The job market has always been competitive. Sometimes, you can be competent for a role, tick all the boxes of what an employer is looking for, but somehow still be passed over by HR.
Tired of feeling you have to beat out the competition for every job you apply for? Consider a curveball approach and go for the most ‘unpopular’ professions instead – jobs with the least amount of competition from other jobseekers.
Don’t get distracted by the word “unpopular”. There is nothing really negative about these jobs, they are simply overlooked and many are desperate for great workers. Meanwhile, there are myriads of reasons why you should go for these options. Along with less competition comes a higher chance to successfully negotiate a strong salary. If you do get hired, a smaller talent pool could mean a fast-tracked career and good job security.
In this article, you’ll find the 10 most overlooked UK jobs that have minimum competition, and many of them do not have degree requirements.
The least competitive jobs in the UK
1. Tax Specialist
Average advertised salary: £55,673
Advertised vacancies: 984
Tax specialist job ads attracted the least amount of clicks on average in August. Taxes are generally perceived as a boring subject and the career is considered as off-putting as routinely analysing financial data and preparing tax returns for individuals or businesses can be a grind. If you love numbers and excel, this is a great route as it’s a very lucrative career, with an advertised salary averaging above £55,000. An easy way to start is to look for apprenticeship opportunities.
2. Grill Cook
Average advertised salary: £22,423
Advertised vacancies: 3,207
Grill cooks prepare and grill ingredients and organise the inventory. It’s not the most appealing job as it could be physically demanding with all the oil, heat and smoke. Set that aside, grill cooks have access to free food and restaurants’ secret recipes. No formal qualifications are required for this role.
3. Childminder
Average advertised salary: £26,269
Advertised vacancies: 3,677
More parents are looking for childcare support with the firmer return-to-office mandate so childminders will continue to be highly sought-after. There were over 2,100 roles available in August, with advertised salaries averaging £26,269.
Different from nannies, babysitters, or childcare centre assistants, childminders can work in their own home, saving time and money from commuting. The downside is that the pay is not very attractive yet. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) found that 62% of early assistants and practitioners earn less than the real living wage. No formal qualifications are required for this role. Many childminders end up opening up their own daycare centres.
4. Humanities Teacher
Average advertised salary: £39,596
Advertised vacancies: 1,905
In an era embracing technology and innovation, compared to STEM subjects, humanities subjects like Geography, History, Religious Studies and Philosophy are often looked down upon. Its earning potential often also makes humanities less appealing as a university major. Owing to its rarity, humanities teachers’ average pay (£39,596) is actually on par with STEM teachers’ (£40,747).
5. Audit Specialist
Average advertised salary: £44,022
Advertised vacancies: 624
Audit specialists are responsible for examining and auditing companies’ financial records. Expect long working hours, especially during busy seasons. While overtime work can happen a lot, a career in auditing can be rewarding as the career path is often quite clear. Accounting firms like the Big 4 have a structured system for promotion, and tenure in the company plays an important role. A degree is most commonplace for this role, but you can also kickstart your accounting career through an apprenticeship.
6. Town Planner
Average advertised salary: £38,973
Advertised vacancies: 1,599
Town planners listen to the needs of the community and are involved in assessing, developing, and implementing plans to build infrastructures, and managing the development of cities, towns, villages, and the countryside. Gaining a chartered status can put you on the fast track for a promotion and a raise. Going through a chartered town planner apprenticeship typically takes three to six years in total. After completion, you’ll be a qualified town planner.
7. Loss Adjuster
Average advertised salary: £42,149
Advertised vacancies: 887
Loss adjusters help insurance companies investigate insurance claims and determine the payouts. The job may involve lots of travel and irregular hours. You’ll spend your days between your office and the claimant sites. You can get into this field through an apprenticeship, or a graduate training scheme.
8. Supply Teacher
Average advertised salary: £32,474
Advertised vacancies: 4,525
Supply teachers temporarily fill in for absent full-time teachers. The lack of job security and benefits compared to permanent positions could be discouraging but could also mean less commitment and more freedom to choose the year groups you prefer. Common career progression includes becoming a substitute coordinator or securing a permanent teaching position.
9. Valuer
Average advertised salary: £45,432
Advertised vacancies: 566
Valuers examine and estimate the market value of land, real estate, and personal properties based on the location, size, condition, fittings, layouts, and other factors. Going through an apprenticeship has become an increasingly popular choice to get into this field.
10. Cost Manager
Average advertised salary: £50,040
Advertised vacancies: 1,069
Cost managers forecast and oversee project budgets and expenses. Businesses usually look for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree or MRICS certification.
Most unpopular jobs in the UK
| Job title | Advertised vacancies | Average advertised salary | Degree requirement? (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Specialist | 984 | £55,673 | N |
| Grill Cook | 3207 | £22,423 | N |
| Au-Pair / Childminder | 3677 | £26,269 | N |
| Humanities Teacher | 1905 | £39,596 | Y |
| Audit Specialist | 624 | £44,022 | N |
| Town Planner | 1599 | £38,973 | N |
| Loss Adjuster | 887 | £42,149 | N |
| Supply Teacher | 4525 | £32,474 | Y |
| Valuer | 566 | £45,432 | N |
| Cost Manager | 1069 | £50,040 | Y |
| Sales Negotiator | 2193 | £36,567 | N |
| MET Technician | 684 | £34,352 | N |
| Property Solicitor | 948 | £56,089 | Y |
| Nursery Practitioner | 2132 | £22,716 | N |
| Gas Engineer | 1242 | £42,198 | N |
| General Veterinarian | 1873 | £40,240 | Y |
| A&E Nurse | 595 | £48,000 | Y |
| Air Conditioning Engineer | 1775 | £40,174 | N |
| Cocktail Bartender | 594 | £24,985 | N |
| Insurance Risk Consultant | 698 | £42,238 | N |
| Front of House Manager | 2304 | £29,436 | N |
| Fire Alarm Engineer | 536 | £35,788 | N |
| Lettings Manager | 1119 | £33,792 | N |
| Architectural Technologist | 1309 | £38,398 | N |
| Employment Solicitor | 1178 | £54,896 | Y |
| Quantity Surveyor | 11473 | £55,736 | N |
| Structural Engineer | 2750 | £51,105 | Y |
| Building Surveyor | 3698 | £49,732 | N |
| Ward Sister | 858 | £41,013 | Y |
| Planning Officer | 759 | £41,622 | Y |
Many of these top 30 unpopular jobs do not require a degree. If you are interested in building rewarding careers in these areas, apprenticeships are often a good place to start.
Read more: The 15 top jobs for foodies