New research has revealed the UK’s jobs that have the toughest work-to-reward ratio, with some unexpected results.
The study looked at over 330 different types of job roles, analysing average hours worked and pay per hour using recent data from the 2025 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
Top of the list
The RRC International study revealed that shop owners topped the list, working an average of 74 hours a week for an hourly pay of just £12.
Responses from shop owners included:
- Being in survival mode most of the time (both physically and mentally).
- Work doesn’t finish when you leave for the day – it’s hard to switch off.
- The drive to be there for customers and selling products are the driving force for their motivation.
Coming in second are garage managers, working an average of 68 hours per week for an hourly pay of just £11.
Third on the list are construction workers, working an average of 64 hours per week for an hourly pay of just £8.
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Top 10 demanding jobs in the UK
The full list is as follows:
- Shop owners
- Garage managers
- Elementary construction workers
- Hotel and accommodation managers
- Quarry workers
- Farm workers
- Crane drivers
- Healthcare practice managers
- Forestry workers
- Managers in forestry, fishing and related services
Safety risks
Worryingly, what the study did highlight was the connection between some of the toughest work-to-reward ratio roles and industries with naturally high health and safety risks.
These include roles such as construction workers, crane drivers and forestry workers – roles that involve higher risk tasks, such as operating heavy machinery and handling dangerous equipment.
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