Salaries are always a hot topic in the office -- most often, as an area of complaint. In today's economy, most are simply grateful to earn a salary of any size, but you still hear things like, "I don't earn enough to survive or pay the bills" or "So-and-so is making X amount, I should be, too." Or -- "I deserve more."
Well, we all deserve more, but the reality is that right now, not many of us will get it. And, in looking at the national average salary, some of you may be surprised how you compare.
In 2009, the average annual median pay for full-time employees in the UK was £25,800, according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). Wouldn't it be nice to know what jobs paid this salary? Of course, salaries always vary, often depending on the city, but since we can't give you a list of jobs in every single city, we've provided you instead with a national list of jobs that earn Britain's median salary.
Here are 15 jobs that fit those criteria, according to the 2009 ASHE, and the training you'll need to get them according to the governments' Careers Advice site*:
Science and Engineering Technicians
Qualifications: You need at least four GCSEs (A-C), including science, maths and English and a degree in a science or engineering-based subject. You might get into this job through an Apprenticeship.
Salary: £25,729
Managers in Distribution, Storage and Retailing
Qualifications: You need supervisory experience and qualifications in warehouse or retail operations. With a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or a degree, you could find a place on a management trainee scheme.
Salary: £25,000
Building and civil engineering technicians
Qualifications: A common way into this career is through an engineering Apprenticeship scheme. To get on to a scheme, you may need four GCSEs (grades A-C). Alternatively, you could take a relevant college course.
Salary: £25,946
Healthcare practice managers
Qualifications: Employers will expect you to be an experienced administrator or manager. Before looking for your first practice manager's job, you may find it helpful to take the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR) Diploma in Primary Care Management.
Salary: £24,724
IT support technicians
Qualifications: You may be able start as a trainee technician, but you could improve your prospects by gaining IT qualifications. Alternatively, you may be able to start out through an engineering, electronics or information technology Apprenticeship.
Salary: £24,718
Electronics engineers
Qualifications: To become an electronics engineer you usually need a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND or degree in electronic / electrical engineering or engineering technology.
Salary: £25,763
Nurses
Qualifications: To qualify as a nurse you need to complete a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing.
Salary: £25,700
Physiotherapists
Qualifications: To become a chartered physiotherapist you need a physiotherapy degree approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Salary: £24,143
Photographer
Qualifications: Most professional photographers take a college or university photography course to develop their technical skills, although experience and contacts are also important for building a successful career.
Salary: £23,942
Marketing professionals
Qualifications: Many marketing executives have a degree or BTEC HNC/HND in marketing or another business-related subject. With a degree, you could join one of the graduate training schemes that larger employers often run for new recruits.
Salary: £25,981
Welders
Qualifications: You may be able to get into this job through an engineering Apprenticeship scheme. Alternatively, you could take a course, which would give you some of the skills needed for this job, e.g. the ABC Certificate in Welding and Fabrication Practice at levels 1 to 3
Salary: £23,828
Tool makers, tool fitters and markers-out
Qualifications: You could get into this career through an Apprenticeship scheme. Alternatively, you could take a college course to learn some of the required skills, e.g. the BTEC First Certificate in Engineering.
Salary: £24,929
Midwives
Qualifications: To qualify as a registered midwife you need to complete a degree in midwifery leading to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Salary: £28,549
Sales and related associate professionals
Qualifications: Employers will expect a good standard of general education, but they are often more interested in your sales skills and track record than your formal qualifications. If you are new to sales, you may find it useful to take an introductory qualification such as the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) Level 2 Award in Basic Sales Skills or Level 2 Certificate in Sales and Marketing.
Salary: £26,773
Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers
Qualifications: To become an LGV driver you must have a valid LGV licence. To get this, you need to: be competent in English and maths (to take the LGV theory test), be 18 or over (to hold an HGV licence), have a good driving record, have good eyesight and pass a medical as part of the LGV test.
Salary: £24,699
*Source for job qualifications: Job profiles on direct.gov.uk