2 October 2024
The Highest Paid Apprenticeships in the UK
If you’re thinking about doing an apprenticeship and you’ve got five minutes, you might want to give this a read…
Here’s everything you want to know, everything you ought to know, and everything you need to know about the highest-paid apprenticeships in the UK.
Apprenticeships have been designed to give 16-24 year olds the work experience, job-specific skills and qualifications they need to start a career.
You might be thinking “apprenticeships are for trades-people” or for young people who want to get into plumbing, bricklaying or carpentry.
Stop that immediately. Apprenticeships have changed.
There are now professional apprenticeships available in a marvellous range of job roles and industries. Some of the UK’s best employers in banking, accounting, engineering and law are hunting for career-conscious school leavers (like you).
The Highest Paid Apprenticeships in the UK
|
POSITION |
INDUSTRY |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IT | £26,505 |
| 2 | Transport & Logistics | £26,136 |
| 3 | Accounting | £25,975 |
| 4 | Creative & Design | £25,611 |
| 5 | Finance & Banking | £25,172 |
| 6 | Property & Real-Estate | £24,714 |
| 7 | Business & Operations | £24,606 |
| 8 | Construction & Trades | £23,239 |
| 9 | Science | £22,856 |
| 10 | Marketing | £22,785 |
| 11 | Engineering | £22,019 |
| 12 | Health & Social Care Services | £21,857 |
| 13 | Catering & Hospitality | £21,727 |
The highest-paid apprenticeships (by industry) displayed in the handsome table above, are based on thousands of reviews of apprenticeship schemes.
How are the tables worked out?
The reviews, (which you can read here), are written by the apprentices themselves. They provide peer-to-peer feedback on schemes in an array of industries, with some of the UK’s biggest and smallest employers.
Each review reveals valuable information about the content and structure of an apprenticeship, the support received from the employer, and the social opportunities outside of work. It’s delightful.
Apprentices also disclose how much they were paid. The salaries for intermediate, advanced and higher level apprenticeships have been combined to give an average salary for each industry (see handsome table).
The festivities don’t stop there, because there’s more. We’ll also be breaking down the highest-paid intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships.
How much are apprentices paid near me?
The table below shows the average salaries for apprentices in different regions across the UK. Schemes based in London tend to pay higher because the costs of living, travelling and buying sandwiches at lunch are more expensive compared to the rest of the country.
|
POSITION |
REGION |
AVERAGE SALARY |
|---|---|---|
1 | Central London & City | £27,671 |
|
2 | East Midlands | £23,393 |
|
3 | West Midlands | £23,208 |
|
4 | East of England | £23,074 |
|
5 | North West | £22,842 |
|
6 | South West | £22,377 |
|
7 | South East | £22,265 |
|
8 | Greater London | £21,937 |
|
9 | North East | £21,821 |
|
10 | Northern Ireland | £21,668 |
|
11 | Scotland | £21,630 |
|
12 | Yorkshire & The Humber | £21,502 |
|
13 | Wales | £20,442 |
Intermediate Apprenticeships
Intermediate apprenticeships (level 2) are the primary level of the modern apprenticeship. Schemes can last anywhere between 12-18 months.
The entry requirements for intermediate apprenticeships vary from scheme to scheme. Employers usually look for applicants with two or more GCSEs, including passes in English and Maths.
If you don’t have GCSEs, it’s okay – you have the option of completing a T Level Foundation Year.
Traineeships
Traineeships are flexible education programmes for 16-24 year olds. They are designed to help young people develop the fundamental skills that will help them find an apprenticeship, a job and a career.
If you have found this exciting, read our Guide to Traineeships.
There are lots more where that came from, click below for the full low down on intermediate apprenticeships.
The table below shows the average salaries for intermediate apprentices in different industries.
A staggering 58,200 people started an intermediate apprenticeship last year. Why not take a trip to our jobs page and see what all the fuss is about.
| POSITION | INDUSTRY | AVERAGE SALARY |
| 1 | Creative & Design | £24,545 |
| 2 | Property & Real-Estate | £24,425 |
| 3 | IT | £24,395 |
| 4 | Marketing | £23,559 |
| 5 | Transport & Logistics | £22,948 |
| 6 | Science | £22,900 |
| 7 | Finance & Banking | £20,010 |
| 8 | Engineering | £19,428 |
Advanced Apprenticeships
Advanced apprenticeships (level 3) are designed for career-conscious young people. An advanced apprentice will work on a full-time basis in an industry and study towards nationally certified qualifications on the side.
This includes a National Vocational Qualification (level 3), and a knowledge-based qualification. These are equivalent to two A-level passes and also qualify candidates for higher-level apprenticeships. The excitement is real.
The entry requirements for advanced apprenticeships are typically 5 GCSEs (including English and Maths). Employers go absolutely bananas for GCSEs in English and Maths.
Want a little bit more information? We’ve got you. Read our detailed Guide to Advanced Apprenticeships.
The incredibly useful table below reveals the salaries of advanced apprentices in different industries.
The average salary for an advanced apprentice across all industries is £20,925… Nando’s is on you.
| POSITION | INDUSTRY | AVERAGE SALARY |
| 1 | Creative & Design | £29,235 |
| 2 | IT | £26,940 |
| 3 | Accounting | £24,668 |
| 4 | Science | £24,400 |
| 5 | Catering & Hospitality | £23,113 |
| 6 | Finance & Banking | £22,794 |
| 7 | Transport & Logistics | £22,105 |
| 8 | Marketing | £21,457 |
Whether it’s a career in law, accountancy, banking or engineering that interests you, choose an apprenticeship! The button below will transport you to our jobs page. There are hundreds of job opportunities with some of the UK’s best apprenticeship employers!
Higher Apprenticeships
Higher apprenticeships, also called level 4/5/6/7 apprenticeships, are schemes for 18-24 year olds.
A higher apprenticeship can last between 3-6 years, in which an apprentice combines full-time employment with academic study.
Employers look for applicants with two or more A levels in subjects that are relevant to the scheme on offer. Advanced apprentices are also eligible!
A higher apprentice will work towards a Level 4 competency qualification and a knowledge-based qualification – which could include:
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- A foundation degree
- or an undergraduate degree
Degree Apprenticeships
Degree apprenticeships (level 6/7) are the newest level to be added to modern apprenticeship frameworks. A degree apprentice will study towards an undergraduate or master’s degree as part of the scheme.
Read our Guide to Degree Apprenticeships for the full story
There were 100,490 higher level apprenticeship starts in 2021.
| POSITION | INDUSTRY | AVERAGE SALARY |
| 1 | Creative & Design | £42,667 |
| 2 | Transport & Logistics | £31,954 |
| 3 | FMCG & Retail | £30,952 |
| 4 | Catering & Hospitality | £29,482 |
| 5 | Business & Operations | £29,035 |
| 6 | Finance & Banking | £28,788 |
| 7 | Accounting | £28,694 |
| 8 | IT | £27,566 |
As the table reveals, higher level apprentices receive a smashing salary across all industries. In fact, the average salary for a higher apprentice is £27,588!
You also might like to check out our Guide to Higher Apprenticeships.
So there we are…the highest paid apprenticeships in the UK 2023. It’s the best five minutes you’ve spent since you discovered the skateboarding dog.
However, the apprenticeship that offers the highest salary might not necessarily be the right scheme for you.
Choose an apprenticeship based on the content of the course, the employer and the opportunities they offer. Choose the apprenticeship that gives you the greatest chance of starting your dream career.
