Several trade and technical positions in Australia are now commanding salaries of nearly $170,000 annually, without requiring a university degree. Data from SEEK reveals that roles such as heavy diesel fitters and automotive electricians are among the highest earners in this category.
Heavy diesel fitters reported the highest average salary at $167,210, followed closely by automotive electricians earning $163,611. Construction site and healthcare facilities managers also feature prominently, both earning $151,099 per year. A foreperson role ranks fifth, with an average salary of $143,807.
Other positions rounding out the top ten highest-paying jobs without a degree include maintenance managers, payroll managers, electricians, licensed aircraft maintenance engineers, and marketing managers.
Dr. Blair Chapman, SEEK's chief economist, noted that these figures demonstrate that significant earning potential exists for individuals who pursue vocational training or trades instead of higher education. He emphasized that these are not low-skilled jobs, but rather roles that require substantial training, licenses, and on-the-job experience to build capability.
These salary trends coincide with a broader increase in advertised salaries across Australia. Tasmania has seen the highest annual growth at 5.6 percent, while New South Wales recorded the slowest growth at 4.3 percent. The construction sector is a notable contributor to this growth, with advertised salaries rising 5.2 percent year-on-year. The mining, resources, and energy sectors have also seen salary increases exceeding the national average.
Dr. Chapman attributes the high salaries in specialized trade and technical occupations to a shortage of skilled workers. He explained that the demand in industries like mining, resources, and energy, which rely on skills that take considerable time to develop and are often located in regional or remote areas, is a major driver. Similarly, strong demand in the construction industry, particularly for roles that combine trade expertise with leadership responsibilities, is boosting salaries for experienced site managers and forepersons needed to ensure project timelines, manage subcontractors, and uphold safety standards.