The best paying apprenticeship sectors in 2025
From banking and engineering to accountancy and law, launch your career with one of the highest paying apprenticeships in the UK
If you're looking for a well-paid apprenticeship in the UK, there are plenty of routes available, including degree apprenticeships that allow you to earn a salary while gaining valuable training and experience. By researching your options and choosing a programme in a high-demand sector, you can take the first step toward a fulfilling and well-compensated career.
It's worth noting that salaries vary depending on the role, company, location, and your own experience. For more advice, check out our essential guide to apprenticeships.
Engineering
Average salary: £28,500
Engineering remains one of the UK's most in-demand sectors, offering apprentices the chance to develop practical skills while working on real-world projects across fields like infrastructure, energy and aerospace.
Degree apprenticeships with typically last three to four years and are offered by leading employers including:
These programmes involve full-time employment, often resulting in a recognised qualification. Many apprentices go on to secure senior roles such as:
Some high-demand areas - like cyber security, network engineering, and software development - tend to offer higher pay. Typical starting yearly salaries in the sector range from £18,000 to £40,000 depending on the role, employer, and location. For example:
- at Baker Perkins - £16,349
- at British Sugar - £25,000
- at Babcock - £38,378.
With experience and further qualifications, salaries can exceed £50,000 in senior engineering positions.
Engineering apprenticeships are available across a variety of specialisms, including:
Most apprenticeships require five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C), including English, maths, and science. Higher or degree-level apprenticeships may also require A-levels in related subjects such as maths or physics.
Explore our guide to engineering apprenticeships for more insights and opportunities.
Science and pharmaceuticals
Average salary: £27,000
If you're driven by scientific discovery and improving lives, a science or pharmaceutical apprenticeship offers the chance to work on impactful projects like vaccine development, quality control, and clinical trials.
These apprenticeships typically last three to five years, combining hands-on lab experience with academic study - often leading to a BSc degree in subjects like:
Employers such as Bupa, ±·±ð²õ³Ù±ôé, and the offer well-structured programmes with starting salaries ranging from £19,000 to £30,000. Example yearly starting salaries include:
- at AstraZeneca - £21,500
- at AWE - £22,250
- at GSK - £26,400.
With further training and qualifications, apprentices can progress into specialised roles such as:
- biomedical scientist
- clinical technologist
- medicinal chemist
- scientific laboratory technician
- regulatory affairs officer
Most science apprenticeships require at least five GCSEs, including English, maths, and science. Higher-level apprenticeships may also ask for A-levels in subjects such as biology or chemistry.
For an alternative route into the sector, consider exploring science graduate schemes.
Transport and logistics
Average salary: £27,000Â
Moving people, goods, and services across the country, the transport and logistics sector is the backbone of the UK economy. As automation and artificial intelligence continue to reshape the industry, the demand for skilled professionals - particularly apprentices - is growing rapidly.
Leading employers apprenticeships with starting salaries ranging from £18,000 to £50,000, depending on the role and location. Firms include:
While entry-level apprenticeships may begin close to the minimum wage (£7.55 per hour for apprentices as of April 2025), many provide a clear pathway to well-paid, highly-skilled roles as apprentices gain qualifications and take on greater responsibilities. For example, annual salaries for higher-level apprenticeships include:
- at British Airways - £15,035
- at Transport for London - £26,559
- at Morrisons - £27,000.
Degree-level apprenticeships open doors to high-earning careers in areas such as:
Once qualified, professionals in the sector often earn well above the national average. For instance, a senior transport planner can expect a salary between £35,000 and £60,000 per year.
³§±ð±ðÌýtransport apprenticeships for more details.
Accounting
Average salary: £25,000
As a well-established profession that offers excellent career prospects, job security, and the potential for high earnings, accounting is an ideal path for individuals who enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and making informed financial decisions.
Typically lasting two to four years, accounting apprenticeships are offered by firms such as:
During that time, you'll gain real-world work experience in areas such as auditing, bookkeeping, and taxation.
Progression is fast when combined with professional qualifications like ACCA or , awarded by institutions such as the ICAEW. Apprenticeships offering these qualifications can lead to roles such as:
Many top firms offer competitive apprenticeship schemes, with starting salaries typically ranging from £20,000 to £30,000, with pay typically increasing annually as you progress through training. Examples include:
- at IrwinMitchell - £21,840
- at KPMG - £23k
- at PwC - £24,500.
These apprenticeships offer clear progression routes, and many participants go on to specialise in areas like forensic accounting or tax advisory within just a few years.
To apply, you'll usually need at least five GCSEs, including English and maths. Some employers may also prefer applicants with A-levels or relevant BTEC qualifications.
Discover more about accounting apprenticeships and how they can shape your future career.
Banking and finance
Average salary: £25,000Â
A banking apprenticeship offers the opportunity to work towards industry-recognised qualifications. It's a valuable pathway to chartered status or specialist roles in areas like compliance, risk management, and wealth planning.
Apprenticeships typically last two to three years with leading employers such as:
During your training, you'll develop skills in client advisory, account management, loan processing, and broader financial operations across roles such as:
Starting salaries generally range from £20,000 to £30,000, depending on the role and location. Examples include:
- at Lloyds of London - £25,2500
- at the Bank of England - £24,400
- apprentice - £26,000.
With experience, you can move into roles like financial adviser or mortgage adviser trainee, with salaries rising to £30,000-£40,000. Over time, senior positions such as corporate investment banker can exceed £50,000 annually, particularly with bonuses.
Most programmes require at least five GCSEs, including English and maths. Higher-level apprenticeships may also ask for A-levels or a relevant Level 3 qualification.
Explore the top banking apprenticeships from the UK's leading financial institutions.
Law
Average salary: £24,000
Law apprenticeships offer a practical, debt-free alternative to the traditional university route. These structured programmes - typically lasting three to six years - combine academic study with hands-on legal experience, ultimately leading to a recognised legal qualification.
Leading firms offer competitive apprenticeships with starting salaries ranging from £18,000 to £28,000 depending on location and role. These include:
Examples include:
- for Weightmans - £23,000
- for Irwin Mitchell - £21,840
- at White & Case - £32,000.
As you progress and complete key qualifiactions, you can advance into professional roles including:
Fully qualified solicitors, particularly in commercial or city law firms, can earn between £50,000 and £100,000, depending on their area of specialism and experience.
Most legal apprenticeships require five GCSEs (grades 9-4), including English and maths. Many programmes also ask for three A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Explore our complete guide to law apprenticeships for detailed insights into pathways, qualifications, and application timelines.
IT and digital
Average salary: £21,000Â
In today's digital-first world, IT apprenticeships offer a fast-track into high-demand, well-paid tech careers. These programmes typically last two to four years and equip you with the practical skills needed to thrive in areas like:
Depending on your specialism, you could find yourself writing Python or Java code, developing mobile apps, monitoring cyber threats, building machine learning models, or configuring secure networks.
Top employers such as like CGI, BAE Systems and Jaguar Land Rover offer structured apprenticeship programmes with starting salaries between £16,000 and £25,000. Some examples include:
- at Transport for London - £25,294
- at the Civil Service - £28,050
- at Jaguar Land Rover - £26,092.
Many programmes also include added perks such as paid-for certifications, access to tech conferences, and even company shares at larger firms.
As your experience grows, you can progress into specialist roles such as:
- applications developer
- information systems manager
- machine learning engineer
- network engineer
- penetration tester
- web developer
Starting salaries in these roles can exceed £50,000 to £80,000, especially within finance, defence, and health tech sectors.
Entry requirements typically include five GCSEs (grades 9-4), including maths, English, and a science or IT-related subject. Degree-level apprenticeships may also require A-levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications.
Explore our full guide to IT apprenticeships for the latest opportunities and how to apply.
Find out more
- Search all apprenticeships.
- Consider whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship.
- Discover graduate schemes.