Top 15 Job a UK Opportunities That Pay Over £60,000 Per Year

1. Why £60K+ Jobs Matter in the UK

In 2025, the UK job market continues to favor skilled professionals across various sectors, with thousands of vacancies offering salaries well above £60,000. Driven by economic recovery, digital transformation, healthcare demands, and infrastructure investment, top-tier positions now provide not only high salaries but also visa sponsorship opportunities for international applicants.

2. How We Selected These Top Roles

This list is curated based on the following:

  • Current salary data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)
  • Demand trends across job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn, Reed)
  • Visa sponsorship likelihood
  • Growth trajectory and entry routes

3. Top 15 UK Roles Earning Over £60K (with Role Profiles)

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Average Salary: £130,000 – £300,000
Why It Pays: High strategic responsibility, long hours, decision-making authority.

2. Corporate Lawyer / Legal Counsel

Average Salary: £80,000 – £200,000
Why It Pays: Handles mergers, acquisitions, regulatory risk and litigation.

3. IT Director / Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Average Salary: £95,000 – £180,000
Why It Pays: Oversees entire IT infrastructure; vital in digital economy.

4. Data Scientist / AI Specialist

Average Salary: £70,000 – £150,000
Why It Pays: Applies machine learning and predictive analytics in finance, health, and ecommerce.

5. Pilot / Air Traffic Controller

Average Salary: £80,000 – £120,000
Why It Pays: Specialized training, responsibility for safety, long haul experience.

6. Chartered Accountant / CFO

Average Salary: £85,000 – £200,000
Why It Pays: Corporate finance leadership, risk analysis, stakeholder reporting.

7. Product Manager / Tech Lead

Average Salary: £75,000 – £120,000
Why It Pays: Directly linked to product success, user growth and monetization.

8. Surgeon / Medical Specialist

Average Salary: £90,000 – £500,000
Why It Pays: High skill, licensing, life-or-death procedures, NHS and private sector demand.

9. Engineering Manager

Average Salary: £75,000 – £130,000
Why It Pays: Coordinates multidisciplinary engineering teams, often in energy or infrastructure.

10. Marketing Director

Average Salary: £80,000 – £150,000
Why It Pays: Responsible for brand strategy, campaign ROI, digital integration.

11. Software Engineer / Solutions Architect

Average Salary: £70,000 – £120,000
Why It Pays: Core to systems and application development in fintech, healthtech, and SaaS.

12. Actuary

Average Salary: £85,000 – £150,000
Why It Pays: Risk analysis in insurance, pensions, and investment. Requires certification.

13. Dentist / Orthodontist

Average Salary: £95,000 – £300,000
Why It Pays: Private practice earnings high; NHS demand also consistent.

14. Procurement Director

Average Salary: £70,000 – £140,000
Why It Pays: Manages global supply chains, compliance, and strategic sourcing.

15. Management Consultant

Average Salary: £65,000 – £120,000
Why It Pays: Business transformation, change management and strategy design.

4. High-Paying Industries & Sponsorship Trends

  • Technology & Fintech: Heavily sponsor roles for developers, architects, and data scientists.
  • Healthcare & NHS: Ongoing need for overseas doctors, surgeons, and specialists.
  • Legal & Consulting: London-based firms actively recruit international legal and business professionals.

5. Regions and Cities Where £60K+ Roles Are Most Common

  • London: Highest salary concentration, especially in finance, law, tech.
  • Manchester: Tech, digital marketing, and financial roles.
  • Cambridge / Oxford: R&D, AI, biotech and academic research.
  • Bristol & Edinburgh: Strong in engineering, fintech, creative sectors.

6. Qualifications & Entry Routes for These Jobs

  • Professional Certifications: ACA, ACCA, CFA, PRINCE2, CEng, MCITP.
  • Graduate Pathways: Oxbridge, Russell Group universities often favored.
  • Vocational Licenses: GMC (for doctors), GDC (for dentists), BAR/SQE (lawyers).

7. How to Apply: From Resume to Interview

  • Use UK CV format: 2 pages, reverse chronological, strong focus on KPIs.
  • Customize cover letters: Highlight relevance to the job spec.
  • Prepare for STAR-format competency interviews: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
  • Follow up via email and LinkedIn.

8. Visa & Immigration Pathways

  • Skilled Worker Visa: For jobs on the Shortage Occupation List.
  • Health and Care Worker Visa: Fast-track for medical roles.
  • Global Talent Visa: For senior professionals in research, arts, or tech.
  • Graduate Visa: Post-study route for international students.

9. Mistakes to Avoid When Applying

  • Sending a generic CV or cover letter.
  • Not checking visa sponsorship eligibility.
  • Ignoring follow-up or networking steps.
  • Not aligning LinkedIn profile with application.

10. Final Checklist & FAQs

Q: Do I need UK experience?
A: For many roles, transferable global experience is acceptable, especially in tech, law, or finance.

Q: Can I apply without a job offer?
A: Only under the Global Talent visa or Innovator Founder route. Most others need sponsorship.

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