Top 30 Most In-Demand Jobs in the UK
Having a job in any part of the world is ideal, but in a country like the United Kingdom, perhaps even more so. Made up of four individual countries –– England, Scotland, Wales, and North Ireland –– the United Kingdom is one of the oldest and most culturally diverse areas in the world. Millions of tourists flock to the mostly island nation each year, helping to contribute to the massive 3.187 trillion (USD) GDP.
But while the UK routinely features on many most-livable-country and happiest-resident lists, there are many issues (namely inflation) that account for sky-high prices on rent, mortgages, utilities, and products throughout the entire nation. The cost of living is high in urban areas like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, so residents need to have a solid source of income.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the most important skills needed, and the most in-demand in jobs in the UK and salaries in The United Kingdom.
Which Skills Are in High Demand in The United Kingdom?
In The United Kingdom, if you hope to land an engaging and well-paying job, it’s best to have a few in-demand work skills under your belt. Here are some of the most popular in the country:
Customer Service
Good customer service skills are always in high demand, but they’re particularly valuable right now. From retail establishments to IT firms, all kinds of companies are looking for people who are patient and good at communicating with others.
Project Management
Good project managers are needed across all industries in The UK to help businesses run smoothly and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Accounting and Finance
Financial skills are in hot demand across the UK. If you have training as an accountant or analyst, as well as experience with bookkeeping and payroll, you’ll likely qualify for many of these positions. T
Sales
Many businesses are looking for talented, experienced, and hard-working sales associates. If you’re a great communicator and someone who has no problem highlighting the great points of a product or service to sell it to others, you’ll find plenty of opportunities.
Computing / Software
There’s a growing need for software development skills in the UK. If you have extensive knowledge of different programming languages, are very detail-oriented, and are good at meeting deadlines, there are lots of job openings for you.
Top 30: The Most In-Demand Jobs in The United Kingdom
Now, let’s explore some of the most in-demand jobs in UK in 2024. Here are the top 30 options to consider as you begin your job search:
Average annual salary: £40,351
Job description: An effective Project Manager plans and allocates resources for a company, as well as prepares budgets, monitors project statuses, and ensures that stakeholders are kept well-informed throughout a project’s life cycle. A take-charge candidate who can accomplish all of the above will always be in high demand throughout the more popular areas of the United Kingdom.
Average annual salary: £55,381
Job description: In this digital age, being able to write technical computer languages like Java is one of the most valued skills one can have. Java Developers earn some of the highest salaries in the UK because they use their programming language abilities to design and develop applications and sites. To become a Java developer, you don’t necessarily need a degree, but a solid understanding of programming language skills is a must.
Average annual salary: £31,260
Job description: Given the rise in online crimes, a skilled Cyber Security Specialist who can navigate through internal data systems and provide protection against compromised external sources would be well paid in the United Kingdom –– regardless of the industry.
Average annual salary: £31,500
Job description: Companies with products or services to sell often need to get their information out to customers using memorable and visually appealing methods. This is where a Graphic Designer usually comes in to save the day. These positions are filled by those with great creative flair, physical and computer design skills, and a solid portfolio of powerful work. These jobs are not only in high demand, but they are well-paid –– especially in major metropolitan areas like London, Glasgow, Belfast, and Edinburgh.
Average annual salary: £31,429
Job description: Business Analysts work with different organizations and help them to improve various workflows, systems, and processes. They conduct research, analyze results, and create solutions to address business problems and keep the company running smoothly.
Average annual salary: £49,550
Job description: A versatile and up-and-coming profession, Product Managers are, simply put, in charge of products –– digital products, physical goods, and financial products. Some examples of digital products include websites, apps, and computer games, while financial products are not limited to credit cards, loans, and mortgages. Product Managers are responsible for ensuring that their products are free of issues and increasing overall sales revenue.
Average annual salary: £76,500
Job description: As a major tourist destination, the United Kingdom is home to some of the busiest airports in Europe –– including Gatwick and Heathrow. Pilots are some of the most in-demand positions in the country and beyond. Commercial airline pilots who fly to international destinations are typically paid more than continental or local-haul pilots, but the training required for all flights is the same. And it’s very intensive, so the rewards are usually worth it in the end.
Average annual salary: £75,115
Job description: The United Kingdom is home to some of the most prestigious and esteemed universities in the world. So it’s no surprise that professor positions are some of the in-demand. Following years of specialized education, candidates can become qualified professors in their particular field of study.
Average annual salary: £71,248
Job description: Human Resource Directors lead management teams in various industries. They are in charge of a list of daily tasks that keep a company running, like hiring employees, handling interpersonal issues, and ensuring employees have good mental well-being while in the working environment. Many companies throughout the United Kingdom are looking for dedicated managers to oversee the Human Resources department –– and they’re willing to pay high salaries.
Average annual salary: £29,480
Job description: Being able to write effective copy is essential in this digital age. Fortunately, there are many ad agencies, business firms, corporations –– even freelance content writing platforms –– across the United Kingdom looking for qualified candidates.
Average annual salary: £58,400
Career prospects: Due to the many obstacles faced by teachers in The UK, especially those who had to work remotely through the COVID-19 pandemic in many of the smaller towns and cities, the need for additional skilled and experienced educators –– especially at the junior and primary school level –– remains high throughout the continent.
Average annual salary: £60,020
Job description: Business owners across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland need qualified job candidates to oversee the day-to-day operations of their companies. Actuaries or Business Managers are responsible for leading employees to achieve internal goals and expectations, implementing and enforcing sales strategies, and evaluating efficiencies throughout the calendar year.
Average annual salary: £40,648
Job description: Marketing specialists work with marketing teams to create ad campaigns, analyze results, and help businesses expand their reach to get in front of more customers and sell more products or services.
Average annual salary: £59,021
Job description: Investment Banking Analysts carry out a variety of responsibilities each day, from reviewing and analyzing transactions to offering guidance and creating presentations for investment bankers. They may also need to handle administrative responsibilities or hold meetings with clients.
Average annual salary: £33,627
Job description: Using machine learning technologies to organize information for start-ups and other firms, a Data Scientist is a key player in any organization. A Data Scientist collects and examines information, analyzing it to make sense of it all. Other tasks include examining the correct data sets or variables, collecting large data sets, and looking at patterns and trends.
Average annual salary: £40,607
Job description: Information Technology (IT) Managers specialize in the deployment and project design of various solutions affecting online areas of a business. These roles also involve organizing structure, setting up departments, and defining policy and procedure.
Average annual salary: £29,707
Job description: Accountants work for clients on just about everything accounting-related, including providing tax advice, payroll, and financial accounting assistance. Accountants can work independently or within established financial institutions.
Average annual salary: £21,700
Career prospects: Many industries throughout The UK know of the benefits of having efficient Administrative Assistants on hand. Jobseekers who are highly organized and detail-oriented, and who thrive in fast-paced, consumer-facing roles can easily find a position throughout the continent.
Average annual salary: £45,571
Job description: Creative Directors across all types of media are generally responsible for helping companies create content –– which includes, but isn’t limited to advertising for print, radio, film, or digital elements. Many Creative Directors don’t typically have or require a degree in any particular creative field but instead can be hired based entirely on an impressive portfolio of creative work.
Average annual salary: £31,095
Job description: Software engineers (sometimes referred to as software developers, app developers, web developers, etc.) develop and maintain computer software. They also design and build websites and software applications.
Average annual salary: £35,085
Job description: Bank Managers in the United Kingdom are in high demand due to the expertise required of all candidates, not to mention a strong knowledge of numbers, investments, and funds. Those who can also oversee the efficiency of their entire organization while being in charge of millions, sometimes, billions of other people’s hard-earned income are vital responsibilities that make these positions highly sought-after.
Average annual salary: £67,056
Job description: Psychiatry focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in patients looking for a less-invasive form of rehabilitation. Mental health service workers in the United Kingdom treat men, women, and children with any of the above issues, as well as prescribing medications and conducting non-physical forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy.
Average annual salary: £32,400
Job description: Throughout much of the modernized world, and especially in The United Kingdom, skilled plumbers are in very high demand due to the varied expertise of their trade. With the necessary training in place, licensed plumbers can find plenty of companies looking to hire them.
Average annual salary: £40,588
Job description: Brokers are responsible for overseeing the investment portfolios of clients. They use market research and trends to advise clients (individuals or corporations) on how to best manage their money.
Average annual salary: £36,400
Job description: Another highly in-demand trades position that involves the smooth and efficient maintenance of on-site operational systems, these technicians typically possess electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and other repair skills.
Average annual salary: £49,588
Job description: These highly in-demand positions require dedicated and skilled candidates to design, plan, develop, and manage construction projects throughout the UK –– whether it’s the repair of roads, buildings, and railways, or the maintenance of canals, bridges, and coastal systems.
Average annual salary: £58,000
Job description: Having solid creative and design skills is just one of many expectations of an established Architect in the UK. In addition to the visual insights, Architects are expected to have an exceptional grasp of subjects like mathematics, sciences, and engineering.
Average annual salary: £27,000
Job description: Personal trainers can give private fitness classes at a gym or fitness club, or freelance as an independent contractor, bringing their health and wellness knowledge to individual clients at home.
Average annual salary: £56,000
Job description: A PR Director typically leads a team that handles client groups and determines the most effective forms of communication for minimizing conflicts, managing crises, and promoting goods, services, people, and brands.
Average annual salary: £87,941
Job description: Dentists are skilled medical professionals first and foremost. Like many specialist fields, a Dentist must first become a doctor before moving into the study of dentistry. Dentists can open and run their own practice, or work as consultants to government agencies.
Find In-Demand Jobs in the UK Today
There you have it! The most in-demand skills and jobs in The United Kingdom. As the country’s workforce continues to evolve, certain job skills will become more sought-after, and filling certain positions will become more important. Be sure to stand out from all other candidates –– know where the demand is highest in The UK while brushing up on the most popular job skills. And you’re sure to succeed.
