20 Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour (Or More)
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Unless you’re independently wealthy, most of us need a job that pays $20 an hour or more to keep up with monthly bills. Finding a good job that you enjoy and pays well can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a degree.
It takes some effort and a bit of luck, but you can find many jobs that pay more than $20 an hour and don’t require a degree.
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Top Jobs that Pay $20 an Hour
Here are some of the most popular jobs that pay $20 an hour or more.
1. Gig Work
The number of gig work apps that pay you to accomplish simple tasks in your spare time is almost endless. You can drive for Lyft, deliver Uber Eats food, or do odd jobs through TaskRabbit.
While it’s difficult to turn gig work into a career, it can be a good way to earn some extra money. If you’re efficient and good at what you do, you can easily make $20 an hour using one of these apps.
2. Online Tutoring
If you know math like the back of your hand or are good at explaining complex concepts to people, you can work as a tutor. There are many online tutoring services that you can sign up for, such as Tutor.com and TutorMe.
These websites help pair you with students worldwide, but might also limit your ability to earn or take a cut of your payments.
So, if you want to do it independently, you can start your own online tutoring business. You’ll have to find ways to advertise and find clients. However, once you build a good base of clients, you can continue to grow through word of mouth.
According to Payscale, the median tutor makes more than $17.50 per hour, but the top tutors can earn more than $40 per hour.
3. Bookkeeping
Learning how to become your own Bookkeeper would allow you to help businesses track their income and expenses and ensure their books stay balanced.
To be sure, an education won’t hurt your chances of getting a job (and will probably increase your pay). However, you don’t need a degree or even certification to work as a bookkeeper.
You’ll need some experience to learn how to work from home as a bookkeeper. Once you know what you’re doing and can use the most common bookkeeping programs, you’re ready to find a bookkeeping position.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median bookkeeper earns more than $41,000 per year. This comes out to about $19.71 per hour.
4. Photography
People need photographers to help them capture important moments in their lives. Weddings, proposals, family reunions, and even birthdays can all use a professional photographer. All you need to get started is equipment and a way to find clients.
You can also earn good money by taking stock photos. There are many websites where you can sell your stock photos, which can help you produce a constant stream of income from your work.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median photographer earns about $17.50 per hour, but the rates can go much higher for experienced photographers.
5. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants do everything that an assistant would do in an office, but they can do their job from their homes. You’ll answer emails, help schedule appointments, set up travel itineraries, and otherwise help out your boss.
You can get a virtual assistant job with some real-world experience as an executive assistant. Or you can use your experience as a virtual assistant to transition into a position in an office.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median assistant earns just under $40,000 per year.
6. Writing
Freelance writing can be a fun way for anyone with some language skills to earn an income. No matter what piques your interest, whether it be cooking, pets, sports, or personal finance, someone needs a writer to produce content.
Think about all the things you read online, and remember that someone must have written those words (and been paid for it).
Put together a portfolio of your writing and set up an account on sites like Fiverr to showcase your skills.
Then bloggers, news sources, and others bid for your work. Income can vary a lot depending on the client, the topic, and the extras you need to provide (like photos), but writing can be a fun side hobby or a lucrative, full-time career.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median writer earns more than $63,000 per year.
7. Landscaper
Landscaping is hard work, but it’s a suitable job that pays well for people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and spending all day outdoors.
You’ll help people improve their homes by mowing grass, planting gardens and trees, and making their yards look beautiful. Landscapers don’t need specialized training, just some on-the-job learning and a willingness to work hard.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median landscaper earns more than $69,000 per year.
8. Plumber
Trades like plumbing require hard work, but you can eventually work your way up from the entry level to running your own plumbing business. You can get into plumbing by attending a trade school or working as an apprentice to an experienced plumber.
Plumbing doesn’t have to be all about fixing broken pipes, either. You can help design the water systems for new buildings or improve the systems in older ones to increase efficiency, giving the job a fun problem-solving aspect.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states the median plumber earns more than $55,000 per year.
9. Electrician
Electrician is another trade career that pays well, even if you don’t have a college degree. Go to trade school to learn the ins and outs of the work.
You can also learn on the job by getting an entry-level position with an electrician’s business. Once you’ve built up some experience, you could even start your own business.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median electrician earns more than $56,000 per year.
10. Bartender
If you’re a social butterfly and enjoy meeting many different people, bartenders can make a good living by mixing drinks and chatting with patrons. It’s also a great night job to earn some extra cash.
You’ll need to brush up on your mixology or take a class. You also have to connect with the people you’re serving, but you can earn a lot of money through tips, whether you work at a restaurant, bar, or at private events.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median bartender earns about $11.50 per hour but can make $20 or more per hour when including tips.
11. Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents help people navigate the complex process of buying or selling a home. This job requires some charisma and attention to detail since you’ll be guiding people through some of the biggest financial transactions of their lives.
You’ll have to pass your state’s licensing exam, but once you do, you can get started with your new career.
One of the best parts of being a real estate agent is that it’s flexible and can offer passive income. Plus, your earnings are directly related to the number of deals you close, rewarding your hard work and perseverance.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median real estate agent earns more than $48,000 per year. This comes out to about $23.07 per hour.
12. Information Technology
Information technology is an exciting field where you can work with computers and learn something new every day. Many people start by working at a help desk or phone service center.
Later, they can move on to roles as network technicians, system administrators, or security specialists as they gain experience.
There are many certification programs offered by companies like Microsoft and Cisco. These programs teach you everything you need to know and help you prove your knowledge to potential employers. So you can get these jobs even without a college degree.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median computer support specialist earns more than $54,000 per year. Experienced workers, such as network architects, can earn more than $112,000 per year.
13. Air-Traffic Controller
Working as an air traffic controller is one of the most stressful jobs on this list. You’ll be responsible for navigating planes filled with hundreds of people through crowded airspace.
Many applicants have a college degree, but you can avoid this requirement if you have work experience that shows your ability to handle escalating responsibility. You’ll also have to go through a federal training and certification program.
If you succeed, you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median air-traffic controller earns more than $120,000 per year.
14. Commercial Pilot
While you usually need a college degree to fly for a major airline, commercial pilots who fly cargo planes or private tours just need a high school degree. They also need to pass a Federal Aviation Administration exam to get permission to receive pay to fly.
If you love planes, flying, or travel, working as a commercial pilot is a lucrative way to earn money while following your passion.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median commercial pilot earns more than $86,000 per year.
15. Retail Manager
Most people would agree that working in retail isn’t the most exciting job in the world, but that doesn’t mean there’s no money to be made in the industry. If you can work your way to being a retail manager, you can earn a solid living.
As a retail manager, you’ll be responsible for opening and closing the location, scheduling employees, and managing interactions with difficult customers.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median retail manager earns about $19.50 per hour. Experienced managers can earn more than $33 per hour.
16. Mechanic
Mechanics can work on everything from cars to boats to ATVs, meaning they enjoy varied work with the type of vehicles they like.
Working as a mechanic typically doesn’t require a college degree; you need to know your way around an engine. You can gain that experience by tinkering with your car at home, going to trade school, picking up an entry-level position at a garage, and learning while you work.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median mechanic earns more than $42,000 per year.
17. Sales
Salespeople help customers find the right products to meet their needs. Depending on your knowledge and preferences, you can work in different sales positions, from selling cars to everyday people to organizing large business-to-business deals.
Salespeople usually earn money based on a commission per sale, so you can control your income and make more through diligence and hard work.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in sales can earn between $40,000 and $100,000 per year based on their industry and the number of deals they close.
18. Proofreading
Lots of people need proofreaders to help them catch small errors in their writing. Whether they be novelists, freelance writers, or teachers making class materials, you can help people find those mistakes and make money while doing it.
Online sites like Fiverr offer freelancing proofreading jobs that you can do from the comfort of your own home, and many don’t require you to have any special credentials. All you need is patience and an eye for detail.
Per the Payscale, the median proofreader earns $18.62 per hour. But experienced ones can earn more, with the top proofreaders making almost $30 per hour.
19. Programming
A degree will help you get your foot in the door to get a job in programming. However, there’s no hard requirement that you need to go to college to become a full-time programmer.
Programming is one field where your experience and projects speak volumes about your ability to complete the work. If you know how to code, spend some time designing your own app or website.
When it comes time to send out resumes, include your projects as sample work. Many employers will be happy to ignore the lack of a degree if they know you can do the job.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median programmer earns more than $86,000 per year.
20. Graphic Design
Graphic design is another field where your portfolio speaks volumes about you and is often more important than formal education. If you doodle or design in your own time, you can use those designs in your portfolio when you apply for a regular job.
Many graphic designers also work as freelancers, taking commissions from large companies and everyday people.
If you have the skills, you can earn a good income through graphic design.
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median graphic designer earns more than $52,000 per year.
Summary
There are many jobs out there that pay $20 an hour or more, even if you don’t have a college degree. The above list is not exhaustive. We hope that this is a start.
In fact, maybe one of these jobs is the catalyst for you to start your own business.
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