Top eight ‘unbossing’ jobs for a fantastic work-life balance – earn up to £65k and there’s NO need for a degree

IF you’re fed up with the longer hours and extra stress that comes with being a manager, it’s time to switch to an ‘unbossing career’. You can ditch the boring management meetings, and kiss goodbye to making workers’ performance reviews. We list the 10 top-paying roles that pay up to £65,000 and you don’t need a degree – polish your CV off and apply NOW. Climbing the career ladder boosts your salary, but you can earn more without being the boss ‘Unbossing’ jobs are roles where you can step away from a leadership or management position. More than half (52%) of the UK workforce don’t see management as an aspirational career path, according to research by YouGov and Investors in People, which determines good practice for companies to follow when managing a workforce. Of the 2,000 employees surveyed, a further 12% saw management as overwhelming and undesirable. But the good news is, you can still earn up to £65k AND avoid the stress of being the boss. And there are thousands of opportunities available. Katie Emerton, recruitment expert at jobs platform CV-Library, said: “Job success isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder anymore. “More workers are realising they don’t need to become a manager to build a well-paid, rewarding career. “Staying hands-on in a specialist role allows them to keep doing the work they enjoy, build valuable expertise and avoid the extra pressures that come with managing people, especially as work-life balance becomes a bigger priority.” CV-Library has crunched the data to reveal the top-paying “unbossing” jobs that you can work in. Just be aware that you will need to retrain in order to do many of these roles. But that doesn’t mean you need to go to uni and get an expensive degree. We’ve outlined how to do the necessary training you need for these roles. You may have to take a temporary pay cut if you take on an apprenticeship role – where you learn while you earn in the role. Then, with a bit of experience under your belt, you can go on to earn a healthy salary of up to £65k. Free Skills Bootcamps, paid apprenticeships and employer-funded courses could help you learn the ropes without breaking the bank. What are you waiting for? Launch yourself into something new and earn a pretty penny while avoiding the top job. The top-paying unbossing jobs to retain in. Source: CV-Library Web developer – £65,051 You don’t need formal training to be a web developer so it could be a good option if you are happy to teach yourself Credit: Getty Fancy building websites rather than managing staff? Web development offers the biggest average salary in CV-Library’s ranking. There were 12,087 vacancies advertised over the past year, while the average UK salary was £65,051 – the highest on the list. Web Developers build and maintain the websites, online shops, apps and digital tools people use every day. From small business websites to major platforms used by thousands of customers, they help bring ideas to life online. It’s a job for people who like technology, detail and finding practical solutions. You don’t necessarily need formal training to become a web developer – you can teach yourself the skills that you need. Online courses can provide the technical foundations needed for an entry-level role and, because many are self-paced, learners can fit them around an existing job. Online courses can provide the technical foundations needed for an entry-level role and, because many are self-paced, you can fit them around an existing job. These online courses will take you through all the skills you need to know: The Odin Project provides a free, self-paced curriculum covering HTML, CSS, JavaScript and full-stack development. There is no fixed completion time, although its complete pathways can require several months of part-time study. Codecademy has some web-development lessons available free of charge. Its paid plans unlock extra projects, career pathways and support, with prices depending on the subscription selected. The Institute of Coding works with UK universities, training providers and employers to offer flexible digital-skills courses, including lessons relevant to coding and web development. It offers free courses, while prices, eligibility requirements and completion times vary between programmes. Check its website for courses currently accepting applications. Eligible adults in England can also apply for a government-backed Skills Bootcamp. These flexible courses last up to 16 weeks and are normally free for learners, although an employer may have to make a contribution if it sends an existing member of staff. Once you’ve done a course and learnt the skills, building a portfolio is one of the best ways to show employers what you can do. This could include websites you’ve made, apps you’ve built, or projects on platforms such as GitHub, a cloud-based platform. If you don’t think you could teach yourself, there are apprenticeships that you can do instead, where you earn and learn on the job – they usually take at least a year to complete. You can search for live Level 4 software developer opportunities through the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship service. Building control inspector – £58,611 Building control inspectors make sure construction projects are safe and legal Credit: Akacin Phonsawat Building control inspectors make sure construction projects are safe, legal and not hiding any nasty surprises. They visit sites, examine work and check that developments comply with building regulations. The average salary is £58,611, with 3,813 vacancies posted during the past year. You don’t need a degree to do this role, but you will need training – which you can do on the job. Look for a trainee position with a council or private building control firm. In England, people carrying out restricted building control work must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator. It’s a good idea to read the official registered building inspector guidance before choosing a course. Beginners may register as Class 1 trainee inspectors and work under supervision. Recent trainee vacancies have offered between approximately £23,500 and £31,500 a year, with pay depending on the employer and location. Once you’ve gained experience, you can go on to earn £58,000. Search for “trainee building control inspector”, “building control trainee” or “assistant building control surveyor” on GOV.UK’s Find a Job service, LocalGov Jobs and LABC’s vacancies page. Tax consultant – £54,444 Tax consultants help individuals and businesses follow tax rules Credit: Alamy Tax may not set pulses racing, but the salary could make those spreadsheets look more exciting. Consultants help individuals and businesses follow the rules, arrange their finances and avoid costly mistakes. Average earnings stand at £54,444, and CV-Library counted 13,592 job postings over the past year. You might be surprised to hear you don’t need a degree for this role – you can get full training on the job from your employer. Beginners can work towards a qualification from the Association of Taxation Technicians, covering areas such as personal and business taxation. For 2026, ATT charges £237 to register as a student for five years, £237 for each tax paper and £127 for each computer-based exam. Tuition, books and resits can increase the total cost. Many accountancy firms cover registration, tuition and exam fees for trainees. The ATT qualification can also form part of a professional taxation technician apprenticeship, allowing employers to use apprenticeship funding towards the training. With more experience, you could aim to become a Chartered Tax Adviser through the Chartered Institute of Taxation. You will normally need to pass several CTA exams and meet the institute’s professional-experience requirements. For 2026, CTA student registration costs £268, while exam fees range from £127 for a computer-based exam to £299 for the Application and Professional Skills paper. Tuition is charged separately. Employers frequently fund CTA training, particularly where a worker joins a structured tax-trainee scheme. Apprenticeship funding may also be available where the qualification is taken as part of an eligible programme. Accountancy firms also recruit tax trainees and may cover lesson and examination costs. That means you could earn while learning rather than footing the entire bill yourself. Starting pay for a tax trainee is commonly between about £22,000 and £40,000, depending on the firm, scheme and location. Look for vacancies offering “ATT study support” or “full study support”. You can find roles by searching for “tax trainee”, “ATT trainee” or “tax apprentice” on Indeed, Reed, GOV.UK’s Find an Apprenticeship service and The Taxation Job Board. Financial underwriter – £53,380 Underwriters examine financial details to decide how risky a customer might be Credit: Getty Underwriters are paid to decide how risky a customer or application might be. They examine financial details before determining whether a lender or insurer should accept an application – and on what terms. The job pays £53,380 on average, with 7,972 vacancies advertised during the past year. The best route depends on whether you want to work in banking, insurance or mortgage lending. Budding insurance underwriters can study for qualifications through the Chartered Insurance Institute, starting with its Certificate in Insurance. The certificate requires at least 40 credits, normally earned by completing three units. Prices depend on the units selected, whether you become a CII member and the study package you choose, so check the CII’s online shop for the latest total. Insurance firms commonly pay for CII membership, tuition and exams for new recruits. The qualification may also be included in a funded Level 3 insurance practitioner apprenticeship. Paid insurance apprenticeships are another option. Entry-level and trainee underwriting roles typically pay between £24,000 and £33,000, although salaries can be higher in London and specialist insurance markets. Banking underwriters do not usually need one mandatory qualification. Many begin in credit-control, loan-processing or banking-administration roles and receive training in affordability checks, credit reports and lending rules from their employer. Banks may also pay for relevant qualifications from organisations such as the Chartered Banker Institute. Trainee and entry-level underwriting roles commonly pay between £24,000 and £33,000. Mortgage underwriters can also work their way up from mortgage administration or case-management roles. A Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice, known as CeMAP, is not always compulsory. This is because an underwriter does not provide advice. But the certificate can help demonstrate knowledge of mortgage products and regulation. Some lenders fund it for staff. Mortgage-processing and trainee-underwriting roles typically start at about £22,000 to £30,000. Search for trainee underwriter and underwriting-assistant jobs on CV-Library, Indeed, Reed and GOV.UK’s Find an Apprenticeship service. Mortgage adviser – £49,401 Being a mortgage advisor could unlock a new career for you Credit: Alamy Helping someone secure the keys to their new home could unlock a different career for you. Mortgage advisers compare products, recommend suitable loans and steer buyers through the application maze. Average pay is £49,401, and 8,614 vacancies appeared over the past year. There’s no need for a degree, but you will need training. Most newcomers complete the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice, known as CeMAP. It is a Level 3 qualification awarded by Walbrook Institute London – formerly the London Institute of Banking and Finance – and can be studied flexibly. Registering for the full qualification costs about £690 when its units are bought as a package. It’s a good idea is to look for an entry-level role with banks, brokers, building societies and estate agencies, as some employers pay for CeMAP. Trainee mortgage advisers typically receive a basic salary of between £20,000 and £30,000. Commission can lift first-year earnings, but it is important to check whether an advertised figure is guaranteed pay or “on-target earnings”. Experience in customer service, banking or sales could give your job application a nice boost. Search for roles on Indeed, Reed, CV-Library and GOV.UK’s Find an Apprenticeship service. CRM specialist – £49,108 Customer relationship management specialists help forms understand shoppers Credit: Getty Do not be put off by the jargon-heavy title. A customer relationship management specialist helps firms understand shoppers and keep them coming back. The work can include analysing data, managing databases and creating targeted marketing campaigns. Average salaries stand at £49,108, and 1,173 positions were advertised – the fewest in the ranking. There’s no need for a degree but to boost your chances of getting hired, it’s a good idea to learn about how to do the role – which you can do for free. Digital marketing and data Skills Bootcamps can teach useful basics and eligible adults in England may be able to take one free of charge. Technology companies also offer online lessons. Salesforce Trailhead is open to the public and free to use – you do not need to work for Salesforce or one of its customers. It offers bite-sized lessons, hands-on exercises and learning pathways covering Salesforce administration, data and customer-relationship management. HubSpot Academy is also open to everyone and provides free courses and certificates covering CRM software, digital marketing, sales and customer service. You can check job adverts for CRM specialist, CRM executive, CRM assistant and Salesforce administrator roles on CV-Library, Indeed, Reed and LinkedIn Jobs. Private investigator – £43,750 Private investigators earn an average of £43,750 a year Credit: Alamy Fancy trading routine paperwork for detective work? Private investigators may trace people, examine suspected fraud, carry out surveillance or gather evidence for legal cases. They earn £43,750 a year on average, with 5,257 job postings recorded over the past 12 months. But do not expect non-stop disguises and dramatic chases – much of the work involves patient research and meticulous record-keeping. There’s no need for a degree, but you do need to prove you have the skills necessary. Aspiring investigators can study for a Level 3 Award for Professional Investigators through a body like The Association of British Investigators or Private Investigator Training UK. Courses typically cost between £380 and £800 plus VAT, depending on the provider and whether teaching is online or in person. There is no general funding entitlement, but an investigations company may pay for the course if you join as a trainee. You will need a firm understanding of privacy, data protection and surveillance laws. Self-employed investigators who process personal information may also need to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office and pay the data-protection fee. You can search for vacancies on Indeed, Reed, GOV.UK’s Find a Job service and specialist organisations such as the Association of British Investigators and Institute of Professional Investigators. Try broader job titles including surveillance operative, fraud investigator, claims investigator and tracing agent, as adverts may not use the title “private investigator”. Estate agent – £42,066 Estate agents arrange viewings, negotiate offers and help sales progress Credit: Alamy If you love property and have the gift of the gab, estate agency could open the door to a new career. Agents arrange viewings, negotiate offers and help sales progress towards completion. Average pay is £42,066, although commission can make earnings vary. There should be plenty of front doors to get your foot through, with 28,837 vacancies advertised – more than for any other role listed. You do not normally need a degree or mandatory professional licence to become an estate agent. A junior estate agent apprenticeship combines paid work with training in property, sales and customer service. However, you do not have to complete an apprenticeship. Estate agencies also recruit trainee sales negotiators, junior negotiators and viewing assistants and give them training on the job. Direct-entry roles generally offer a basic salary of about £18,000 to £23,000, plus commission. This can produce first-year on-target earnings of approximately £25,000 to £35,000, although commission is not guaranteed. Estate agency apprenticeships commonly pay around £16,000 to £17,000 a year, although employers must at least pay the applicable minimum wage. Rates depend on the apprentice’s age, year of training and working hours. You can search for apprenticeship places through Find an Apprenticeship. Non-apprenticeship roles are advertised through Property Jobs, Indeed, Reed and CV-Library.