We recently did an article on the highest paying jobs you don't need a university degree for, and this is what our readers had to say...


We all want to be financially stable but a lot of people don't have the academic inclination or the money(!!!) to get a university degree.

So we did an article on the highest paying jobs that don't require a degree and many people had a lot to say about this topic.


Here are the readers who've told us about their high-paying jobs that don't require degrees.



"Bank clerk for starter. Many people are growing within the bank and some are getting barsaries within this institutions. Ie. Standard Bank will fund you if you perform" - Kabelo


"I have been in the dairy industry, specifically the Long Life division, since 1990. I joined as an artisan ( I am an electronics and electrical artisan). I started out as a UHT (Ultra High Temperature) technician, and over the years I have moved through the ranks via training and courses.


"I am now 50yrs old, have been working at a dairy in Botswana, and earn about R120k per month, depending on the Zar/Bwp exchange rate.

"While no degree is required, you need to be an artisan with keen understanding of electricity in 400V 3 phase, 230V single phase, 24V dc, plc's and have an excellent understanding of milk rheology, since as an expat, you are expected to be a One-Stop-Shop. We earn well because we sacrifice family time and often our sanity" - Scharl

"Live-work, live maintenance on Eskom's high voltage network. A gloving member gets up to R17 000 while person in charge gets R25 000 and stick and bare hand is double, all you need is to attend a six week training" - Maholanyane

"I’m 27 this year and I have been working full time since I was 16. My mom, being a single mom, couldn’t afford for both me and my brother to finish school. My brother was in Grade 12 the year I left school completing my grade 10.

"I found a job at the family friend’s business and started off from the bottom. I was a receptionist for a year, moved to sales and admin a year later and was also given the PA to CEO title, then I worked for a total of 4 years at the manufacturing environment until I was head-hunted by another manufacturer.

"I moved over to my second job in 2009. The next year, I became a buyer for the company. Luckily for me, the hard working came with rewards and my salary increased by 20% every year. I worked at this job until 2014 until I was recruited by a solar company seeking to start their operation in SA.

"Long story short, my brother who had stayed in school is only finishing his studies this year and starts his minimum pay internship – I’m now married, have bought a house and a decent car." - Rebecca

"Motor Sales Executives. Apart from having great company benefits, the earning potential is huge and not capped at all. Your working hours can be flexible too." - Jean

"A good career to keep in mind is in the mining industry. There are numerous opportunities available to young women (or men) in both the mining and engineering disciplines. The positions are well paying with people earning upwards of R40,000.00 a month and mid management in the region of R80,000 a month" - Barry

"Recruitment consultant" - Emily

"I was a design draughtsman at a large engineering company In South Africa, specialising in design of Large EPCM Projects (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management). Draughtsmen/designers in this field earn between R350 and R500 an hour... In the UK its between £25 and £35 an hour." - Chris

"My job did not need a degree, it took hard work and dedication to be a qualified refrigeration mechanic, and it is a job that few people know about." - Calvin

"Croupier: You undergo a two months intensive training and if you are good in intuitive, fast calculations, you qualify as a croupier, earning an entry level salary of R20 000, and as you move up the ladder of promotion, you can ultimately become a tables manager with an average salary of R120 000 per month." - Jimmy

"I obtained an N3 certificate in electrical engineering and l was employed as an apprentice electrician for two and half years. At the end of my apprenticeship.


I did my trade test and became a qualified electrician. I did all of this as an employee of Ethekwini Municipality. I am now earning a basic salary of R21 660 per month with +- 60hrs overtime because there is always a shortage of electricians. There is also a scarce skills allowance of close to R3000 on top of your basic salary." - Grace

"Straight out of matric went into Insurance as a Sales Consultant in a call center. You basically assist clients that already went on the website or clients that phone in. You do the quote and sell the policy. Earn about R6000 basic and 50% of what you sold during the month. Average of about R20000 to R40000 a month." - Anon