In recent times, there have regularly been around one million job vacancies in the UK, according to official statistics. This means that opportunities are everywhere, in both predictable and surprising places. Of course, not all roles are as widely needed as others, and this may well factor into your career plans. So, if you want to maximise your chances of making a steady start to your work life, we’re here to help. Read on to learn which are the most in-demand jobs in the UK.
What job roles have the most vacancies in the UK?
Official numbers from the Office for National Statistics show that the job sector with the most vacancies in the UK is health and social care. As of July 2024, around 158,000 positions were open in the field, accounting for almost one in five of all open positions nationally.
A large proportion of healthcare jobs in the UK are found in the country’s National Health Service (NHS). As this publicly funded system is so large and diverse, it has a constant need for new employees from around the world, and their skills across a range of specialisms.
Dentistry is one of those where the need is greatest. Official statistics show that the number of dentists delivering NHS treatment in the past year was 400 lower than in the year before the Covid pandemic. This decline has raised widespread concerns about access to dental treatment in the UK. As such, if you have the skills to address them, you may well be wanted by the country.
If working in healthcare appeals to you, why not get started with our guide to the top medical schools in the UK?
Which sectors have the most job vacancies in the UK?
The following table shows the five sectors with the largest number of job openings in the UK, as of July 2024.
| Sector | Job vacancies |
| Health and social care | 158,000 |
| Hospitality | 100,000 |
| Scientific and technical activities | 91,000 |
| Manufacturing | 62,000 |
| Retail | 61,000 |
STEM graduates may note that scientific and technical activities appears on the list in third place. This broad category includes everything fromarchitecturetoveterinary scienceandengineering, all of which can be studied at some of the manytop universities in the UK.
For a closer look at some of the top five sectors and how you could enter them, read our clear guide to the UK job market.
Vacancies are rising fastest in the water sector
In the past year, job vacancies in the UK have declined slightly in many sectors following a historic peak. However, some areas are countering the trend. Notably, the number of openings in water supply and sewerage grew by 25.4 per cent from April to July 2024. Over the past year, they have grown by 1.4 percent.
It is important to note that these vacancies cover only 7,000 jobs. Nonetheless, water and the closely related energy sector are promising areas to enter, experiencing growth at a time when others are contracting. Much of this is due to a move towards renewable energy, which is just one area ofgreen industry in which opportunities will continue to flourish.
According to official estimates, 639,400 people were employed in green jobs in the UK in 2022. This was an 8.4 per cent rise from 2021, and a 19.9 per cent rise from 2020. With the country's new government pledging to make it a "clean energy superpower", it is very likely that numbers will continue to increase quickly.
Find out how you can contribute to a clean and green future with our guide to degrees that focus on sustainable energy.
What jobs can help you get a UK visa?
Like many other countries, the UK has a list of jobs that give non-citizens an advantage when it comes to getting a visa. Officially, this is known as theimmigration salary list.
People whose jobs can be found on the list are eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa even if their salary is only 80 per cent of what would ordinarily be required. In addition, their application fee will be lower.
The roles on the list are wide-ranging, so it is worth checking the government website to see all that are included. However, to give you a brief insight into the most in-demand jobs in the UK, here are some of them:
- Archaeologist
- Biological scientist
- Bricklayer
- Carpenter
- Chemical scientist
- Graphic designer
- Roofer
- Stonemason
As mentioned earlier, there is particularly high demand for workers in healthcare. As such, occupations on the immigration salary list that provide eligibility for the Health and Care Worker visa have further reduced salary requirements. These can be as low as 60 per cent of what would usually be needed. The jobs included are:
- Care worker
- Laboratory technician
- Pharmaceutical technician
While not all of these are the most in-demand jobs in the UK in terms of the number of openings, the lists do reflect where there are notable shortages, proportionate to the number of workers that are needed. So, if your skills and experience match up, you may stand to benefit.
Want to know more about working in the UK after your studies? Read our guides tofinding a graduate careerin the country and its top employers.Alternatively, if you are just getting started on your study abroad journey, our course search tool can help you find options.
