and more.
Relevant Jobs
- Graphic designer
- Web designer
- Creative director
Where to Learn Graphic Design Skills
Coursera and EdX are great platforms to check out if you’re looking to expand your graphic design knowledge.
Why UI/UX Design Skills Are in High Demand
UI/UX design is all about making websites, software, and apps more functional and easier to navigate. With so many businesses launching or updating their digital offerings, there’s a greater demand for skilled UI/UX designers.
Relevant Jobs
- UI/UX designer
- UI/UX developer
- Web developer
- App developer
Where to Learn UI/UX Design Skills
Coursera and Designlab both offer extensive UI/UX design courses.
Why Financial Management Skills Are in High Demand
Businesses of all kinds need assistance from accountants, bookkeepers, financial advisors, and other money-savvy professionals that can help them keep their finances in order.
Relevant Jobs
- Bookkeeper
- Accountant
- Financial advisor
- Financial analyst
Where to Learn Financial Management Skills
Coursera and The Great Courses both offer useful financial management courses to help you learn and further develop your skills.
What Are the Expected Salary Ranges for the Jobs in the United Kingdom?
The average salary in the UK for a full-time employee is £31,461, according to the latest data. However, the average salary that you earn as a job seeker can vary quite a bit depending on the specific job you decide to pursue.
To help you gain more insight into the salary you can expect to earn once you start working, outlined below are 10 of the most popular jobs in the UK, complete with salary information, companies that are currently hiring, and career prospects.
- Expected Salary Range: £17K to £21K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Personal Care Workers in the UK: Care UK, Trinity Home Care, Join Social Care
- Career Prospects: As the population in the UK continues to age, there will be a growing demand for personal care assistants who can help these individuals to feel their best and enjoy a higher quality of life, so prospects look good now and in the future.
- Expected Salary Range: £22K to £36K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Nurses in the UK: CPL, Mayo Clinic, HST
- Career Prospects: Whether or not there’s a pandemic going on, there will always be a need for nurses who can assist physicians and surgeons and ensure patients are well cared for. Prospects look very good in 2022 for nurses and nursing students.
- Expected Salary Range: £24K to £38K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Social Workers in the UK: East Sussex County Council, Elysium Healthcare, Cambridgeshire County Council
- Career Prospects: Similar to careers in nursing, there is (and likely always will be) a strong need for social workers who can support and represent those who are vulnerable and in need. Because of this, career prospects look promising for social workers now and in the future.
- Expected Salary Range: £18 to £39K per year
- Top Companies Hiring Web Developers in the UK: Evoluted, University of Southampton, Xplor
- Career Prospects: The tech industry is growing rapidly in the UK and throughout the world, and so is the demand for skilled web developers who can help businesses expand their offerings. Prospects look great for those interested in pursuing this type of career.
- Expected Salary Range: £27K to £71K per year
- Top Companies Hiring in the UK: Mott MacDonald, Atos, Barclays
- Career Prospects: There’s a strong demand for project managers, particularly for businesses in the tech industry, that can help team members get tasks done efficiently and cost-effectively, so it’s definitely worth it to pursue this type of career in 2022.
- Expected Salary Range: £17K to £30K per year
- Top Companies Hiring in the UK: EllisKnight, Loughborough University, Compass Group
- Career Prospects: Virtually every business in the UK (and the rest of the world) needs help from skilled customer service assistants to ensure customers are well cared for and receive the help they need as quickly as possible. There are lots of options for people with customer service skills, so prospects for this job look good moving forward.
- Expected Salary Range: £49K to £71K per year
- Top Companies Hiring in the UK: Flexible Working People, Morgan Spencer, haart Estate Agents
- Career Prospects: There are lots of opportunities for property managers as the real estate market expands throughout the UK. If you have a background in property management and don’t have issues working with tenants on a daily basis, there are lots of opportunities for you in the UK and beyond.
- Expected Salary Range: £12K to £33K per year
- Top Companies Hiring in the UK: Warner Media, Square, CDSR
- Career Prospects: There’s always a need for talented salespeople who can help companies convert leads and increase revenues. Job prospects for those with a sales background (as well as those who have an eagerness to learn the ropes) look very good in 2022.
- Expected Salary Range: £25K to £100K per year
- Top Companies Hiring in the UK: Matchtech, Liverpool Airport Limited, Esken
- Career Prospects: There’s a growing demand for air traffic controllers in the UK, especially as travel starts to pick up and airports become busy once again. Prospects look promising for those who want to pursue this exciting and lucrative career in 2022.
- Expected Salary Range: £20K to £67K per year
- Top Companies Hiring in the UK: Arch Europe Insurance Services, AIG, Nationwide Broker Services
- Career Prospects: There are lots of opportunities throughout the UK for insurance underwriters. If you’re looking for a promising career with plenty of room for growth, this is a great option to consider.
What Is the Average Salary Across Industries in the UK in 2024?
Are you still curious about the expected salary range in the UK for various professions? Did you not see one of your preferred jobs listed above?
If so, this table can provide more insight. Broken down below are the average salaries for well-known jobs across a variety of industries:
Profession
Average Salary in the UK
Accountant
£19K to £49K per year
Finance Manager
£26K to £59K per year
Sales Manager
£21K to £51K per year
Business Development Manager
£24K to £56K per year
Chief Executive Officer
£36K to £160K per year
Chief Finance Officer
£57K to £180K per year
General Manager
£31K to £100K per year
Legal Assistant
£15K to £26K per year
Customer Service Manager
£20K to £42K per year
Human Resource Manager
£26K to £50K per year
Construction Manager
£30K to £66K per year
Hospitality/Hotel Manager
£20K to £49K per year
Tourism/Travel Agent
£12K to £30K per year
IT Manager
£27K to £65K per year
Graphic Designer
£18K to £31K per year
Civil Engineer
£23K to £47K per year
Electrical Engineer
£22K to £49K per year
Mechanical Engineer
£22K to £47K per year
Aerospace Engineer
£26K to £58K per year
Architecture Engineer
£74K to £96K per year
What Else Should I Know About Salaries in the UK?
In addition to understanding the expected salary range in the UK for various jobs, there are other details you ought to take into account when searching for work in this country, from information on the cost of living to tax rates.
Answered below are some of the most frequently asked salary-related questions from people looking for work in the UK:
What Is the Cost of Living in the UK?
The cost of living in the United Kingdom is lower than it is in 47 per cent of Western European countries. However, it is also more expensive to live here than it is to live in 82 per cent of countries throughout the world.
For a family of 4, monthly costs are estimated at £3,563. For a single person, monthly costs are estimated at around £2,007.
How Much Will I Pay in Income Taxes?
Income tax rates in the UK vary depending on how much you earn per year. They’re currently broken down as follows:
- Up to £12,570: 0 per cent
- £12,571 to £50,270: 20 per cent
- £50,271 to £150,000: 40 per cent
- £150,000 and over: 45 per cent
It’s important to note that Scotland has different tax brackets than the rest of the UK. They are as follows:
- Up to £12,570: 0 per cent
- £12,571 to £14,667: 19 per cent
- £14,668 to £25,296: 20 per cent
- £25,297 to £43,662: 21 per cent
- £43,663 to £150,000: 41 per cent
- £150,000 and over: 46 per cent
What Benefits Do Employers in the UK Offer?
Full-time employees at various jobs in the UK are all entitled to specific benefits, including the following:
- Statutory Sick Pay
- Holiday Pay
- Statutory Leave and Pay for Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption
- Statutory Redundancy Pay
Many employers also offer additional benefits, such as discounted meals, dental care plans, and free or subsidised travel.
How Do I Work in the UK as a Foreigner?
Before you can legally work in the UK, you’ll need to apply for a work visa.
To qualify for a work visa, you’ll need to have received a job offer from a UK-based employer. Your potential employer must be approved by the country’s Home Office and must also be on its list of eligible employers.
UK Salary Guide: Final Thoughts
Hopefully, our UK salary guide provides everything you need to know to feel informed and confident in your job search. Keep this information in mind so you have a clear understanding of what you can expect to be paid in various positions (and make sure you’re being paid fairly).
If you need more help finding jobs in the UK, check out the GrabJobs search tool today. It makes it easy for you to look for jobs based on a variety of criteria, including salary ranges, experience and skill requirements, and more.
