The Top Careers That Earn Over $100K Without a Degree

People often think the only full time careers that pay over $100K a year in Australia require a higher education degree.

But that isn’t true!

Plenty of high paying jobs — in a variety of industries — only require a TAFE certification, short course, associate degree or specific training program. Some careers only have a minimum requirement of a high school diploma.

No matter your personality, there is likely to be a high paying job that piques your interest and does not require a university degree.

TAFE is a great pathway to some of the highest paying jobs in Australia, offering plenty of short courses that will assist you on your career path.

If you’re in the market for a new job that pays an average salary of over $100k, but you don’t have time for a degree, these are fantastic options.

Source: Indeed Salary

An air traffic controller manages the safety and efficiency of aircrafts across Australia’s airspace. They guide airline pilots’ movements, helping ease flow of aircrafts and air traffic in, out of and between different airports.

To become an air traffic controller, you must complete a Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Control) (AVI50115) with either Airservices Australia or the Royal Australian Air Force. These are the only two institutions that can train and recruit air traffic controllers.

Source: Indeed Salary

Construction managers coordinate and oversee construction projects such as buildings, residential homes and civil engineering. They plan, arrange and supervise everything and everyone involved in the construction, and ensure everything on the site is kept to schedule and completed safely.

A Certificate IV or Diploma in Building and Construction is a great pathway into this high-paying industry.

Source: Indeed Salary

Project managers plan and oversee projects within a company or organisation to ensure they are being completed within a given timeframe and budget. Their job involves monitoring project progression, organising budgets and resources and informing stakeholders on progress.

Project managers make sure that the projects align with the organisation’s goals and vision. They are needed in a variety of industries including marketing, construction, healthcare and technology.

A certification or qualification in project management or a related field is required to be hired as a project manager at most companies. A Certificate IV or a Diploma in Project Management is a great pathway into this career.

Source: Indeed Salary

Sales managers drive sales for an organisation’s products or services, meeting targets and overseeing a team of sales representatives.

They are continuously finding new techniques to engage and increase their customer base on a local, state or national level. Managers are also tasked with hiring new employees and maintaining client relationships.

Although a formal qualification is not required to become a sales manager, some study to gain and refine your skills is recommended. Many sales managers undertake courses in fields such as marketing, business, or leadership and management.

Source: Indeed Salary

A product manager oversees a software development organisation’s product and life cycle. A product’s life cycle is the period of time the product is introduced to customers, up until it is removed from the market. The product manager finds out what the customer and organisation are missing, and how the product vision fills this gap. 

Product managers require leadership and critical thinking skills, since they define the product strategy and roadmap which their team will follow. Communication and delegation skills are essential, as product managers oversee a team of people. 

A Certificate IV or Diploma in Business Administration or Marketing can be a great pathway into this well-paying field.

Completing an extensive college degree and spending long hours studying is not the only pathway to some of the best paying jobs in Australia. 

Vocational education and training reduces your time sitting in lecture theatres and gives you hands-on learning experience. In fact, on average, TAFE is better than University for career success. TAFE courses have a higher employment rate, higher job growth and higher average salaries for graduates.

The world is seeing a rise in academic inflation, meaning there is a rising number of people obtaining university degrees. The typical three or four-year bachelor’s degree is losing its value, meaning people are studying longer courses to be qualified for some jobs.

It’s becoming more common for hiring managers to be looking at your previous hands-on work experience when companies have job openings, rather than the courses you have studied.

Many professionals, including Laszlo Bock, former Vice President of Google, believe that while education is worthwhile, universities do not replicate the real world. This is why Google no longer asks for academic transcripts during their recruiting process.

You don’t have to be academically inclined to work a job that pays over $100K a year. Take a look at these professionals who have had career success without studying a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

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Travis Godde is a Professional Sales Representative with AFL Telecommunications, working as a Business Development Manager in Australian Capital Territory. However, he did not begin his career journey in sales, instead starting from a Certificate III in Cookery. 

After becoming a chef through completing his TAFE qualification, Travis decided to move into working as a storeperson for a large food service company. Through developing sales and management skills, along with years of experience, Travis worked his way into his current role with the AFL.

“I got to where I am today because of the work I have put in, because of what I believe to be my own self-worth, not that which a university degree tells someone else how much I should be paid.”

Travis Godde, Business Development Manager, AFL Global

Rachel Power is the owner of two cafes: Cafe & Gallery and Mountain Cafe & Fuel. She is also the founder of Customer Consultants, and creates her own merchandise through Van Diemen Designs. Rachel was on the board of directors of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, and was a Derwent Valley Councillor from 2018 to 2019.

With such an impressive resume, people might automatically assume she completed a university degree. However, Rachel bypassed higher education and chose to follow her passions instead, including photography.

“I’m a strong advocate for the VET system and its ability to help students pursue their passions and graduate with the skills and experience needed in the workforce.”

Rachel Power, Cafe Owner and Founder of Customer Consultants

Maddy is the Founder of Bikini Bods Women’s Kickboxing Gyms, Australia. She delivers fitness programs for women based around Muay Thai kickboxing, boxing, and functional training classes for women.

Maddy chose to enter the industry to follow her passion for sport and fitness through a Certificate IV in Fitness. The course allowed her to develop the skills she needed to enter the workforce confidently and in a reasonable timeframe.

“I wanted a career where I would work doing what I loved everyday. I’m a very people-oriented and social person, and I wanted to be able to work face-to-face with people everyday. My qualifications gave me confidence for the real world and the knowledge I needed to know on the job as a fitness professional.”

Maddy Williams, Founder and Director of Bikini Bods Women’s Kickboxing

There are plenty of other jobs that pay over $100,000 a year and don’t require a degree. While there is no harm in completing a bachelor’s degree, it’s good to know that there are options available for those out there who may not enjoy studying.

If university isn’t your style, there are thousands of training institutions and courses available for you to complete. With hard work, you will be able to achieve that six-figure salary you’re after.