The most popular jobs in the UK 2023

We reveal the 15 most sought-after jobs for those with degrees, and the 15 jobs most popular for those without.

It’s been a useful year so far for those looking for new jobs. 

The competition in the market has meant that employers have increasingly offered higher salaries in a bid to attract talented recruits, to the point that wage growth has hit the highest point since records began, according to the Office for National Statistics.

So which are the jobs that are attracting the most attention from jobhunters at the moment? 

The most popular jobs for those with a degree

Job site Adzuna has carried out some analysis of interest in various job roles on its website, based on the ratio of clicks to ads.

The more that potential jobseekers dig into certain advertised job roles, the more ‘popular’ they are deemed to be. 

And it’s come out with some interesting conclusions.

First, let’s take a look at the most ‘popular’ jobs currently that require a degree.

Adzuna points out that people in these roles are helping to design and implement AI and machine learning algorithms, a subject that’s become ever more crucial this year as innovations like ChatGPT have started to build a greater profile.

It’s clearly going to be an industry that is active in the future, so building your skills and experience now makes sense, with a host of other AI-adjacent roles also making the list, like software tester and data analyst.

The money isn’t bad either.

Another trend to come from these figures is the level of change at the top of businesses.

There are quite a few very senior positions in the list, like chief operating officer, chief technology officer and human resources director.

There are a few different driving factors that could be behind this.

We know that now is a great time to be a job hunter, given the increased salaries on offer, so it could be that those in senior positions are taking the opportunity to boost their remuneration.

But there’s also the question of work/life balance.

There has been an awful lot of talk around ‘getting back to the office’, and rolling back some of the flexibility that became more commonplace during the pandemic.

If you work for an employer that’s becoming more insistent around your presence, and that doesn’t work for you anymore, then that could lead to you looking for a new role. 

Adzuna reckons this could be a factor in the interest in such senior roles, with directors seeking out new employers who are more open-minded about flexible working patterns.

The table also casts a light on those looking to work in simpler and more sustainable job roles, according to the job site, like nature conservation officer, farm manager and mental health support worker.

The most popular jobs for those without a degree

Of course, not everyone is in a position to apply for senior directorships or jobs related to AI.

However, the employment market is just as active for those without a degree. 

Here’s how the data breaks down for job roles that don’t require a higher qualification from applicants.

Adzuna suggests that this is down to workers looking to take on second roles in order to boost their income and deal with ever-growing costs.

There may be some truth to that.

We have seen our bills on everything from food to broadband rise sharply over the last year, and for some, there simply isn’t the option of getting a pay rise or even moving to a better-paid role. Instead sacrificing some sleep and taking on a second role is the only way to make ends meet. 

Adzuna argued that the pandemic has also boosted interest in desk jobs that are simply, and “intrinsically against hustle culture”, like data entry clerk and legal administrative assistant.

Effectively, people are choosing a simpler life.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out the seasonal factor here.

There are certain jobs that become more popular as we head into the winter, due to a likely increase in demand, such as parcel sorter and delivery driver.