Discover the highest-paying six-figure jobs in the UK

Six-figure jobs have evolved from representing opulence in the post-World War II era to becoming a marker of financial success in today's dynamic job market. For many, securing such roles is a prestigious milestone, but what exactly does it entail? In this article, we unveil high-paying career paths and the skills necessary to attain them, shedding light on the diverse avenues leading to a six-figure income.

What is a 6-figure salary?

If you have a six-figure salary in the UK, you earn more than £100,000. However, remember a few things when you hear the term “six-figure salary.”

Firstly, this phrase was popular in the post-World War II era, symbolising the hard-won American dream. If you had six figures in the mid-1900s, you'd live like multi-millionaires do today. However, if you had six figures today, the standard of living would be somewhat different from what it was back then.

Secondly, the phrase is often associated with jobs in the US. It's more common for jobs to reach the six-figure mark in US dollars than in British pounds. Generally speaking, $100,000 is equivalent to £80,000. So remember that you've technically hit the jackpot from an American's point of view if you've bagged a salary of £80k.

Top 6-figure jobs in the UK 

Salary data pooled from the Office for National Statistics and Indeed show that the most common industries for high-paying jobs are health and medicine, technology, finance, and marketing. Here's a list of 19 job roles that can reach the six-figure mark, based on their average annual salary:

1. Vice President of Sales

National average salary: £115,929

A vice president of sales position could result in a six-figure salary. This role is a key part of the C-suite executive team, responsible for driving the company's profitability. A successful VP of sales manages all aspects of sales operations, from setting sales goals and quotas to managing all sales team members and processes.

It's worth noting that senior sales professionals often receive commission or other employee benefits, like profit sharing, in addition to their salary.

2. Chief Financial Officer

National average salary: £111,504

You could earn a six-figure salary if you land a job as a chief financial officer (CFO). Part of the C-suite, a CFO leads all a company's financial activities. They analyse the company's financial health and play a critical role in its strategic initiatives. 

If you're interested in becoming a CFO, an academic and professional background in finance and economics is essential.

3. Ophthalmologist

National average salary: £107,160

Ophthalmologists are doctors who care for patients with eye conditions. They diagnose, prevent, and treat eye disorders with medical and surgical skills. As cutting-edge medical specialists, they can receive a top-tier salary when fully qualified and a six-figure salary at the consultant level.

4. Orthodontist

National average salary: £100,028

Orthodontists are dental professionals who specialise in diagnosing, preventing, and treating problems with the jaw, teeth, and face. The average salary for an orthodontist in the UK is £100k, but this depends on the location and whether the specialist is NHS or private.

5. Nephrologist 

National average salary: £97,228 

A nephrologist is a doctor in renal medicine, AKA a doctor specialising in kidney diseases and treatments. When doctors start specialist training in the NHS, they can expect to start on at least £43k, which can increase to £120k as a consultant.

6. Anaesthesist

National average salary: £97,521

An anaesthetist is an anaesthesia and pain management specialist for surgical, medical, and psychiatric patient procedures. This is a high-profile role in any hospital, so it's no surprise that the salary can reach £120k for consultants with 10 to 20 years of experience. 

7. Plastic Surgeon

National average salary: £97,440

Plastic surgeons have dual roles. On one hand, they are responsible for restoring form and function following illness or trauma. On the other hand, they can perform cosmetic surgery to change a person's appearance for aesthetic reasons. Experienced plastic surgeons can earn £120k in the NHS and potentially more privately.

8. Paediatrician

National average salary: £95,647

A paediatrician is a doctor who specialises in treating infants, children, and young people. In addition to treating babies and children, paediatricians also closely liaise with the patient's families and carers, carefully managing sensitive and emotional discussions about treatment. Experienced paediatrician consultants can earn a six-figure salary, often up to £114k.

9. Dermatologist

National average salary: £92,671

A dermatologist treats patients with various skin, hair, and nail conditions. In fact, did you know there are over 2,000 different skin conditions? Dermatologists need to know their stuff. When speciality training starts, dermatologists typically start at £43k, which increases to £129k for senior consultants.

10. Tax Director

National average salary: £94,230

A tax director is responsible for driving a company's tax strategy and defining the procedures and controls to ensure tax compliance. They play a critical role in any large business, so it's unsurprising that tax directors can earn up to £116k in the UK.

11. Director of Engineering

National average salary: £91,213

A director of engineering is responsible for a company's engineering department. They oversee engineering teams, manage the department budget, and are responsible for engineering policies and procedures. Salaries are high for this role, and depending on the company, you could receive a six-figure salary.

12. Managing Director

National average salary: £81,805

A managing director (MD) oversees an organisation's day-to-day operations. Most businesses have an MD. Small companies might have an MD akin to a CEO, and larger companies might have MDs of certain regions who report to a CEO. Even though the shape of the role can vary, an MD is a senior position with a high salary that can reach six figures.

13. Public Relations and Communications Director

National average salary: £79,886

A public relations and communications director, also known as a PR and comms director, is responsible for planning, organising, and directing a company's communications and public information activities. As they are responsible for a brand's public messaging, even when a business gets into hot water, PR and comms directors can earn six-figure salaries up to £170k.

14. IT Director

National average salary: £78,494

An IT director, also known as a chief technology officer, is a senior team member managing all IT and computer systems within an organisation, including how they are used. They cover everything from creating IT policies and strategies to implementing IT infrastructure to help a business meet its goals. 

With emerging tech trends like AI, it's no wonder an IT director can receive up to £125K base salary and £141k with bonuses and profit shares.

15. Logistics Director

National average salary: £72,177

Logistics directors, or directors of warehousing and transport, play an essential role in overseeing and optimising a business's entire supply chain, including procurement, production, inventory management, and shipping. Salaries for this position are high and can tip into the six-figure mark. 

16. Aircraft Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers 

National average salary: £71,676

The aviation field has high-sky wages. senior first officers of aircraft can earn up to £86,699 per year, and captains can earn between £103,525 and £173,000 per year, depending on the airline. 

Similarly, air traffic controllers, which are responsible for managing aircraft in controlled airspace, can earn up to £100k at a senior level.

17. Marketing Director

National average salary: £69,217

A marketing director is a common job role in the UK. They are responsible for planning a company's annual marketing strategy to support business growth targets. They often work in tandem with sales directors. As the role is so common, it's unsurprising that the national average salary is almost £70k, but this position can garner a six-figure salary at organisations in prolific locations.  

18. Actuary

National average salary: £64,669

An actuary is responsible for forecasting and assessing an organisation's long-term financial costs and risks. The role requires a maths and statistics background as day-to-day tasks involve assessing financial risks with mathematical models and analysing statistical data. 

While the average salary might seem low, chiefs and partners can achieve salaries over £200k.

19. Chief Executive Officer

National average salary: £61,805 

A chief executive officer (CEO) is responsible for leading an organisation and implementing plans and policies to aid its success. A CEO's scope and level of responsibility depend highly on the business's size and revenue, and as a result, so does their salary.

The average salary for a CEO is around £60k, but it can reach £120k. That said, if you're a CEO of a FTSE100 company, there's a high chance you'll earn a seven-figure salary. Research by People Managing People reports that the highest paid FTSE100 CEO in 2023 was paid £15m, while the lowest paid received £731k.

Can I land a 6-figure job without a degree?

While it's possible to launch a successful six-figure career without a university degree and by sheer hard work – think working your way up via freelancing, setting up a business, or taking paid training opportunities in high-paying industries – getting there will still take time.

Remember that the “easiest” route to any lucrative career ultimately involves getting a head start in building up your professional arsenal, through study, continuous learning, networking, and practical experience. 

Skills to help you get a six-figure job

Whether pursuing a six-figure job with a bachelor's degree or not, you'll likely need to develop a strong skill set to get and stay there. Below's a list of sought-after skills in six-figure jobs across various industries; notice that soft skills and leadership competencies are critical here:

  • Leadership: Inspiring and motivating teams, making tough decisions, and delegating tasks effectively.

  • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for conveying ideas, negotiating, and collaborating with colleagues, customers, and clients.

  • Strategic thinking: Seeing the big picture, setting long-term goals, and developing plans to achieve them.

  • Decision-making: Making informed choices under pressure, considering various factors and potential outcomes.

  • Technical expertise: Proficiency in relevant technical skills or specialised knowledge within your field, such as technology, finance, or medicine, can significantly boost your earning potential.

  • Emotional intelligence: Understanding and managing your emotions and those of others, building strong relationships, and navigating complex social dynamics.

  • Financial acumen: An understanding of economic principles, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

How rare is a 6-figure job?

Your chances of securing a six-figure paycheck largely depend on three things: 

Location

You're more likely to find six-figure jobs in a metropolitan city, such as London or Bristol, often in the south of the UK, where there are many opportunities and a higher cost of living. 

That said, many employers hire for roles based in specific locations but allow employees to work remotely with occasional office visits. That means you might live in Southampton but are contracted to a London office with a higher salary. This is more common in medium to large companies with salary and pay benchmarking. 

Role seniority

It should go without saying that a high-salary job doesn't come quickly. The more training and experience you receive, the more chances you have at securing six-figure jobs. While the number of years in a role doesn't necessarily equate to competency, it's a good yardstick in this example. To acquire a six-figure salary, expect to have spent 10+ years in your industry and specialism and be incredibly proficient at what you do. 

Industry

Industry is also a deciding factor in salary. Some of the highest-paying industries are tech, finance, and engineering, and you don't need to reach the C-suite to obtain a six-figure salary. For example, entry-level positions in cyber security can typically garner between £20,000 and £37,000. 

At what age should you make 6 figures?

If you're in the right industry and location, you can make a six-figure salary in your late twenties or early thirties. However, most people are in their peak earning years between the ages of 35 and 55.

Remember though, a person's salary says little about their financial health. Someone making £50,000 who manages their money well can be in a better financial position than someone making six figures.

If you're applying for a six-figure job, submit your CV for a free review to ensure you have displayed your skill set and professional achievements in the best way for the role.

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