Air traffic controllers and police officers among the 10 best paid jobs of 2014

These are the occupations with an average salary of over £50,000

Air traffic controllers came third in the list (AFP/Getty)

If you're looking for a more lucrative career it might be worth setting your sights sky-high - because the aviation industry has come out on top in a list of the best paid jobs of 2014.

Pilots and flight engineers earned the most this year, with an average salary of £90,420, while air traffic controllers came in third place, with estimated earnings of £79,874 per year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Sandwiched in between were chief executives and senior officials, with an average salary of £81,521. Medical practitioners and marketing and sales directors completed the top five.

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings also showed that there was a gap of almost £78,000 between the highest paid and lowest paid jobs.

Waiters and waitresses earned the least in 2014, with an average salary of £12,507. Meanwhile, bar staff earned an estimated £12,948 per year and hairdressers and barbers brought in £13,373 annually.