The UK’s best paid jobs are in aviation, senior management, technology leadership and medicine. This guide ranks the top 10 highest paying jobs in the UK in 2026 using median full-time salaries from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
Quick answer: In the 2025 ASHE data, aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers have the highest median pay in the UK at about £107,700. IT directors, marketing and sales directors, chief executives and specialist doctors follow at £89,000 to £90,000.
Top 10 highest paying jobs in the UK (2026)
| Rank | Occupation | Median salary | Mean salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers | £107,712 | £130,560 |
| 2 | Information technology directors | £90,081 | £105,533 |
| 3 | Marketing, sales and advertising directors | £90,000 | £108,331 |
| 4 | Chief executives and senior officials | £89,835 | £141,016 |
| 5 | Specialist medical practitioners | £88,997 | £97,083 |
| 6 | Directors in logistics, warehousing and transport | £80,518 | £94,156 |
| 7 | Train and tram drivers | £76,176 | £73,202 |
| 8 | Directors in consultancy services | £73,453 | £93,497 |
| 9 | Public relations and communications directors | £72,020 | £80,842 |
| 10 | Head teachers and principals | £70,977 | £71,776 |
Source: ONS ASHE 2025, as compiled by wagearea.com. All figures are gross annual pay before tax. The order can change between ONS tables: another cut of the 2025 data (full-time provisional) puts chief executives at a median of about £99,944, with a mean of about £158,700. Always check the exact ONS table you are quoting.
Median vs mean: why the top jobs look different
The median is the middle salary, so half of workers earn more and half earn less. The mean is the average and is pulled up by very high earners. For chief executives, the mean is far above the median because pay at the biggest companies is huge. The median is the better guide to what a typical person in the job earns.
What is the UK average salary?
The median full-time salary in the UK was about £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE). That means the top 10 jobs above pay roughly double to almost triple the typical full-time worker.
The top jobs explained
Pilots and air traffic controllers
Pilots and controllers lead the ASHE rankings. Commercial pilot training is expensive and competitive, and air traffic controllers go through strict selection and licensing.
Directors and chief executives
Directors in IT, marketing, sales, logistics, consultancy and communications are reached through years of progression. Total rewards for CEOs often include bonuses and equity that ASHE may not fully capture.
Specialist doctors
Specialist medical practitioners, including NHS consultants, earn a median near £89,000 in this table. Consultants in specialties such as anaesthetics can earn considerably more once experience and extra work are included.
Train drivers
Train and tram drivers earn a median of £76,176, which is higher than many graduate careers, and the role does not require a degree. See our guide to the highest paying jobs in the UK without a degree.
Highest paying jobs: regional differences
Pay varies by region. The same job can pay noticeably more in London and the South East than in other regions, although higher housing and living costs reduce the real difference. Our guide to the highest paying jobs in London is coming soon.
How to move into a high paying career
- Choose a route. Pilots and doctors need long specialist training. Directors are usually promoted from management after years of experience.
- Build leadership skills. Most of the top jobs on the list are director and senior manager roles.
- Consider rail and aviation. Both pay above average and offer structured training.
- Compare countries. See how pay compares in the USA and Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest paying job in the UK?
In the ONS ASHE 2025 data, aircraft pilots and air traffic controllers have the highest median pay at about £107,712. In other tables, chief executives lead with a median near £99,944.
What is the highest paid job in the UK without a degree?
Pilots, air traffic controllers and train drivers do not strictly require a degree. See our no-degree guide.
Are these figures before tax?
Yes. They are gross annual salaries before income tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.
What is a good salary in the UK?
The median full-time salary is about £39,039, so anything above about £50,000 is well above typical.
Do these include bonuses?
ASHE includes regular bonuses and overtime in the reference period, but one-off bonuses may not be captured, so pay in finance can be higher.
Sources and data notes
- Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)
- Median and mean figures as compiled from ONS ASHE 2025 by wagearea.com and payprecision.co.uk
Last updated: October 2026.