No degree? No worries! The jobs in SA that don't require degrees
Updated | By East Coast Breakfast
Some of the highest positions in the country are held by those without a degree...
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For various reasons, a well-paying job can be a hard thing to come by in South Africa.
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It has always been accepted that if someone does not obtain a tertiary education, they will struggle to find a job and not have much success in life.
All education is important, and one should strive to further one's education as much as possible, but it's not a real possibility for everyone.
This could be due to a lack of finances, interest in the careers that require degrees or other adverse circumstances.
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Additionally, there has been a recent shift towards more skills-based hiring, and employers are looking for practical abilities instead of a formal education.
According to BusinessTech, a good example of an industry using these methods is the tech industry, where positions are now filled by self-taught individuals or people with non-traditional education backgrounds.
Salaryexplorer.com has compiled a list of the best-paid jobs in SA for which employees don't need a degree.
Here are some of the positions on the list:
1. Cabinet Minister
- Salary: R2.7-million (R225,000 per month)
- In SA, there is no academic qualification requirement for politicians to serve as councillors, members of provincial legislatures, or members of parliament. This includes cabinet ministers and even the president.
- Three current ministers only have Matric: John Steenhuisen (Agriculture), Dean Macpherson (Public Works and Infrastructure), and Gayton Mckenzie (Sports, Arts and Culture)
2. Real Estate Agent
- Average salary: R432,000 (R36,000 per month)
- Salaries range from R187,500 to R4.3-million.
- In this industry, income is commission-based, with opportunities for big paydays.
- Certain qualifications are needed for more senior positions, but entry-level positions are available.
3. Pilot
- Average: R309,500 (R25,800 per month)
- Salaries range from R250,000 to R1-million.
- You do not need a degree or prior qualification to start at a flight school.
- Some pilot-related courses and licenses need to be obtained.
4. SEO Specialist
- Average: R210,000 (R17,500 per month)
- Salaries range from R175,000 to R510,000
- You don't need a degree to become a Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) specialist, but complementary degrees can be helpful.
- SEO professionals often enter the field after obtaining on-the-job experience and completing courses.
5. Air Traffic Controller
- Average: R254,000 (R21,166 per month)
- Salaries range from R240,000 to R560,000
- There is a set of specific criteria that need to be met.
- You need a high school diploma or equivalent qualification, proficiency in English, and good spatial awareness and mathematical skills.
6. Content Writer
- Average: R188,000 (R15,700 per month)
- Salaries range from R109,000 to R504,000
- No English, journalism or creative writing degree is necessary.
- There are more affordable courses available for training.
7. Photographer
- Average: R150,214 (R12,500 per month)
- Salaries range from R96,000 to R360,000
- Does not require formal qualifications.
- There are many different educational paths to follow.
- From short certificate programs to Master's degrees in photography.
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8. Web Developer
- Average: R138,000 (R11,500 per month)
- Salaries range from R179,000 to R570,000
- Most software developers have degrees, but it's not necessary.
- Taking a course and relevant experience is often enough.
9. Car Sales
- Average: R240,000 (R20,000 per month)
- Salaries range from R141,000 to R438,000
- Working an entry-level position will help sales representatives receive on-the-job training.
- Many brands and dealerships offer training programmes to provide employees with comprehensive knowledge specific to the company.
This article is published with thanks to our sister station, Jacaranda FM.
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