Jobs By Qualification
Grouped by the credential that legally or practically lets you start. Each group shows its median pay, so you can see exactly what an extra tier of study is worth before you commit years to it.
Doctorate / specialist fellowship
Median $375,000
A doctorate, medical fellowship or specialist training program — typically eight to fifteen years of study and supervised practice.
22 professions in this group. Highest paid: Neurosurgeon at $616,000.
- Neurosurgeon$616,000
- Cardiothoracic Surgeon$560,000
- Orthopaedic Surgeon$540,000
- Plastic Surgeon$500,000
- Anaesthetist$465,000
- Radiologist$440,000
- Oncologist$425,000
- Dermatologist$410,000
- Gastroenterologist$405,000
- Urologist$400,000
- Ophthalmologist$395,000
- Obstetrician & Gynaecologist$375,000
- Emergency Medicine Physician$360,000
- Psychiatrist$320,000
- Pathologist$315,000
- Orthodontist$290,000
- General Practitioner (Family Doctor)$265,000
- Paediatrician$260,000
- Dentist / Dental Surgeon$245,000
- University Professor$155,000
- Veterinarian$125,000
- Research Scientist$108,000
Postgraduate degree or professional licence
Median $165,000
A bachelor degree plus a master's, professional qualification or licensing pathway, generally five to seven years in total.
21 professions in this group. Highest paid: Investment Bank Managing Director at $620,000.
- Investment Bank Managing Director$620,000
- Hedge Fund Manager$580,000
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)$480,000
- Private Equity Partner$420,000
- Managing Partner (Law Firm)$370,000
- Corporate Lawyer$300,000
- Judge / Magistrate$240,000
- Patent Attorney$235,000
- Barrister$220,000
- Anaesthetic Nurse Practitioner$205,000
- Lawyer (General Practice)$165,000
- Criminal Defence Lawyer$150,000
- Family Lawyer$135,000
- Pharmacist$132,000
- Optometrist$130,000
- School Principal$130,000
- Immigration Lawyer$125,000
- Architect$105,000
- Psychologist$105,000
- University Lecturer$98,000
- Librarian$62,000
Bachelor degree
Median $118,000
A three to four year bachelor degree, sometimes followed by a registration or licensing exam.
60 professions in this group. Highest paid: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at $820,000.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)$820,000
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)$450,000
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)$295,000
- Sales Director$210,000
- Machine Learning Engineer$205,000
- Software Architect$200,000
- Petroleum Engineer$195,000
- Cloud Solutions Architect$190,000
- Investment Banker (Associate)$190,000
- Actuary$185,000
- Cybersecurity Manager$180,000
- Data Science Manager$178,000
- Mining Engineer$175,000
- Product Manager$155,000
- Management Consultant$155,000
- DevOps Engineer$150,000
- Data Scientist$148,000
- Software Engineer$145,000
- Financial Controller$145,000
- Data Engineer$142,000
- Construction Project Manager$138,000
- Full Stack Developer$135,000
- Aerospace Engineer$135,000
- Medical Device Sales Rep$135,000
- Robotics Engineer$134,000
- Back End Developer$132,000
- Mobile App Developer$130,000
- Chemical Engineer$128,000
- Electrical Engineer$122,000
- Structural Engineer$118,000
- Chartered Accountant$118,000
- Pharmaceutical Sales Rep$118,000
- Marketing Manager$118,000
- Mechanical Engineer$115,000
- UX Designer$112,000
- Civil Engineer$110,000
- Hotel General Manager$110,000
- Biomedical Engineer$106,000
- Compliance Officer$105,000
- Public Relations Manager$105,000
- Environmental Engineer$102,000
- Physiotherapist$98,000
- Auditor$96,000
- Surveyor$95,000
- Midwife$92,000
- Army Officer$92,000
- Town Planner$92,000
- Radiographer$88,000
- Technical Writer$88,000
- Underwriter$88,000
- Public Servant (Policy Officer)$88,000
- Registered Nurse$86,000
- Occupational Therapist$84,000
- Speech Pathologist$82,000
- Special Education Teacher$76,000
- High School Teacher$74,000
- Dietitian$70,000
- Event Manager$70,000
- Primary School Teacher$68,000
- Social Worker$68,000
Diploma or associate degree
Median $95,000
One to two years of vocational study at a college or technical institute, often with a workplace placement.
20 professions in this group. Highest paid: Airline Captain at $240,000.
- Airline Captain$240,000
- Marine Pilot$190,000
- Airline First Officer$165,000
- Ship Captain / Master Mariner$155,000
- Front End Developer$118,000
- Network Engineer$108,000
- Building Site Supervisor$108,000
- QA / Test Engineer$98,000
- UI Designer$98,000
- Systems Administrator$96,000
- Building Inspector$95,000
- Conveyancer$82,000
- Dental Hygienist$78,000
- Paramedic$72,000
- Draftsperson$72,000
- Graphic Designer$66,000
- Restaurant Manager$64,000
- Paralegal$62,000
- Massage Therapist$48,000
- Beauty Therapist$42,000
Apprenticeship / trade qualification
Median $72,000
A paid apprenticeship of three to four years combining supervised work with technical college training, ending in a licensed trade qualification.
22 professions in this group. Highest paid: Lift / Elevator Technician at $92,000.
- Lift / Elevator Technician$92,000
- Executive Chef$92,000
- Gas Fitter$86,000
- Plumber$84,000
- Electrician$82,000
- HVAC Technician$78,000
- Boilermaker$76,000
- Roof Plumber$74,000
- Fitter and Turner$74,000
- Carpenter$72,000
- Diesel Mechanic$72,000
- Head Chef$72,000
- Bricklayer$70,000
- Auto Electrician$70,000
- Automotive Mechanic$64,000
- Panel Beater$62,000
- Glazier$60,000
- Cabinet Maker$60,000
- Painter & Decorator$58,000
- Locksmith$58,000
- Chef de Partie$52,000
- Hairdresser$42,000
Short course / certificate or licence
Median $62,000
A short certificate, ticket or licence — typically a few weeks to a few months of study, often completed while working.
61 professions in this group. Highest paid: Air Traffic Controller at $160,000.
- Air Traffic Controller$160,000
- Commercial Property Agent$145,000
- Penetration Tester$138,000
- Stockbroker$135,000
- Mortgage Broker$112,000
- Financial Planner$105,000
- Underground Miner$105,000
- Real Estate Agent$105,000
- Drill Operator$98,000
- Detective$96,000
- Insurance Broker$92,000
- Oil Rig Worker$92,000
- Train Driver$88,000
- Power Plant Operator$86,000
- Crane Operator$82,000
- Digital Marketing Specialist$82,000
- Rigger$78,000
- Police Officer$78,000
- Heavy Machinery Operator$76,000
- Insurance Sales Agent$76,000
- Firefighter$74,000
- Court Reporter$68,000
- Tiler$68,000
- Welder$68,000
- Truck Driver (Long Haul)$68,000
- Concreter$66,000
- Scaffolder$66,000
- Solar Panel Installer$64,000
- Prison Officer$64,000
- IT Support Technician$62,000
- Payroll Officer$62,000
- Plasterer$62,000
- Sommelier$62,000
- Arborist$60,000
- Enrolled Nurse$58,000
- Flight Attendant$58,000
- Bookkeeper$56,000
- Legal Secretary$55,000
- Landscaper$52,000
- Quality Control Inspector$52,000
- Bus Driver$52,000
- Personal Trainer$50,000
- Meat Worker / Butcher$48,000
- Forklift Operator$46,000
- Fisher / Deckhand$46,000
- Commercial Window Cleaner$46,000
- Administration Assistant$46,000
- Disability Support Worker$44,000
- Baker$44,000
- Barber$44,000
- Casino Dealer$44,000
- Aged Care Worker$42,000
- Cruise Ship Crew$42,000
- Childcare Educator$40,000
- Rideshare / Taxi Driver$40,000
- Security Guard$40,000
- Cook$40,000
- Tour Guide$40,000
- Teacher's Aide$38,000
- Bartender$36,000
- Barista$33,000
No formal qualification required
Median $42,000
On-the-job training, a short induction and basic safety awareness are usually all that is required to start.
44 professions in this group. Highest paid: Business Owner / Founder at $410,000.
- Business Owner / Founder$410,000
- Software Sales Executive$148,000
- Forex Trader$128,000
- Luxury Car Salesperson$115,000
- Solar Sales Consultant$88,000
- Recruitment Consultant$84,000
- Car Salesman$78,000
- SEO Specialist$78,000
- Copywriter$74,000
- Advertising Sales Rep$72,000
- Social Media Manager$68,000
- Videographer$64,000
- Shearer$62,000
- Retail Store Manager$62,000
- Photographer$58,000
- Soldier / Enlisted Personnel$56,000
- Debt Collector$48,000
- Call Centre Sales Agent$46,000
- Machine Operator$44,000
- Removalist$44,000
- Bank Teller$42,000
- Timber Worker$42,000
- Delivery Driver$42,000
- Customer Service Officer$42,000
- Warehouse Storeperson$40,000
- Receptionist$40,000
- Factory Production Worker$38,000
- Courier$38,000
- Hotel Receptionist$38,000
- Assembly Line Worker$37,000
- Food Production Worker$36,000
- Gardener$36,000
- General Hand / Labourer$36,000
- Farm Hand$34,000
- Recycling Sorter$34,000
- Retail Sales Assistant$34,000
- Car Detailer$34,000
- Supermarket Checkout Operator$32,000
- Cleaner$32,000
- Restaurant Waiter$31,000
- Housekeeper$31,000
- Fruit Picker$30,000
- Kitchen Hand$30,000
- Fast Food Crew Member$28,000