Who says you need to go to university to make the big bucks? In some cases, you might actually be better off switching your graduation cap for a hard hat, and getting yourself into a trade apprenticeship if you want to earn a good salary.
While apprentice wages might not be anything to boast about, once you’ve become qualified in your trade you could be raking in quite a bit of dosh. It’s a common misconception that you need a university degree to get a high paying job, but you may be surprised how well blue-collar work can pay, especially when you compare them to jobs with more supposed “prestige”. Here are some comparisons that might make you re-think what you know about trade salaries:
Carpenter vs. Journalist
Journalist median salary: $49,579 Carpenter median salary: $51,285
Carpentry is one of the oldest professions there is, while journalism is becoming more and more popular. Most journalists have to complete a degree in communications before they can break into the industry, while most carpenters go through an apprenticeship, or are self-taught. The average earning for Aussie journalists sits somewhere between $36,000 and $74,000, while carpenters can expect to earn anywhere between $39,000 and $85,000.
Marketing Executive vs. Boilermaker
Marketing Executive median salary: $59,111 Boilermaker median salary: $67,337
Marketing executives work to create advertisements to promote a product or service. Marketing is a very competitive industry to break into, usually requiring a degree of its employees, and will see marketing executives earning between $46,000 and $78,000 a year. Boilermaking is a branch of engineering that involves fabricating and repairing metal structures, usually boilers. To become a boilermaker, you usually need to have completed an apprenticeship. A qualified boilermaker can earn a salary between $41,000 and $94,000, and the median salary of a boilermaker is significantly higher than that of a marketing executive.
Accountant vs. Electrician
Accountant median salary: $54,492 Electrician median salary: $60,885
Accounting is something you might expect would rake in quite a bit of coin, but when compared to the rate of an electrician, it ain’t all that special. Most accountants get degrees in business or financing before landing a job, and are expected to earn between $39,000 and $82,000. Electricians need to complete an apprenticeship to earn their qualification, and then they can expect to see an annual income of between $41,000 and $94,000.
You get the deal, right? University degrees don’t always equate to big earnings, and trade jobs might have a higher income than you’d expect. If you’re still not convinced, here’s further proof that the trade route could be the one that’s right for you:
University Degree
Apprenticeship Qualification
PhysiotherapistSalary range: $48,000 – $91,000
Median salary: $61,393
BuilderSalary range: $41,000 – $124,000
Median salary: $64,858
Research Scientist Salary range: $52,000 – $99,000
Median salary: $72,647
Electrical EngineerSalary range: $52,000 – $125,000
Median salary: $74,536
Corporate LawyerSalary range: $50,000 – $135,000
Median salary: $76,460
Heavy Duty MechanicSalary range: $45,000 – $119,000
Median salary: $82,243
IT Project ManagerSalary range: $67,000 – $163,000
Median salary: $99,893
Construction Manager Salary range: $64,000 – $233,000
Median salary: $118,240
Salary estimates according to payscale.com.