The Highest-Paid Apprenticeships

What's an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are school leaver schemes designed to give 16-24 year olds the work experience, job-specific skills and qualifications they need to start a career.

They’re fast becoming a popular alternative to university or college, allowing young people to climb up the career ladder earlier than those on the traditional route.

You might be thinking "apprenticeships are for trades-people" or for young people who want to get into plumbing, bricklaying or carpentry.

That's still applicable, but apprenticeships have expanded. There are now professional apprenticeships available in a range of job roles and industries. Some of the UK’s best employers in banking, engineering, law and science are hunting for career-conscious school leavers (like you).

Best of all, apprenticeships are PAID. That's why you're here: to explore the best-paying apprenticeships available to you.

The Highest-Paid Apprenticeships by Industry

Here are the highest-paid apprenticeships by industry in the UK. These are based on thousands of reviews of apprenticeship schemes, all found on our website. They’re written by real apprentices in the past 12 months, who have disclosed their yearly salary to us.

1. IT - £26,505

2. Transport and 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 and Level

These are based on thousands of apprentice-written reviews of apprenticeship schemes on our website. Apprentices disclose their salary to us, along with other details, from the past 12 months.

Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprenticeships

Level 2 apprenticeships are the first rung on the ladder of apprenticeships. Schemes can last anywhere between 12-18 months.

The entry requirements for level 2 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.

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

Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeships

Level 3 apprenticeships are designed for career-conscious young people. These apprentices will work on a full-time basis for a company 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 Apprenticeships (Level 4/5). The excitement is real.

The entry requirements for level 3 apprenticeships are typically 5 GCSEs (including English and Maths).

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

Higher Apprenticeships

Higher apprenticeships, also called level 4/5 apprenticeships, are schemes for 18-24 year olds.

A higher apprenticeship can last between 2-4 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. Level 3 apprentices are also eligible!

A higher apprentice will work towards a Level 4 or 5 competency qualification and a knowledge-based qualification, which could include a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a foundation degree.

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

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships (level 6/7) are a popular level of the apprenticeship framework.

A degree apprentice will study towards an undergraduate or master’s degree as part of their scheme over 3 to 5 years. They earn a salary and pay NO tuition fees - hooray!

To qualify, you'll need A-Levels and a certain number of UCAS points. A Higher Apprenticeship will also suffice.

1. Catering & Hospitality - £32,062

2. Education & Childcare - £31,788

3. Finance & Banking - £31,423

4. Transport & Logistics - £30,779

5. FMCG & Retail - £30,207

6. Health & Social Care - £28,368

7. IT - £26,341

8. Business & Operations - £26,317

The Highest-Paid Apprenticeships by Location

The data 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 and travel are more expensive compared to the rest of the country.

These are based on thousands of reviews of apprenticeship schemes on our website from the past 12 months. They’re written by real apprentices who have disclosed their salary to us.

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

How do I apply?

So there we are… the best-paid apprenticeships for school and college leavers.

However, the apprenticeship that offers the highest salary might not necessarily be the right scheme for you.

Our advice would be to 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.

So how do you find and apply for apprenticeships? Well, you’re in the right place. You can apply for apprenticeships right here with us on Higherin.

You will also need to prepare items such as an apprenticeship personal statement, cover letter and CV for your application. And if you're successful and invited for the next steps, we have advice for interviews and apprenticeship assessment centres too.

Good luck!