Career Advice

25 JOBS THAT PAY $25 AN HOUR

IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC PAYCHECK IN MIND, CHECK OUT THESE 25 JOBS THAT PAY $25 AN HOUR.

These 25 jobs, all of which are projected to grow over the next five years according to BLS, pay (about) $25 an hour. At 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, you're looking around $52,000 per year - not bad, considering that several of these don't necessarily require a college degree.

1. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, mental health issues or other mental or behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help clients recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.

Average hourly pay: $23.75
Number of jobs in 2019: 318,095
2019-2024 projected job growth: 11%

2. Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.

Average hourly pay: $24.12
Number of jobs in 2019: 31,452
2019-2024 projected job growth: 11%

3. Self-enrichment education teachers instruct courses other than those that normally lead to an occupational objective or degree. Courses may include self-improvement, non-vocational and nonacademic subjects.

Average hourly pay: $24.37
Number of jobs in 2019: 407,177
2019-2024 projected job growth: 9%

4. Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.

Average hourly pay: $24.03
Number of jobs in 2019: 380,050
2019-2024 projected job growth: 8%

5. Audio and video equipment technicians set up and operate audio and video equipment. They also connect wires and cables and set up and operate sound and mixing boards and related electronic equipment.

Average hourly pay: $23.77
Number of jobs in 2019: 106,216
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

6. Child, family and school social workers protect vulnerable children and help families in need of assistance. They help families find housing or services, such as childcare, or apply for benefits, such as food stamps. They intervene when children are in danger of neglect or abuse. Some help arrange adoptions, locate foster families, or work to reunite families.

Average hourly pay: $24.03
Number of jobs in 2019: 350,458
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

7. Meeting, convention and event planners coordinate all aspects of events and professional meetings. They arrange meeting locations, transportation and other details.

Average hourly pay: $26.02
Number of jobs in 2019: 135,570
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

8. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue and other substances.

Average hourly pay: $25.93
Number of jobs in 2019: 335,894
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

9. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work with one or several types of power construction equipment.

Average hourly pay: $25.52
Number of jobs in 2019: 412,986
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

10. Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health.

Average hourly pay: $24.49
Number of jobs in 2019: 37,024
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

11. Surgical technologists assist with operations. They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment and help doctors during surgeries.

Average hourly pay: $23.76
Number of jobs in 2019: 114,860
2019-2024 projected job growth: 7%

12. Credit counselors advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. They may provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions.

Average hourly pay: $23.98
Number of jobs in 2019: 39,123
2019-2024 projected job growth: 6%

13. Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served. They direct kitchen staff and handle any food-related concerns.

Average hourly pay: $24.13
Number of jobs in 2019: 152,630
2019-2024 projected job growth: 6%

14. Paralegals and legal assistants perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers, including maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research and drafting documents.

Average hourly pay: $26.32
Number of jobs in 2019: 330,917
2019-2024 projected job growth: 6%

15. Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.

Average hourly pay: $25.14
Number of jobs in 2019: 146,303
2019-2024 projected job growth: 6%

16. Industrial machinery mechanics keep machines in working order by detecting and correcting errors before the machine or the products it produces are damaged.

Average hourly pay: $25.94
Number of jobs in 2019: 379,596
2019-2024 projected job growth: 5%

17. Preschool and childcare center/program education administrators supervise and lead staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities and prepare budgets. They are responsible for all aspects of their center’s program.

Average hourly pay: $24.74
Number of jobs in 2019: 70,513
2019-2024 projected job growth: 5%

18. Production, planning and expediting clerksmanage the flow of information, work and materials within or among offices in a business.

Average hourly pay: $24.06
Number of jobs in 2019: 377,120
2019-2024 projected job growth: 5%

19. Medical equipment repairers install, maintain and repair patient care equipment.

Average hourly pay: $25.35
Number of jobs in 2019: 50,238
2019-2024 projected job growth: 5%

20. Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages.

Average hourly pay: $25.71
Number of jobs in 2019: 305,111
2019-2024 projected job growth: 5%

21. Mobile heavy equipment mechanics repair and maintain construction and surface mining equipment, such as bulldozers, cranes, graders and excavators. Most work for governments, equipment rental and leasing shops, and large construction and mining companies.

Average hourly pay: $25.42
Number of jobs in 2019: 159,923
2019-2024 projected job growth: 5%

22. Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers to plan, design and build highways, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure projects.

Average hourly pay: $26.29
Number of jobs in 2019: 76,815
2019-2024 projected job growth: 4%

23. Traffic technicians conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting and other factors influencing traffic conditions.

Average hourly pay: $24.38
Number of jobs in 2019: 10,247
2019-2024 projected job growth: 4%

24. Firefighterscontrol and put out fires and respond to emergencies where life, property or the environment is at risk.

Average hourly pay: $25.60
Number of jobs in 2019: 331,574
2019-2024 projected job growth: 4%

25. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage.Average hourly pay: $26.47
Number of jobs in 2019: 10,494
2019-2024 projected job growth: 4%

@BEST-PAYING JOBS THAT DON’T REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE

DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY BELIEVE, NOT ALL HIGH-PAYING JOBS REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

For many, a college education represents a path to a high-paying job in their chosen field. However, higher education isn't the only path – and for some, it's not necessarily the best one either.

According to data collected by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., there are 136 occupations requiring a high school diploma or equivalent that pay $20 per hour or more. Of those, 62 percent require moderate to long-term on-the-job training. Eleven percent require short-term on-the-job training, 10 percent require apprenticeships and 18 percent don't require any on-the-job training.

Short-term or no training

Just because an occupation doesn't require a college degree doesn't necessarily mean it's an entry-level job. Many will still require several years of experience and on-the-job training.

So where can you get your start? The following are the 10 highest-paying jobs that require a high school diploma for minimum entry and require short-term or no on-the-job training:

1. Transportation, storage and distribution managers

Median hourly earnings – $52.00
On-the-job training – None

2. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Median hourly earnings – $27.00
On-the-job training – None

3. Business operations specialists

Median hourly earnings – $34.00
On-the-job training – None

4. Gaming managers

Median hourly earnings – $36.00
On-the-job training – None

5. Media and communication equipment workers

Median hourly earnings – $28.00
On-the-job training – Short-term

6. Real estate brokers

Median hourly earnings – $35.00
On-the-job training – None

7. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers

Median hourly earnings – $15.00
On-the-job training – None

8. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Median hourly earnings – $47.00
On-the-job training – None

9. Legal support workers

Median hourly earnings – $24.00
On-the-job training – Short-term

10. Property, real estate and community association managers

Median hourly earnings – $32.00
On-the-job training – None

Moderate or long-term training

Not all technically advanced occupations require a college degree – although some do require a good deal of on-the-job training. In some cases, such as aspiring elevator installers and repairers, workers must complete an apprenticeship before entering the professional field.

Here are 10 of the highest-paying occupations that require a high school diploma and moderate to long-term on-the-job training:

1. Nuclear power reactor operators