Out of a selection of 200 UK occupations, taxi drivers have received the largest pay increase, of just over 72%, between 2008 and 2018, according to research by Comparethemarket.
The analysis, which is based on earnings data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) between 2008 and 2018, found that TV engineers have seen their salaries increase by 68% in the last 10 years, while marketing and sales directors’ wages have improved by 66%.
Other roles that have received a substantial boost in pay since 2008 include senior educational professionals (62%), IT directors (61%), advertising and PR directors (60%), veterinary nurses (52%), taxation experts (50%), musicians (50%) and national government civil servants (44%).
On the other end of the spectrum, however, a number of occupations have seen their average pay decrease over the 10-year period; for example, energy plant operatives are earning 14% less in 2018 than they were in 2008, while moulders and die casters have seen their pay reduce by 12% in the last 10 years. Chemical scientists are now receiving 10% less than in 2008, matching to a 10% salary drop for construction operatives. There has also been an 8% fall in pay for doctors and an 8% loss for process operatives.
Professions that have also seen a reduction in wages since 2008 include lab technicians (-7%), metal making process operatives (-6%), glass and ceramics process operatives (-3%) and finance and investment advisers (-2%).