Several Australian coal miners have publicly revealed the huge incomes they make, with one revealing a staggering $300,000 a year. The good news is that you don't need a degree (or huge student loans) to get the job.
One Queensland woman said she was earning $130,000 to $140,000 as a fourth-year machining and assembly apprentice in gold mining, and that her pay was “increasing every year.”
In a video shared by jobs app Getahead, another Australian said he earns $158,000 a year as a FIFO electrical foreman at a gold mine.
Related
Meanwhile, a FIFO construction manager who makes $180,000 a year revealed that aside from site-specific induction and safety requirements, there is “not a lot” of training required.
Coal miners in particular can earn huge salaries, with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) revealing this week that the job is one of Australia's highest paying jobs that doesn't require a degree.
Coal miners earn an average annual salary of $130,033, according to the tax office, and there are apprenticeships and traineeships available, as well as vocational training in mining and drilling.
Do you have a story to share? Contact us at tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com.
One Brisbane miner said he earns $160,000 a year in his job, while underground miners earn nearly $300,000. He is self-employed and has been doing the job since he was 17.
“Anyone can do it. You need to get Standard 11 first,” he said.
Standard 11 is a mandatory introductory course for people working in Queensland's coal mining industry and covers how to work safely in mines, costing about $650.
But he added that while anyone can do the job, the job is “dangerous” and requires diving up to one kilometre underground, which not everyone can do.
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs Without a Degree
Air traffic controllers were the highest-paying jobs that didn't require a degree, with an average annual salary of $153,445. Coal miners came in fourth.
-
Air Traffic Controller: $153,445 per year
-
Airplane pilot: $143,403
-
Train Driver: $132,430
-
Miner: $130,033
-
Helicopter pilot: $125,105
-
Railway signal operators: $124,767
-
Railway Station Manager: $115,264
-
Real Estate Agent: $112,815
-
Crane Operator: $109,165
-
Auctioneer: $102,544
The ATO also revealed the highest paying professions overall, with surgeons once again taking the top spot, earning an average of $460,356 per year.
Mining engineers, who require a bachelor's degree and work experience, ranked seventh. The average annual salary for mining engineers is $214,365.
By comparison, the average income was $72,327 and the median income (which excludes very high and low incomes) was $53,041.
To get the latest Yahoo Finance news, follow us Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
