College is always a difficult time for anyone, but particularly for 18-year-olds.
First, they’re generally entering a new environment where their friendships are different.
On top of that, the classes are new and at this point, it’s usually almost impossible to find a job while in college.
These factors can leave 18-year-olds with a tough decision: should they stay in college for an extra year or look for a job?
While there are many different paths you can take to finish college, it’s hard to deny the benefits of staying in college.
While it may seem as though there is no job out there, I have found that there are jobs for 18-year-olds out there.
They may not be easy, but the process can be eased if you know what you’re looking for.
With the number of 18-year-olds dropping in the UK, the best jobs for 18-year-olds differ dramatically depending on where you live
In Northern Ireland and Scotland, there are some relatively low-skilled jobs for 18-year-olds.
Not the ideal job for someone who wants to have a decent income and be well paid.
Also, with some students still living at home and depending on their parents for help, there are often no opportunities for people to be paid a living wage.
But in the rest of the UK, there are opportunities to be paid over £15 per hour, as well as several well-paid jobs, and even jobs in medicine which can pay more than £70,000.
Not the ideal job for someone who doesn’t have the right qualifications, but you might be able to work your way into one of these jobs, or build a career in a similar field.
Here’s a list of the best and worst jobs for 18-year-olds according to The Guardian.
The 20 best jobs for 18-year-olds
1. An occupational therapist
Average salary: £32,800
Work-life balance: 9.3 hours per week
2. Senior chartered surveyor
Average salary: £31,000
Work-life balance: 9.4 hours per week
3. Doctor or dentist
Average salary: £33,300
Work-life balance: 7.7 hours per week
4. Midwife
Average salary: £32,900
Work-life balance: 9.4 hours per week
5. Quantity surveyor
Average salary: £32,300
Work-life balance: 8.2 hours per week
6. Landscaper
Average salary: £26,100
Work-life balance: 5.3 hours per week
7. Social worker
Average salary: £32,300
Work-life balance: 8.7 hours per week
8. Pharmacist
Average salary: £32,700
Work-life balance: 6 hours per week
9. Head of quality assurance at a nuclear power station
Average salary: £38,000
Work-life balance: 4.8 hours per week
10. Senior software developer
Average salary: £36,300
Work-life balance: 5 hours per week
11. High school teacher
Average salary: £36,900
Work-life balance: 7.4 hours per week
12. Marketing director
Average salary: £36,000
Work-life balance: 6.9 hours per week
13. Medical laboratory scientist
Average salary: £33,700
Work-life balance: 7.3 hours per week
14. HGV driver
Average salary: £26,100
Work-life balance: 6.6 hours per week
15. Data scientist
Average salary: £38,000
Work-life balance: 4.9 hours per week
16. Advertising and marketing manager
Average salary: £39,800
Work-life balance: 6.6 hours per week
17. Senior forensic scientist
Average salary: £33,700
Work-life balance: 9.2 hours per week
18. Medical researcher
Average salary: £30,800
Work-life balance: 5.4 hours per week
19. Chemist
Average salary: £38,100
Work-life balance: 6.9 hours per week
20. Maintenance engineer
Average salary: £31,200
Work-life balance: 9 hours per week
The 20 worst jobs for 18-year-olds
1. Industrial cleaner
Average salary: £16,700
Work-life balance: 1.5 hours per week
2. Rope builder
Average salary: £19,200
Work-life balance: 0.6 hours per week
3. Grounds maintenance worker
Average salary: £16,700
Work-life balance: 0.6 hours per week
4. Loader
Average salary: £16,000
Work-life balance: 0.7 hours per week
5. Fly-in fly-out work
Average salary: £21,000
Work-life balance: 5.6 hours per week
6. Blacksmith
Average salary: £15,800
Work-life balance: 2.1 hours per week
7. Gardener
Average salary: £16,700
Work-life balance: 2.1 hours per week
8. Concrete finisher
Average salary: £16,100
Work-life balance: 1.3 hours per week
9. First aider
Average salary: £16,700
Work-life balance: 1.5 hours per week
10. Senior cadet pilot
Average salary: £30,200
Work-life balance: 5.7 hours per week
11. Snowplow driver
Average salary: £21,000
Work-life balance: 6.1 hours per week
12. Solar panel installer
Average salary: £19,500
Work-life balance: 4.7 hours per week
13. Janitor
Average salary: £16,600
Work-life balance: 2.5 hours per week
14. Housekeeper
Average salary: £19,000
Work-life balance: 2.2 hours per week
15. Glassblower
Average salary: £17,800
Work-life balance: 1.6 hours per week
16. QA inspector
Average salary: £18,700
Work-life balance: 7.3 hours per week
17. Childminder
Average salary: £17,800
Work-life balance: 3.9 hours per week
18. Osteopath
Average salary: £23,900
Work-life balance: 1.7 hours per week
19. Electrical fitter
Average salary: £16,200
Work-life balance: 2.4 hours per week
20. Data entry clerk
Average salary: £19,300
Work-life balance: 4.5 hours per week
The best jobs for 18-year-olds
1. Designer
Average salary: £31,300
Work-life balance: 6 hours per week
2. Marketing and sales manager
Average salary: £31,300
Work-life balance: 6 hours per week
3. IT manager
Average salary: £33,700
Work-life balance: 5.7 hours per week
4. Aircraft engineering technician
Average salary: £29,500
Work-life balance: 5.9 hours per week
5. Doctor
Average salary: £33,500
Work-life balance: 6.4 hours per week
6. PA
Average salary: £19,300
Work-life balance: 6.9 hours per week
7. Financial director
Average salary: £39,400
Work-life balance: 6 hours per week
8. Architect
Average salary: £28,900
Work-life balance: 6.5 hours per week
9. Senior scientific research associate
Average salary: £21,500
Work-life balance: 5.9 hours per week
10. Sports support worker
Average salary: £16,700
Work-life balance: 2.1 hours per week
11. I.T. manager
Average salary: £33,400
Work-life balance: 7.4 hours per week
12. Campaign manager
Average salary: £32,500
Work-life balance: 5.5 hours per week
13. Marketing manager
Average salary: £28,100
Work-life balance: 5.7 hours per week
14. Accountancy graduate
Average salary: £30,000
Work-life balance: 4.7 hours per week
15. Accountancy assistant
Average salary: £23,300
Work-life balance: 4.5 hours per week
16. Painting and decorating worker
Average salary: £16,100
Work-life balance: 1.3 hours per week
17. Mechanical engineer
Average salary: £30,000
Work-life balance: 6.1 hours per week
18. Cook
Average salary: £25,800
Work-life balance: 6.5 hours per week
19. Tax administrator
Average salary: £23,200
Work-life balance: 4.5 hours per week
20. Geoscientist
Average salary: £37,400
Work-life balance: 4.9 hours per week.
