$100,000 jobs in Australia that don’t require a college degree

Australians typically earn six-figure salaries in jobs that don’t require a university degree.

From train drivers to diesel mechanics, crane operators, livestock auctioneers and longshoremen, new data from the Australian Revenue Agency has revealed the jobs where the median wage is over $100,000.

Anyone earning a six-figure salary was among the top 17.8 per cent of income earners in 2020–21, with 2,691,226 people in that category out of Australia’s 15,134,189 taxpayers.

Someone with a six-figure salary is now among the 44.5 percent, or 6,736,313 of taxpayers in the $45,000 to $120,000 range who pay the federal government 32.5 cents in dollars on their earnings.

New data from the Inland Revenue reveals that Australians in jobs that don’t require a university degree typically earn six-figure salaries. Crane operator (stock image) with median taxable income of $108,073

You’re in the same category as someone with an average taxable income of $68,289, which is slightly above the national average of $65,000 but below the average full-time salary of $94,000 as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Average taxable income was based on salaries minus labor costs.

Station managers were well paid, with an average taxable income of $113,579.

A university degree is not required for this job, but the federal government’s “Your Career” website indicated that “relevant experience to work as a station manager” was required.

“Although formal qualifications are not essential, a vocational training course in railway operations management can be useful,” it said, adding that the job is “stressful”.

Train inspectors had an average taxable salary of $114,929 in an occupation that required a vocational training course in railroad safety.

Railroad signal operators are typically paid $119,915, while train drivers are paid $127,932 for a job that requires a Certificate IV in train driving.

Diesel engine mechanics also typically earn six-figure salaries, with a median salary of $100,105, which is well over $67,147 for a shop mechanic.

Unlike mechanics who work in suburban garages, diesel mechanics often work on mine sites repairing and maintaining large dump trucks, and it’s a well-paid sector.

Railway signal operators are typically paid $119,915, while train drivers (Queensland Rail employees, pictured) are paid $127,932 for a job that requires a Certificate IV in train driving

Livestock and station auctioneers, who take bids for farm animals such as cattle, typically made $113,459 (pictured is a livestock auctioneer in Ballarat, central Victoria).

This occupation in truck and bus maintenance requires a Certificate III in Heavy Duty Vehicle Mechanical Engineering or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Engineering.

Those who operate heavy machinery are paid well: Crane operators are paid $108,073 for a hazardous job that requires a heavy truck license and a Certificate III in construction crane operation.

Coal miners are also well paid, with an average taxable income of $125,856 compared to paper mill operators of $102,053.

Dockers unloading imported cargo at Australia’s ports earn $102,840. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the heated dispute between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia.

Security consultants earned an average of $107,119, with those in this role providing advice on design features to deter intruders.

A Certificate IV in Security and Risk Management is required for this role.

Stock and station auctioneers who take bids for livestock, such as cattle, typically made $113,459.

This role requires accreditation as an auctioneer in the state in which they operate, as well as a license as a station agent.

Real estate managers earned an average of $124,276 in a profession that requires a state license and Certificate IV in real estate practice.

The job of advising investors on home purchases doesn’t usually pay six figures unless it’s a man.

Male real estate consultants had an average salary of $112,720 compared to $69,953 for women in the same position, for an overall average of $90,213 for both genders.

It was similar for fashion designers, with men earning an average of $214,170 compared to $74,894 for women.

But in a surprising profession that was thought to be male-dominated, women earned more.

Female bulldozer operators had a median taxable income of $100,253 compared to $92,407 for men.

Only 21 women in Australia listed this job as their occupation compared to 541 men, meaning the median salary for this job was $92,700.

Police inspectors typically earn a salary of $122,732.

Dockers unloading imported cargo at Australia’s ports earn $102,840. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the heated dispute between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia (pictured a Chinese container ship being unloaded in Melbourne).