Highest Paying Apprenticeships in the UK: 14 Careers and What They Pay
Fourteen careers you can reach through an apprenticeship in the UK, ranked by what qualified people earn, from solicitor, actuary and data scientist to offshore wind and lift engineering. How apprentice pay works, the apprenticeship levels and where to find vacancies in each nation.
By Tony Musso on
The highest paying apprenticeships in the UK lead to professional careers that most people assume need a degree: solicitor, actuary, data scientist, software engineer, chartered accountant. Higher and degree apprenticeships let you qualify for these jobs while you earn a salary, with your training paid for by the employer and the government, so you finish with no tuition fee debt.
This guide ranks fourteen careers you can reach through an apprenticeship by what people earn once qualified, then explains how apprentice pay works, which levels to look for and how to find vacancies in each part of the UK. Pay figures come from TonyKnows career data. They show what qualified people typically earn at the start and in mid-career, not what you are paid as an apprentice, which is lower and set by each employer.
The highest paying apprenticeship careers at a glance
| Career | Typical apprenticeship route (England) | Starting pay | Mid-career pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitor | Solicitor apprenticeship (Level 7) | £28,000 to £50,000 (trainee / NQ) | £60,000 to £100,000 |
| Data scientist | Data scientist degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £35,000 to £50,000 | £60,000 to £95,000 |
| Actuary | Actuary apprenticeship (Level 7) | £32,000 to £45,000 | £60,000 to £90,000 |
| Software engineer | Software developer (Level 4) or digital and technology solutions degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £28,000 to £40,000 | £50,000 to £75,000 |
| Accountant | Professional accounting or taxation apprenticeship (Level 7) | £24,000 to £32,000 (trainee) | £45,000 to £70,000 (qualified) |
| Offshore wind technician | Wind turbine technician apprenticeship (Level 3) | £35,000 to £45,000 | £50,000 to £65,000 |
| Cyber security analyst | Cyber security technologist (Level 4) or degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £28,000 to £40,000 | £45,000 to £70,000 |
| Project manager | Associate project manager (Level 4) or project manager degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £28,000 to £38,000 | £42,000 to £65,000 |
| Quantity surveyor | Chartered surveyor degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £26,000 to £35,000 | £42,000 to £65,000 |
| Civil engineer | Civil engineer degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £28,000 to £35,000 | £42,000 to £60,000 |
| Lift engineer | Lift and escalator technician apprenticeship (Level 3) | £24,000 to £32,000 (apprentice) | £38,000 to £55,000 |
| Rail engineering technician | Rail engineering technician apprenticeship (Level 3) | £25,000 to £33,000 | £38,000 to £55,000 |
| Police officer | Police constable degree apprenticeship (Level 6) | £28,000 to £33,000 | £42,000 to £50,000 (sergeant / inspector) |
| Electrician | Installation or maintenance electrician apprenticeship (Level 3) | £22,000 to £28,000 (apprentice) | £32,000 to £45,000, and £50,000 to £80,000+ self-employed |
The routes named are the apprenticeships most commonly used in England. Not every employer offers every route, and the exact apprenticeship standard can change, so check each vacancy for the level and the qualification you would finish with.
The top earners in more detail
Solicitor. The solicitor apprenticeship usually takes around six years and covers the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and the qualifying work experience you need. Law firms, in-house legal teams and the public sector all recruit apprentices, many straight from A levels. Pay rises sharply once you qualify, and partners at large firms earn far above the mid-career range.
Data scientist and software engineer. Technology apprenticeships range from Level 3 and 4 programmes to full degree apprenticeships. Data scientists usually need strong maths and some programming; software developers build applications and systems. Both are paid well because the skills are in demand across every sector, from banks to the NHS.
Actuary. Actuaries use maths and statistics to measure financial risk, mainly in insurance, pensions and consultancy. The Level 7 apprenticeship works towards the professional exams. Expect a demanding study load alongside work, but the pay and job security are among the best of any apprenticeship route.
Accountant. Accountancy firms and finance teams use professional-level apprenticeships to train chartered accountants through the ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA routes. Many start on a lower-level apprenticeship after GCSEs or A levels and progress. Our guide to how accounting apprenticeships work and the accounting qualifications hub explain the options.
Offshore wind technician. This is the highest paying route here at Level 3. The work is physical, at height and often offshore on rotation, and the pay reflects that. Technicians maintain and repair turbines and need specific safety training as well as their apprenticeship.
How apprentice pay works
What you earn as an apprentice is different from the pay in the table above:
- Every apprentice must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices, which applies to apprentices under 19 and to those aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship. After that, you are entitled to the minimum wage for your age. GOV.UK publishes the current rates.
- Many employers pay well above the minimum, especially for higher and degree apprenticeships in law, finance, engineering and technology, where apprentices are often paid a salary comparable to other entry-level staff.
- Your training costs are covered, so you do not pay tuition fees for the qualification.
- Your pay normally rises as you progress and once you qualify.
When comparing vacancies, look at the salary offered, how it increases, and the qualification you finish with.
Apprenticeship levels explained
In England, apprenticeships run from Level 2 to Level 7:
| Level | Name | Equivalent to |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Intermediate | GCSE |
| 3 | Advanced | A level |
| 4 and 5 | Higher | Foundation degree or HNC/HND |
| 6 and 7 | Degree | Bachelor's or master's degree |
The best paid careers in this list are mostly reached through higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 4 to 7). Employers usually ask for A levels or equivalent for those, while Level 3 apprenticeships in skilled trades and engineering often ask for GCSEs, including English and maths.
Apprenticeships work differently in the rest of the UK. Scotland has Modern Apprenticeships and Graduate Apprenticeships, Wales has apprenticeships up to degree level, and Northern Ireland has ApprenticeshipsNI and Higher Level Apprenticeships. The careers above are available across the UK, but the names and levels of the programmes vary.
How to find a high paying apprenticeship
- Search the official services: Find an apprenticeship on GOV.UK (England), apprenticeships.scot (Scotland), Careers Wales and nidirect (Northern Ireland).
- Go direct to employers. Large law firms, accountancy firms, banks, engineering companies, energy firms and the Civil Service run their own apprenticeship schemes, often opening applications in the autumn for the following year.
- Apply early and apply widely. Competition for degree apprenticeships at well-known employers can be fierce, so do not rely on one application.
- Write a strong application. Our guide on how to apply for an apprenticeship covers applications and personal statements.
- Prepare like a graduate job. Expect online tests, assessment centres and interviews. Our guide to apprenticeship interview questions covers the questions employers ask most, and our guides to competency-based questions and the STAR method will help too.
If you are weighing an apprenticeship against university, our guide to the highest paying degrees in the UK shows the other side of the comparison, and our list of the best paid degree apprenticeships in finance and law goes deeper into those two sectors.
Not sure which of these careers would suit you? Career Compass compares your interests and working style with UK careers, including these apprenticeship routes, and shows typical pay for each match.
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