In 2025, women in the UK have access to a diverse array of high-paying careers across various industries. While the gender pay gap persists—with women earning on average 7% less than men in full-time roles —many professions offer competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement. This guide explores some of the top-paying roles for women, providing insights into salaries, growth prospects, and industry trends.
Top High-Paying Careers for Women in the UK (2025)
1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Average Salary: £88,000+
- Pathway: Business or finance degree (optional), 10+ years in management, strategic leadership, executive networking
2. Medical Practitioner (Doctors & Surgeons)
- Average Salary: £60,000–£100,000+
- Pathway: MBBS degree, GMC registration, specialization and continuous training
3. Legal Professional (Solicitor/Barrister)
- Average Salary: £50,000–£120,000+
- Pathway: Law degree or conversion course (GDL), LPC or SQE, training contract or pupillage
4. Pharmacist
- Average Salary: £44,000–£70,000
- Pathway: MPharm degree, pre-registration training, GPhC registration
5. IT Director / Technology Lead
- Average Salary: £85,000–£120,000+
- Pathway: Computer science degree, tech experience, certifications (e.g. PMP, AWS), strategic leadership
6. Marketing and Sales Director
- Average Salary: £87,000+
- Pathway: Business/marketing degree, years in sales or digital marketing, proven revenue growth record
7. Aircraft Pilot / Flight Engineer
- Average Salary: £80,000–£100,000+
- Pathway: CPL license, training with approved flight school, ATPL certification
8. Actuary
- Average Salary: £60,000–£100,000+
- Pathway: Maths/statistics degree, IFoA exams, experience in finance or insurance
9. Petroleum Engineer
- Average Salary: £70,000–£110,000
- Pathway: Engineering degree, industry certifications, on-site experience
10. Management Consultant
- Average Salary: £60,000–£120,000+
- Pathway: Business or finance degree, analyst experience, leadership and communication skills.
Source: DiverseJobsMatter
Emerging High-Paying Roles
Beyond traditional professions, several emerging roles offer high salaries and are increasingly accessible to women:
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Data Engineer: With the rise of big data, data engineers are in high demand, earning average salaries around £55,100.
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AI/ML Engineer: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning engineers command average salaries of £68,560, reflecting the growing importance of AI across industries.
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Performance Engineer: Specializing in optimizing software performance, these professionals earn between £40,000 and £70,000, with top earners making upwards of £75,000.
Industries with High Earning Potential
Certain industries stand out for their high average salaries and opportunities for women:
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Technology: Average salary of £90,000, with roles in SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, and HealthTech.
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Financial Services: Average salary of £88,000, encompassing banking, investment, and compliance roles.
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Healthcare: Average salary of £78,000, with high-paying roles for medical directors and specialist nurses.
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Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG): Average salary of £75,000, with demand for ecommerce and marketplace professionals.
High-Paying Jobs in the UK Without a Degree (2025)
For those seeking lucrative careers without the necessity of a university degree, several options are available:
1. Air Traffic Controller
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Average Salary: £46,000 – £100,000+
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Pathway: Complete training with the National Air Traffic Services (NATS). No degree required, but candidates must pass rigorous assessments.
2. Sales Executive
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Average Salary: £20,000 – £60,000+ (including commissions)
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Pathway: Begin in entry-level sales roles; success is driven by performance and experience.
3. Personal Trainer
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Average Salary: £23,000 – £60,000+
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Pathway: Obtain a Level 3 Personal Training Qualification recognized by CIMSPA.
4. Estate Agent
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Average Salary: £21,000 – £41,000+
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Pathway: Start in trainee positions; on-the-job training and certifications can enhance prospects.
5. Firefighter
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Average Salary: £44,000 – £64,000
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Pathway: Apply through local fire services; undergo physical and written assessments.
6. Airline Cabin Crew
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Average Salary: £20,000 – £40,000+
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Pathway: Apply directly to airlines; training provided upon hiring.
7. Digital Marketing Executive
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Average Salary: £29,000 – £33,000+
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Pathway: Gain experience through internships; certifications in SEO, PPC, and social media marketing are beneficial.
8. Construction Manager
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Average Salary: £40,000 – £60,000+
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Pathway: Start as a construction worker; progress through experience and additional certifications.
9. Recruitment Consultant
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Average Salary: £30,000 – £38,000+
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Pathway: Begin in junior roles; success is driven by performance and networking.
10. Entrepreneur / Business Owner
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Potential Earnings: Varies widely; potential for high income.
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Pathway: Identify market opportunities; develop a business plan; seek funding or start small.
Gender Pay Gap: An Evolving Landscape
In 2025, the UK continues to address gender pay disparities through government mandates and corporate transparency. However, a gender pay gap still exists—particularly in senior roles, STEM fields, and finance.
- According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), the gender pay gap for full-time employees was 7.7% in 2023, a slight decrease from previous years.
- In top executive positions, women make up less than 10% of FTSE 100 CEOs and earn significantly less than male counterparts.
- Factors include career breaks (e.g. for childcare), lower representation in high-paying sectors, and slower promotion rates.
Efforts to address the gap include:
- Gender Pay Gap Reporting (mandatory for companies with 250+ employees)
- Initiatives to encourage women into STEM
- Flexible work policies to support retention and progression
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the best paying jobs for women in the UK in 2025?
Top roles include CEOs, doctors, solicitors, IT directors, and management consultants.
2. Which industries in the UK offer the highest salaries for women?
Finance, healthcare, law, tech, and aviation continue to dominate the high-income spectrum.
3. Are there high-paying UK jobs that don’t require a university degree?
Yes, including air traffic controllers, sales executives, digital marketers, and construction managers.
4. Do women in the UK still face a gender pay gap in top jobs?
Yes. Although narrowing, disparities remain, especially in executive and STEM roles. Policies promoting transparency and flexible working help mitigate this.
5. What qualifications are needed for the highest-paying jobs?
Most top jobs require degrees and certifications, but experience and networking are also crucial. Examples include MBBS for doctors or SQE for solicitors.
6. Which careers offer the most opportunities for advancement and salary growth?
Careers in tech, finance, healthcare, and consulting offer strong growth pathways and income potential.
7. Are flexible or remote high-paying jobs available for women in the UK?
Absolutely. Roles in IT, marketing, project management, consultancy, and digital services increasingly offer flexible and remote options. Tech companies, financial firms, and startups are leading in offering hybrid roles. Freelancing platforms also enable women to earn competitively while working from home or managing family responsibilities.
8. What are the top paying self-employed careers for women?
Top freelance or self-employed roles include:
- Management Consultant
- Personal Trainer
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Business Coach
- Freelance Software Developer
- Copywriter or Content Creator
- Online Educator or Course Creator
Each of these careers allows for flexibility, autonomy, and earnings potential exceeding £50,000 with the right clientele and marketing.
9. What support is available for women transitioning into high-paying careers?
Resources include government-funded Skills Bootcamps, Google and Coursera certifications, women’s career networks (like Women in Tech), and business mentorship schemes.
This comprehensive guide aims to support women in navigating the evolving UK job market, identifying high-paying careers, and planning successful, rewarding professional journeys.