30 jobs that pay $30 an hour

Nobody likes to be average. Not you. Not me. Not even your salary.

The national mean salary in the United States is $56,310 according to the National Compensation Survey. That works out to be $27 per hour. So in order to be above average, you have to earn more than $28 per hour. Why not be way above average and find a job that pays $30 more than the average hourly salary?

We compiled a list of 30 jobs that pay between $30 and $39 per hour, raking in a solid $62,400 to $81,120 annually. Take a look and see how your salary stacks up:

1. Purchasing agents and buyers
Make purchases to get needed goods at the best rates.
Hourly wage: $30.02
Annual salary: $62,450*

2. Multimedia artists & animators
Create special effects, animation or other visual images.
Hourly wage: $30.20
Annual salary: $62,810

3. Loan officers
Evaluate, authorize or recommend approval of commercial, real estate or credit loans.
Hourly wage: $30.39
Annual salary: $63,210

4. Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators
Recommend alternative resolutions to settle disputes outside of court (less formal than a court trial).
Hourly wage: $30.41
Annual salary: $63,250

5. Insurance underwriters
Review applications for insurance coverage and accept or decline them based on the degree of risk involved.
Hourly wage: $30.45
Annual salary: $63,330

6. Diagnostic medical sonographers
Perform ultrasounds that doctors order for patients.
Hourly wage: $30.60
Annual salary: $63,640

7. Film and video editors
Edit motion picture soundtracks, film and video.
Hourly wage: $30.62
Annual salary: $63,680

8. Food scientists
Analyze the composition and properties of food.
Hourly wage: $30.95
Annual salary: $64,370

9. Animal scientists
Study the life cycle and related biological issues of farm animals.
Hourly wage: $31.02
Annual salary: $64,510

10. Writers
Write material for scripts, magazines, books, websites and other publications.
Hourly pay: $31.04
Annual salary: $64,560

11. Urban and regional planners
Create plans to use land and physical facilities in towns, cities, counties and metropolitan areas.
Hourly wage: $31.10
Annual salary: $64,680

12. Landscape architects
Plan and design areas for landscaping projects.
Hourly wage: $31.69
Annual salary: $65,910

13. Accountants
Give financial advice based on accounting records.
Hourly wage: $32.42
Annual salary: $71,500

14. Market research analysts
Estimate the business potential for an organization’s marketing and promotional efforts based on research they conduct in different markets.
Hourly wage: $32.45
Annual salary: $93,000

15. Dental hygienists
Clean teeth and examine a patient’s mouth, head and neck for signs of oral disease.
Hourly wage: $32.63
Annual salary: $67,860

16. Speech-language pathologists
Help individuals who have trouble speaking as a result of hearing loss, physical conditions or language barriers.
Hourly wage: $32.86
Annual salary: $75,000

17. Nuclear medicine technologists
Work with radioactive materials and equipment used in nuclear medicine procedures.
Hourly wage: $32.91
Annual salary: $80,500

18. Budget analysts
Examine budget estimates and analyze budgeting and accounting reports to ensure controlled spending.
Hourly wage: $33.29
Annual salary: $98,000

19. Occupational therapists
Develop rehabilitative programs to help disabled people gain independence.
Hourly wage: $33.98
Annual salary: $75,680

20. Geographers
Study the Earth and its land, features, inhabitants and phenomena.
Hourly wage: $34.33
Annual salary: $71,420

21. School psychologists
Diagnose and treat mental disorders; learning disabilities; and cognitive, behavioral and emotional problems.
Hourly wage: $34.77
Annual salary: $72,310

22. Fashion designers
Create clothing and accessories, from shoes to clothes to jewelry and more.
Hourly wage: $35.78
Annual salary: $74,410

23. Operations research analysts
Report on management and operations issues through engineering and other scientific methods.
Hourly wage: $36.23
Annual salary: $90,000

24. Sociologists
Study human society and social behavior.
Hourly wage: $36.63
Annual salary: $76,190

25. Physical therapists
Develop rehabilitative programs that improve patients’ health.
Hourly wage: $36.64
Annual salary: $76,220

26. Architects
Design buildings, homes and other structures for various clients.
Hourly wage: $37.93
Annual salary: $78,880

27. Education administrators
Manage the everyday operations of educational facilities.
Hourly wage: $38.53
Annual salary: $80,140

28. Environmental engineers
Study environmental problems and create solutions that governments and the general population can put into practice.
Hourly wage: $38.82
Annual salary: $80,750

29. Civil engineers
Design and oversee the construction of large-scale public works, such as bridges, dams and airports.
Hourly wage: $39.03
Annual salary: $81,180

30. Materials scientists
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and manmade materials.
Hourly wage: $39.59
Annual salary: $82,350

*Salary information based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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