This year’s fastest-growing salaries – and how to secure one
In this year’s Private Wealth Guide, we looked at the educational pathways leading to the highest salaries following graduation. It’s always interesting to see which careers are commanding high salaries at any one moment, as it tends to offer a snapshot of the skills and qualifications that are most in demand in society at a given time.
According to research from UK savings marketplace Raisin, the top five highest earning degree subjects at the time of writing the Guide were:
- Medicine & Dentistry
- Engineering & Technology
- Combined Courses
- Architecture, Building & Planning
- Business and Administrative Studies
Since the study was conducted, the world of work has continued to evolve in unprecedented ways. A McKinsey survey from February 2021 suggests that most business leaders are looking to step up their investment in automation and artificial intelligence, with significant implications for the tech and IT industries.
Tech leads the way on salary growth
It’s therefore unsurprising that tech roles – and particularly those in the field of cyber security – comprised the majority of those jobs seeing the largest salary increases in 2021. This is according to Hays Recruitment’s annual Salary and Recruiting Trends guide for 2022, which listed the top 10 jobs, along with the average pay increase, as follows:
- Security Architect – 16.4%
- Senior Marketing Executive – 10.9%
- Penetration Tester – 10.6%
- Cyber Security Engineer – 9.1%
- Cyber Security Manager – 9%
- Data Architect – 8.9%
- Production Shift Manager – 8.7%
- Cryptographer – 8.4%
- Cyber Security Analyst – 8.3%
- Project Controls Manager – 8%
Education for a digital world
Developing skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at a young age is likely to give younger generations a career edge in later life. Luckily, Hertfordshire and Essex offer ample opportunities to build the skills required to excel in these sectors – and to get on the path to a secure financial future.
Parents looking for schools that will nurture science and technology skills should look no further than one of the secondary schools featured in our Private Wealth Guide 2021-22, Haberdashers Askes School for Girls. The independent girls’ day and boarding school recently unveiled its new, state-of-the-art STEM building featuring 15 labs and a space for lectures and experimental demonstrations, which the school says has increased its capacity to host longer-term STEM projects in Artificial Intelligence and robotics. Those looking for an outstanding state school might wish to consider Herts & Essex High School and Science College, which received a Platinum Science Mark from STEM Learning in 2017.
In Essex, Avon House Preparatory School encourages an interest in STEM subjects from the youngest of ages. With after-school clubs such as the Young Engineers Club and a STEM club, pupils do activities such as designing and constructing catapults, building rockets and testing bridges to help build their interest and STEM skills. They even have a chance to earn a CREST award from the British Science Association. Meanwhile, Felsted School holds a Primary Gold Quality Mark from STEM Learning for its Preparatory School and its Senior School holds a Silver Science STEM Award. In April 2021, it announced the winners of its regional STEM Competition, which challenged both preparatory and secondary school students to solve problems resulting from the coronavirus pandemic using technology.
Bridging the skills gap
Developing the skills most in demand in our society could lead to significant financial rewards in later life. With their focus on STEM, Hertfordshire and Essex’s schools make these counties a perfect choice to begin your child’s journey to a lucrative future career.
Please click here to view our Private Wealth Guide to Hertfordshire and Essex, which is packed with research and statistics on education, businesses, property and much more. And don’t forget to follow us on social media using the hashtag #PrivateWealthGuide!
