Data reveals surprising UK salary trends

poundsThe tech sector has long been lauded as the place to go for highly motivated individuals who believe the sky is the limit. While there are numerous success stories in every industry, the tech sector isn’t what it used to be.

So what are the alternatives? Well, if you’re not willing to jump through all the hoops and do all the internships, and you happen to be good with a wrench, plumbers can make some decent cash. The average salary for British plumbers is £27,866, just a tad over the national average of £26,462. However, in some parts of the country they can make quite a bit more. Many plumbers in London charge £90 an hour and successful, self-employed city plumbers can easily earn more than £50,000, reports Careerbuilder.

Secretaries in medical and legal fields can also make some nice dosh, while personal assistants can earn up to £24,067. Personal assistants in big multinationals can also end up north of £50,000, not bad at all. If writing is what ticks all the right boxes and you hope to be the next J.K. Rowling, think again. The average published author in the UK earns just £5,000 a year from writing, which means most can only rely on writing as an extra source of income or a hobby that pays for itself.

Bus and coach drivers are paid £22,701, which doesn’t sound too great for people who are entrusted with the safety of hundreds of passengers each day. Tram and train drivers make an average of £44,617, which is pretty good.

TV stars can be quite famous, but only a handful make loads of money. For example, professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing earn £30,500, despite the fact that they often spend up to 14 hours training real celebs.

The Prime Minister earns £142,500 a year, which does not sound like much – and it isn’t, especially given the fact that as many as 2,525 council staff across the country earn more than £100,000, while 42 local authority employees make more than £250,000.