1. Financial Clerk

Financial clerks perform various administrative duties for banks, insurance companies, and other organizations.

Specific financial clerk jobs range from bank tellers to bookkeepers to payroll clerks. Most clerks require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, although some specialized clerks require a college degree in business or economics. Financial clerks typically work during regular business hours; however, some positions may require evening or weekend shifts. The median annual salary for financial clerks was $30,780 in 2012.

Median Pay: $21.52 per hour1

2. Administrative Assistant or Secretary

Secretaries and administrative assistants typically perform clerical and organizational tasks for an organization. They work in a variety of industries, including law, medicine, and government.

Pay depends on the industry and the complexity of the secretary’s tasks. For example, executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants, who work for top executives, can earn up to $62,060 a year.2

Median Pay: $19.08 per hour3

3. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants work in dental offices, providing patient care, record keeping, and performing some lab work. Most positions require successful completion of an accredited dental assistant program and passing a state certification or licensing exam. Some states may only require on-the-job training. Many dental assistants choose to work full-time; however, part-time and flexible hours are often available. Some offices require evening or weekend hours.

Median Pay: $18.59 per hour

4. Construction Worker

Construction workers typically work full time, and overtime hours are common. Construction workers often work at night or on weekends.

Construction workers perform a variety of tasks to prepare construction sites, unload materials and operate machinery. Their specific duties may vary depending on their skillset and experience but can include constructing buildings, tearing down buildings, constructing roads, or digging tunnels or shafts.

Most construction workers require brief on-the-job training, although some may engage in apprenticeship programs that offer technical instruction. The hours for this profession are typically full time, and overtime hours are common. Construction workers often work at night or on weekends.

Some laborers earn certificates in special skills, such as concrete finishing, to learn to perform more specialized work, which can earn them more money.

Median Pay: $18.04 per hour5

5. Phlebotomist

Phlebotomists collect blood samples from patients. They work with larger medical laboratory teams in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and diagnostic laboratories. Most states require that phlebotomists have a state license or certification. There is high demand for phlebotomist positions.

Median Pay: $17.97 per hour6

6. Medical Assistant

 Some states may have certification requirements.

Medical assistants perform a variety of clinical and administrative duties in health practitioners’ offices. Tasks may include taking patient medical histories and vital signs, scheduling patient appointments, and preparing them for examinations.

Most medical assistants have a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training, but there is no required licensure or certification. Some states may have certification requirements.

Median Pay: $17.88 per hour7

7. Assembler

Assemblers and fabricators construct various products ranging from engines to aircrafts to toys. They may also be responsible for testing the quality of the finished products. Assemblers typically work in manufacturing plants.

Most assembler positions require a high school diploma and some on-the-job experience. However, some of the more specialized positions may require more formal education through technical schools; these positions often pay more money. For example, aircraft assemblers (who require technical knowledge) can earn a median annual wage of $49,480, whereas the more general median wage for assemblers is just $37,170.

Median Pay: $17.87 per hour9

8. Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives play an important role in interacting with customers of an organization, answering questions about the organization’s products and services, and handling customer orders, returns, and complaints. They may interact with customers in person, or via phone or the internet. This work is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and can be found in almost any industry, ranging from retail to finance to insurance. Many reps work part time, and may work morning, evening, or late night shifts. These jobs are well suited for people who need a flexible work schedule.

Median Pay: $17.75 per hour10

9. Delivery Services Truck Driver

Delivery services truck drivers pick up, transport, and drop off goods within a small geographic area. Some drivers bring goods from a distribution center to various delivery locations. Some drivers also serve as sales workers and recommend products to their customers as they make deliveries. Drivers require a driver’s license, and typically receive brief on-the-job training.

Median Pay: $17.62 per hour12

10. Grounds Maintenance Worker

Grounds maintenance workers are responsible for the upkeep of outdoor spaces and gardens. This involves a variety of tasks, such as landscaping, tree trimming, and groundskeeping. Many of these positions are seasonal, with peak times during the spring, summer, and fall. Some workers in this field earn more than others; for example, tree trimmers and pruners make an average of $22.58 per hour.

Median Pay: $17.05 per hour14

11. Janitor

Janitors are responsible for cleaning and maintaining order within a building or specified area. Also known as custodians, they may work in schools, office buildings, hospitals, or a number of other buildings. Some janitors may also be responsible for performing small repairs, such as fixing leaky faucets. Most janitor positions do not require formal education; janitors typically learn through on-the-job experience.

Median Pay: $14.31 per hour15

12. Retail Salesperson

Most retail sales workers sell merchandise such as clothing, furniture, and cars. Although a formal education is not usually required, some employers may prefer salespersons with a high school diploma or GED. Many salespersons work part time, and many work weekend and holiday shifts. Commission is often received for selling goods, which increases the overall payment.

Median Pay: $14.03 per hour1

13. Bartender

Bartenders typically serve drinks in bars, restaurants, wineries, or breweries. Many bartenders work part time, and most work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Although bartenders are paid by the hour, with tips included, the number can amount to much more.

Median Pay: $12.67 per hour, plus tips17

14. Waiter or Server

Waiting tables is one of the most common first jobs people have.

Restaurant servers take orders and serve food and drinks to customers. They work in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food service venues. Servers may work part time or full time, and many work evenings, weekends, and holidays. On average, servers earn $12.50 per hour from their employer, but they can earn significantly more with tips. Waiting tables is one of the most common first jobs for many people.

Median Pay: $12.50 per hour, plus tips18

15. Financial advisor

Average base pay:

A career as a financial advisor can be lucrative, and offers a service that is important to many clients: giving advice about how to manage their money. The responsibilities of this position include helping individuals accumulate wealth and eliminate financial risk. If you are interested in being a financial advisor, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree and might benefit from becoming a certified financial planner.

16. U.S. Marine Corps officer

Average base pay: $42 per hour

In the Marine Corps, officers such as lieutenants, majors, and colonels serve as managers of their respective military departments. Every officer has a special job, depending on their Military Occupational Specialty. To become a Marine Officer, you must apply to become an Officer Candidate and complete the Officer Candidate Course.

17. Tattoo artist

Average base pay: $24 per hour

If you’re not afraid of needles and love art, tattoo artistry might be your calling. A professional tattoo artist can make as much as $50,000 a year. You won’t need a college degree in art history to become a professional tattoo artist, but you will have to complete an apprenticeship program.

18. Political speechwriter

Average base pay: $25 per hour Y

As a political speechwriter, you have the potential to earn up to $100 an hour writing speeches for politicians. To be successful in this role, you must be able to write well and have a bachelor’s degree in English or communications.

19. Health coach

Average base pay: $23 per hour

If you wish to pursue a career in health coaching, you should have an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field. In addition to this, gaining experience through job positions, internships, or volunteering would be beneficial. Health coaches work closely with their clients to identify root causes of health issues and promote total body wellness in order to prevent disease.

20. Wedding planner

Average base pay: $22 per hour

A wedding planner is responsible for designing, planning, and managing their clients’ weddings. Many working couples choose to employ a wedding planner to take care of the sourcing of venues and suppliers for their big day. There is no need for any specific certifications or degrees to begin working in this profession, but it may be helpful to learn from an experienced wedding planner.

21. Interior designer

Average base pay: $24 per hour

As an interior designer, you would be paid to use people’s homes as your blank canvas. Interior designers can make up to $100 an hour, and because every project is different, they never have a dull moment. While you don’t need a formal education to pursue this career, some interior design firms might require you to obtain a state license.

22. Police officer

Average base pay: $24 per hour

A police officer is responsible for the safety of the citizens in their community. They uphold traffic laws, respond to emergencies, and patrol areas prone to crime. They have the authority to arrest and detain individuals accused of breaking the law. All actions taken by a police officer are documented in detail in their reports. To become a police officer, one must complete police academy training.

23. Commercial pilot

Average base pay: $50 per hour

As a commercial pilot, you will be able to travel the world while earning more than $100 per hour. To begin applying for this line of work, you should have either experience as a military pilot or a bachelor’s degree along with completion of Federal Aviation Administration flight school.

24. Anesthesiologist

Average base pay: $164 per hour

An anesthesiologist’s role is crucial during surgeries. They administer the drugs that manage pain and induce unconsciousness in patients before procedures. This profession is not only important, it is also lucrative. To be considered for this position, you must have an M.D. or D.O.

25. Orthodontist

Average base pay: $118 per hour

An orthodontist can earn more than $110 an hour by helping correct patients’ dental issues, including tooth and jaw alignment. They also help keep teeth from overcrowding in children’s mouths and supply their patients with braces and retainers. With an orthodontic license, you can help your community and your bank account.

26. Copywriter

Average base pay: $28 per hour

Copywriting does not require any particular degree, although taking specialized classes may help one fine-tune their skills. As long as an individual can produce persuasive writing with a focus on sales, they can earn up to $150 an hour. Copywriters who are successful in this field often help their clients see a significant return on investment from the content they provide.

27. Senior creative director

Average base pay: $42 per hour

As a senior creative director, you will be responsible for spearheading a company’s advertising and marketing departments as well as managing the creative team. This is a great opportunity to use your creativity to make a positive impact.

28. Psychiatrist

Average base pay: $103 per hour

Psychiatrists earn a median wage of $105 per hour and provide treatment for a variety of mental disorders and conditions. In order to become a psychiatrist, you must go to medical school and then be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

29. Veterinarian

Average base pay: $41 per hour

Animal lovers can find a wonderful and rewarding career as a veterinarian. They treat their animal patients for injuries and provide owners with advice on how to give a pet a long and healthy life. While this job can be very lucrative, it does require a lot of study. Veterinarians must receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, which takes about four years to complete, in addition to a bachelor’s degree.

30. Simultaneous interpreter

Average base pay: $27 per hour

As a simultaneous interpreter, you will listen to a speaker and translate their words into a different language as they talk. On average, you can make more than $102 per hour, and with the rise of online meetings, you can often perform this work from home. To excel in this position, you must be able to speak multiple languages at an expert level.

31. Product reviewer

Average base pay: $31 per hour

If you are interested in becoming a product reviewer, you should have a keen eye for detail and the ability to clearly describe the pros and cons of a product. Product reviewers can earn more than $100 per hour by working from home. To begin your career as a product reviewer, you should focus on a particular niche and establish a following by creating a blog or YouTube channel.

32. Commercial video effects artist

Average base pay: $33 per hour

A commercial video effects artist, also known as a VFX artist, typically charges $100 an hour while working from the comfort of their own home. A VFX artist uses computer software to combine computer-generated images with live action scenes to create a realistic-looking shot. Working as a VFX artist often requires spending many hours doing detail-oriented work, such as creating backgrounds for scenes shot on a green screen, adding massive explosions, or even changing an actor’s eye color frame-by-frame.

Although you don’t need a higher education to become a VFX artist, it is beneficial to know how to use programs such as Nuke, Adobe After Effects, and Maya. There are many interesting and rewarding jobs that pay well hourly and are flexible, which can be done from the comfort of your own home. To find thousands of lucrative jobs today, search on Glassdoor.

33. Interior decorator

If you are passionate about interior design and have an eye for detail, a career in this field may be for you.

The national average hourly wage of an interior decorator is $27.43 an hour, or $57,060 a year.

Your work will be a big part of creating a comfortable, functional, and beautiful home or office for your clients. To be an interior decorator, you need an eye for design — which you can develop both in a formal program or on your own.