12 Highest Hourly Paying Jobs

Are you looking to make a career change to a job that pays well and provides a stable work-life balance? Finding an hourly job is an excellent way to gain steady employment — and often, a wide range of benefits. Many hourly jobs come with the potential for growth, allowing you to advance your career quickly.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what an hourly worker is and some of the highest-paying hourly jobs in the country. We’ll also discuss the benefits of choosing an hourly job so that you can decide whether this is the best career choice for you.

What is an hourly worker?

An hourly worker is paid a rate based on every hour worked. When you are an hourly worker, the amount of money you take home every week is determined by the number of hours you work.

Hourly employees who work overtime may get paid overtime, usually in the form of time-and-a-half. However, this differs from workers paid an annual salary. In comparison, a salaried worker makes a set amount per year, regardless of any extra hours they put in.

The weekly pay of an hourly worker typically fluctuates. Many companies hiring hourly workers instead of salaried workers have inconsistent hours, often requiring employees to work different hours each week due to shift changes.

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Even so, hourly paying jobs remain popular in the US. In 2021, for instance, 76.1 million workers in the US aged 16 and older — nearly 56% of all workers in the country — were paid an hourly wage.

A wide variety of occupations — ranging from retail to healthcare — come with hourly pay. This gives people lots of choices in searching for a job appropriate to their skills and qualifications.

Hourly jobs are typically available on a part-time or full-time basis. This makes them ideal for people with varying schedules, as it helps them balance work and other commitments. Salary jobs, on the other hand, often require more hours and have less flexibility.

12 high-paying hourly jobs to consider

Does working an hourly job sound like it could be a good fit for you? Let’s take a look at the top twelve hourly jobs that pay well.

1. Tattoo artist

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the tattoo industry will see little to no change in employment rates. It’s a good industry to look into if it’s your passion.

The national average hourly wage of a tattoo artist is $24.02 an hour, or $49,960 a year.

Being a tattoo artist requires a particular skill set that not everyone has. The ability to draw well is crucial to being a successful tattoo artist.

Tattoo artists don’t need a bachelor’s degree, but they often need to do an apprenticeship or a training program alongside a more experienced tattoo artist.

Find tattoo artist jobs on Jobcase.

2. Health coach

A health coach can be a rewarding position for anyone who is passionate about health and loves to help others.

The national average hourly wage of a health coach is $23.49 an hour, or $48,860 a year.

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This job involves helping others excel in their lives by improving their health. Every client may have a different area they want to target. For example, you could find yourself helping one client on their weight loss journey while you help another practice stress reduction.

It’s a relatively new field that doesn’t have any set requirements. However, there are certification programs that could help prepare you for the job.

Find health coach jobs on Jobcase.

3. Interior decorator

Have an eye for interior design? This could be the career for you.

The national average hourly wage of an interior decorator is $29.01 per hour, or $60,340 a year.

There are formal college programs training interior designers, and it would be good to look into those. However, an eye for design is most important — which you can develop both in a formal program and on your own.

As an interior decorator, you’ll help clients create the look and feel of their spaces by picking and placing decorative elements like textiles, furniture, color, and more.

Find interior decorator jobs on Jobcase.

4. Financial advisor

Are you the person in the family everyone goes to for financial advice? If so, you could be an excellent financial advisor.

The national average hourly wage of a financial advisor is $45.27 an hour, or $94,170 a year.

A financial advisor gives advice to a client about their financial situation and goals. For example, they can help you tackle your debt, save for a downpayment on a home, or build your emergency fund.

Most advisors have a formal education, such as a degree in finance. However, it’s not mandatory.

Find financial advisor jobs on Jobcase.

5. Wedding planner

A wedding planner (or a party planner in general) is a key element in planning a wedding. They help couples make their wedding day the best it can be.

They are a calming presence in the face of a high-stress situation.

The national average hourly wage of a wedding planner is $23.79 an hour or $49,470 a year.

It’s a career requiring immense planning, organizational, and management skills. There are also several soft skills that help wedding planners be successful like the ability to communicate well.

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You can get started as a wedding planner with a GED or high school diploma.

Find wedding planner jobs on Jobcase.

6. Construction worker

Construction workers will always be necessary. The BLS reports that the industry is growing much faster than average. So, you will likely find plenty of job openings near you.

The national average hourly wage of a construction worker is $18.04 an hour, or $37,520 a year.

As a construction worker, you’ll usually work outdoors on construction sites. Duties include preparing and cleaning construction sites, loading and unloading materials, and operating equipment.

Find construction worker jobs on Jobcase.

7. Dental assistant

Dental assistants help dentists with many dental office tasks. As a dental assistant, you’ll take patient x-rays, schedule appointments, and provide patient care.

The national average hourly wage of a dental assistant is $18.59 an hour, or $38,660 a year.

Community colleges and technical schools offer programs that train future dental assistants, usually in a one or two-year format.

Find dental assistant jobs on Jobcase.

8. Administrative assistant

Administrative assistants (or secretaries) perform routine clerical and administrative duties in offices.

The national average hourly wage of an administrative assistant is $19.08 an hour, or $39,680 a year.

The duties of an administrative assistant include scheduling appointments, answering phones, arranging meetings, and preparing memos. It’s a career requiring an eye for detail and high social skills.

Find administrative assistant jobs on Jobcase.

9. Massage therapist

Do you have a passion for helping others relax and improving their physical wellness? Then massage therapy might be the job for you.

Massage therapists are licensed and trained professionals who apply massage techniques to help patients with healing and relaxation. This type of career is great for those looking for flexibility and the opportunity to help people.

The national average hourly wage of a massage therapist is $22.55 per hour, or $46,910 a year.

Find massage therapist jobs on Jobcase.

10. HVAC technician

Are you skilled in working with heating and cooling systems? Want to start a career that’s in high demand and pays well? If so, then becoming an HVAC technician might be a great career path for you.

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An HVAC technician is professionally trained and certified in installing and maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The daily responsibilities of an HVAC technician can vary but may include inspecting, cleaning, and repairing systems, installing new systems, and providing customers with advice on how to best maintain their systems.

The national average hourly wage of an HVAC technician is $23.38 per hour, or $48,630 a year.

Find HVAC technician jobs on Jobcase.

11. Medical assistant

Do you want to start a career in healthcare? Have a passion for helping people? If so, then working as a medical assistant might be right for you.

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who assist doctors and nurses in providing patient care. They can perform a wide variety of tasks, such as greeting patients, taking their vital signs, and gathering their medical histories.

The national average hourly wage of a medical assistant is $17.88 per hour, or $37,190 a year.

Find medical assistant jobs on Jobcase.

12. Content Editor

Do you have a knack for grammar and the written word? Then you can find hourly work as a content editor. This field is projected to grow by 5% in this decade. So, if you have an undergraduate degree in English, Journalism, or Communications you have the necessary skill set. These professionals edit online content, novels, articles, and even technical documents.

As an editor, you can expect to earn anywhere from $20-$50 an hour based on your experience and area of expertise, if you have one.

These are just some of the highest hourly paying jobs available in the United States. There are numerous career paths that offer excellent pay and great growth opportunities.

Benefits of choosing an hourly job

While salary positions are a good fit for some, not everyone wants to commit to a traditional “nine-to-five” job. A job with an hourly rate offers several benefits, including increased flexibility, stability, and the potential for growth.

Flexibility

One of the key advantages of working in an hourly job is often the ability to choose your hours. This can be helpful if you’re struggling to balance family, school, or other commitments. With an hourly position, you typically have more freedom to work around your other commitments.

Stability

Hourly jobs are often more stable than salary positions. Many times, there is no need to worry about salary changes or layoffs due to budget cuts since these positions are typically based on the number of hours you work. Additionally, some hourly positions offer benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, additional on-the-job training, and tuition assistance.

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Employee benefits

Some hourly jobs come with the potential for employee benefits. These can include health insurance, life insurance, and additional on-the-job training or tuition assistance. In addition to these monetary benefits, many hourly jobs help employees build their professional networks.

On-the-job training and tuition assistance

Many hourly jobs offer additional training and assistance. This can include further on-the-job training or tuition reimbursement programs to help employees continue their education and build on their career skills.

Future career advancement

Many hourly jobs also provide opportunities for career advancement. Depending on the company, you may be able to move up in the organization if you demonstrate the skills and dedication to excel in your career.

Understanding the pros and cons of hourly-paying jobs can help you decide if an hourly position is the best fit for you. While these jobs may not offer the same salary or benefits as salaried positions, they often provide flexibility, stability, and potential growth opportunities.

It's also important to consider your location, as some cities pay higher hourly rates than others. For instance, if you’re looking for an hourly job in the United States, then Bakersfield, California, and Tucson, Arizona, are some of the top-paying cities for hourly wage workers.

Find a high-paying hourly job today.

There are many great careers out there that pay an hourly wage. High pay isn’t exclusive to salaried workers.

You can find a high-paying hourly job even if you have little experience. Many of these positions are entry-level.

Want more tips to help with your job search? You can visit the Jobcase Getting Hired Resource Center for help with your resume, cover letter, and more.