6. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers

Search for jobs as a pilot or flight engineer

Pay:£61,585

Job description:Flying long- and short-haul flights.

Qualifications:A-levels and a Civil Aviation Authority course lasting anything from nine to 36 months. You'll need a sound knowledge of maths and physics, and be Class 1 medically fit, to standards approved by the CAA.

7. Management Consultants and Economists

Search for jobs as a management consultant or economist

Pay:£52,505

Job description:Consultants give organisations objective analysis, wider expertise and specialist skills; they initiate and implement changes. Economists offer specialist advice based on economic theory and knowledge to practical problems; they research, analyse, monitor and forecast.

Qualifications:Consultants - a good degree, preferably in business/management, economics, maths or IT. An MBA won't hurt. Economists - honours degree (first or 2.1) in economics or economics joint honours.

8. Lawyers, Judges and Coroners

Search for jobs as a lawyer, judge or coroner

Pay:£51,579

Job description:Commercial solicitors act for businesses of all sizes. Cases range from general company/commercial work to large complex corporate transactions. They advise on law and represent clients in disputes. Judges oversee legal proceedings in the courts. Coroners find the medical cause of sudden or unforeseen deaths.

Qualifications:Solicitor - law degree, or non-law degree followed by conversion course, or long-winded non-graduate route. Judge - can apply after seven years as a solicitor. Coroner - must be qualified barrister, solicitor or doctor with at least five years' experience. A few coroners are doctors and lawyers.

9. Police Officers (Inspector and above)

Search for jobs as a police officer

Pay:£51,487

Job description:Detective police inspectors are middle managers who supervise lower ranks; they control, plan and organise the work of others.

Qualifications:No formal educational requirements; open to anyone.

10. Managers (Marketing and Sales)

Search for jobs as a marketing manager or sales manager

Pay:£50,575

Job description:Launch products, develop and maintain a brand's image, and formulate marketing and communication plans to generate, maintain and increase existing business.

Qualifications:HNC or HND or a degree or professional marketing qualification. Any degree may be accepted, but business and marketing-related are better.

So there we have it. Not too many surprises there.

Curiously, what the salary survey doesn't answer is why, no matter how much you earn, it's never quite enough to pay off the credit card or buy a new washing machine when you need one. Hmm, now where did I put that Lotto card?