The highest paying jobs in Australia without a degree - SEEK (2024)

If you’ve decided that going to university isn’t the thing for you, there are plenty of careers that don’t require a degree –some of them high paying and in demand.

If you’re wondering what kind ofgood-paying jobs without degreesare out there, this guide provides examples of roles that are bothfulfilling and financially rewarding, across a range of industries.

In this article, explore different jobs and their expected salaries, the specific skills they require, and resources for finding a high-paying job without a formal qualification in Australia.

• What are high-paying jobs without qualifications in Australia?

• High-paying jobs that don’t require a degree

• FAQs

What arehigh-paying jobswithout qualifications in Australia?

High-paying jobs without qualifications can be found across a wide range of industries. They don’t require you to have a formal degree, instead they require technical skills and practical experience, with most providingon-the-job training.

This includes: trade careers, such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry; creative jobs, like social media managers and photography; hospitality management jobs; human resources; project management; and a variety of tech roles. You can start these careers when you’re young, and after gaining an entry-level role, you can work your way up with training and experience to a more senior high-paying job.

High-paying jobs thatdon’t require a degree

Whether you’re juststarting your career or you’re wanting to pivot to a new field, you can find a career path that plays to your skills and passions – and doesn’t require you to go to uni. Here’s a closer look at some of thebest jobs in Australia without a degree across a range of industries.

Social media manager

While you don’t need a degree to be a social media manager, it’s a competitive field, and to break into it you’d need a content portfolio and your own successful social media channels, to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. You’ll also need greatcommunication skills, attention to detail, and organisation skills.

Construction manager

Average salary: $195K

Construction managers organise and supervise construction teams and on-site operations. A background in construction is required as you would need to interpret architectural drawings, direct workers and liaise with owners, property developers and sub-contractors.

Working your way up to a construction management role is a goodcareer path for entry-level construction workers, as you’ll already have your requiredwhite card and any state-required licences. You don’t need a degree, but attaining a Diploma of Building Construction (Management) can helpspeed up your career progression. You would also need other essential skills like project management, leadership and communication skills, which can all be learned on the job.

Driller

Average salary: $155K

Drillers who can operate drilling rigs are in high demand in the mining and construction industries, which often experience labour shortages. As mine sites are generally in remote locations, drillers command higher salaries to offset the inconvenience and lack of work-life balance that comes with living on-site and fly-in-fly-out jobs.

While you will need a Certificate III or IV in drilling, you don’t need a university qualification and most companies offer additional on-the-job training specific to the jobsite. You need a year 10 certificate to get into an entry-level drilling job and to progress your career you need technical and practical knowledge related to operating machinery, as well as a high level of physical strength and fitness, and excellent teamwork skills.

Site supervisor

Average salary: $115K

Site supervisors oversee construction sites and teams of workers to ensure work quality and compliance with workplace health and safety regulations. A site supervisor makes sure construction work flows smoothly, assesses risk at the jobsite, arranges maintenance of equipment, monitors and records progress, and works with senior management and stakeholders to help keep a project on track.

To work on a construction site, you need a white card, but can often progress to working as a site supervisor after having gained experience on a worksite as a builder. Site supervisors need soft skills like strongleadership skills, communication skills, and project management skills.

Security manager

Average salary:$115K

Security managers oversee security operations for companies, private clients, and events. This can include managing security teams, creating security policies, reviewing incident reports, gathering security intelligence, mitigating risk, and coordinating responses to emergencies.

You will likely need a Certificate II in Security Operations, as well as a first-aid certificate, and be able to pass a national police check, but some companies will provide all the training you need. You’ll need clear communication skills,interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and think critically under pressure.

Recruitment manager

Average salary: $100K

Arecruitment manager looks after hiring activities for a business, such as placing job ads, vetting applicants, assisting with interviewing and maintaining staff records. They work closely with team and department managers to ensure they employ people with the right skills and qualifications.

A certificate in human resources would help you become a recruitment manager, but like many otherhigh-paying jobs without a qualification, it’s a position you can work your way up to through internal promotions. Recruitment managers rely on interpersonal skills like communication, problem solving and decision-making.

HR manager

Average salary: $130K

Human resources managers, or HR managers, usually work internally at an organisation, managing employee matters. As a HR manager, your duties may include hiring, onboarding and offboarding staff, assisting with performance management, handling employee disputes, and ensuring the company is compliant with employment regulations.

A Certificate IV in Human Resources Management can fast-track your career, but generally once you have joined an HR department within a company you can work your way up with in-house training. You’ll need strong interpersonal skills, critical thinking, good organisation, and empathy to succeed in this role.

Electrician

Average salary: $100K

Electricians have one of thehighest-paying jobs in Australia without a qualification, with a career path accessiblethrough an apprenticeship. As an apprentice, you earn while you learn on the job, eventually becoming a fully qualified electrician. Duties include tasks like installations, maintenance and repair of electrical systems and appliances, removing electrical hazards and more.

Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can advance to different specialties or start your own business to increase earning potential. As an electrician, you’ll need excellent attention to detail, specific technical abilities, problem-solving andtime-management skills.

Real estate agent

Average salary: $100K

Real estate agents help people buy, sell, lease and rent properties. Your earning potential as a real estate agent is generally tied to the value of the properties you’re managing. Duties include performing appraisals, marketing properties, managing rental contracts, visiting properties and conducting inspections.

A Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice is required to get started. Real estate managers must also have strong interpersonal skills to build client relationships. An understanding of the real estate market in your area is essential.

Office manager

Average salary: $83K

Office managers take care of an organisation’s clerical and administration duties. Responsibilities encompass everything to do with maintaining the smooth operation of an office, and may include hiring, training and supervising admin and support team members, looking after records and accounts, assisting with clients, office inventory, and budgeting.

You don’t need any formal qualifications, but a Certificate III in Business (Administration) can provide a good foundation. In this role, you need strong communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

App developer

Average salary: $110K

App developers are high in demand in Australia, designing and creating software applications. Knowledge of coding languages is required, as is an aptitude for picking up new concepts and translating them to software. As an app developer, you have the flexibility to work in-house at a company, on different jobs for an agency, or as a freelancer.

Courses in app design and development will teach you relevant technical skills, but you can be self-taught to acquire a high level of coding ability. In addition totechnical skills, app developers also need strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Carpenter

Average salary: $75K

Carpenters specialise in building, installing and repairing wood structures, including houses and frames for buildings, and generally working with timber. The day-to-day duties of a carpenter may include working with plans and drawings to build structures, preparing and treating timber, working as part of a team at a construction site, doing repairs to properties or designing and making furniture.

To become a carpenter, you need a trade qualification and to complete a paid apprenticeship. You need strongattention to detail skills, as well as problem-solving skills and time management.

Project manager

Average salary: $140K

Project managers take the lead on planning and executing projects throughout their entire timeline. They manage (and sometimes hire) teams, oversee budgets and performance, and take responsibility for the project reaching milestones on time.

There are no minimum qualifications for starting a career as a project manager, though a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice can provide good foundations. To be a good project manager, you need strong interpersonal skills, and excellent organisation and time-management skills, alongside the ability to multi-task and stay calm under pressure. You also need technical knowledge in a specific industry, which you'd learn on the job.

Hospitality manager

Average salary: $85K

Hospitality managers work in venues like hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes, overseeing operations and supervising wait staff. Many people become hospitality managers after working up from an entry-level position as a waitperson, bartender or housekeeper.

The specific skills and knowledge required depends on the setting, though all managers must have good people skills, excellent organisation, conflict resolution abilities and critical thinking skills. Duties include hiring and supervising staff, scheduling shifts, liaising with guests, managing inventory, and more.

Plumber

Average salary: $85K

Plumbers design, install, maintain and repairwater, drainage, gas and seweragepipes and systems. There are many different specialist areas within plumbing, such as working on home and building construction; fitting bathrooms, kitchens and laundries; pipefitting, and more.

To work as a plumber, you need to complete a paid apprenticeship and attain a Certificate III in Plumbing from TAFE. Other skills you need includeproblem-solving, critical thinking, and good communication.

There are manyhigh-paying jobs in Australia without a degreefor you to explore – many more than are listed above. There are opportunities across the trades,hospitality, tech and even in corporations. Lucrative career paths are possible for workers without a degree willing to learn on the job or get a TAFE certification.

While you may not earn a high salary at first, after gaining experience, developing technical abilities and using transferable skills, you'll unlock opportunities to advance to higher-paying roles. Keep an eye on job boards likeSEEK.com.au to find the best jobs in Australia that don’t need a degree.

FAQs

What is the highest paying job without a degree in Australia?

One of the highest paying jobs without a degree in Australia is construction manager. The typical salary for a construction manager is $195K, a position that requires on the job training and practical experience rather than university qualifications.

Which job has the highest salary without a degree?

Currently, the job with the highest salary without the need for a degree is AI prompt engineer, a role that can earn from $200K to $300K+ per year. AI prompt engineers create and refine prompt inputs for generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT and Midjourney.

What is the highest paying unskilled job in Australia?

There are many 'unskilled' jobs that pay well in Australia. Social media manager is one of the highest-paying unskilled jobs in Australia, with an average salary of $80K a year. See our list above for more ideas.

What is considered a good wage in Australia?

An annual salary of $90K is considered a very good wage in Australia. It’s more than double the national minimum wage of $23.23 an hour.What constitutes a 'good' wage is relative to the cost of living wherever you live.

What is the easiest but highest paid job?

Social media manager, human resources manager and real estate agent are some easier, but higher-paying jobs. They don’t require any formal training, they aren’t shift work, they don’t involve physical labour, and they offer good work-life balance. The easiest but highest paid job in Australia ultimately depends on your own skills and what you feel is easy and enjoyable for you.

What trade job pays the most?

Construction management, drilling, electrical, carpentry and plumbing are some of the highest paying trade jobs in Australia. As trades they require trade certificates rather than degrees, which involve doing an apprenticeship so you can 'earn as you learn' on the job.