It's a common misconception that to land a well-paid job, you have to go to university.
While degrees are essential in some roles, such as being a doctor for instance, getting a degree isn't always the be-all and end-all. In fact, sometimes all you need is a hard work ethic, being prepared to work through the ranks and, in some cases, a very strong stomach.
Often times, some of the most important and overlooked jobs come with the juiciest salaries - take for instance bin men drivers in Wales who can earn up to £24,174.
Read more : College lecturer sacked for 'lightly' throwing piece of cardboard at sleeping student
Here are 10 other jobs that come with what you might think are surprisingly decent salaries.
Embalmer (up to £36,318)
What does the job involve?
Working with dead bodies, basically. Embalmers work to preserve the body from decaying by injecting chemicals such as formaldehyde into the body through the arterial system to make the body appear more peaceful and natural, which can comfort grieving families. One body usually takes 2-4 hours.
How much can I make?
Senior embalmers in Wales make on average £36,318 per year, according to Salary Expert. The average salary is £29,577 per year, and if you take on funeral directing as well as embalming, you can expect a steeper average salary of £53,929 each year.
Do I have what it takes?
Job vacancies listed on Coop Funeral care list ‘emotional maturity’ and a ‘can-do’ attitude for a role like this. You don’t need any GCSEs or a degree to become an embalmer, but you will need to undertake a course that’s recognised by the British Institute of Embalmers.
Plumber (up to £60,000)
What does it involve?
Plumbers are responsible for ensuring that drainage and water systems are functioning correctly, and it can involve duties such as joining pipes and fitting, responding to emergency boiler breakdowns and floods, and installing hot and cold water systems. (Fun fact: the word 'plumbing' comes from the Latin word 'plumbum', meaning lead, because early piping systems were made of lead.)
Read more: ‘My dad told me to marry a plumber so I became one myself’
How much can I make?
Go Construct reported that senior plumbers could earn up to £60,000, and newly trained plumbers £25,000. Watkin and Walker Ltd is currently offering vacancie s in Pontypool for plumbers with competitive salaries ranging from £850 - £1,400 per week. Many plumbers are self-employed, which gives you the ability to set your own wage.
Do I have what it takes?
Becoming a plumber doesn't require a degree, but you will need to undertake an apprenticeship in order to qualify, as well as an NVQ Level 2. Careers Wales offer lots of support for those looking for a plumbing apprenticeship.
Private Butler (up to £150,000)
What does it involve?
Well, if preserving the deceased or fixing water pipes isn't quite your thing, a private butler role might be perfect for you. According to nannybutler.com, the butler is 'like a button that holds the family together', and depending on the employing family, modern private butlers are typically expected to understand home security systems, clean the home, organise stock, pay the bills and even help to arrange social family events. Good knowledge of wines and spirits may also be required.
How much can I expect to make?
Sara Vestin, director of the British Butler Academy, told the Guardian in 2014 that private butlers could make up to £90,000 in the UK, and up to £150,000 per year if they were very experienced. Some posts currently advertised around the UK offer salaries of around £30,000 through agencies, but the roles can often include board, too.
Do I have what it takes?
Butler roles are based more on hospitality experience rather than qualifications - although there are courses in butler skills that can help improve your chances. Speaking a second language is often a good selling point, as well as formal knowledge of social and dining etiquette. 'Patience', 'concentration' and 'attention to detail' are desired qualities in a private butler, according to nationalcareers.com.
Wine advisor/waiter (up to £42,000)
What does it involve?
To be a wine-waiter or 'sommelier', you'll be expected to have an extensive knowledge of wines, grapes and wine-regions. Sommeliers typically work in upscale hotels, restaurants or bars, and their chief role is to advise on which wine will pair best with food, develop wine lists, and take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness and presentation of the wine glasses.
How much can I expect to make?
It depends on the venue, but there are current vacancies open in Saundersfoot for £36,000 per year, and the Beach House Hotel restaurant in Oxwich is currently looking for a Head Sommelier to build a list of 'fascinating wines with a story that truly reflects [their] food and ethos' - with a salary of £42,000 (in addition to roughly £10,000 per year in tips!)
Do I have what it takes?
Similar to the butler role, sommelier roles often rely more on experience than qualification, and experience at Michelin star restaurants is preferred. According to Careers Wales, there are currently 750 sommelier roles available across Wales, suited to individuals with 'the stamina to be on your feet a lot', as well as excellent customer service and communication skills. There are also courses available through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust to improve your wine knowledge.
Ethical Hacker (£30,000-£90,000)
What does it involve?
'Ethical' hackers are typically employed by companies who want to see how easily their systems can be hacked. Ethical hacking jobs are often Government jobs, but private companies also frequently hire them too.
How much can I expect to make?
It's common knowledge that tech jobs are well-paid, and ethical hackers can make up to £90,000 across the UK. The average in Wales is £60,000, and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is currently looking for a 'Cyber Security Vulnerability Analyst' in Newport with a starting salary of £30,000, in addition to a £3,000 allowance.
Do I have what it takes?
Hacking is no easy task - particularly when you're put to the test. Ethical jackers will typically hold a degree in information technology, computer science or a similar subject, and will be fluent in computer languages such as Python or Java. Knowledge and experience with network security is also essential.
Sewer flusher (up to £45,000)
What does it involve?
Sewer work can involve dealing with drainage issues such as blockages. In 2019, workers at Dwr Cymru were forced to spend hours clearing up a massive blockage in Abertillery due to the build up of non-flushable wet wipes, and the company deals with around 2,000 blockages ever year.
How much can I expect?
It seems only fair that the jobs many of us wouldn't be able to stomach are paid well. Sewer flushers in London are paid a whopping £45,000 each year to ensure that the sewer system is working up to standard, and similar roles in Swansea such as drainage engineer roles are currently advertised on Indeed with a healthy £28,232 salary - which you can apply for here.
Do I have what it takes?
As long as you don't mind confined spaces or bad smells, you should be fine. Experience is essential for this job, and employers may ask for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card alongside a DBS check.
Children's Party Entertainer (£150-250 per hour)
What does it involve?
This broad role can involve many things: you might be a clown, a dress-up prince or princess, a balloon expert, a DJ or even just a very good jokester (in dress-up, preferably). As a children's entertainer, you'll be expected to be the life of the party, if you're really good, you might even make the parents laugh too.
How much can I expect?
Party entertainers are often self-employed and set their own hourly rate. The average hourly rate can reach up to £250, so annual income depends on the hours worked. Entertaining jobs are often flexible enough to work as an evening job or weekend job to supplement your main income.
Do I have what it takes?
A DBS check will be essential for working with children, but other than that, as long as you have the right sort of enthusiasm and sense of friendliness, you're good to go.
Megabus Driver (£23,210 per year)
What does it involve?
Driving the Megabus from city to city across the UK. Megabus is a hugely popular mode of transport for intercity travel as a cheaper alternative to rail travel. As a Megabus driver, you can expect to be hauling suitcases into the cabin, welcoming guests onto the bus and driving for miles and miles through the country each day.
How much can I expect?
Experienced coach drivers with Megabus earn on average £23,210 per year - well above the national minimum wage. Entry level positions start at £19,000 and above, with the median wage being £21,450. There's a current Megabus drive vacancy in Cwmbran offering a salary of £22,447 per year with a £700 starting bonus, which you can apply for here.
Do I have what it takes?
To be a Megabus driver, you must hold a full valid category D licence with no more than three points, as well as an up-to-date Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. And, it's probably handy if you do actually enjoy long drives.
HGV Driver (£32,000-£50,000)
What does it involve?
We've come to learn recently that society itself depends much more on HGV drivers than we gave credit for. As one, you would be responsible for transporting goods and other essential items to various destinations, as well as loading and unloading goods. Similar to the Megabus role, the day would involve miles and miles of driving, and admittedly, being an HGV driver is at times far from glamorous.
How much can I expect?
The average HGV salary in the UK is £32,000, and in recent times, there are certainly few concerns that the job market is overly saturated. Companies across the UK are looking for drivers with lucrative incentives, and there's a current HGV vacancy in Bridgend that's offering £13.88 per hour plus benefits, with overtime hours paying £18.92 per hour. You can apply here.
Do I have what it takes?
Qualifying as an HGV driver is slightly less straightforward than typical driving jobs. In obtaining the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for HGV driving, there are four separate tests to take. In addition to that, HGV drivers often work more hours than average with some drivers clocking in 64 hours a week, so you might want to consider how much you value your work-life balance.
Train Driver (£20,000-£65,000)
What does it involve?
Driving trains, mostly - either passengers or freight. Compared with HGV and coach driving, train drivers typically work more sociable hours and can enjoy the less-congested greenery of railroads rather than congested motorways.
How much can I make?
The national UK average for train drivers is a whopping £54,901 per year, according to Glassdoor, with experienced drivers earning up to £65,000. GB Railfreight is currently looking for a qualified train driver based in Cardiff with a salary offer of £58,487 - above the national average. This is for a 34.5 hour weekly contract, and you can apply here.
Do I have what it takes?
Operating companies typically provide the training to become a train driver, and a typical requirement is that you should live within one hour's drive from the depot. 5 A*-C GCSES are preferred, usually, and medical and aptitude tests are usually undertaken to ensure fitness and safety.
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