As the cost of living increases — and seems to be showing no sign of stopping — it’s more important than ever to find a job that pays well. At least $20 an hour is a good benchmark many people aim for when they’re looking for a new position, as this is typically enough to pay your bills and still have some leftover to save.
To help you with your search for these types of positions, we’ve put together a list of 15 different jobs that pay close to or over $20 an hour.
Administrative assistant
Average hourly salary: $19.75
The effortless functioning of an office relies on the hard work of many employees with varying responsibilities. The people who support all of them in their duties are administrative assistants.
Administrative assistants typically work directly under a manager to carry out basic office tasks, like printing reporting and scheduling team meetings. Depending on the type of office they work for, an administrative assistant may also book client appointments, set travel arrangements, and receive in-bound office phone calls.
Administrative assistants are the glue that keeps an office together. In all of their tasks and interactions with co-workers and clients, they need to maintain a positive and helpful attitude.
It’s a role that requires being a problem-solver whose quick to tackle challenging situations. Being an administrative assistant usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent and can bring an average hourly rate of $21.
Estimated job growth: Administrative assistant jobs are projected to decline by 8% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become an administrative assistant: Administrative assistants typically only need a high school diploma or GED, although some companies require a bachelor’s degree. A professional certification and/or related experience is a huge advantage in getting administrative assistant jobs.
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Bookkeeper
Average hourly salary: $21.70
It’s of the utmost importance for a company that there is an accurate record of financial transactions and accounting systems. This is the role of an organization’s bookkeeper.
Their primary responsibility is to look after a company’s general ledger. This means that bookkeepers keep a record of their transactions, deposits, and income.
The role requires equal parts being a team player and accounting knowledge. Daily functions of the position mean that a bookkeeper is often juggling numbers and interpreting best practices to comply with legal standards. These tasks demand a lot of attention to detail. Providing that service can earn an estimated $21/hr.
Estimated job growth: Bookkeeper jobs are projected to decline by 5% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a bookkeeper: A high school diploma or GED is needed to become a bookkeeper. Some companies prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting, but most bookkeepers can find jobs after graduating high school and taking an online bookkeeping course.
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Interior designer
Average hourly salary: $26.34
When you walk into a room that’s expertly decorated, you can feel it. Every piece of furniture and decor has its purpose in the design scheme, which fits the space functionally.
The professionals who create these types of well-crafted places are interior designers. Based on the requirements of the client and space, an interior designer evaluates the best way to organize and set up the area.
An interior designer needs to design a room to look good and for functional movement and living in the space. They must source all the materials to turn a plan for design into a reality, including lighting fixtures, flooring, and furniture.
The daily tasks of an interior designer require creativity, analytical thinking, and solid communication skills to see a project through to its full potential.
Estimated job growth: Interior designer jobs are projected to grow by 1% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become an interior designer: A bachelor’s degree is typically required to become an interior designer. After two years of on-the-job training, graduates also need to pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam (NCIDQ).
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Private investigator
Average hourly salary: $29.31
There are many different types of detectives working to gather clues and solve crimes, and some of them work directly for clients instead of working for a government jurisdiction. These are called private investigators.
The role of a private investigator is probably a little less exciting than in your imagination. A big part of their job is finding out facts, gathering verifiable evidence, and sourcing accurate information, which involves more research and surveillance than chasing down suspects.
Private investigators often follow up on criminal cases that have already been closed for clients who think there’s more to the story, like family members or insurance companies.
Being a private investigator is a tempting career because it regularly offers new cases to dive into and pays an average hourly wage of $23.
Estimated job growth: Private investigator jobs are projected to grow by 6% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a private investigator: A high school diploma or GED and the appropriate state licenses are required to become a private investigator.
Most employers in this field value work experience over education, but an associate’s or bachelor’s degree can open doors to higher-paying and higher-profile jobs.
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Broadcast technician
Average hourly salary: $25.47
Broadcast technicians are in charge of using the audio and visual equipment needed to get television and radio shows on the air.
They’re the people who make it possible for the image of your favorite newscaster to be transmitted to your television every morning. Some of the standard equipment and tools that a broadcast technician frequently uses are satellite receivers and audio mixing consoles.
Whenever there is a problem with equipment or transmission during a television show, a broadcast technician troubleshoots the issue. The job generally demands quick thinking on your feet and technical skills. This expertise is compensated to the tune of $24 an hour.
Estimated job growth: Broadcast technician jobs are projected to grow by 10% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a broadcast technician: An associate’s degree is typically required to become a broadcast technician. Experience and training with broadcast technology is also hugely beneficial to finding a job in this field.
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Electrician
Average hourly salary: $23.92
Buildings from Yankee’s Stadium to your house use a functioning electricity and lighting system to stay powered. These systems are installed, monitored, and repaired by an electrician. Using technical blueprints, electricians expertly access a building’s electrical controls to replace pieces or fix wiring problems.
Electricians must keep the building and state electrical codes in mind while they’re handling these tasks. Most electricians have a high school diploma and complete an apprenticeship. Once they’ve finished these requirements, an electrician can earn a median pay of $24 an hour.
Estimated job growth: Electrician jobs are projected to grow by 7% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become an electrician: A high school diploma or GED is required to become an electrician, as is completing an apprenticeship. An associate’s degree or vocational school certificate is also a significant advantage in getting a job as an electrician.
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Fashion stylist
Average hourly salary: $24.50
Being a fashion stylist is a very diverse career that can take someone in many different directions. Regardless of their particular job, their primary responsibility is to appropriately style outfits for a situation, like a photoshoot or television appearance.
Fashion stylists can be employed by:
Celebrity clients
Private clients
Magazines
Modeling agencies
Film productions
Marketing companies
There’s a bit of glamour that comes along with being a fashion stylist. In addition to this draw, the position allows stylists to earn about $25 an hour from their creativity and fashion aptitude.
Estimated job growth: Fashion stylist jobs are projected to grow by 3% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a fashion stylist: A bachelor’s degree in fashion design or a related field is typically required for becoming a fashion stylist, although some companies will also accept an associate’s degree or professional certificate.
Experience and ongoing education on the latest trends are also sought after by companies.
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Massage therapist
Average hourly salary: $21.99
Most adults can attest that our bodies begin to ache with the weight of working and stress as we age. The job of a massage therapist is to alleviate some of these pains and tense feelings by strategically rubbing muscles and soft tissue.
Their targeted massages can enhance a patient’s relaxation and improve their circulation, which betters their general health and wellbeing.
Before beginning work on a massage client, the therapist discusses their needs and goals in detail to ensure that their efforts are directed at the right place.
The position involves knowledge of massage practices and excellent communication skills to meet a client’s requests. After becoming licensed, massage therapists can bring in median hourly pay of $25.
Estimated job growth: Massage therapist jobs are projected to increase by 20% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a massage therapist: A high school diploma or GED, a professional certificate or diploma, and a state license are necessary for becoming a massage therapist.
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Medical coder
Average hourly salary: $20.03
There is a correlated code used for proper documentation for every medical situation that a hospital or healthcare facility handles. Medical coders are the professionals who transcribe a patient’s conditions into these universally understandable codes used for insurance and database purposes.
Medical coders need the foundational knowledge about the system and codes they’re working with, but they also need interpersonal skills to interact with other medical staff members efficiently.
Estimated job growth: Medical coder jobs are projected to grow by 7% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a medical coder: A high school diploma or GED is necessary for becoming a medical coder, but many companies also prefer an associate degree in medical billing or the completion of a medical coding certificate program.
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Medical equipment repairer
Average hourly salary: $29.01
A medical equipment repairer is a wiz with the technical tools used daily in the medical field. Their responsibility is to install, evaluate, and fix medical equipment when needed. A medical equipment repairer works on a variety of different types of equipment, such as:
X Rays
Patient monitors
Defibrillators
Electric wheelchairs
Ventilators
Medical equipment repairers play a vital role in the healthcare system because they work on the tools that can save someone’s life. For this contribution, they can earn an average of $27 per hour.
Estimated job growth: Medical equipment repairer jobs are projected to grow by 17% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a medical equipment repairer: An associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering is typically required to become a medical equipment repairer.
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Paralegal
Average hourly salary: $22.57
Lawyers are responsible for handling multiple cases at a time that influence the trajectory of their candidate’s lives. They hire paralegals to assist them in this enormous task. A paralegal’s daily duties usually involve things like:
Prepping affidavits
Organizing filing systems
Filing client pleadings
Researching case facts
Paralegals are very involved in a lawyer’s preparations for court cases. They’re also commonly responsible for drafting critical legal documents, like business contracts and wills. It can be a great career option for people who want to work in the legal system but don’t necessarily want to go to law school to become lawyers.
Estimated job growth: Paralegal jobs are projected to grow by 14% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a paralegal: A bachelor’s degree in legal studies or a related field is typically necessary to become a paralegal. A paralegal certification, while not required, can also be highly beneficial to finding a job.
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Social worker
Average hourly salary: $24.60
A social worker’s career could occur in various settings, but their ultimate goal is the same. They want to be a helping hand to their client.
Most social worker’s clients suffer from domestic abuse, neglect, or mental health issues. They can work in places like hospitals, schools, and private practices. Social workers assess a client’s needs through counsel, offer information, and coordinate with other agencies when needed.
Being a social worker gives you the chance to provide crisis intervention for people in serious need of some empathy and care. It also provides a reasonably impressive paycheck at $28 an hour.
Estimated job growth: Social worker jobs are projected to grow by 9% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a social worker: A bachelor’s degree in social work is necessary for becoming a social worker, and some states require a master’s degree as well.
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Personal trainer
Average hourly salary: $21.69
When a person wants to make a fundamental change in their physical fitness and lifestyle, they consult a personal trainer’s expertise. A personal trainer helps their clients by appraising their goals through discussion and devising a personalized plan to help them reach these exercise objectives.
Personal trainers work directly with patients to teach them their personalized fitness routines and evaluate their development over time.
Building a career as a personal trainer relies on being knowledgeable about fitness, exercise routines, and anatomy. It can also involve a few negotiation and communication skills because you need to coerce unruly clients. However, it’s a field that welcomes freelance work and can earn an estimated $30 hourly.
Estimated job growth: Personal trainer jobs are projected to grow by 19% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirments to become a personal trainer: A high school diploma or GED is typically required to become a personal trainer, as is an AED/CPR certification and a professional personal trainer certification.
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Photographer
Average hourly salary: $23.79
Clients hire photographers to capture the memory of a moment forever on film: weddings, graduations, and birthday parties. A photographer can digitize them all with their camera. They know how to optimize a photo with the best lighting, backgrounds, and retouching to capture the ideal shot.
Photography is a unique occupation because it allows for many freelancers to enter the industry, and there are many specialties that they can have. In addition to shooting people at events, photographers can specialize in landscapes, product work, or modeling campaigns, to name a few.
Photography can also be a lucrative part-time gig to earn some extra cash on the side. It’s an attractive job because most of a photographer’s responsibilities are artistic and fun, plus it earns an hourly average of $32.
Estimated job growth: Photographer jobs are expected to grow by 9% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become a photographer: Typically, a high school diploma or GED is all that’s required to become a photographer, although some companies prefer a bachelor’s degree or a professional certificate. A high-quality portfolio is also a major part of getting a photography job.
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Editor
Average hourly salary: $24.77
Before publishing a magazine article, blog post, or book, the content needs to be run by an editor who can guarantee that it’s up to par.
An editor may also hold a supervisory position within their organization, making them responsible for formulating a publishing cycle, setting objectives, and generating story ideas for writers. Editors may also contribute significantly to the recruitment process when hiring new journalists.
Editors must comply with the ethical guidelines of the media when considering materials for publication and coordinate with other professionals involved in the publishing operations. It’s a role with a lot of responsibility, power, and an average paycheck of $34 an hour.
Estimated job growth: Editor jobs are projected to decline by 5% through 2031, according to the BLS.
Requirements to become an editor: A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or a related field is typically required to become an editor. Experience in writing and proofreading is also often required by employers.
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