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Everyone has different reasons for wanting a high paying job. For many, it’s as simple as wanting a role that has a strong starting salary, job security, and long-term career opportunities. Through a diploma program at SBC College, you can get the skills and experience needed to start a high paying job in under a year.
Listen to: High-Paying Jobs You Can Start in Under a Year
The Value of High-Paying Jobs Without a Degree
Unlike a degree, you can learn essential skills in under a year through a curriculum that stays current and aligned with industry needs.
The input of instructors with years of experience in their field is incorporated into course materials, which gives you job-ready skills that meet the expectations of today’s employers.
Whether you’re exploring a new field or beginning from scratch, a career-focused diploma program offers a quicker way to learn and develop critical industry skills to enter your chosen field quickly.
The sooner you graduate, the sooner you start earning more.
Start Your High-Paying Career in Under a Year
With career-focused diploma programs, it's possible to start earning quickly. Here are some high-paying jobs you can start through accelerated training, based on current job market data:
- Network Administrator – earn up to $150,090
- Business Administration – earn up to $83,200
- Graphic Designer – earn up to $62,400
- Accounting Technician – earn up to $61,755
- Legal Assistant – earn up to $53,331
- Administrative Assistant – earn up to $52,000
- Medical Office Assistant – earn up to $50,980
In around 10 months, graduate into one of these high-paying careers with the essential industry skills, real-world experience, and invaluable network of peers and professionals that otherwise takes years to develop.
Skills Over Degrees
In the coming years, workplace changes will require existing skillsets to transform or risk becoming outdated. Degree programs often take years to complete, and by the time you graduate, parts of the curriculum may already be obsolete.
Graduates of career-focused diploma programs don’t face that problem – their programs are shorter, updated regularly to match industry needs, and train you in the hands-on skills employers need right now.
High-Paying Jobs Achievable with SBC College Diplomas
There are many high-paying jobs that SBC diploma programs make it possible to pursue. Whether you’re interested in entering law, business, education, healthcare, design, or technology, there is a wide range of programs designed to train you in under a year to start a career with a strong salary.
Here are the top high-paying jobs you can get into quickly with a diploma from SBC College:
Network Administrator: Tech Support & Network Management in IT Firms
In any organization, every login, file access, or cloud connection depends on a controlled network. As a network administrator, you’ll keep that system running by managing access, monitoring performance, resolving issues, and maintaining security.
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $150,009
How to get started
The SBC College IT Network Administrator diploma builds skills in networking, cloud services, system security, and server management. This training prepares you for tech jobs in IT firms, corporate IT departments, and managed service providers (MSPs).
Business Administration Management: Office Administration, Small Business Management, Entrepreneurship
Behind every successful business is someone who understands how to guide teams, coordinate operations, and manage resources. As a professional in the business administration management field, supervise a retail team, manage a small business, or even start your own!
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $83,200
How to get started
A Business Administration Management diploma equips you with skills in project management, supervision, marketing, account management, financial planning, and human resources. This training prepares you for opportunities in offices, retail, government, not-for-profits, and entrepreneurial settings.
Graphic Designer
If you’ve ever paused to appreciate an ad or a website layout, chances are a graphic designer created the visuals. As a graphic designer, you’ll work on creative projects for social media, websites, print materials, and branding, including logos, photo edits, web graphics, and layouts.
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $62,400
How to get started
A Graphic Design diploma trains you in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and After Effects, along with typography, layout, and web design. These skills prepare you for creative jobs in marketing and advertising agencies, design studios, corporate creative teams, or freelance work.
Accounting Technician: Bookkeeping & Payroll in Finance Departments & Small Businesses
Numbers tell the story of how a business operates, and as an accounting technician, you make sure those numbers are accurate. You’ll do this by recording transactions, tracking expenses, preparing invoices, processing payroll, and assisting with basic tax documents.
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $61,755
How to get started
An Accounting, Tax and Payroll diploma provides training in financial accounting, payroll calculations, tax preparation, and computerized bookkeeping.
A well-rounded diploma program prepares you with the right skills quickly for financial careers that pay well from the start.
“Choosing a comprehensive Accounting, Tax and Payroll program sets the tone for your entire career. It trains you to interpret financial data, solve business problems, and explain the numbers behind day-to-day decisions.” – Andrew C., Accounting, Tax, and Payroll diploma program instructor at SBC College.
With these skills, you can take on bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting roles in businesses of all sizes.
Legal Assistant: Opportunities in Law Firms & Corporate Legal Departments
Imagine playing a key role in our justice system. As a legal assistant, you’ll make that possible by preparing case records, drafting agreements, and organizing the materials lawyers need to present their case in court.
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $53,331
How to get started
Complete a Legal Assistant diploma to learn legal office procedures, terminology, legal software, key areas of law, and research tools such as case law, statutes, and annotated reports. These skills prepare you for legal careers in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices.
Administrative Assistant: Office & Corporate Environments
Picture being the first person your team turns to for files or information, schedule changes, or important meeting planning.
As an administrative assistant, you’ll take care of everyday office needs like maintaining records, managing calendars, preparing reports, coordinating with colleagues and clients, invoicing, and ordering supplies.
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $52,000
How to get started
Complete an Administrative Assistant diploma that builds skills in office procedures, document preparation, communication, accounting, and record management.
A career-focused diploma program with the right support makes it possible to train, graduate, and secure a high paying administrative role sooner than you might think.
“The instructors were helpful, supportive, and always willing to assist. After graduating, I secured a position as an office administrative assistant in the health region.” – Charmaine K., a graduate of the Administrative Assistant diploma at SBC College.
Her experience shows how pursuing the right program can open the door to employment in the administrative field.
Medical Office Administration: Careers in Clinics, Hospitals & Health Networks

If you’ve ever scheduled a check-up or completed paperwork at a clinic, you know the value of having an organized professional at the front desk. As a medical office assistant, bring that level of organization to scheduling appointments, managing patient records, preparing billing documents, and coordinating with healthcare staff.
Earning Potential
- Earn up to $50,980
How to get started
Complete a Medical Office Administration diploma to learn medical terminology, anatomy, clinical procedures, electronic medical records, billing systems, and Microsoft Office. This training prepares you for positions in clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare settings.

The right diploma can open the door to a well-paying career in law, business, healthcare, technology, and design in less than a year. With industry-specific training, skill development, and practicum experience, these programs prepare you to succeed and stand out in high-demand fields.
How SBC College Diploma Programs Help You Get Hired
SBC College diploma programs reflect the standards and pace of actual workplaces. Each program combines classroom instruction with applied training through a practicum, so you graduate with both knowledge and the ability to perform in your chosen field. Whether it’s at a clinic, law firm, office, or support agency, you’ll train on the same tools and systems used in the industry and strengthen your skills.
Guided by instructors with years of experience in the field, you’ll complete your program with an understanding of employer expectations and the skills to contribute successfully to your new workplace.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll have access to our Career Services team. They’ll support you with practicum placement, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies. Whether you’re looking for a practicum, preparing for a job interview, or planning your next career move, you’ll have lifetime access to their support and career coaching.
To get started with your training, contact an admissions advisor today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best high-paying jobs you can start in under a year?
Some of the best high-paying jobs that you can start in under a year include network administrator, legal assistant, graphic designer, accounting technician, medical office assistant, and administrative assistant.
How long do SBC College diploma programs take?
The diploma duration of SBC College’s programs is under a year, allowing you to enter the workforce quickly.
Can I get financial aid for a diploma program?
Yes. SBC College offers assistance in obtaining financial aid for students who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents and Approved Refugees. An admissions advisor can guide you through the application process.
What support does SBC College offer for job placement?
Every student at SBC College has access to Career Services, which include resume reviews, interview preparation, job search assistance, and one-on-one guidance. Through their insight and assistance, you’ll be able to present the skills and experience gained in your practicum in a way that sets you apart and gets you hired.
How soon can I start working after graduation?
From the moment you enroll, the SBC College Career Services team will provide lifetime support through resume reviews, interview preparation, job search assistance, and one-on-one guidance, to make your career change right away!
Can I study online while working?
Yes. Diploma programs at SBC College offer online learning and flexible study options, making it easier to balance work, life, and education.