Jobs that Pay the Most Without a Degree UK

Want strong pay without uni? We focus on jobs that pay the most without a degree UK and share clear, simple steps. Build skills fast, show CPD proof, and start earning sooner.

We checked live UK ads and fresh trends across regions. Offers vary by location, hours, and sector. London often pays more than the national picture. As a quick benchmark, the UK median full-time salary sits near £35,000. Treat ranges as guides and chase roles in your area.

Who these jobs are for

Maybe you want a fast start and steady growth. Practical training and clear steps feel right. Short checks and simple tests don’t faze most career-changers. Helping people and solving problems sounds like a good day. If progress matters, these paths deliver real outcomes.

How to land jobs that pay the most without a degree uk

We build proof, not fluff, from day one. Pick one CPD course and finish it within two to six weeks. Mirror ad keywords in tight CV bullets. Keep applications short and send them within 24 hours of posting. During interviews, lead with results, tools, and numbers. Follow up politely and ask for the next steps with dates.

Highest paying jobs UK without degree: our top picks

Below, each role follows the same friendly layout. You get salary lines, a quick role summary, daily duties, entry steps, training, progression, and fit. A matching Training Tale course sits with every path, so you can start today.

1. Teaching Assistant (Primary/Secondary)

• National average salary: £21,000–£25,000
• Average: £23,000 • Starting: £20,000 • Highest: £28,000+

What you earn and why

Schools use clear pay bands. London often pays more. SEN skills and full-year contracts raise pay.

What you do

Support pupils and teachers in class. Prep resources and guide activities. Track progress and help with care.

Daily duties

• Support small groups and one-to-one.
• Prep materials and tidy spaces.
• Note progress and share updates.
• Help with reading and maths tasks.
• Keep pupils safe across the day.

How to get hired

• Target local schools and trusts. Send a neat one-page CV. Add a warm note with clear examples. Ask for a visit.

Training and qualifications

• Take the Teaching Assistant Course at Training Tale. Add Level 2 Safeguarding Children. The school arranges your DBS check.

Progression and pay

• Build SEN skills and step into HLTA. Move into behaviour support or pastoral roles. Later, aim at school admin leadership.

Best fit

• You enjoy young people and variety. Patience and calm come naturally. Progress and safety matter to you.

2. Nursery/EYFS Classroom Assistant

• National average salary: £18,000–£24,000
• Average: £21,000 • Starting: £18,000 • Highest: £26,000+

What you earn and why

Pay changes by region and setting. Room leader duties bring extra pay. Longer hours can raise take-home pay.

What you do

• Support early learning through play. Set up zones and run activities. Help with snacks and everyday routines.

Daily duties

• Prepare play zones each morning.
• Support child-led learning time.
• Help with hygiene and routines.
• Record milestones with simple notes.
• Chat with parents and carers.

How to get hired

• Visit nurseries and introduce yourself. Leave a short CV and a friendly smile. Offer a trial or volunteer day.

Training and qualifications

• Take the EYFS Teaching Diploma at Training Tale. Add Level 2 Safeguarding Children. Complete paediatric first aid in post.

Progression and pay

• Grow into room leader roles. Add Level 3 and raise your ceiling. Join school EYFS teams for new steps.

Best fit

• You love play, songs, and stories. Energy and patience shine through. Early growth matters to you.

3. Healthcare Assistant / Support Worker

• National average salary: £22,000–£27,000
• Average: £25,000 • Starting: £22,000 • Highest: £30,000+

What you earn and why

NHS bands set the base. Nights and weekends add premiums. Agency shifts can boost totals.

What you do

Support patients with daily needs. Take observations and record them. Help nurses keep the ward safe.

Daily duties

• Help with washing and dressing.
• Take and log observations.
• Move and position patients safely.
• Keep areas clean and ready.
• Support families with care and kindness.

How to get hired

• Apply to NHS Trusts and care providers. Show any care hours and shifts. Mention weekend flexibility and transport.

Training and qualifications

• Take the Healthcare Assistant Course at Training Tale. Study the Care Certificate theory. Your manager signs off tasks at work.

Progression and pay

• Add phlebotomy or ECG skills. Apply for Senior HCA posts. Long term, train as a nurse.

Best fit

• You stay calm under pressure. Kind action feels natural. Busy wards don’t throw you.

Reader favourite: 30+ Highest Paying UK Jobs Without a Degree (£25k–£70k) — explore more roles and routes.

4. Customer Service Advisor (Retail/Contact Centre)

• National average salary: £22,000–£30,000
• Average: £25,000 • Starting: £22,000 • Highest: £32,000+

What you earn and why

• Bonuses and allowances can add up. Outbound roles may pay commission. London often pays a premium.

What you do

• Help customers by phone, chat, and face to face. Fix issues quickly and keep tidy notes. Strong tone and steady empathy protect brand trust.

Daily duties

• Answer calls and chats quickly.
• Solve problems with clear steps.
• Log and close support tickets.
• Spot trends and flag them.
• Hit quality and speed targets.

How to get hired

• Apply to major UK brands. Record a friendly voicemail. Test your headset and internet before calls.

Training and qualifications

• Take Level 2 Customer Service at Training Tale. Add a short complaints module later.

Progression and pay

• Move into senior or training roles. Shift toward account management. Step into CX analytics when ready.

Best fit

• You enjoy people and pace. Listening comes easy. Pressure doesn’t shake you.

5. Office Administrator / Receptionist

• National average salary: £21,000–£28,000
• Average: £24,000 • Starting: £21,000 • Highest: £30,000+

What you earn and why

• Private firms often pay more than charities. Perks and benefits add value. Overtime helps during peak periods.

What you do

• Run diaries, calls, and inboxes. Welcome visitors with warmth and speed. Keep days smooth with tidy systems and smart planning.

Daily duties

• Book rooms and manage calendars.
• File documents and update lists.
• Meet visitors and handle post.
• Order supplies and track stock.
• Support teams across the office.

How to get hired

• Target SMEs and local agencies. Keep your CV clean and simple. Write a short, friendly cover note.

Training and qualifications

• Take Office Management & Administration at Training Tale. Add Business Administration Level 2 for more depth.

Progression and pay

• Grow into PA or EA roles. Pick up project support work. Move into operations or HR.

Best fit

• You love order and tidy systems. Calm focus guides your day. Helping teams feels great.

6. Accounts Assistant / Bookkeeper

• National average salary: £20,000–£35,000
• Average: £27,000 • Starting: £20,000 • Highest: £38,000+

What you earn and why

Practice roles can rise quickly. Year-end peaks bring overtime. Bonuses vary by firm and role.

What you do

Handle invoices and ledgers. Match payments and chase debt. Support month-end with clean numbers.

Daily duties

• Raise and match invoices daily.
• Reconcile bank accounts weekly.
• Chase overdue balances.
• Prepare simple reports.
• Keep clean digital records.

How to get hired

• Apply to local practices and SMEs. Show Excel skills and accuracy. Include any cash handling experience.

Training and qualifications

• Take Bookkeeping for Personal & Business Accounting at Training Tale. Add Sage 50 Accounts for software proof.

Progression and pay

• Study AAT when ready. Move into assistant accountant roles. Grow into management accounts later.

Best fit

• You enjoy numbers and neat work. Spotting errors feels natural. Checklists keep you happy.

7. HR & Payroll Assistant

• National average salary: HR £24,000–£40,000 • Payroll £22,000–£35,000
• Average: £28,000 • Starting: £22,000 • Highest: £40,000+

What you earn and why

• Payroll can rise quickly with scope. Month-end and year-end add overtime. London often pays more.

What you do

• Support hiring, contracts, and pay runs. Keep records tidy and current. Give fast answers to policy questions.

Daily duties

• Prepare letters and contracts.
• Update HRIS and payroll data.
• Check timesheets and leave.
• Support onboarding steps.
• Reply to policy questions.

How to get hired

• Target in-house teams and bureaus. Show Excel and attention to detail. Mention confidentiality and trust.

Training and qualifications

• Take HR and Payroll Management at Training Tale. Add basic employment law later.

Progression and pay

• Grow into HR Advisor or Payroll Officer. Take on reporting and analytics. Step toward HRBP roles next.

Best fit

• You care about people and rules. Data accuracy feels natural. Clear writing helps every day.

8. Recruitment Consultant / Talent Resourcer

• National average salary: Base £24,000–£35,000 plus commission
• Average base: £28,000 • Starting base: £24,000 • Top total: £45,000–£70,000+

What you earn and why

• Commission drives the upside. Niche markets often pay best. Strong pipelines lift totals fast.

What you do

• Find great people for open roles. Write ads, screen calls, and book interviews. Guide both sides to a fair deal.

Daily duties

• Source candidates with smart searches.
• Run snappy screening calls.
• Book interviews and chase feedback.
• Negotiate offers cleanly.
• Hit weekly sales targets.

How to get hired

• Aim at agencies by sector. Show phone energy and grit. Practise tight pitch calls with a friend.

Training and qualifications

• Take the Recruitment Consultant Diploma at Training Tale. Add Safer Recruitment for schools or healthcare.

Progression and pay

• Hit targets and build a niche. Senior roles follow quickly. Many desks reach jobs that pay 50k a year without a degree UK within two strong years.

Best fit

• You love goals and people. Targets excite you. Knockbacks don’t stop you.

9. Digital Marketing Assistant / Social Media Assistant

• National average salary: £23,000–£30,000
• Average: £26,000 • Starting: £23,000 • Highest: £35,000+

What you earn and why

Small agencies may start lower. In-house roles often pay more. Performance work can add bonuses.

What you do

Plan posts and write copy. Schedule content across channels. Check data and tweak campaigns.

Daily duties

• Write and schedule social posts.
• Edit short videos and images.
• Track traffic and leads weekly.
• Report wins and fixes.
• Watch trends and test ideas.

How to get hired

• Build a simple portfolio. Share links and results you can prove. Keep examples short and clear.

Training and qualifications

• Take Digital Marketing & Advertising at Training Tale. Or complete the Social Media Marketing Course.

Progression and pay

• Move into Paid Media or SEO. Grow into Marketing Executive roles. Later, manage channels or teams.

Best fit

• You love content and data. Trends move you. Friendly copy comes easy.

10. Food Handler / Catering Assistant

• National average salary: £18,000–£24,000
• Average: £21,000 • Starting: £18,000 • Highest: £26,000+

What you earn and why

Hotels and venues set rates. Nights and events can add pay. Supervisor roles bring higher bands.

What you do

Prep food and keep areas spotless. Follow safety steps every time. Support chefs and service teams.

Daily duties

• Prep veg and simple dishes.
• Label and store correctly.
• Keep stations clean and safe.
• Help during busy service.
• Record temps at close.

How to get hired

• Apply to contract caterers and venues. Show flexibility on shifts. Arrive early and ready each day.

Training and qualifications

• Take Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety at Training Tale. Progress to Level 3 HACCP for supervisor roles.

Progression and pay

• Move into supervisor roles first. Step into Chef de Partie tasks. Grow within hotels or events.

Best fit

• You like hands-on work and pace. Team service feels fun. Standards and safety matter to you.

Friendly pointers before you apply

These were the jobs that pay the most without a degree UK. We also highlight well-paid jobs without qualifications uk across retail, care, and admin. Some readers compare the best paid jobs uk without qualifications to pick a path. Others prefer a softer start and search for easy jobs that pay well uk before they upskill. A few chase speed and look for easy high paying jobs uk, yet the best choice still depends on fit and interest.

Ready to move now and build proof fast? Enrol in our online Professional Development Courses at Training Tale. Gain the skills employers want. Show a recognised CPD certificate. Open doors in weeks, not years.