Yahoo Finance $170,000 a year: Highest-paying jobs you don't need a degree to do
While you don’t need a degree to land these jobs, you will need experience or key skills.
University isn’t the only pathway to securing a high-paying job, with some roles offering salaries of up to $170,000 a year with no degree required.
New research by Indeed has revealed the top-paying jobs you can get without the HECS debt, but you’ll need to have some key skills in your tool belt instead.
Topping the list are construction managers, who can earn $171,341 per year, on average. But Indeed career coach Sally McKibbin said this wasn’t a job you could just walk into after school.
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“You would need to have worked in the construction field, probably starting in a more entry-level role and working your way up into that type of role,” McKibbin told Yahoo Finance. “But it isn’t something that requires a degree.”
Coming in second place were project managers, who could earn $125,052 per year, on average, Indeed found. This was followed by underground miners, who could net $120,399 per year, on average.
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“Every job on that list still requires quite a large range of skills, whether those are soft skills or technical skills,” McKibbin said. “While people don’t need formal qualifications, they will be looking for relevant experience or those transferable skills.
“They may still require some other qualifications, such as a diploma or certificate. If you have that, you can work your way up to some of these highest-paying roles without a degree.”
Top 12 highest-paying jobs
Social media manager - $83,211
Driller (drill rig operator) - $87,815
Safety consultant - $96,090
Senior care worker - $96,249
App developer - $98,053
Site supervisor - $101,806
Security manager - $110,222
Recruitment manager - $115,489
HR manager - $118,000
Underground miner - $120,399
Project manager - $125,052
Construction manager - $171,341
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Is a university degree still worth it?
A number of young Aussies have recently taken to social media to question whether or not completing a university degree is worth it anymore.
While some experts believe degrees no longer hold the same value as in previous years, McKibbin said many employers still found them essential.
“Interestingly, Indeed’s graduate outcomes survey actually found 63 per cent of employers still believe that degrees are essential to securing employment,” McKibbin told Yahoo Finance.
“[But] having worked before or having any sorts of life experience that can be used for adaptability, critical thinking and problem solving are also as important as having that degree.
“Yes, they are still valuable but employers are likely to view them as less crucial as the ability to learn and adapt to new ways of thinking and working.”
For jobseekers, McKibbin recommended highlighting your transferable skills when entering a new industry, your willingness to learn and ability to adapt. She also reminded people to tailor their applications to specific jobs.
