$100k jobs in Australia that don’t require a university degree

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

From train drivers to diesel mechanics, crane operators, cattle auctioneers and wharf labourers, new Australian Taxation Office data has revealed the occupations where average incomes are above $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 this category out of Australia’s 15,134,189 taxpayers.

Someone on a six-figure salary is now among the 44.5 per cent or 6,736,313 of taxpayers in the $45,000 to $120,000 bracket where they pay the federal government 32.5 cents in the dollar on their earnings.

Australians are typically earning six-figure salaries in jobs that don’t require a university degree, new tax office data shows. Crane operators (stock image) with an average taxable income of $108,073

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

Australian tax brackets

$18,200 or less: 2,236,047 individuals or 14.8 per cent of taxpayers

$18,201 to $45,000: 4,385,353 individuals or 29 per cent of taxpayers

$45,001 to $120,000: 6,736,313 individuals or 44.5 per cent of taxpayers

$120,001 to $180,000: 1,150,084 individuals or 7.6 per cent of taxpayers

$180,001 or more: 626,392 individuals or 4.1 per cent of individuals

TOTAL: 15,134,189 individuals paid $236.669billion in net tax in 2020-21

The average taxable incomes were based on salaries minus work expenses. 

Railway station managers were well remunerated with an average taxable income of $113,579. 

This occupation doesn’t require a university degree but the federal government’s Your Career website noted it was necessary to have ‘relevant experience to work as a railway station manager’.

‘While formal qualifications aren’t essential, a Vocational Education and Training course in rail operations management may be useful,’ it said, adding the job was ‘stressful’.

Train examiners had an average taxable salary of $114,929 in an occupation requiring a Vocational Education and Training course in rail safety.

Railway signal operators typically get $119,915, while train drivers are on $127,932 in a job requiring a Certificate IV in Train Driving.

Diesel motor mechanics are also typically paid six-figure salaries with average incomes of $100,105, which is significantly higher than $67,147 for a garage mechanic.

Unlike mechanics working in suburban garages, diesel mechanics often work on mine sites repairing and maintain large dump trucks in a sector that is well remunerated. 

Railway signal operators typically get $119,915, while train drivers (Queensland Rail employee, pictured) are on $127,932 in a job requiring a Certificate IV in Train Driving

Railway signal operators typically get $119,915, while train drivers (Queensland Rail employee, pictured) are on $127,932 in a job requiring a Certificate IV in Train Driving

Stock and station auctioneers, who take bids on livestock like cattle, typically earned $113,459 (pictured is a livestock auctioneer in Ballarat in central Victoria)

Stock and station auctioneers, who take bids on livestock like cattle, typically earned $113,459 (pictured is a livestock auctioneer in Ballarat in central Victoria)

This occupation servicing trucks and buses requires a  Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or a Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology.

Australian jobs with average taxable incomes in the six figures

DIESEL MOTOR MECHANIC: $100,105 

REAL ESTATE AGENT COMPANY REP:  $100,223

PAPER MILL OPERATOR: $102,053 

WHARF LABOURER: $102,840 

SECURITY CONSULTANT: $107,119

CRANE OPERATOR: $108,073 

STOCK AND STATION AUCTIONEER: $113,459 

RAILWAY STATION MANAGER: $113,579

TRAIN EXAMINER: $114,929 

RAILWAY SIGNAL OPERATOR: $119,915 

REAL ESTATE AGENCY MANAGER: $124,276

COAL MINER: $125,856 

TRAIN DRIVER: $127,932

TRAIN CONTROLLER: $134,903 

POLICE DETECTIVE: $122,732

Those using the heavy machinery are well paid with crane operators getting $108,073, in a dangerous job requiring a heavy rigid truck licence and a Certificate III in Construction Crane Operations.

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

Wharf labourers who unload imported freight at Australia’s ports make $102,840, with this year marking the 25th anniversary of the heated dispute between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia.

Security consultants were earning on average $107,119, with those in this role offer advice on design features to ward off intruders.

This role requires a Certificate IV in Security and Risk Management.

Stock and station auctioneers, who take bids on livestock like cattle, typically earned $113,459.

This role requires an auctioneer accreditation in the state where they practise, along with a station agent licence.

Real estate managers earned on average $124,276, in an occupation requiring a state licence and a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice.

The job advising investors on buying houses doesn’t typically pay six figures unless a man is doing it.

Male real estate consultants had average salaries of $112,720, compared with $69,953 for women doing the same role, which put the total average for the two genders at $90,213.

It was a similar story for clothing designers with men on average making $214,170, compared with $74,894 for women.

Wharf labourers who unload imported freight at Australia's ports make $102,840, with this year marking the 25th anniversary of the heated dispute between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia (pictured is a Chinese container vessel being unloaded in Melbourne)

Wharf labourers who unload imported freight at Australia’s ports make $102,840, with this year marking the 25th anniversary of the heated dispute between Patrick Stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia (pictured is a Chinese container vessel being unloaded in Melbourne)

But in one surprising occupation thought to be male dominated, women made more.

Female bulldozer operators had an average taxable income of $100,253, compared with $92,407 for men.

Only 21 women in Australia listed this as their occupation, compared with 541 men, which meant the average income for this job was $92,700.

Police detectives are typically paid $122,732, with men making $126,791 and women earning $109,772.

Those in law enforcement can do a degree in policing, but those in blue can complete a vocational course. 

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