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Five six-figure jobs that are not in banking

Following the immeasurable popularity of our article a few months ago on the top 20 best paid jobs not in banking, and in light of the fact that Hays' boss says lost City jobs are not coming back ever, we have decided to follow up with some more information on six figure alternative careers, and how to move into one.

Unfortunately, if the jobs below are anything to go by, six figure salaries in other industries are presaged by at least five years’ training.

1.) Senior civil servant

Pay:

Anything from £57-205k. Details for civil service pay grades are available here.

How to become one:

According to the civil service’s own website, it ‘attracts senior professionals who are adept in areas of finance, HR, procurement, legal, science and medicine, as well as strong operational/project managers.’ In reality, former financial services professionals may find it quite hard to get a senior civil service job without prior public sector experience.

2.) Air traffic controller

Pay:

Low to start with, but rising to £100k plus for very experienced air traffic controllers working shifts at busy centres like Heathrow and Swannick.

How to become one:

It takes 11 months' training, during which you will be paid a pittance (£10,678). Once training’s over you’ll earn up to £32k and will then need to work your way up. Big downside: training is only open to people aged less than 24. For more information click here.

3.) Pilot

Pay:

If you work for a big airline like British Airways and you fly big planes like Boeing 747s, you might earn £100k. if you work for Flybe or EasyJet piloting something a little smaller, you might earn £80k. In a potentially ominous move, Ryanair has frozen pay for its pilots.

How to become one:

In the ideal world, you will get trained by airlines offering sponsored pilot training, a list of which is available here.

a less ideal world, you will pay for training yourself, at a cost of around £60k. You can also get trained by the RAF. However, they only accept under 23 year olds. For more information on becoming a pilot, click here.

4.) Dentist

Pay:

Although the NHS claims dentists earn £37-80k, the Telegraph says it’s more like £100k plus.

How to become one:

Unfortunately, it takes five years’ training and an ability to withstand halitosis to become a dentist. For more information click here or here.

5). GP

Pay:

Again, the NHS says GPs earn only up to £80k . Again, however, The Telegraph puts their pay a little higher, at £110k.

How to become one:

First you’ll have to go to medical school (four years). Then you’ll have to spend around four years on vocational training. For more information click here or here.

author-card-avatar
AUTHORSarah Butcher Global Editor
  • ze
    zekeri
    29 July 2009

    is a good one

  • Sh
    Shane
    9 July 2009

    Is the Civil Serivce the new Goldman Sachs?

  • ta
    tanja_pirana
    8 July 2009

    to Patel:
    good for him! and thats how its done! if he has a few more shops in busy areas, he will make even more, as they tend to be open from dusk till down, and once people get desperate tespecially in the eve/weekend, or early mornings, they are prepaired to pay anything to buy the stuff they want

  • no
    not a banker
    8 July 2009

    Pretty useless article for anyone over the age of 25 that doesn't fancy going back to school - again - for a few years or "work his way up". Most bankers been there and done that. (They do actually have degrees - often more than one.)

  • sh
    shout_out
    7 July 2009

    It takes a lot to get to these six figure salaries even in banking although this article tends to suggest otherwise. Stick around and work hard and with some luck you'll definitely get there.I know guys with 9 years software development skills taking up MFE with plans to do at least MPhil or maybe PhD in Financial Maths. I guess such individuals might make the six figure salary if they are lucky.

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