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Think you need a university degree to rake in the big bucks? Think again. The ATO has dropped fresh data revealing some of Australia’s top-paying jobs that skip the cap and gown altogether. Picture: iStock
1/35Think you need a university degree to rake in the big bucks? Think again. The ATO has dropped fresh data revealing some of Australia’s top-paying jobs that skip the cap and gown altogether. Picture: iStock
Twenty-one of these jobs are six figures or above and only require minimal training and certification – think months, not years. Picture: Supplied
2/35Twenty-one of these jobs are six figures or above and only require minimal training and certification – think months, not years. Picture: Supplied
33. Security Officer – Average salary: $65,000. Ensures the safety and security of people and property in various environments. A Certificate II or III in Security Operations is required. Many progress to senior security or management positions. These guys are trained to spot unusual behaviour and signs of trouble. very Jason Bourne. Picture: iStock
3/3533. Security Officer – Average salary: $65,000. Ensures the safety and security of people and property in various environments. A Certificate II or III in Security Operations is required. Many progress to senior security or management positions. These guys are trained to spot unusual behaviour and signs of trouble. very Jason Bourne. Picture: iStock
32. Cleaner – Average salary: $70,000. Performs cleaning duties in various settings, including offices, schools, and hospitals. On-the-job training is common, formal qualifications are not typically required. Sydney woman Charlotte wrote to news.com.au in January about how she dropped out of uni and started her own residential cleaning business during Covid. By age 22, she was bringing in over $3,000 a week. Picture: iStock
4/3532. Cleaner – Average salary: $70,000. Performs cleaning duties in various settings, including offices, schools, and hospitals. On-the-job training is common, formal qualifications are not typically required. Sydney woman Charlotte wrote to news.com.au in January about how she dropped out of uni and started her own residential cleaning business during Covid. By age 22, she was bringing in over $3,000 a week. Picture: iStock
31. Event Coordinator – Average salary: $75,000. Plans and manages events like conferences, weddings, and festivals, co-ordinating logistics and vendors. Candidates with a certificate III/IV or Diploma in Event Management or Hospitality are sought after, but not required. Despite meticulous planning, something usually goes off-script, like when Adelaide bride Jade’s Kelpie ripped the 3‑metre veil from her head and pooped at the altar. iPicture: iStock
5/3531. Event Coordinator – Average salary: $75,000. Plans and manages events like conferences, weddings, and festivals, co-ordinating logistics and vendors. Candidates with a certificate III/IV or Diploma in Event Management or Hospitality are sought after, but not required. Despite meticulous planning, something usually goes off-script, like when Adelaide bride Jade’s Kelpie ripped the 3‑metre veil from her head and pooped at the altar. iPicture: iStock
30. Gardener – Average salary: $75,000. Turning weeds into wow … Maintains gardens, parks, and landscapes, including planting, pruning, and lawn care. Certificate II or III in Horticulture is common, though many don’t need one. Picture: iStock
6/3530. Gardener – Average salary: $75,000. Turning weeds into wow … Maintains gardens, parks, and landscapes, including planting, pruning, and lawn care. Certificate II or III in Horticulture is common, though many don’t need one. Picture: iStock
29. Retail Manager – Average salary: $80,000. Manages daily retail store operations, staff performance, customer service, and sales targets. Certificate IV or Diploma in Retail Management is common, though some just learn through experience. You’ll typically find them being yelled at by a Karen. Picture: Supplied
7/3529. Retail Manager – Average salary: $80,000. Manages daily retail store operations, staff performance, customer service, and sales targets. Certificate IV or Diploma in Retail Management is common, though some just learn through experience. You’ll typically find them being yelled at by a Karen. Picture: Supplied
28. Labourer – Average salary: $80,000. Performs manual tasks on construction sites, such as loading materials, digging, and site clean-up. Generally requires a White Card and safety training, but otherwise no formal qualification needed. Workers in this role are typically between 25-45 years, given the physical nature of the job. Fun fact: Some labourers lift the equivalent of a small car every week. Picture: iStock
8/3528. Labourer – Average salary: $80,000. Performs manual tasks on construction sites, such as loading materials, digging, and site clean-up. Generally requires a White Card and safety training, but otherwise no formal qualification needed. Workers in this role are typically between 25-45 years, given the physical nature of the job. Fun fact: Some labourers lift the equivalent of a small car every week. Picture: iStock
27. Hospitality Manager – Average salary: $85,000. Oversees the daily operations of restaurants, hotels, or other hospitality establishments. Think Richie Jerimovich from The Bear. Completion of a Diploma in Hospitality Management is necessary. Picture: Supplied
9/3527. Hospitality Manager – Average salary: $85,000. Oversees the daily operations of restaurants, hotels, or other hospitality establishments. Think Richie Jerimovich from The Bear. Completion of a Diploma in Hospitality Management is necessary. Picture: Supplied
26. Forklift Driver – Average salary: $85,000. Operates forklifts to move materials in warehouses, construction sites, and manufacturing plants. Requires a High Risk Work Licence for Forklift Trucks. Workers often move into logistics management positions later on. Just six per cent of forklift operators in Australia are female, while 94 per cent are male. Picture: Supplied
10/3526. Forklift Driver – Average salary: $85,000. Operates forklifts to move materials in warehouses, construction sites, and manufacturing plants. Requires a High Risk Work Licence for Forklift Trucks. Workers often move into logistics management positions later on. Just six per cent of forklift operators in Australia are female, while 94 per cent are male. Picture: Supplied
25. Truck Driver – Average salary: $90,000. Operates heavy vehicles to transport goods across various distances. Requires a Heavy Rigid or Multi Combination license. Truck drivers often remain in this role for 10-20 years. They probably have bangin’ road playlists. Picture: iStock
11/3525. Truck Driver – Average salary: $90,000. Operates heavy vehicles to transport goods across various distances. Requires a Heavy Rigid or Multi Combination license. Truck drivers often remain in this role for 10-20 years. They probably have bangin’ road playlists. Picture: iStock
24. Tiler – Average salary: $90,000. Installs ceramic, porcelain, and other types of tiles on floors, walls, and ceilings. Completion of a Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling required to be a real-life puzzle master. Picture: Supplied
12/3524. Tiler – Average salary: $90,000. Installs ceramic, porcelain, and other types of tiles on floors, walls, and ceilings. Completion of a Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling required to be a real-life puzzle master. Picture: Supplied
23. Sheet Metal Worker – Average salary: $95,000. Fabricates and installs sheet metal products, including ducts, roofs, and siding. Certificate III in Engineering/Sheet Metal Work required. Workers often remain in this role for 10-20 years before advancing into supervisory positions. All you need is a box of scraps and a cave, just ask Tony Stark. Picture: Supplied
13/3523. Sheet Metal Worker – Average salary: $95,000. Fabricates and installs sheet metal products, including ducts, roofs, and siding. Certificate III in Engineering/Sheet Metal Work required. Workers often remain in this role for 10-20 years before advancing into supervisory positions. All you need is a box of scraps and a cave, just ask Tony Stark. Picture: Supplied
22. Painter – Average salary: $95,000. What would Picasso use if he didn’t have a canvas? The worker in this role will apply paint, varnish, wallpaper, and other finishes to protect, maintain, and decorate surfaces of buildings and structures. Cert III in Painting/Decorating and hands-on experience necessary to be considered. 130 painters are involved in the upkeep of the Harbour Bridge. Picture: Supplied
14/3522. Painter – Average salary: $95,000. What would Picasso use if he didn’t have a canvas? The worker in this role will apply paint, varnish, wallpaper, and other finishes to protect, maintain, and decorate surfaces of buildings and structures. Cert III in Painting/Decorating and hands-on experience necessary to be considered. 130 painters are involved in the upkeep of the Harbour Bridge. Picture: Supplied
21. Diesel Mechanic – Average salary: $100,000. Diagnoses, repairs, and maintains diesel engines in vehicles and machinery. Cert III in Mobile Plant Technology or Diesel Mechanics required which takes approximately 12 months. Mechanic shop owner Dave Lawson told news.com.au that apprenticeships aren’t valued enough, with students encouraged to go to university instead. Picture: Supplied
15/3521. Diesel Mechanic – Average salary: $100,000. Diagnoses, repairs, and maintains diesel engines in vehicles and machinery. Cert III in Mobile Plant Technology or Diesel Mechanics required which takes approximately 12 months. Mechanic shop owner Dave Lawson told news.com.au that apprenticeships aren’t valued enough, with students encouraged to go to university instead. Picture: Supplied
20. Welder – Average salary: $100,000. Joins metal parts using high heat, working in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Make sure you secure yourself a Cert III in Enginerring/Fabrication Trade because this role comes with real risks, including burns, electric shock, and exposure to hazardous fumes. Picture: Supplied
16/3520. Welder – Average salary: $100,000. Joins metal parts using high heat, working in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Make sure you secure yourself a Cert III in Enginerring/Fabrication Trade because this role comes with real risks, including burns, electric shock, and exposure to hazardous fumes. Picture: Supplied
19. Chef – Average salary: $100,000. You don’t need to be Gordon Ramsay to do this job, but you do need a Cert III in Commercial Cookery. Picture: Supplied
17/3519. Chef – Average salary: $100,000. You don’t need to be Gordon Ramsay to do this job, but you do need a Cert III in Commercial Cookery. Picture: Supplied
18. Real Estate Agent – Average salary: $100,000. Assists clients in buying, selling, and renting properties, providing market insights and negotiation services. Requires a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice and the ability to say “This place has character” when it’s clearly held together by duct tape and a dream. Picture: Supplied
18/3518. Real Estate Agent – Average salary: $100,000. Assists clients in buying, selling, and renting properties, providing market insights and negotiation services. Requires a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice and the ability to say “This place has character” when it’s clearly held together by duct tape and a dream. Picture: Supplied
17. Plumber – Average salary: $100,000. Installs and repairs piping systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Completion of a Certificate III in Plumbing required. Plumbers often hang around for 10-20 years before starting their own business. You can start an apprenticeship as young as 16 years old. Picture: Supplied
19/3517. Plumber – Average salary: $100,000. Installs and repairs piping systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Completion of a Certificate III in Plumbing required. Plumbers often hang around for 10-20 years before starting their own business. You can start an apprenticeship as young as 16 years old. Picture: Supplied
16. Carpenter – Average salary: $105,000. Constructs, installs, and repairs structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials. Completion of a Certificate III in Carpentry is required. Carpenters often remain in this role for 10–20 years, with opportunities for advancement into supervisory or project management positions. They can burn as many calories in a day as running a half-marathon, so you’re saving on a gym membership too! Picture: iStock
20/3516. Carpenter – Average salary: $105,000. Constructs, installs, and repairs structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials. Completion of a Certificate III in Carpentry is required. Carpenters often remain in this role for 10–20 years, with opportunities for advancement into supervisory or project management positions. They can burn as many calories in a day as running a half-marathon, so you’re saving on a gym membership too! Picture: iStock
15. Electrician – Average salary: $105,000. Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Completion of a Certificate III in Electrotechnology required. Aussies were shocked to learn from a Queensland Rail apprentice electrician that you can earn this much in just your second year. Picture: Supplied
21/3515. Electrician – Average salary: $105,000. Installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Completion of a Certificate III in Electrotechnology required. Aussies were shocked to learn from a Queensland Rail apprentice electrician that you can earn this much in just your second year. Picture: Supplied
14. Insurance Broker – Average salary: $110,000. Advises clients on insurance policies, helping them select coverage that meets their needs. Requires a Diploma of Insurance Broking and ongoing professional development. Workers are typically between 30-50 years with broad client skills … and they read the fine print. Picture: Supplied
22/3514. Insurance Broker – Average salary: $110,000. Advises clients on insurance policies, helping them select coverage that meets their needs. Requires a Diploma of Insurance Broking and ongoing professional development. Workers are typically between 30-50 years with broad client skills … and they read the fine print. Picture: Supplied
13. Boilermaker – Average salary: $110,000. Fabricates, assembles, and repairs metal structures and equipment. Completion of a Certificate III in Engineering/Fabrication Trade is necessary. One wrong move working with high temperatures could mean serious injury. Picture: Supplied
23/3513. Boilermaker – Average salary: $110,000. Fabricates, assembles, and repairs metal structures and equipment. Completion of a Certificate III in Engineering/Fabrication Trade is necessary. One wrong move working with high temperatures could mean serious injury. Picture: Supplied
12. Fire or Emergency Service Worker – Average salary: $115,000. Responds to emergencies, including fires, accidents, and natural disasters, to protect life and property. 2,500 personnel were deployed during the NSW May floods, completing 678 rescues. Completion of a fire services training program is required. Workers often serve in this admirable role for 20-30 years. Picture: Supplied
24/3512. Fire or Emergency Service Worker – Average salary: $115,000. Responds to emergencies, including fires, accidents, and natural disasters, to protect life and property. 2,500 personnel were deployed during the NSW May floods, completing 678 rescues. Completion of a fire services training program is required. Workers often serve in this admirable role for 20-30 years. Picture: Supplied
11. Safety Inspector – Average salary: $115,000. Monitors workplace environments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Typically requires a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or equivalent. A large construction site would take approximately four to eight hours to complete a check. Picture: iStock
25/3511. Safety Inspector – Average salary: $115,000. Monitors workplace environments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Typically requires a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety or equivalent. A large construction site would take approximately four to eight hours to complete a check. Picture: iStock
10. Police Officer – Average salary: $115,000. Enforces laws, maintains public order, and responds to emergencies. Completion of a police academy training program required. Officers typically serve for 20-30 years, with many retiring by 55. While most officers don’t go undercover in high school like in 21 Jump Street, the job still demands quick thinking and resilience. Picture: Supplied
26/3510. Police Officer – Average salary: $115,000. Enforces laws, maintains public order, and responds to emergencies. Completion of a police academy training program required. Officers typically serve for 20-30 years, with many retiring by 55. While most officers don’t go undercover in high school like in 21 Jump Street, the job still demands quick thinking and resilience. Picture: Supplied
9. Sales Manager – Average salary: $120,000. Oversees sales teams, formulates strategies, and drives revenue growth. Most candidates selected are aged between 35 and 50, bringing extensive industry-specific experience and well-developed leadership skills. That employee who convinced you to walk out with four phone accessories instead of just a screen protector? The Sales Manager is the one who trained them, set the bonus target, and made sure you felt like it was your idea all along. Picture: iStock
27/359. Sales Manager – Average salary: $120,000. Oversees sales teams, formulates strategies, and drives revenue growth. Most candidates selected are aged between 35 and 50, bringing extensive industry-specific experience and well-developed leadership skills. That employee who convinced you to walk out with four phone accessories instead of just a screen protector? The Sales Manager is the one who trained them, set the bonus target, and made sure you felt like it was your idea all along. Picture: iStock
8. Elevator Installer and Repairer – Average salary: $120,000. Designs, installs, maintains, and repairs electric and hydraulic passenger and freight lifts, escalators, and moving walkways. Are they the ones who put up the Do not use lift in case of fire sign? No – but they’re definitely the ones who’d roll their eyes if you ignored it. Completion of a Certificate III in Engineering/Lift and Escalator Mechanic required. Professionals often remain in this role for up to 25 years, moving up into technical specialist positions. Picture: iStock
28/358. Elevator Installer and Repairer – Average salary: $120,000. Designs, installs, maintains, and repairs electric and hydraulic passenger and freight lifts, escalators, and moving walkways. Are they the ones who put up the Do not use lift in case of fire sign? No – but they’re definitely the ones who’d roll their eyes if you ignored it. Completion of a Certificate III in Engineering/Lift and Escalator Mechanic required. Professionals often remain in this role for up to 25 years, moving up into technical specialist positions. Picture: iStock
7 Body Corporate Manager – Average salary: $125,000. Manages the administration and maintenance of strata-titled properties, ensuring compliance and resolving disputes. Requires a Certificate IV in Strata Community Management or equivalent. They’ve probably approved more cavoodles than your local council. Picture: iStock
29/357 Body Corporate Manager – Average salary: $125,000. Manages the administration and maintenance of strata-titled properties, ensuring compliance and resolving disputes. Requires a Certificate IV in Strata Community Management or equivalent. They’ve probably approved more cavoodles than your local council. Picture: iStock
6. Construction Project Manager – Average salary: $130,000. Manages civil engineering and building projects, co-ordinating resources and ensuring compliance. Practical experience, ideally on construction sites is crucial, often gained through roles such as site manager. Most are 40+, but you often see the occasional 35-year-old promoted earlier in Australia. Picture: Supplied
30/356. Construction Project Manager – Average salary: $130,000. Manages civil engineering and building projects, co-ordinating resources and ensuring compliance. Practical experience, ideally on construction sites is crucial, often gained through roles such as site manager. Most are 40+, but you often see the occasional 35-year-old promoted earlier in Australia. Picture: Supplied
5. Train or Tram Driver – Average salary: $130,000. Transport passengers and freight on rail networks. Completion of a Certificate III in Transport and Logistics necessary. Drivers often remain in the role for 20-30 years, with many retiring in their mid-60s. Passengers often assume delays are due to the driver, but in fact, they’re usually caused by signal faults and track issues. Picture: Supplied
31/355. Train or Tram Driver – Average salary: $130,000. Transport passengers and freight on rail networks. Completion of a Certificate III in Transport and Logistics necessary. Drivers often remain in the role for 20-30 years, with many retiring in their mid-60s. Passengers often assume delays are due to the driver, but in fact, they’re usually caused by signal faults and track issues. Picture: Supplied
4. Coal Miner – Average salary: $130,000. Operates plans to excavate, load, and transport coal in underground or open-cut mines. Requires a Certificate III in Resource Processing, along with industry-specific safety training. Many miners work for 5-10 years, often transitioning to supervisory or safety roles. One underground miner told news.com.au, “It’s one of those industries where it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Picture: Supplied
32/354. Coal Miner – Average salary: $130,000. Operates plans to excavate, load, and transport coal in underground or open-cut mines. Requires a Certificate III in Resource Processing, along with industry-specific safety training. Many miners work for 5-10 years, often transitioning to supervisory or safety roles. One underground miner told news.com.au, “It’s one of those industries where it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Picture: Supplied
3. Construction Manager – Average salary: $150,000. Leads construction projects from start to finish, managing budgets, timelines, contractors, and compliance. A Diploma in Building and Construction Management is required through TAFE, which takes two years to complete. Workers often stay in this role for 10-20 years, with many progressing to director or executive positions. Loves a blueprint. Picture:
33/353. Construction Manager – Average salary: $150,000. Leads construction projects from start to finish, managing budgets, timelines, contractors, and compliance. A Diploma in Building and Construction Management is required through TAFE, which takes two years to complete. Workers often stay in this role for 10-20 years, with many progressing to director or executive positions. Loves a blueprint. Picture:
2. Air Traffic Controller – Average salary: $150,000. Coordinates aircraft movements to ensure safe distances between planes in the sky and on runways. a Diploma of Aviation through Airservices Australia or the Australian Defence Force is required. Controllers often have a career span of 20–30 years, with many retiring in their mid-50s. It’s one of the most mentally demanding jobs in the world. Picture: Supplied
34/352. Air Traffic Controller – Average salary: $150,000. Coordinates aircraft movements to ensure safe distances between planes in the sky and on runways. a Diploma of Aviation through Airservices Australia or the Australian Defence Force is required. Controllers often have a career span of 20–30 years, with many retiring in their mid-50s. It’s one of the most mentally demanding jobs in the world. Picture: Supplied
1. Horticulture Manager – Average salary: $200,000. Manages the cultivation and care of plants, as well as day-to-day operations in nurseries, gardens, and agricultural settings. Usually requires a Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Management, or a related field. Professionals typically stay in the role for 5–10 years, often progressing to senior management or consultancy roles. The most common age group is 40–50, indicating a high level of experience and leadership. Some large commercial horticulture operations in Australia manage over a million plants at a time, meaning these managers aren’t just good with greenery, they’re running a logistics empire. Picture: Supplied
35/351. Horticulture Manager – Average salary: $200,000. Manages the cultivation and care of plants, as well as day-to-day operations in nurseries, gardens, and agricultural settings. Usually requires a Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Management, or a related field. Professionals typically stay in the role for 5–10 years, often progressing to senior management or consultancy roles. The most common age group is 40–50, indicating a high level of experience and leadership. Some large commercial horticulture operations in Australia manage over a million plants at a time, meaning these managers aren’t just good with greenery, they’re running a logistics empire. Picture: Supplied
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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/the-unexpected-job-that-pays-aussies-200k-a-year/image-gallery/7334bcef10ee51cf477f86a95a4cf0b4