Can you still get a job without a degree?
Without a degree, what are the highest paying jobs in South Africa? Many of the pay slips we received were from individuals who did not possess any kind of post matric qualification, such as a degree, diploma, or higher certificate. Many people felt renewed optimism because of this, and it is well-known that South Africa has a large youth unemployment rate, particularly among those without any education beyond high school.
While this piece will centre on technicians, our YouTube channel covers a wide range of topics, including the call centre industry, administrators, drivers, and more.
Solar Technician Salary
A lot of people were surprised to hear how much this young man made as a solar technician! He began his career with a Chinese company after finishing grade 9 as an apprentice. What this means is that he had training after grade 9, which allowed him to work as a technician while he received his training on the job. These opportunities used to be common in South Africa, but now they are hard to come by, as even people with degrees are having trouble finding work.
With a base salary of $1800 (or R33,246) and a net pay of R27,000. This is insufficient, in my opinion, given that he frequently leaves South Africa to work in other African countries but the comments below are saying otherwise!
Because of how shocked they were, a lot of people started to wonder if it was worthwhile to go to college. From what I can tell, a bachelor’s degree is still crucial; but, if you were unable to get one, you should still consider these options.
You may view the pays slip here:
Open Serve Technician Salary
This one, an Open Serve Technician, we got to see as well; he entered the field sixteen years ago with only a matriculation certificate. Even though science and mathematics were once sufficient, he said that a diploma in electrical engineering is now necessary. His basic salary is R26,933 with some allowances, bonuses which brings his gross to R32 666 and a net pay of R14 963! You can view the detailed pay slip here, but there are a lot of deductions. Given his exceptional aptitude for mathematics and science, we believe this individual was destined for further education.
Tracking Technician Salary
Exactly what does a tracking technician do job-wise? This is the person who installs the tracking device in your vehicle so that it can be located more easily in the event of theft. This position required matriculation and possession of a valid driver’s license. He began with an apprenticeship and then found employment after that!
He earns a gross income of R18,142 per year and a net income of R180,000. The R3,360 incentive was included on the pay slip that was submitted. Here you can see the salary mentioned, along with examples of jobs that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
Unemployment crisis
Like many other nations worldwide, South Africa struggles with the issue of youth unemployment. Statistics showing that the unemployment rate for young people (those between the ages of 15 and 34) is 45.5%, compared to the national average of 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024! This is quite alarming and stressful for young people but you can get regular updates on opportunities here.
