When you look at some of the highest-paying jobs, you'll see that they all require at least a bachelor's degree.
In the case of jobs in medicine, which make up several of the highest-paying jobs in Australia, they require a medical degree, residency, and 5 or 6 years of further training and study for specialists.
A lot of jobs in business require an undergraduate degree and then an MBA and engineering jobs require at least an undergraduate degree in engineering.
However, there are lots of jobs you can do without a university degree and plenty that pay very well. This doesn't mean that you can do any of these jobs without any training, but if you feel that university isn't for you, then these should be some career choices worth considering.
Aviation (Air Traffic Control and Pilots)
Neither air traffic controllers nor commercial pilots need a university degree. However, both do have to complete extensive training programs.
Air traffic controllers earn an average of $119,000 a year or $60 an hour in Australia, but they do need to train for at least a year.
Commercial pilots don't need to study for a degree, either, but they will need to get their commercial pilot licence.
The Commercial Pilot Licence in Australia also costs around $80,000 and takes the best part of a year to get.
The average pilot salary in Australia is $107,000 a year or $55 an hour, but there are opportunities to earn more and as pilots gain experience, they'll see their salaries increase.
Construction Manager
Construction managers earn an average of $150,000 a year and don't technically need an undergraduate degree as there are diplomas and certificates available.
Construction managers can also work their way up in the construction industry and around 6 years of experience in construction is enough to start considering the role.
Much like a lot of trades, construction is an area where university qualifications aren't needed. However, this doesn't mean that the work doesn't require any skills, experience, or other qualifications.
Dental Nurse
Jobs in medicine and dentistry are often high-skilled and well-paid and most of the highest-paying jobs in Australia are in medicine.
To become a dental nurse in Australia, you will need a qualification, but that qualification doesn't necessarily need to be a university degree.
The Certificate III in Dental Assisting or a Diploma in Dental Nursing will suffice. The average dental nurse in Australia earns around $66,000 a year or $34 an hour, which is closer to the national average for all jobs.
However, dental nurses have the potential to earn over $100,000 a year with experience.
Digital Marketing Manager
While there are certainly university degrees available in marketing and business, you can become a digital marketing manager without them.
As with most jobs, it's the results that count and if you develop the necessary skills to become a digital marketing manager and can get results, there's no reason you can't work as one.
Digital marketing managers earn an average salary of around $101,000 a year and there are many ways to develop marketing skills without having to attend university or study a degree.
Digital marketing managers can study diplomas, certificates, online courses, or even just learn from other marketers, teachers, or tutors.
Electrician
Many vocational trades in Australia are well-paid. The average electrician in Australia earns $93,000 a year or $47 an hour. With starting salaries around $77,000 a year, this is a vocation that pays better than the average salary in the country.
While electricians don't need a university degree, it'll still take them 4 years to become an electrician as they'll need the Certificate III in Electrotechnology that comes with on-the-job training.
This qualification is available through Technical and Further Education (TAFE) establishments in Australia.
Health and Safety Advisor
The average health and safety advisor in Australia earns $110,000 a year or $56 an hour with potential earnings for more experienced advisors being closer to $130,000.
Health and safety advisors can study Certificates III and IV in Work Health and Safety and the Diploma of Work Health and Safety in TAFE colleges and training centres.
There are also degree programs in health, safety and environment but apprenticeships and traineeships offer a quicker route into this line of work, with a traineeship usually taking a couple of years.
Office Manager
To work as an office manager, a university degree isn't technically necessary but you may find that larger employers prefer candidates to have one.
That said, once you've gained experience or have a proven track record, a university degree will become less relevant.
Studying business and business administration can help you on your way to becoming an office manager, where you can expect to earn somewhere between $75,000 and $90,000 a year.
Plumber
Plumbing is another trade that earns quite well. The average plumber in Australia earns around $80,000 or $41 an hour.
As a vocational career choice, plumbers can start their careers with an apprenticeship, though there are also qualifications like Certificate III in Plumbing, Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services, and applying to get licensed as a plumber.
Project Manager
Project management is a popular area for people to work in since the average salary is around $125,000. This is also a job description that's quite vague and can apply to many different industries.
An undergraduate degree isn't necessary for this kind of work, but it can help to get qualifications in business studies, finance, or marketing.
It's also unlikely that you'll go straight into project management and instead will be promoted from within after working on several other projects.
Once you have enough experience within a given industry, you'll likely be entrusted with project management.
Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents in Australia earn an average salary between $55,000 and $75,000 and while this is close to the national average, you can become a real estate agent with a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice and a year of full-time work experience.
Real estate agents in Australia tend to earn a commission of between 2% and 3% on a sale, which can certainly boost the best real estate agents' earnings. Some of the best and most experienced real estate agents in Australia earn close to $140,000 a year.
Sales Representative
If you have a knack for sales, you won't need a university degree. With pay structures that often reflect performance and sales staff often paid commissions, you can earn a lot of money by selling a lot. The average sales representative in Australia earns between $65,000 and $85,000.
Social Media Management
Running social media channels is a fairly new career and while there are academic options for those interested in doing it, it's also a job that can be done without formal qualifications.
With the average social media manager in Australia earning somewhere between $75,000 and $95,000 a year, it's a well-paid career choice considering you don't need to spend any time studying a university degree, though this is also one of the great jobs for university students.
That said, there are several skills required and social media managers need a good understanding of marketing and the different social media platforms out there.
Web Developer
Web development is another area where skills can be worth more than academic qualifications. Initially, web developers may need skills to convince potential employers or clients of said skills, but once they have an impressive portfolio of work and glowing reviews from previous employers or clients, an academic qualification won't be missed.
After all, web development is an area that changes often enough to very quickly render most degrees somewhat outdated.
Web developers should be really looking to constantly develop their skills so while you won't necessarily need a university degree to become a web developer, you'll probably spend your entire career studying new approaches and techniques.
Get Career Help from a Private Tutor
No matter what career you're interested in, the best-paying jobs all require a valuable skillset. Even if you don't need a university degree to do the job, you still need to learn how to do it and for many people, private tutoring offers one of the most cost-effective ways to learn.
Whether it's for getting help with a certificate or diploma or just learning the necessary skills directly, there are plenty of talented and experienced private tutors on the Superprof website.
There are tutors for all levels and budgets across a range of academic and vocational skills and since most tutoring is done one-on-one, you can learn in whatever way is best for you.
With many of the tutors on the Superprof website offering the first session for free, you can try out a few different tutors before deciding on which one is best for you and your career aspirations.
Even if you're not planning on going to university, tutors can still help you develop the skills necessary to get some of the best jobs for teenagers.
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