Tuesday 9 August 2022 07:52 AM The jobs with six-figure salaries that don't require a university degree trends now

Tuesday 9 August 2022 07:52 AM The jobs with six-figure salaries that don't require a university degree trends now
Tuesday 9 August 2022 07:52 AM The jobs with six-figure salaries that don't require a university degree trends now

Tuesday 9 August 2022 07:52 AM The jobs with six-figure salaries that don't require a university degree trends now

Jobs that don't require a university degree are typically paying six-figure salaries, new tax office data shows.

They are not the nation's top-paying jobs - after many years of studying and practising medicine, brain surgeons earn an average $553,569.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, is on $549,250, while plastic surgeons on typical salaries of $475,081 make more than lifesaving heart surgeons on $464,243 and judges on $423,945.

But it's still possible to earn an above-average salary with only a vocational qualification without the need to spend years at university.

New Australian Taxation Office data for 2019-20 showed railway station managers had average taxable incomes of $109,123.

This was significantly higher than the average tax salary of $63,882, covering both full and part-time workers.

Jobs that don't require a university degree are typically paying six-figure salaries, new tax office data shows. New Australian Taxation Office data for 2019-20 showed railway station managers had average taxable incomes of $109,123 (pictured is Strathfield train station in Sydney)

Jobs that don't require a university degree are typically paying six-figure salaries, new tax office data shows. New Australian Taxation Office data for 2019-20 showed railway station managers had average taxable incomes of $109,123 (pictured is Strathfield train station in Sydney)

The federal government's Your Career website describes railway station management as 'stressful' and noted future demand for the job was in decline, especially with more professionals able to work from home.

Australia's best paid jobs

NEUROSURGEON (BRAIN DOCTOR): $553,569 

OPTHALMOLOGIST (EYE DOCTOR): $520,966

PLASTIC SURGEON: $475,081 

CARDIOLOGIST (HEART SURGEON): $464,243 

JUDGE: $423,945 

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGIST: $417,050 

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The Victorian government's Rail Academy site advised those wanting to become train station managers to prepare to put in 40 to 44 hours a week, including at night, weekends and public holidays.

Railway jobs in general are well-paid with signal operators getting $117,308 while train drivers make $118,873.

In another transport-related job, air traffic controllers had average salaries of $150,132, with this occupation requiring a Diploma of Aviation.

Helicopter pilots had average pay of $123,481, requiring attendance at a flight school to obtain a licence.

They were far from the only jobs that don't require a degree but still make more than a university lecturer on an average salary of $110,857 or a barrister on $138,904.

Dredge operators working on marine construction projects had average salaries of $139,522.

Paper mill operators were paid $102,176 while crane operators on construction sites made $104,692.

Coal miners have average salaries of $124,550, compared with $150,442 for power plant operators running the coal-fired electricity generator.

Bank managers had average taxable salaries of $144,595, with this occupation requiring a Certificate IV in Financial Services.

Railway jobs are well-paid with signal operators getting $117,308 while train drivers (Queensland Rail operator, pictured) make $118,873

Railway jobs are well-paid with signal operators getting $117,308 while train drivers (Queensland Rail operator, pictured) make $118,873

They make even more than dentists, on $131,773. 

But with the big banks closing branches, as customers do more transactions online, there are fewer long-term career paths for bank managers.

Nonetheless, the SEEK jobs website currently has 657 vacancies for bank managers. 

Other managers also earn six-figure salaries, with construction site managers on $117,043, which is comparable with school principals on $130,142 and advertising managers on $110,044.

Police inspectors are typically paid $120,310. 

Those who fancy themselves as TV presenters or announcers can command an average taxable salary of $136,410 but the media industry is intensely competitive, with employment dependent on ratings and advertising revenue.

Police inspectors are typically paid $120,310 (pictured are recent police graduates at Goulburn in southern NSW)

Police inspectors are typically paid $120,310 (pictured are recent police graduates at Goulburn in southern NSW)

In another transport-related job, air traffic controllers had average salaries of $150,132, with this occupation requiring a Diploma of Aviation (pictured are Qantas planes at Sydney airport)

In another transport-related job, air traffic controllers had average salaries of $150,132, with this occupation requiring a Diploma of Aviation (pictured are Qantas planes at Sydney airport)

Journalists usually need to have a communications degree from a university but on-air personalities have been employed after obtaining a diploma.

Australia's best paid bureaucrats

National Broadband Network Co chief executive Stephen Rue: $2,647,974

Snowy Hydro chief executive Paul Broad: $2,249,978

Australia Post's former acting CEO Rodney Boys: $1,871,932

Australian Rail Track Corporation CEO Mark Campbell: $1,186,727

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe: $1,076,029

Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell: $1,034,315

Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty: $963,428

Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Glyn Davis: $944,829*

Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy: $922,022

Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo: $912,422

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Kathryn Campbell*: $874,288

Department of Energy, Science, Energy and Resources Secretary David Fredericks: $817,762

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: $549,250

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles: $433,063

Treasurer Jim Chalmers: $396,094

Foreign Minister Penny Wong: $369,688

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher: $364,406

Sources: Remuneration Tribunal, annual reports

* Based on terms of their predecessor

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Television journalists had average taxable salaries of $107,918, with this role covering reporters in front of the camera and producers behind the scenes.

They often interview economists, who have

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