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!

Many high-paying jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree or a four-year degree. Instead, you can access these roles through alternative pathways such as vocational training, certifications, and on-the-job training. 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 require a high school diploma as a minimum qualification.

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 are responsible for overseeing building projects, coordinating teams, and ensuring that work is completed on time and within budget. To succeed in this field, construction managers need project management skills, soft skills, and strong communication skills to effectively lead teams and manage complex projects.

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

Source: Indeed Salary

Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects across various industries, including marketing, construction, healthcare and technology. They must oversee budgets, manage timelines, and effectively lead teams to ensure project success.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential for project managers, as they need to build rapport, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and team members. Technical knowledge related to the specific industry is often acquired on the job and is crucial for effectively overseeing projects.

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 are responsible for managing sales teams and overseeing sales operations, including setting goals and designing sales plans to achieve targets. Strong communication skills are essential for sales managers to effectively manage teams and build strong 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, a bachelor’s degree, or a university qualification is not the only pathway to some of the best-paying jobs in Australia. For many high-paying roles, there is no degree required, and employers often prioritise hands-on work experience and practical skills over formal education.

Vocational education and training reduce your time sitting in lecture theatres and give 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 also 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. In many industries, hands-on work experience is often valued more than formal education.

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.

READ MORE

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

Earning over $100,000 a year doesn’t always require a university degree. Many trade and technical careers offer strong salaries based on skill, certification, and experience—not academic credentials. Roles such as elevator mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and drillers are in high demand and rely on apprenticeships and vocational training rather than formal degrees.

In addition, sectors like information technology, human resources, and real estate offer six-figure earning potential through industry-recognised certifications, practical experience, and performance. For those inclined towards entrepreneurship, starting your own business in these or related fields can also accelerate income growth.

If university isn’t the right fit, thousands of accredited training providers across Australia offer nationally recognised qualifications that align with workforce demands. Strategic networking, leveraging job boards, and continuously upskilling are essential to securing and advancing in high-paying roles.