The Top 10 Jobs That Pay at Least $40 an Hour

You might think that a highly skilled or technical job is the only way to get paid well. But there are plenty of jobs that pay at least $40 an hour without requiring a college degree. You just need to know where to look.

Non-technical jobs such as those in healthcare, hospitality, and retail often have high entry-level wages. Hospitality worker, for example, is one of the fastest growing job categories. It’ll help you make more money sooner. Here are 10 non-technical jobs that pay decent wages and aren’t as competitive as other fields.

Travel Agent

If you love to travel and like to help people, becoming a travel agent might be a great career choice for you. Travel agents book flights, hotels, and vacation packages for clients and earn commissions on the sales. Most people think that booking agents work at an airline or a travel website, but they don’t. Instead, they work at their clients’ places of business, such as a hospital or university.

The average annual salary for travel agents is $38,000. However, you can earn more, especially if you work for a large company. Some travel agents at large companies earn over $100,000 per year.

Travel agents provide a valuable service for people who like to travel and want someone else to plan their trips. If you like to travel and like helping people, this could be a great career for you.

 Dental hygienist

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine oral health, and teach patients about proper dental care. If you’re interested in this career, you need to get a two-year degree from an accredited dental hygiene program because you must be licensed in every state. The average annual salary for a dental hygienist is $70,610. That’s about $26 an hour. In some states, you can earn even more.
Dental hygienists often work in dentist’s offices and earn higher salaries in metropolitan areas. The job outlook for this position is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 19% between 2026 and 2036.
There are a few things you should consider before pursuing this career. First, you need to be good with peoples’ mouths. Second, hygiene is a demanding and fast-paced profession. And third, this career is a good choice for people who like to work on their own and don’t mind being self-employed.

Registered Nurse

If you are caring and compassionate, nursing is a great career path for you. Registered nurses (RNs) provide medical care and treatment to patients, including administering medications and other therapies. RNs must earn at least a two-year associate’s degree from an accredited program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The average salary for a registered nurse is $72,690 per year.

To increase your odds of getting a job as an RN, choose a healthcare facility in a city. As a general rule, the more populated the area, the higher the demand for nurses.

Pharmacy Technician

If you enjoy helping people and interacting with customers, becoming a pharmacy technician might be the perfect job for you. Also called a pharmacy aide, technicians assist pharmacists by dispensing prescriptions, stocking shelves, cleaning equipment, and performing other related duties. You can train for this career at a community college for about one year. The average annual salary for a pharmacy technician is $28,650.

Pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies and drugstores and earn higher salaries in metropolitan areas. The job outlook for this position is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 17% between 2026 and 2036.
The downside to this career is that it’s a highly competitive field and many people want to do this job. So if you want to become a pharmacy technician, you need to get started as soon as possible to increase your odds of getting hired.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

If you enjoy helping people, but you aren’t interested in becoming a registered nurse, becoming an LVN might be a great option for you. LVNs provide basic medical care to patients, such as administering medications, changing bandages, and assisting the RNs and doctors. To become an LVN, you need to finish a vocational training program, which usually takes about one year. The average annual salary for an LVN is $37,950.

LVNs usually work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The job outlook for this position is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 17% between 2026 and 2036.
The main challenge of this career is that it can be very demanding and stressful. Also, LVNs work under the supervision of RNs and doctors, so they don’t have much control over what they do.

 Baker

Bakers create a variety of baked goods and baked desserts such as cakes, cookies, and pastries. They use a variety of ingredients, such as flour, sugar, eggs, and nuts. To become a baker, you need to complete an apprenticeship or earn a certificate or associate’s degree in baking and pastry arts. The average annual salary for a baker is $37,720.

Bakers work in commercial bakeries and earn higher salaries in metropolitan areas. The job outlook for this position is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 14% between 2026 and 2036.
Bakers need to like being around flour and getting dirty because parts of the job are very messy. Also, bakers work long hours and often have odd hours.

Computer Networking Technician

If you enjoy solving technical problems and like to stay up-to-date on new technology, becoming a computer networking technician might be a good job for you. Technicians install, test, and maintain computer networks, including the servers and other equipment that makes up the system. To become a computer networking technician, you need at least one year of on-the-job training. The average annual salary for this position is $46,140.

Larger companies often hire networking technicians, but smaller companies also need people to do this work. The job outlook for this field is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 20% between 2026 and 2036.
The major drawback of this job is that you need a lot of specialized training. And you must know how to use specific computer programs and software.

Auto Repair and Maintenance technician

If you enjoy working with your hands and fixing things, becoming an auto repair technician might be the perfect job for you. Technicians work in auto repair shops and perform a variety of tasks, such as checking and servicing vehicles and diagnosing mechanical problems. You don’t need a college degree to become an auto technician, but you do need to complete an apprenticeship, which lasts two to four years. The average annual salary for an auto repair technician is $43,800.
Auto repair technicians work in auto repair shops and earn higher salaries in metropolitan areas. The job outlook for this position is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 15% between 2026 and 2036.
The major drawback of this career is that it involves lifting heavy objects and doing other physically challenging work.
The best way for you to get started in this field is to find a local shop that needs workers and talk to the manager about the job.

Hotel and Resort Desk Clerk

If you like dealing with people and have a friendly and outgoing personality, becoming a hotel and resort desk clerk could be the perfect job for you. You need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. The average annual salary for a hotel and resort desk clerk is $37,200.
Hotel and resort desk clerks work in hotels and resorts and earn higher salaries in metropolitan areas. The job outlook for this position is excellent, and the BLS projects employment will grow by about 18% between 2026 and 2036.
The main drawback of this career is that you need to stand for long periods of time and deal with unreasonable guests. But if you can handle that, becoming a hotel and resort desk clerk is a good way to earn a decent living.

If you want to earn a decent living, it’s important to choose a job you enjoy. If you love what you do, you’ll be happier and less likely to leave. And you won’t be as stressed out, either.

There are many jobs that earn a decent wage that most people aren’t aware of. And