3 min read 
What are the UK’s hardest jobs?
At AVADO we’re all about delivering incredible training that translates into real career progression. So which jobs take the longest amount of time to get qualified for? We compare job training to reward to determine the UK’s hardest grafters and whether their work pays off.
Read our summary below:
Royal Marine
Involves risking your life in various hostile environments.
Working hours:
45 hours a week
Pros: Heroic, travel, social
Cons: Solitary, risky, distress
Training required: 2 years 8 months
- 4 months’ field exercises
- 4 months’ physical training
- 2 years as a General Duties Rifleman.
Reward
Anaesthetist
Involves providing anaesthetics, often in emergency situations.
Working hours:
48 hours a week
Pros: Heroic, Lucrative, Respect
Cons: Pressure, Shifts, Distress
Training required: 14 years
- 5-year degree in medicine
- 2 years’ foundation training in hospitals
- 2 years’ core training in anaesthesia
- 5 years’ anaesthetics training + FRCA exam
Reward
- Starting salary: £26,614 (Year 1), £30,805 (year 2)
- Average salary: £51k [iii]
- Maximum possible salary: £173 [iv]
Barrister
Involves representing people in court and providing legal advice.
Working hours:
40 hours minimum a week
Pros: Self-rule, Variety, Lucrative
Cons: Distress, Hours, Pressure
Training required: 5 years
- 3-year law degree
- 1 year Bar Professional Training Course
- 1 year practical training (aka ‘Pupillage’)
Reward
- Starting salary: £12,000
- Average salary: £45,857 [v]
- Maximum possible salary: £1,000,000 (for those in private practice with 10 years’+ experience)
Psychiatrist
Involves diagnosing and treating patients with mental health disorders.
Working hours:
40 hours a week
Pros: Self-rule, Heroic, Lucrative
Cons: Training, hours, distress
Training required: 13 years
- 5-year degree in medicine
- 2 years’ foundation training
- 3 years’ psychiatry training
- 3 years’ training in chosen speciality (I.e. children, or forensic)
Reward
- Starting salary: £26,350
- Average salary: £77,529
- Maximum possible salary: £104,525
Architect
Involves designing buildings and landscapes.
Working hours:
40 hours a week
Pros: Self-rule, Creative, Social
Cons: Training, Pressure, Pay
Training required: 7 years
- 3-year degree in architecture
- 1 year’s practical experience
- 2 year diploma or Masters degree in architecture
- 1 year’s further practical experience before an examination.
Reward
Veterinary Surgeon
Involves diagnosing animals’ illnesses and performing surgery.
Working hours:
Roughly 43 hours a week
Pros: Respect, Heroic, Lucrative
Cons: Hours, Pressure, Distress
Training required: 5 years
- 5 year degree in veterinary science
Reward
- Starting salary: £30,000
- Average salary: £44,000
- Maximum possible salary: £72,360
Chartered Accountants
Involves managing clients’ financial systems and budgets.
Working hours:
40 hours a week
Pros: Self-rule, Social, Lucrative
Cons: Solitary, training, tedious
Training required: 5 ½ years
- 1 ½ years – Professional Diploma in accounting
- 4 years ACCA Professional Qualification + work experience [viii]
Reward
We might not have any courses that can help you become a Royal Marine or an Architect, but we do offer plenty of online qualifications that can give your career a boost! This includes the ACCA qualification that can set you on the path to becoming a Chartered Accountant. What to find out more? Click here for more information or give our friendly Course Advisors a call on 020 3911 3408.
[i] https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salary/Royal-Navy-Royal-Marines-Commando-Salaries-E115287_D_KO11,33.htm
[ii] https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/colonel-royal-marines-salary-SRCH_KO0,21.htm
[iii] https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/england-anaesthetist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,7_IS7287_KO8,20.htm
[iv] https://www.inputyouth.co.uk/jobguides/job-anaesthetist.html
[v] https://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/legal
[vi] https://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/construction-property
[vii] https://www.cwjobs.co.uk/salary-checker/average-architect-salary
[viii] https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/accountancy-banking-and-finance/how-to-become-an-accountant
[ix] https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-become-an-accountant/
[x] https://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/accountancy-qualified
