11 Highest Paying Blue Collar Jobs in Australia

2. Chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators

Average weekly salary: $1,860
Employment growth: 16.2
Skill level: 3

Not only that chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators earn more than many white-collar employees, but the occupation will see employment growth of 16.2, which is one of the highest increases among technicians and trade workers. Still, candidates for the job should know that this is a relatively small occupation with 9,200 employees, and employment increase of 16 percent translates into only 1,500 new job positions. Moreover, employment opportunities might be limited in some regions. Currently, Queensland is the top-employing state, followed by New South Wales and Victoria. Besides high salary, another attractive aspect of the job is that average weekly hours, which are 38.1, and hence, are smaller compared to the national average of 40.9 for all occupations. The majority of the workers is employed full time in manufacturing, electricity, gas, water and waste services, and mining.

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