19 Better Jobs That Pay $30 An Hour With & Without Degrees

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and dreaming of a job that pays well? Look no further! There are plenty of careers out there that offer hourly wages of $30 or more.

Not only do they provide financial stability, but they also offer advancement opportunities to keep earning more and put financial freedom within your reach.

And the best part? Many of these jobs only require a high school diploma instead of a Bachelor’s degree – so they’re accessible to just about anyone!

But don’t just take our word for it. From healthcare to technology, we’ll be sharing jobs in these fields that offer a high hourly wage and the potential for growth and advancement.

So, whether you’re looking for a career change or want to earn more money, keep reading to discover the best jobs that pay $30 an hour or more!

Quick Picks

Here’s a short list of the best side hustles that can turn career and pay $30 or more per hour:

Best Overall Career – Proofreader
Best For Passive Income – Blogging
Most Money-Making Potential – Facebook Ads Manager

Jobs That Pay 30 An Hour

The hourly pay rates listed in our Jobs That Pay $30 list were found on the job boards.

Jobs that pay this much can vary based on a variety of factors, such as location, experience, and education.

The pay for an entry-level position with little to no experience may be lower, but as you gain experience, you can earn more income.

Let’s get into the list:

1. Proofreader

Hourly Pay Rate: $34 an hour

Education Requirements: No special certification is required; some employers may require a High School Diploma or equivalent

Proofreading is one of the best $30 an hour jobs. A proofreader checks the document for any typos, grammar mistakes, formatting errors, and inconsistencies.

Becoming a proofreader isn’t difficult, but the skills needed are an eye for detail and excellent grammar and spelling skills.

You may also need knowledge of common style guides such as AP Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style, depending on what your clients are looking for.

Why not take advantage of free resources like Proofreader Anywhere’s free workshop to help get you started?

The workshop covers how to market yourself and set prices so you can start making money immediately!  

2. Blogger

Hourly Pay Rate: $50.24 an hour

Education Requirements: None

Blogging can provide you with the extra income you need while allowing you to spend more time with your family.

Blogging is how we started out, and we were able to monetize our interests and write interesting articles to make $30+ an hour consistently.

Starting a blog may seem intimidating at first, but if done right, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!

Anyone has the potential to create a successful blog that not only provides financial stability but also allows more time with family – something many people struggle with nowadays due to demanding jobs or long hours at work.

With Start Your Blog Boot Camp, you’ll learn the step-by-step direction of setting up a profitable blog business, so why not give it a try?

3. Bookkeeper

Hourly Pay Rate: $30.53 per hour

Education Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Bookkeeping is an in-demand profession that pays well. It involves managing financial transactions such as invoicing, data entry, and payroll.

Most bookkeepers make an average of $30 an hour, but experienced bookkeepers can earn up to $45 an hour.

The skills needed are strong organizational skills and knowledge of accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero, but many just need to be able to create spreadsheets and basic invoices.

With the help of the free lessons by Bookkeeper Launch, you can learn more about setting up your own bookkeeping business and earning more money.

4. YouTuber

Hourly Pay Rate: $64.66 per hour

Education Requirements: None

YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for content creators over the last few years, making it an excellent option for those looking to make money from home.

If you have good video editing skills and know how to create content that appeals to viewers, becoming a YouTuber could be the perfect $30 per hour job for you.

While it takes time to build up an audience large enough to monetize your channel through ads or product endorsements, once you get started, you could easily make around $30 an hour or more, depending on your viewer count and type of content. 

Taking the Mastering YouTube course is a great way to learn how to make money from your videos.

With this course, you’ll learn how to optimize your channel, create high-quality content, and take advantage of monetization opportunities.

5. Facebook Ad Manager

Hourly Pay Rate: $41 an hour

Education Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Managing Facebook Ads is also a great way to make money online. As a Facebook Ad Manager, you’re responsible for creating effective ads that generate leads and drive sales for customers.

Experienced ad managers can make up to an average of $50 an hour or more by creating targeted campaigns that bring in results.

It requires knowing how to use digital media platforms like Facebook Ads Manager and strong analytics so you can track the data of each campaign accurately.  

With the free workshop provided by Facebook Side Hustle, you’ll learn more about how to make between $1k-$2k each month in your spare time by managing Facebook ads. 

6. Social Media Manager

Hourly Pay Rate: $48.08 an hour

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Social media is one of the biggest drivers of business success today.

Businesses need someone who can manage their social media channels and curate content that will engage their audiences and drive sales and is one of the best $30 an hour jobs.

A social media manager runs digital marketing campaigns for businesses on social platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to engage followers and attract new customers.

To start working as a social media manager, you need knowledge of SEO & digital marketing strategies. You can learn about SEO from Stupid Simple SEO to find the best techniques for gaining traction on social media.

7. Dog Walker

Hourly Pay Rate: $25+ an hour

Education Requirements: High school education or equivalent

Do you love animals and enjoy being outside? Then consider becoming a dog walker! It’s one of the easiest $30 an hour jobs!

Owners hire dog walkers to care for their furry family members while away from home or at work during the day. 

Dog walking is a great way for a person to make extra cash without committing too much time each day; most dog owners only need someone for an hour or two per day.

You can use Rover to help find paying gigs near your area so you can quickly start making money right away!

8. Virtual Assistant

Hourly Pay Rate: $37.74 per hour

Education Requirements: High school education or relevant experience

A virtual assistant (VA) provides administrative, creative, or technical assistance to the client from home or elsewhere, away from their office.

Some services include scheduling appointments, data entry, managing emails, creating content, setting up social media accounts, and other kinds of tasks.

All you need is basic training with computer hardware and software (such as Microsoft Office Suite), excellent organization, and excellent written and verbal communication.

VA jobs can be found on job boards like FlexJobs. You can create a profile to display your services for potential clients, plus apply for hundreds of vetted, legit jobs.

9. Freelance Writer

Hourly Pay Rate: $33 per hour

Education Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Do you have a knack for writing? Put your wordsmithing talents to good use by becoming a freelance writer!

Freelance writers create content such as blog posts, articles, ebooks, or book reviews for companies or individuals who need them.

To be successful in this field requires strong writing abilities and excellent research skills; knowing SEO best practices is also highly beneficial.

Successful freelance writers typically charge between $25 – $50 per hour depending on their experience level; some more experienced writers can even charge a salary of up to $100 per hour!  

Start applying for jobs through job boards like Upwork or by reaching out directly via social media platforms like LinkedIn to find freelance writing jobs.

10. Online Tutor

Hourly Pay Rate: $39 per hour

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Tutoring is a great way to make a good salary online and do something you’re passionate about.

With the growing popularity of online learning, more opportunities are available for those looking to get paid while tutoring students remotely.

The qualifications needed to become an online tutor vary depending on the type of tutoring that you offer.

Most tutoring sites look for candidates with some college background, preferably with a college degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the field they are tutoring.

One of the best ways for aspiring tutors to find tutoring work is through online boards such as BookNook. The website hires tutors for grades K-8 in English and math.

They also let you set your schedule and pick between programs that last 8 to 16 weeks. No minimum hours are required, and tutors typically work between 1.5 to 10 hours a week.

11. Web Developer

Hourly Pay Rate: $36 an hour

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

With the booming demand for web development, now is a great time to pick up coding and transition into this lucrative career path.

Web developers are the hidden heroes behind many popular websites, applications, and other digital marvels.

Companies large and small need highly skilled web developers to keep their businesses running smoothly.

You can be self-taught in some cases, but we found that many job posts had a college degree as a requirement, so it may be best to get a formal education in order to land those jobs.

There are many blogs that can help you become a web developer, so if this interests you, look more into it!

12. Graphic Designer

Hourly Pay Rate: $35 an hour

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Graphic designers are in high demand as businesses want ways to stand out from the competition with eye-catching graphic design (think logos, flyers, brochures, and website designs).

Graphic design is the process of creating visual content to convey messages to their customers.

This can include logos, typography, illustrations, photography, layout designs, and other kinds of graphics.

To become a successful graphic designer, an eye for detail and creativity are helpful when designing graphics that convey the intended message.

Canva Pro is an excellent tool for helping aspiring graphic designers design knockout graphics quickly and efficiently.  

13. Personal Trainer

Hourly Pay Rate: $31 per hour

Education Requirements: High school education; Certified Personal Trainer Certification

As a personal trainer, you help people achieve their fitness goals: weight loss, muscle gain, or simply improving overall health and wellness. 

Not only do you work in a field you are passionate about, but you also have the satisfaction of seeing your clients progress and reach their goals.

It requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and patience to earn your salary. You must be able to:

Create personalized workout and training plans for each of your clients
Take into account any injuries or health conditions they may have
Provide education, guidance, and support throughout their fitness journey. 

It can also be physically demanding, as you may be required to demonstrate exercises or work out alongside your clients. 

14. Real Estate Agent

Hourly Pay Rate: $33 an hour

Education Requirements: High school diploma; real estate certification

Being a real estate agent requires knowing about the local real estate market, an eye for detail, and excellent communication.

Agents help both buyers and sellers find and close real estate deals. They must be knowledgeable about legal documents such as contracts, deeds, and titles.

They also need to know about marketing properties through various methods and be able to negotiate on behalf of home buyers.

Agents must also stay informed on relevant trends in the industry, such as consumer preferences, pricing fluctuations, zoning laws, new development projects, etc.

Most states require real estate agents to be licensed by taking classes or passing examinations demonstrating practical experiences and knowledge of real estate laws and regulations.

15. Fundraiser

Hourly Pay Rate: $36 per hour

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a highly sought-after position and is one of the best jobs that pay more than $30 an hour.

Nonprofit organizations, such as educational institutions, religious organizations, health research foundations, social services organizations, and political campaigns, rely on fundraisers support to help secure donations and support.

Fundraisers typically work full-time, and their job duties may include planning events, developing fundraising strategies, building relationships with donors, and managing campaigns.

They may also track and report donations and work with other staff members to ensure the success of their fundraising efforts.

16. Makeup Artist

Hourly Pay Rate: $57.21 an hour

Education Requirements: High school degree

When it comes to high-paying jobs, makeup artists definitely make the list. With an average hourly rate of $30+, it’s no wonder that many people are considering this career path.

And unlike many other high-paying jobs, becoming a makeup artist doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree.

The first step is obtaining a certification in cosmetology or makeup. It’ll give you the foundation you need to excel in the industry.

This is a highly creative position, and showcasing your talent and creativity through your makeup application is crucial to success.

Being a makeup artist can have unique challenges, such as working irregular hours. But it can be one of the best jobs that pay $30 an hour for those who are passionate about beauty.

17. Construction Worker

Hourly Pay Rate: $33.80 an hour

Education Requirements: High School Diploma

Construction workers, also known as construction laborers (per Bureau of Labor Statistics), is one of the more physical $ 30-an-hour jobs.

These hardworking individuals handle a wide range of on-site tasks, from removing debris and erecting scaffolding to loading and unloading building materials and assisting with operating heavy equipment.

While some businesses may prefer a high school education, it’s not a requirement. However, licensure to work with hazardous materials may be required. 

Businesses are often willing to provide training if necessary, so a willingness to undertake training is a plus to land one of these $ 30-an-hour jobs.

18. Dietitian

Hourly Pay Rate: $32 per hour

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Dietitians and nutritionists are the experts in food and nutrition that can help guide us on our journey to optimal well-being. 

Whether through personalized meal plans or community nutritional initiatives, their goal is to empower individuals to make informed decisions about the food they consume.

A thorough nutrition assessment is the first step in working with a dietitian or nutritionist. It may include diagnostic laboratory testing to understand the client’s current health status clearly. 

Dietitians use their expertise to develop a personalized plan for each customer, including specific recommendations for foods to eat or avoid to improve their health and achieve goals.

19. Medical Assistants

Hourly Pay Rate: $43.27 an hour

Education Requirements: High school diploma

The medical assistant’s position includes a lot of different things. They might have to schedule appointments, keep track of medical records, and help with billing and insurance.

They also might have to take patients’ vital signs, prepare them for examination, draw blood, or give them medication if the doctor says it is okay.

It is important to know that medical assistants are different from physician assistants. Physician assistants need more than a Bachelor’s degree.

And the best part? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Bachelor’s degree isn’t required for this for a medical assistant position. 

Our Thoughts

Earning more money can improve your finances for the better. You can save more, pay off debt, invest more cash, and so much more.

Jobs that pay $30 an hour or more can provide stability while still allowing you to pursue your passions and interests while working a part-time or full-time job.

Many of these jobs don’t require a Bachelor’s degree- as long as you have the skills needed, you have the potential to start earning money fast!

From software engineering to project management roles, there is no shortage of lucrative jobs that pay an average of $ 30 an hour out there waiting for someone who will go after them!

I highly recommend starting a blog, as ours makes 6 figures a year, but if you want to work from home, becoming a proofreader is a low-cost idea you could start today.