MoneyA-levelsWhile you won't necessarily need a degree to get one of these roles, they will likely require other forms of training or upskilling09:34, 13 Aug 2026Thousands of students are picking up their A-Level results today - with a record number of youngsters being accepted into university or college.‌UCAS says a record 262820 ,820 students are going into higher education. But going to university isn't the only route to securing a well-paid career.‌Jobs site Indeed has revealed the top-paying careers that could earn you almost £50,000 a year without having a degree.‌Estate agent tops its list with an average pay of £49,694. However, an estate agent's salary is usually a mix of a base income, then sales bonuses or commission on top - so it can vary depending on house sales.Indeed says the average salary for a sales manager is £45,058 a year, while a computer games tester can expect typical annual pay of £44,668.‌But while you won't necessarily need a degree to get one of these roles, they will likely require other forms of training or upskilling.These salaries are also for candidates who already have experience and knowledge of the role, so the pay for someone starting out in their industry will be lower.You should read each job description carefully to check what skills you need, and if it mentions how much experience you need in that industry.‌The latest data from Indeed shows graduate job postings are down around 7% year on year, at their lowest level for this point in the year since 2020, while summer job postings are at a four-year low.Matt Price, Senior Director at Indeed, said: "You don't necessarily need a degree to impress an employer. Focus on the skills you've built through previous jobs, apprenticeships, volunteering or even personal projects.Article continues below“Think about real examples that show how you've solved problems, worked as part of a team or dealt with customers, as these can be just as valuable as formal qualifications.“More employers are looking beyond qualifications and placing greater value on practical skills and potential - they want to know what you can bring to the job, regardless of how you got there."Estate agent - Average salary: £49,694 per yearSales manager - Average salary: £45,058 per yearComputer games tester - Average salary: £44,668 per yearPlumber -Average salary: £36,478 per yearPrison officer - Average salary: £34,980 per yearBuilder -Average salary: £34,380 per yearFirefighter - Average salary: £32,220 per yearRecruitment consultant - Average Salary: £29,588 per yearIT technician - Average salary: £28,749 per yearFlight attendant - Average salary: £25,420 per yearChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌EducationSchoolsA-levels