How much does $30 an hour annually add up to?

When you’re new to the workforce, every dollar counts. And when you’re looking for your first job out of college, every cent also counts. The difficulty is that most entry-level positions don’t come with a salary upfront. Rather, it’s usually negotiated as part of an hourly rate for a standard 40-hour work week. And because not all positions are created equal, this means some jobs pay more than others.

Depending on what field you’re interested in and how much money you need to support yourself and your family, it can be a challenge to find the right balance between what you have to offer an employer and what they have to offer you in return.

However, there is a lot of information available regarding typical salaries across industries and regions. To help inform your decision on where to focus your job search efforts, here is an overview of common job roles and the average annual wage they demand:

Transcriptionists

These are the people who listen to audio recordings, such as interviews and podcasts, and write down what was said. If you’re a highly organized person who enjoys staying on top of multiple projects at a time, this may be a good option for you as it offers a wide range of potential fields and topics to choose from. And given that one of the most popular podcasts of 2018 is hosted by two women, it’s also a relatively untapped field.

In 2017, the average salary for a transcriptionist was $30,000, though wages can vary depending on where you live. If you’re living in New York City, you’re more likely to earn more, while if you’re in places like Ohio, South Dakota, and Iowa, you could make less.

In terms of education requirements, there are no specific credentials needed to become a transcriptionist, though many people choose to pursue a related degree to help jumpstart their career.

Editors

If you have a knack for grammar, a good eye for detail, and can see the bigger picture, then editing may be the career for you. In this role, you’ll be tasked with revising content to ensure it’s accurate, consistent, and appropriate to publication before it hits the public.

If you’re applying for an entry-level position, the average salary for an editor is around $38,000, though wages can vary depending on the industry. If you’re looking for a position at a small publication, it may be worthwhile to negotiate a higher wage upfront as opposed to waiting for a raise down the line.

Writers and Authors

If you have your own set of stories that you’ve been itching to tell and are a strong communicator, then this may be the ideal role for you. In this role, you may be tasked with writing content for a wide variety of purposes, such as marketing materials, textbooks, or articles for publication.

In terms of average wages, the average salary for a writer is $34,000 annually. If you’re just starting out, it may be worthwhile to pursue a related degree so you can command a higher starting salary.

Journalists

If you’re passionate about current events, love to write, and are an excellent critical thinker, then being a journalist might be your dream job. In this role, you’ll be tasked with conducting interviews, gathering research, and writing articles.

Because this is a high-profile industry, it’s also a highly competitive field with a wide range of potential employers. However, journalists earn an average salary of $47,000 annually.

Market Research Analysts and Consultants

Market research analysts and consultants typically work in business and marketing roles, helping to guide companies on their strategy and direction. If you have a natural curiosity for how the world works and enjoy being given the opportunity to explore a variety of topics, this could be the ideal role for you.

In terms of average wages, market research analysts make an average annual salary of $44,000, though wages can vary depending on location. If you’re looking to work in this field, it may be worthwhile to pursue a related degree to help jumpstart your career.

Computer Programmers

Computer programmers are responsible for writing and testing code to create new software and applications. If you’re an innovative thinker who enjoys problem-solving, this could be the ideal role for you.

In terms of average wages, computer programmers make an average annual salary of $72,000. If you’re interested in working in this field, it may be worthwhile to pursue a related degree to help jumpstart your career.

Network Engineers

Network engineers work primarily in the field of IT and are responsible for the installation, configuration, and repair of computer networks. If you’re a strong problem-solver and enjoy working with your hands, this could be the ideal role for you.

In terms of average wages, network engineers make an average annual salary of $82,000. If you’re interested in working in this field, it may be worthwhile to pursue a related degree to help jumpstart your career.

Software Developers and Programmers

Software developers and programmers are responsible for designing, creating, and maintaining software. In this role, you may be tasked with creating new programs from scratch or adapting existing ones to meet new requirements.

In terms of average wages, software developers and programmers make an average annual salary of $97,000. If you’re interested in working in this field, it may be worthwhile to pursue a related degree to help jumpstart your career.

Data Scientists and Analysts

Data scientists and analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. If you’re a strong critical thinker and enjoy problem-solving, this could be the ideal role for you.

In terms of average wages, data scientists and analysts make an average annual salary of $103,000. If you’re interested in working in this field, it may be worthwhile to pursue a related degree to help jumpstart your career.

Choosing a career can be an exciting and daunting process. With the right amount of research and effort, however, you can be on the right track to a fulfilling and successful career. And while it’s important to consider the salary that comes with each job, it’s also important to consider if it’s the right fit for you.

With that in mind, you can use this article as a resource when exploring various job roles and how much they pay. From editorial to programming, these are the most common job roles and the average annual wage they demand.