To ask how you've reached a high salary? 50k+

10 years ago I would never guess I'd be here now earning what I do.
21 years ago my home was repossessed. I was homless due to my ex deception and addiction issues I had a 3 week (unplanned baby) 5yr old and 8 Yr old
After few years doing jobs fitting around kids 15 years ago started working nhs as PT B2 I'm now FT B8
As kids got older I progressed aboutb6 years ago focused on career progression
I'm 50plus and wish I could wind down instead of drive forward but am proud of how far I've come

I was a civil servant and I'd just apply for roles at HEO or SEO and try to jump to the next pay grade asap. So much of it is how you write job applications (competencies) and interview.
Years of austerity means that the main way to earn more is to jump up a grade (or two). EO to HEO fairly quickly certainly sounds very achievable for someone with degree level experience. If management in your area don't agree look at other departments and wider civil service. HMRC certainly at higher grades pays well though, so might be worth sticking with that if you can (and then even if you move sideways into another department you would keep your current rate of pay).
Have you looked at the fast steam as an internal candidate btw? That could be a fairly structured way of progressing to G7 in a couple of years.

I left the civil service as didn't like many aspects of it and then was offered redundancy, but it does at least offer a structured way to progress and workplace culture really varies between teams/departments and there is a lot of interesting work, too

Also, if you find a company you like, and if they have an in house recruiter, message them on LinkedIn. Ask to have coffee with them. That's what I did. They're usually very happy to talk to good candidates who's enthusiastic about their company and you may have a bit of leverage when negotiating salary as they have saved a bit of external recruiter cost.

Messed up early on by leaving a city finance job in my 20s . If I'd stayed I'd be earning well over 100k by now.

Then worked in various roles and industries, earning high 20s.

Then saw job for a pretty niche business development role that my mixed job experience made me a good fit for, even without the requested degree. Now in 40s and on 60+k.

Wish I'd fallen into business development earlier as there's some high salaries around if you want to pursue them but flexibility is important to me now.

Just to add, if a job is advertised at £40k-£75k like the one I just posted, you ask for £75k.

They've already revealed that they're willing to pay £75k and, if they're offering you the job, then you're the best candidate and you deserve £75k.

Do you have a LinkedIn profile? I keep receiving job adverts for high paying jobs in my industry.

I almost doubled my salary in the ten years I worked. I job hopped twice, and in every place I made myself known by becoming a manager, leading teams, and focusing on impacts. Also apply for promotion and don't be shy to showcase your skills and achievements. Us women are not as confident as men to apply for promotion or jobs. And of course fake it til you make it. Everyone does! Even people whom I respect highly, I always thought they are like technical gods only to find out they know the same as me 😅

The biggest pay jumps come via moving jobs as opposed to promotions as you have more leverage to ask for whey you want when you don’t work for them and nothing to lose really. Promotions do help though of course.

A friend at work early in my career always told me if an interviewer asks you what your current salary is, add to it. Then you can ask for a higher figure than that without it seeming crazy.

Say you’re on 30 k and you know there are roles out there where your experience could get you £40k. Tell them you’re on £35k (if they ask) and want £40.

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you think you are worth. I went to an interview and they said they wanted to pay £30 k (crazy low figure as our industry is niche and in demand) and I managed to get £50 k.

In terms of role I work a scientific role in industry.

I never dreamt I would be, and I got there age 49. I did further professional qualifications, mostly self funded, and studied outside work while my dc were small.

$106K mid level political appointee. Have worked my way up over the past 27 years. Earned a reputation for being the person that has all the answers. Not sure how it happened.

With tax knowledge could always go private and become a tax accountant

It’s tough, OP. I earn less than 5k more than you working 45 hours a week as a veterinary surgeon. Unfortunately a lot of jobs just don’t have the pay they used to. I’m looking to likely leave the profession and look for something else

Unless they sought out a particular profession - law, medicine, finance etc. - most high earners stumbled into something they are good at at some point in their working life, and just concentrated on that

Civil service, started as a D band on £24k, gone through a load of promotions to £75k. Stress free and job security, flexi, pension etc I have no plans to leave

What about tutoring in your out of work time?
Extra money using skills you already have
Language tutoring is especially well sought after

£40k-£75k with no real skills requirement

Field Support Engineer

Just in case you haven’t already, try LinkedIn jobs search

I’m a teacher and have the same qualifications as you. I’m 47 and on UPS3 so top of teacher payscale. I have a small bursary for an additional role in school that I enjoy. This takes my salary to £51K.
I tried SLT and it wasn’t for me.
You could earn more with your degree but you’d have to be in a school.

Also the TSP for HMRC is basically the fast stream, G7 in 3 years. The next year application will open soon keep an eye OP!

I’m on 80k & mid 30s. Negotiated hard when I moved jobs & actively chose a well-paying industry that is traditionally male-dominated and look for more women to join, so hard that to my advantage.

Tech

Ha! No offence to OP but as an EO in HMRC, they’re not getting international posts anytime soon. Even if they apply for UN, WTO, OECD etc.

that doesn’t really say it all though does it. They are taking 500 constantly because there is a target to get 5000 of those advisors in those particular roles due to a mandate set out by the government. Your comment is insinuating it’s due to a high turnover as opposed to the fact there is now more positions to fill. I know many people that have joined this role and love it. The CTU is micromanaged because you’re in training, they want to be all over your training because you are dealing with peoples real life financial affairs. Also you work for HMRC you know with high salary’s comes very high tax and it’s not that much better off at the end of the day with the added responsibilities and stress (the grass isn’t always greener). The benefits you mention are not to be taken lightly 27.8% pension contributions will make your salary a lot more appealing if it was in the private sector and the flexibility is what people would kill for. Additionally, you have job security and the civil service is great for promotions but as others have said you need to learn the frame work. No such thing as not having enough experience to apply in the civil service as the interviews are on frameworks! :)

I earn about 60k as a G7 following the faststream. It's open to existing civil servants so maybe worth a try?

You might be interested to get a coach. They would be able to help you make a plan for career progression if that's what you want.