SEEK content team – updated 17 February 2026
When it comes to job searches, salary remains a top priority for many Australians — and increasingly across Asia Pacific.
According to new data from SEEK, some of Australia’s highest-paying jobs span Healthcare & Medical, Government & Defence, and Mining, Resources & Energy. Importantly, several of these roles don’t require a university degree and are recording strong annual salary growth.
Read the original SEEK article here:
https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/article/unexpected-high-paying-roles-that-dont-need-a-degree
Stevedoring: A Standout High-Growth Role
One of the most notable examples is stevedoring within Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics.
- Average salary: $134,756
- Salary growth:4% year-on-year
Stevedores — also known as wharfies — are essential to global trade, loading and unloading cargo ships at ports across Australia. The role is physically demanding and involves operating heavy machinery such as forklifts and cranes.
While no university degree is required, workers complete a Certificate III in stevedoring alongside structured on-the-job training.
Jake Field, Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), notes that wage growth reflects both the demanding 24/7 nature of the industry and strong enterprise agreements. The sector has also evolved, with women now making up 18–19% of the workforce and clearer pathways in operations, maintenance, clerical, and logistics roles.
Learn more about the MUA here:
https://www.mua.org.au/
Top 10 High-Paying Roles Without a Degree
Beyond stevedoring, SEEK data highlights the following high-paying roles:
- Shift Supervisor – Mining, Resources & Energy – $196,425 (12.3% growth)
- Electrician – Mining, Resources & Energy – $154,286 (2.1% growth)
- Trainer – Mining, Resources & Energy – $151,973 (9.6% growth)
- Mechanic – Mining, Resources & Energy – $148,413 (4.1% growth)
- Civil Supervisor – Construction – $147,478 (-2.4% growth)
- Field Service Technician – Mining, Resources & Energy – $145,385 (20.4% growth)
- Health, Safety & Environment Adviser – Mining, Resources & Energy – $145,359 (5.7% growth)
- Excavator Operator – Mining, Resources & Energy – $140,000 (4.9% growth)
- Health, Safety & Environment Adviser – Construction – $139,437 (2.1% growth)
- Boilermaker – Mining, Resources & Energy – $134,994 (2.8% growth)
Mining, Resources & Energy clearly dominates the highest-paid non-degree roles, alongside key Construction positions.
What This Means for Asia Pacific Employers
Across Asia Pacific, infrastructure expansion, energy transition, and supply chain growth are driving demand for skilled trades and technical professionals. The trend is clear: skills-based hiring is accelerating.
Career experts, including Leah Lambart of Relaunch Me, emphasise that apprenticeships, traineeships, and vocational training pathways offer strong earning potential for those who prefer hands-on learning over university study.
For employers, widening hiring criteria beyond degrees can unlock highly capable talent pools — particularly in Mining, Construction, Logistics, and Energy sectors where competition for experienced professionals is intensifying.
Source: SEEK, based on average annual full-time and annualised hourly salaries (excluding contract roles) for job ads listed on SEEK from Sep 2024 – Dec 2024 vs. Sep 2025 – Dec 2025.
A minimum threshold of job ads per quarter on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this table.
