The median income in Hong Kong for the last quarter was 20,000 yuan, but there are jobs available that do not require a university degree and offer a starting salary above 20,000 yuan. Here is a list of high-paying positions along with related courses that high school students can consider.
Dispenser:
Dispensers usually work in public hospitals and clinics under the Hospital Authority, mainly responsible for dispensing medication and other related work. To become a dispenser, one can enroll in a higher diploma program related to dispensing. A starting salary of $21,875 can be expected when working as a dispenser in a public hospital. The salary range for dispensers, senior dispensers, and chief dispensers are as follows:
Dispenser – $21,875 – $43,610 (Master Pay Scale Points 8 to 21)
Senior Dispenser – $45,670 – $60,100 (Master Pay Scale Points 22 to 28)
Chief Dispenser – $62,950 – $75,620 (Master Pay Scale Points 29 to 33)
Partially accredited pharmacy courses:
1. Caritas Bianchi School of Professional Studies – Higher Diploma in Pharmacy
Course format and study period: Two years full-time or three years part-time
Admission requirements: DSE with Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language), or graduated from Yi Jin Diploma, or completed the third level of the Qualifications Framework recognized by our school.
Tuition fee: After deducting the government subsidy of $39,140, the actual tuition fee payable by full-time first-year students in the 2023/24 academic year is $29,040.
2. VTC – Higher Diploma in Pharmacy Dispensing
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: DSE with Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language), or VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies, or VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / International Diploma of Vocational Education, or Diploma Yi Jin, or equivalent
Tuition fee: $31,570 per year
Early Childhood Education:
Kindergarten teachers promote the social, physical, and intellectual development of students in the classroom. To become a kindergarten teacher, graduates can study for a Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education or a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. The monthly salary range for kindergarten teachers is between $23,360 to $41,540.
Partially recognized Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education:
1. EdUHK – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: DSE obtained five subjects up to level 2 (including Chinese Language and English Language)
Tuition fee: $15,040 per year
2. VTC – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: DSE with Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language), or VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies, or VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / International Diploma of Vocational Education, or Diploma Yi Jin, or equivalent
Tuition fee: $31,570 per year
3. HKBU Faculty of Continuing Education – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: DSE obtained Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language), or Diploma Yi Jin
Tuition fee: $33,700 per term (two-year tuition divided into four installments)
4. CUHK SPEED – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: DSE obtained Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language), or Diploma Yi Jin
Tuition fee: $78,780 per year
Social Worker:
Social workers work in the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organizations, primarily responsible for counseling, clinical social work, group work, social education, and family therapy. A course accredited by the Social Workers Registration Board, including a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma, etc., is required to become a registered social worker. Graduates with a Higher Diploma in Social Work can work as a Social Work Assistant (SWA), while a Bachelor of Social Work is required to become an Assistant Social Work Officer (ASWO).
The salary range for government Social Work Assistants (SWA) is between $23,295 to $45,670.
Partially approved Advanced Diploma in Social Work:
1. CUHK SPEED – Higher Diploma in Social Work
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: DSE obtained Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language), or Diploma Yi Jin
Tuition fee: $92,106 per year
2. Caritas Institute of Higher Education – Higher Diploma in Social Work
Course format and study period: Two-year full-time or three-year part-time program
Admission requirements: DSE obtained five subjects up to level 2 (including Chinese Language and English Language)
Tuition fee: A total of $153,650 for a two-year full-time program; a total of $153,670 for a three-year part-time program
3. HKCT – Higher Diploma in Social Work
Course format and study period: Two years full-time
Admission requirements: Pass the entrance interview and; DSE obtained five subjects up to level 2 (including Chinese Language and English Language) or Yi Jin Diploma/Diploma
Tuition fee: A total of $163,548 for two years full-time.
The median income in Hong Kong in the most recent quarter was 20,000 yuan, but there are still many jobs that do not require a university degree and the starting salary exceeds 20,000 yuan! The following is a search for a few high-paying positions and related courses. High school students who are planning to go to school may wish to pay attention to whether the following industries are suitable for them.
Dispenser
Dispensers are mostly employed in public hospitals and clinics under the Hospital Authority. They are mainly responsible for dispensing and related work. Their responsibilities include measuring the dosage of medicines and explaining doctor’s prescriptions to patients. To become a dispenser, you must first enroll in a higher diploma program related to dispensing, and you can start working as a dispenser in a public hospital with a starting salary of $21,875.
Monthly Salary of Dispensers of Hospital Authority
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Dispenser – $21,875 – $43,610 (Master Pay Scale Points 8 to 21)
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Senior Dispenser – $45,670 – $60,100 (Master Pay Scale Points 22 to 28)
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Chief Dispenser – $62,950 – $75,620 (Master Pay Scale Points 29 to 33)
Partially accredited pharmacy courses
1. Caritas Bianchi School of Professional Studies – Higher Diploma in Pharmacy
Course format and study period:Two years full-time or three years part-time
Admission requirements:DSE has achieved Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language); or graduated from Yi Jin Diploma; or completed the third level of the Qualifications Framework recognized by our school
tuition fee:This course has been included in the “Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors” (SSSDP). After deducting the government subsidy of $39,140, the actual tuition fee payable by full-time first-year students in the 2023/24 academic year is $29,040.
2. VTC – Higher Diploma in Pharmacy Dispensing
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:DSE with Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language); or VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies; or VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / International Diploma of Vocational Education; or Diploma Yi Jin; or equivalent
tuition fee:$31,570 per year
Early Childhood Education
Kindergarten teachers are ideal jobs for many caring young people who love children. They are responsible for promoting the social, physical and intellectual development of students in the classroom. To become a kindergarten teacher, Secondary 6 graduates can study for a Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education or a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. If you choose a Higher Diploma, you can enter the workplace or continue your studies following graduation.
Kindergarten Teacher Monthly Salary
According to the “Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 122/2022”, the salary of kindergarten teachers in schools participating in the Kindergarten Education Scheme ranges from $23,360 to $41,540.
Partially recognized Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
1. EdUHK – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:DSE obtained five subjects up to level 2 (including Chinese Language and English Language)
tuition fee:$15,040 per year
2. VTC – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:DSE with Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language); or VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies; or VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / International Diploma of Vocational Education; or Diploma Yi Jin; or equivalent
tuition fee:$31,570 per year
3. HKBU Faculty of Continuing Education – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:DSE obtained Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language); or Diploma Yi Jin
tuition fee:$33,700 per term (two-year tuition divided into four installments)
4. CUHK SPEED – Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:DSE obtained Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language); or Diploma Yi Jin
tuition fee:$78,780 per year
social worker
Social workers generally work in the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organizations. Their work includes counseling, clinical social work, group work, social education, and family therapy to solve personal and social problems. Social workers will analyze the types of services that clients need, follow up and evaluate related services and supports. To become a registered social worker, one must first complete a course accredited by the Social Workers Registration Board, including a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, advanced diploma, etc. Graduates with a Higher Diploma in Social Work can work as a Social Work Assistant (SWA), while a Bachelor of Social Work is required to become an Assistant Social Work Officer (ASWO).
Government Social Work Assistant (SWA) Monthly Salary
$23,295 – $45,670 (Master Pay Scale Points 9 to 22)
Partially approvedsocial workerAdvanced Diploma
1. CUHK SPEED – Higher Diploma in Social Work
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:DSE obtained Level 2 results in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language); or Diploma Yi Jin
tuition fee:$92,106 per year
2. Caritas Institute of Higher Education – Higher Diploma in Social Work
Course format and study period:Two-year full-time or three-year part-time program
Admission requirements:DSE obtained five subjects up to level 2 (including Chinese Language and English Language)
tuition fee:A total of $153,650 for a two-year full-time program; a total of $153,670 for a three-year part-time program
3. HKCT – Higher Diploma in Social Work
Course format and study period:two years full-time
Admission requirements:Pass the entrance interview and; DSE obtained five subjects up to level 2 (including Chinese Language and English Language); or Yi Jin Diploma/Diploma
tuition fee:A total of $163,548 for two years full-time
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In conclusion, there are a number of high-paying jobs in Hong Kong that do not require a university degree. This article has highlighted three major positions – dispensers, early childhood educators, and social workers – with starting salaries of over $20,000. By pursuing accredited courses in these fields, high school students can pave the way for a rewarding and satisfying career. We hope this inventory has been informative and helpful for those planning their future career paths.