Compensation data in 2025 looks different from five years ago. AI and machine learning roles have seen salary growth of 30–50% in some specialisations. Certain finance and legal roles have always paid well and continue to. And some roles that were low-paying have surged with demand. Here's the current landscape with accurate data.
Total compensation — base + bonus + equity — is the correct unit of measurement for high-earning roles. A software engineer at a large tech company with £120k base may receive £200k+ total comp. A finance professional with a similar base may receive 100%+ bonus. Compare total comp, not just base.
Technology roles
- AI/ML Engineer: £90–180k base (UK), $150–350k+ total comp (US big tech). Requires: Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, ML fundamentals, often an advanced degree or equivalent portfolio.
- Staff/Principal Software Engineer: £110–160k (UK), $200–450k total comp (US). Requires: 10+ years, deep system design expertise, leadership track record.
- Engineering Manager / VP Engineering: £120–200k (UK), $200–500k+ total comp (US). Requires: technical foundation plus demonstrated people and org leadership.
- Data Scientist (senior): £75–130k (UK), $130–250k total comp (US). Requires: statistics, Python/R, ML, stakeholder communication.
- Cloud/DevOps Architect: £80–140k (UK). Requires: AWS/GCP/Azure certifications, Kubernetes, Terraform, enterprise architecture.
Finance and professional services
- Investment Banker (Associate/VP): £100–200k base + 50–150% bonus. Requires: target university, finance degree or MBA, extreme work hours.
- Private Equity Associate: £100–160k base + significant carry. Requires: IB analyst background, strong financial modelling, PE-specific recruiting process.
- Actuary (Fellow): £80–140k (UK). Requires: FIA/FFA qualification via IFoA exams — typically 5–7 years of exams.
- Corporate Solicitor (Partner track): £100–250k+ at Magic Circle firms. Requires: law degree, GDL/LPC, training contract at top firm.
- CFO / Finance Director: £150–350k depending on company size. Requires: ACA/CPA qualification plus 15+ years to C-suite track.
Healthcare and life sciences
- Consultant Surgeon: £100–150k NHS, £200k+ with private practice (UK). Requires: 12–16 years post-undergraduate training.
- Pharmaceutical Medical Director: £150–250k. Requires: medical degree plus pharma industry transition.
- Clinical Data Scientist: £80–140k. Requires: stats/data science background with clinical domain knowledge.
Emerging high-paying roles in 2025
- AI Product Manager: £90–140k (UK). Intersection of product management and AI — demand exceeds supply significantly.
- Prompt Engineer / AI Systems Designer: £70–130k. Rapidly professionalising field; most practitioners are self-taught or ex-engineering/NLP.
- Cybersecurity Architect: £90–150k (UK). CISO-track role with persistent talent shortage across industries.
- Growth Engineer: £80–130k at scale-ups. Rare combination of engineering and growth marketing skills.
How to move toward higher-paying roles
The fastest paths to higher compensation are: specialising in a high-demand area (AI, security, financial modelling), moving from services to products, moving from regional to global employers, and building a verifiable external reputation (GitHub portfolio, speaking, publications).
Whatever role you're targeting, a tailored resume that clearly positions you for that specific path is your starting point. HireSprint matches your existing experience to the language and keywords of your target role — helping you present as a strong candidate even when you're making a move up.
