Did you know the minimum starting wage in the U.S. is only $7.25 per hour?? People are struggling to cover basic necessities making so little, and are often close to the federal poverty line at that rate.
Making more money means being able to buy things you need and the things you want in life more often, but how do you make more money?
Whether you’re looking for a career change or want to make extra money on the side, we’ve got a list of 33 jobs that pay $15 an hour or more.
Quick Picks
As someone who has had a lot of side hustles to make money, let me tell you, it’s easier to make money than ever before!
We have plenty of job options for you, but here are the best side hustles I’ve found that have turned into full-time jobs for me and so many others:
- Best Career Pick – Proofreader
- Best Passive Income – Blogging
- Easiest To Start – Freelance Writing
Learn How to Become a Proofreader and Start a Freelance Proofreading Business.
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33 Jobs That Pay $15 An Hour
1. Proofreader
Average Hourly Salary: $27 per hour
Becoming a proofreader pays more than minimum wage if you are skilled at finding mistakes and correcting people’s work. Companies (and even blogs like ours!) need proofreaders to review documents before they’re published.
If you want to learn more about proofreading, sign up for this free workshop by Proofreaders Anywhere. You’ll learn everything you need to know and develop the necessary skills and tools to be a high-earning proofreader.
2. Blogger
Average Hourly Salary: $23 an hour
Starting a blog has allowed us to work flexible hours, which has been great for our family. We can all work together on the blog, which has brought us closer.
You can start a blog on just about any topic that interests you. Then you can monetize your blog with ads, affiliate links, and sponsored posts.
How much money you’ll make depends on how much work you put into your blog. A blogger can earn anywhere from $100 to $25,000 monthly with the right content and a growing audience.
Want to learn more about blogging? Check out our free Blog Boot Camp workbook, which can give you steps to start your blog and make interesting content for your readers!
3. Freelance Writer
Average Hourly Salary: $33 an hour
Freelance writing can be a great way to make money, and you don’t need much experience to become a freelance writer.
You have to be able to write quickly and accurately, and you need to be able to research the topic that you are writing about.
Tools like Jasper AI make it possible to write content faster than ever! Get 10,000 words free and try Jasper out for yourself.
4. Bookkeeper
Average Hourly Salary: $20 an hour
Becoming a bookkeeper is a guaranteed way to make well over the minimum starting wage!
Bookkeepers typically work with small businesses and help them manage their financial records. That can involve anything from preparing invoices to reconciling bank statements.
Bookkeepers need a minimum of a GED or high school diploma. They don’t need a college degree, although having one could help increase job prospects and help them make more than $15 an hour.
5. Virtual Assistant
Average Hourly Salary: $21 an hour
Becoming a virtual assistant (VA) is basically the same job that administrative assistants do in real life.
The administrative tasks you might do as a virtual assistant are answering emails, scheduling meetings, setting up conference calls, etc.
An excellent place to find virtual assistant jobs that pay $15 an hour is on digital job boards like FlexJobs.
With FlexJobs, you can easily find professional, legitimate, and trusted remote jobs. You can get a job alert for any job title, include VA roles, and get an email when a job is posted.
6. Social Media Manager
Average Hourly Salary: $26 an hour
Social media managers typically make well above minimum wage, with most entry-level pay rates starting above $15 an hour.
Social media managers are responsible for creating, managing, and measuring the success of a company’s social media presence. The primary duties include:
- Overseeing the content posted on various platforms
- Monitoring comments and reviews
- Analyzing data to understand user trends better
- Working on expanding the reach of the company’s social media accounts
7. Dog Walker & Pet Sitter
Average Hourly Salary: $16 an hour
The best job I ever had was walking dogs for my neighbors, and it pays even more now to help people take care of their dogs!
Pet owners are often looking for someone to look after their furry friends while they’re away. Whether it’s a dog walker or pet sitter, if you’ve got the experience and know-how, you can make some extra cash.
An excellent place to find jobs is on Rover. They offer job postings for pet owners looking for a dog walker or pet sitter, and you can list a bunch of services and your rates.
8. Food Delivery Driver
Average Hourly Salary: $16 an hour
Gig economy jobs are booming, and a classic side hustle or new career for you could be delivering food for people.
Food delivery drivers pick up restaurant orders and deliver them, earning a base pay and tips as they drive.
DoorDash and Postmates offer flexible hours and a rate above minimum wage at $15 an hour or more, allowing you to work whenever it’s convenient for better pay.
9. Rideshare Driver
Average Hourly Salary: $18 an hour
Rideshare drivers use their cars to provide the primary duties of ensuring people get to their destination on time.
The pay rate is above minimum wage; and depending on your city, you can also earn more than $15 an hour in high-cost areas.
One of the most used rideshare services is Uber, which hires drivers with a valid driver’s license and car insurance.
10. Online Tutor
Average Hourly Salary: $27 an hour
I used to tutor in English, and it was one of the easiest gigs I had! You can tutor in anything from SAT prep to history and make more than $15 an hour.
The primary duties of tutors include tutoring sessions on anything from math and science to foreign languages and English.
Many jobs require previous experience in either teaching or tutoring individual clients, while only some require a bachelor’s degree.
To find online tutor jobs, I recommend checking out BookNook, where you can start tutoring in English or math today.
11. Transcriptionist
Average Hourly Salary: $28 an hour
Becoming a transcriptionist is easy if you have great hearing and fast typing skills.
A transcriptionist’s primary duties are converting audio recordings into written documents. They listen to the recording and type out what they hear, ensuring it is accurate and free of errors.
Most transcription jobs that pay $15 an hour require only a high school diploma, and you could start with little to no experience.
You can take a free workshop from Transcribe Anywhere to find out how to be a transcriptionist and land high-paying jobs.
12. Amazon Delivery Driver
Average Hourly Salary: $25 an hour
Amazon delivery drivers are responsible for picking up packages from an Amazon fulfillment center and delivering them to customers.
Applicants need a valid driver’s license, at least 21 years of age, and a clean driving record to be considered for this job that pays above minimum wage.
13. Real Estate Agent
Average Hourly Salary: $21 an hour
Real estate agents help people buy and sell property, including a home, business location, or studio space. They need to know the real estate market and have excellent communication skills.
Real Estate Agents in the United States must be licensed by their state and meet specific educational requirements. A high school diploma or GED certificate is needed to be a real estate agent in some states.
14. Bus Driver
Average Hourly Salary: $20 an hour
Bus drivers are responsible for transporting passengers from one location to another while following all safety and traffic regulations.
It’s a great job with stability and benefits, where you typically make more than $15 an hour, whether you drive city buses, college shuttles, or school buses.
Most bus driver jobs require a valid driver’s license and a high school diploma or equivalent.
15. Fitness Instructor
Average Hourly Salary: $21 an hour
Fitness instructors help people stay healthy and in shape, all while earning over $15 an hour. They typically work with clients by offering classes and training programs for groups to get together and work out in various ways.
Most fitness instructors must be certified by a national organization like the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
16. Personal Trainer
Average Hourly Salary: $31 an hour
Personal trainers’ primary duties include helping people reach their fitness goals: weight loss, muscle gain, or general health and wellness.
It’s usually more individualized plans than a fitness instructor, and you can work in a gym or clients’ homes.
You can become certified as a personal trainer through accredited programs like the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
17. Graphic Designer
Average Hourly Salary: $28 an hour
Graphic designers create visual content for websites, magazines, newspapers, and other media types. We even use them to create pins and images for our blog, so you have some flexibility with what kind of jobs you take on!
You need to have an eye for detail, think creatively, and have experience in design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create and edit images successfully.
18. Electrician
Average Hourly Salary: $26 an hour
Electricians are responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical systems in private households, businesses, and other buildings.
They must be knowledgeable about local codes, safety regulations, and the most up-to-date techniques to ensure their work is safe and compliant.
19. Mechanic
Average Hourly Salary: $22 an hour
Mechanics work on various vehicles: cars, boats, motorcycles, and more. They are responsible for diagnosing problems and making necessary repairs.
One of the primary duties is to have a keen understanding of how a vehicle works to troubleshoot issues quickly and accurately so that clients don’t continue to have problems.
20. Plumber
Average Hourly Salary: $29 an hour
Plumbers install, repair, and maintain pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing components.
Primary duties include having good problem-solving skills to diagnose and repair issues quickly. Plumbers must also be knowledgeable about local regulations concerning water usage and safety.
21. Bartender
Average Hourly Salary: $13 an hour
Bartenders mix drinks, serve customers at bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments, work the cash registers and take patrons’ money.
Bartenders typically make around $13 per hour, but with tips, it’s estimated that they actually make over $20 an hour on a good night, so you have the potential to always make more!
22. Landscaper
Average Hourly Salary: $30 an hour
Landscapers are responsible for designing and maintaining outdoor spaces. They need to know about plants, flowers, trees, and other elements that make up a landscape.
You can find jobs at local landscaping companies or start your own business as a self-employed freelancer.
23. Garbage Pick Up
Average Hourly Salary: $20 an hour
Garbage pick-up workers are responsible for collecting, transporting, and disposing of waste materials. They must be able to lift heavy items and operate various types of machinery.
They must also be knowledgeable about safety protocols and local laws concerning the disposal of hazardous materials.
24. Mail Handler
Average Hourly Salary: $28 an hour
Mail handlers sort and deliver mail for post offices, businesses, and other organizations. They must be able to read labels quickly and accurately to ensure the correct delivery of packages and letters to post office boxes.
Mail handlers must also have good organizational skills to keep track of incoming and outgoing mail.
25. Painter
Average Hourly Salary: $21 an hour
Painters prepare and paint walls, doors, windows, furniture, and other surfaces. They must be knowledgeable about various types of fresh paint and finishes to select the best materials for a job.
A painter should be able to plan the project to ensure that all tasks are completed on time.
26. Grocery Check-Out Clerk
Average Hourly Salary: $16 an hour
Grocery check-out clerks are responsible for scanning items, collecting payments, and helping customers with their purchases.
Grocery clerks also need excellent customer service skills to help customers find what they’re looking for on the shelves and in the stock rooms.
27. Construction Workers
Average Hourly Salary: $19 an hour
Construction workers are responsible for building and renovating residential and commercial buildings.
They must know about construction techniques to ensure that projects are completed safely and efficiently. Often, they’ll work with architects and others to make buildings safe and keep them up to code.
28. App Developer
Average Hourly Salary: $47 an hour
App developers create and design mobile applications for smartphones and tablets.
They must have a deep understanding of programming languages and coding and can think creatively to develop innovative designs.
29. Vet Tech
Average Hourly Salary: $18 an hour
Vet techs handle administrative tasks like managing appointments and medications. They interact with animals, assess their health, and help veterinarians diagnose and treat illnesses.
30. Medical Assistant
Average Hourly Salary: $18 an hour
Medical assistants are healthcare administrative assistants that provide administrative support to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
These medical professionals’ common duties include accurately recording patient information and communicating with healthcare patients and their families.
31. Dental Assistant
Average Hourly Salary: $22 an hour
Dental assistants assist dentists with dental patients’ exams, procedures, and treatments. They must know about dental instruments and techniques to perform tasks.
Their common duties also include keeping track of patient records and other paperwork, which is why it is one of the high-paying jobs.
32. Lab Assistant
Average Hourly Salary: $24 an hour
Lab assistants work in medical and research laboratories to conduct tests and experiments.
They should know about laboratory procedures and equipment to collect samples accurately and perform tests.
33. Medical Billing Specialists
Average Hourly Salary: $21 an hour
Medical billing specialists’ duties include processing insurance claims and generating invoices.
They must be knowledgeable about medical coding systems to process claims accurately and may be required to take classes in certification programs.
Final Thoughts
There are a variety of jobs that pay $15 an hour or more that only require a high school diploma- no advanced certificates or college degrees needed!
I highly recommend becoming a blogger because of the enjoyment and flexibility Brittany and I have had, but it really comes down to what you like to do and how much you want to earn.
You can easily find entry-level positions that pay even $20 an hour that fit with your skill set and experience.
Start earning more than the federal minimum wage with proofreading, bookkeeping, and more, and be closer to financial freedom than ever before.
Get FREE access to our step-by-step plan for starting a blog that makes $1,000 per month.
