Blog / High-paying jobs without a degree
High-paying jobs in NZ you can get without a degree
A degree isn't the only road to good money. Some of the best-paid people in New Zealand learned on the job, did an apprenticeship or trained for under a year. Here are 18 jobs that don't need a degree – with real pay data and how you get in.
How to read the numbers
All pay figures come from Tahatū, the government's careers site, and are before tax. For comparison, average pay in New Zealand is about $70,000 a year ($34 an hour), according to Tahatū.
- Typical is the median from Tahatū's pay data: half the people in that job earn more, half earn less. Tahatū's job pages show the range rather than the median, so you won't see this figure on the linked page.
- Most earn is the middle range – where most people in that job sit.
- Starting pay is lower. Apprentices and trainees start well below these numbers and climb as they get qualified and experienced.
18 well-paid jobs without a degree
| Job and how you get in | Typical pay | Most earn |
|---|---|---|
| Air traffic controller On-the-job training and qualifications | $198k | $115k–$233k |
| Aircraft maintenance engineer Training, often with an employer | $110k | $83k–$144k |
| Line mechanic (power lines) Apprenticeship, 3–4 years | $105k | $81k–$129k |
| Industrial electrician Apprenticeship, 3–4 years | $105k | $85k–$126k |
| Real estate salesperson Qualification, about 1 year – pay is mostly commission | $104k | $63k–$181k |
| Heavy equipment technician Qualification or experience | $94k | $79k–$110k |
| Crane operator On-the-job training | $94k | $72k–$121k |
| Diesel mechanic Apprenticeship, 1–4 years | $92k | $70k–$113k |
| Telecommunications line mechanic Training, up to 1 year | $87k | $64k–$118k |
| Fitter-welder Apprenticeship, 3–4 years | $87k | $71k–$107k |
| Electrician Apprenticeship, 3–4 years | $86k | $66k–$107k |
| Gasfitter Apprenticeship, 3–4 years | $86k | $68k–$103k |
| Heavy truck driver Licence training, up to 1 year | $85k | $69k–$102k |
| Heavy equipment operator Training on the job | $82k | $66k–$100k |
| Automotive electrician Usually an apprenticeship | $78k | $61k–$100k |
| Police officer Police training, under 1 year | $77k | $71k–$84k |
| Heat pump, refrigeration and air-con technician Training, up to 3 years | $77k | $60k–$99k |
| Plumber Apprenticeship, 3–4 years | $73k | $56k–$91k |
Source: Tahatū occupation pages, pay before tax, checked 2 October 2026. “Most earn” is the range shown on each page; “Typical” is the median in Tahatū's pay data behind the page, which isn't displayed. Rounded to the nearest thousand.
Five things the table doesn't tell you
1. The top earners often run their own business
A qualified electrician or plumber who builds a good reputation can start their own business and earn well beyond the median. Many trades have a clear ladder: apprentice → qualified → senior → your own thing.
2. You earn while you learn
Apprentices are employees from day one. The legal minimum for apprentices in recognised training is $19.16 an hour from 1 April 2026, and many employers pay more. No student loan – and by the time uni friends graduate, a qualified tradesperson can be several years into a full wage.
3. Some of these jobs are hard on your body
Heights, weather, early starts, heavy gear and long hours come with some of the money. Air traffic control and real estate are stressful in other ways. Pay is one reason to choose a job, not the only one.
4. Real estate pay swings a lot
Real estate salespeople are mostly paid on commission. The middle range in the table runs from about $63,000 to $181,000 – some years are great, some are tough, especially when the housing market is slow.
5. The hands-on core is harder to automate
Fixing a power line in a storm, rewiring an old villa or landing planes safely needs people on site who take responsibility. That core work is harder to automate than routine screen work – though AI and new tools will still change parts of these jobs, and no job comes with a guarantee. Read how AI may change jobs in NZ for how to check any job.
How to get started
- Get your driver licence. Almost every job on this list needs one. Start your learner licence as soon as you can.
- Keep maths and English going. Many trades usually need NCEA Level 2, and both make your training easier.
- Try it while you're at school. Ask your careers advisor about Gateway, a trades academy or work experience.
- Go direct to employers. Many apprenticeships aren't advertised. Our guide on how to get an apprenticeship in NZ has a step-by-step plan, and there are trade-specific guides for electrical, building, plumbing and mechanic apprenticeships.
- Look past the job title. Check each job on Tahatū for what a normal day looks like – and talk to someone who does it.
Not sure which of these would suit you? Try the AI coach if you're 16 or older. The AI coach asks what drives you, not just what you like.
Questions
What is the highest paying job in NZ without a degree?
Of the jobs in this list, air traffic controller has the highest typical pay – a median of about $198,000 a year according to Tahatū. You train on the job and gain qualifications rather than doing a university degree.
Which trade pays the most in NZ?
Among trades, line mechanics and industrial electricians have some of the highest typical pay – a median of about $105,000 a year according to Tahatū – followed by diesel mechanics, fitter-welders, electricians and gasfitters.
Can you earn $100k without a degree in NZ?
Yes. Several jobs in this list have a median around or above $100,000 a year, and many experienced tradespeople earn more – especially if they run their own business. Starting pay is much lower, though.
Do I need NCEA for a trade?
Many trades usually need NCEA Level 2 to start the training, often with maths and English. Some jobs, like crane operator or truck driver, usually don't need specific NCEA levels.
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Sources
- Tahatū Career Navigator – occupation pages for each job listed (pay before tax, checked 2 October 2026)
- Tahatū, How Tahatū's pay data works
- Employment New Zealand, Minimum wage rates