Student doesn't start as a paid worker (6)
I believe the answer is:
earner
'a paid worker' is the definition.
(someone who earns money at work)
'student doesn't start' is the wordplay.
'student' becomes 'learner' (I've seen this before).
'doesn't start' means to remove the first letter.
'learner' with its first letter removed is 'EARNER'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for earner that I've seen before include "Money-spinner" , "Good job" , "Profitable undertaking" , "Means of acquiring money" , "Job making money" .)