A recent report has unveiled the top-paying careers in the UK for university graduates, with some sectors offering salaries more than four times higher than others. As the cost of living continues to rise, prospective graduates are looking to industries that offer competitive salaries, and Teachers To Your Home, a company that specialises in qualified tutors, has analysed key data from the Office for National Statistics to highlight the best options.
Topping the list of highest-paid industries is Financial and Insurance Activities, where the average weekly earnings reach an impressive £1,361. This sector, which includes roles like financial analysts, insurance appraisers, and claims examiners, offers a lucrative path for graduates looking to secure a well-paid future.
Mining and Quarrying takes second place with weekly earnings averaging £1,288. Graduates interested in civil engineering, geophysics, and earth sciences could find this field particularly rewarding. Information and Communication, which encompasses roles such as cyber security experts, IT managers, and graphic designers, secures third place with an average weekly wage of £1,161.
Among other top-paying industries, Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities ranks fourth, offering average weekly earnings of £1,017. Careers in microbiology, veterinary science, and psychology fall within this sector. Fifth place goes to Manufacturing – Chemicals and Man-Made Fibres, which sees graduates earning £989 weekly on average.
Gillian Dixon, CEO of Teachers To Your Home, commented on the findings: “Choosing an industry to work in after leaving university can be a daunting task, and many do not know where to start when comparing different sectors. One factor that remains at the front of our minds is pay, especially with the rising costs of living in the UK, so it is an important consideration.”
Electricity, Gas and Water Supply is the sixth highest-paying industry, with average earnings of £888 a week. Opportunities in finance, HR, and engineering make it an appealing option for graduates. Seventh place is occupied by Manufacturing – Engineering and Allied Industries, where weekly salaries average £841. Graduates might consider aerospace engineering, naval architecture, or geochemistry in this sector.
Construction, a field with numerous roles such as architects, bricklayers, and inspectors, ranks eighth with weekly earnings of £777. Coming in ninth is Wholesale Trade, with average pay at £759 per week. This sector offers careers in merchandising, sales management, and customer service, making it a popular choice for graduates.
Manufacturing – Basic Metals and Metal Products rounds off the top ten, with average weekly earnings of £748.
However, not all industries offer the same level of financial reward. Accommodation and Food Service Activities is the lowest-paying sector in the UK, with workers earning just £329 per week on average. While this industry is essential to the economy, it lags far behind other sectors in terms of pay.
Dixon added: “We are fortunate in the UK to have such a wide range of career paths and industries available for our university graduates that have a high average weekly pay to combat the financial worries that our younger generations are developing.”
As graduates prepare to step into the job market, the gap between the highest and lowest-paying industries serves as a critical consideration.
