Prices keep climbing, and a paycheck that once felt “pretty good” now barely covers rent, groceries, and a couple of kids’ activities. If you are earning closer to $25 per hour, it can feel impossible to catch up, let alone save.
The good news is there are careers where typical pay works out to roughly $50 per hour or more. Some need a graduate degree, others are trades or tech roles you can grow into from a certificate, associate degree, or industry training. What they share is strong or steady demand, not just flashy salaries.
Here are 18 jobs that pay around $100,000 or more per year, roughly $50 per hour on a full-time schedule, and are expected to keep hiring into the late 2020s.
Table of contents
- Nurse practitioner
- Physician assistant
- Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Pharmacist
- Physician or surgeon
- Dentist
- Radiation therapist
- Cardiac medical technician
- Software developer
- Data scientist
- Information security analyst
- Cloud or network architect
- Sales engineer
- Construction manager
- Elevator and escalator installer and repairer
- Petroleum engineer
- Airline pilot
- Owner-operator truck driver
- Discover job hunting tips, ways to earn more, and flexible working options:
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who diagnose, prescribe, and manage treatment, often serving as primary care providers. They work in clinics, hospitals, telehealth, and community health centers, and in many states they can run independent practices. Recent federal data shows nurse practitioners earning a median of about $129,210 per year, which comes out to a little over $60 per hour on a typical full-time schedule.
This is also one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country. Projections through 2033 show nurse practitioner roles growing around 40 percent, thanks to an aging population, primary-care shortages, and expanded insurance coverage.
Most nurse practitioners start as registered nurses, then complete a master’s or doctoral program and national certification in a specialty like family practice, pediatrics, or mental health. It is a long road, but once licensed, you have a lot of flexibility to move between inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth work and to scale your hours up or down.
Physician assistant
Physician assistants (also called physician associates in some settings) examine patients, order tests, diagnose, and prescribe under a physician’s supervision. You will see them in primary care clinics, emergency departments, surgical services, and specialty practices. Current estimates put median pay around $133,260 per year, or roughly the mid $60s per hour.
Job growth is very strong. Forecasts show physician assistant employment rising about 20 to 28 percent from 2023 to 2033, far faster than the average for all jobs, with thousands of openings each year as practices expand and older PAs retire.
You typically need a bachelor’s degree with science prerequisites, then a two to three year PA program and state licensure. The training is intense and clinical, but once you are licensed, you can move between specialties, which gives you more control over your schedule, income, and where you live.
Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia for surgeries, childbirth, and procedures, often working side by side with anesthesiologists in operating rooms and surgical centers. It is high-responsibility work that involves monitoring vital signs, managing airways, and adjusting medications in real time. Recent national data shows nurse anesthetists earning about $214,200 per year, which works out to roughly $100 per hour.
Demand remains strong because anesthesia services are needed wherever surgery happens, from big academic medical centers to rural hospitals that struggle to recruit enough providers. Retirement among older CRNAs and steady surgical volume help keep job postings high through the 2020s.
To get there, you usually work a few years as an ICU nurse, then complete a nurse anesthesia graduate program and pass a national exam. The schooling is tough and competitive, but the tradeoff is one of the highest-paying roles in nursing, with a lot of geographic flexibility and options for full-time, part-time, or locum work.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists verify prescriptions, check for drug interactions, counsel patients, and increasingly provide vaccines and health screenings. They work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and mail-order operations. Median pay for pharmacists in 2023 was about $136,030 per year, which is solidly in the mid $60s per hour for a full-time schedule.
Growth overall is moderate, but there is still strong demand in certain areas. Rural and underserved communities, hospitals, and specialty pharmacies continue to report hiring needs, and recent wage data shows steady increases in pharmacist salaries over the last few years.
Becoming a pharmacist usually means earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and passing national and state licensing exams. Many pharmacists start in chain or hospital settings and then shift into clinical, specialty, or remote verification roles, which can offer more predictable schedules and, in some cases, partial work-from-home options.
Physician or surgeon
Physicians and surgeons diagnose illness, perform procedures, and manage treatment plans across everything from family medicine to orthopedics and cardiology. It is a long training path, but pay reflects that responsibility. Recent federal numbers list a median wage for physicians and surgeons of at least $239,200 per year, which is comfortably into the triple digits per hour.
Job growth projections for physicians are modest, around the low single digits, but demand stays high because of an aging population, rising chronic disease, and large waves of retiring doctors. Many communities still struggle to recruit enough primary care and certain specialists, especially outside big coastal cities.
To become a physician, you go through college, medical school, residency, and usually board certification. That can easily span a decade or more. For people who are already in that pipeline or considering it seriously, the tradeoff is a stable, highly compensated career that is still very much hiring in 2026 and beyond.
Dentist
Dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and gums, place fillings and crowns, do root canals, and manage overall oral health. They may own a private practice, join a group office, or work in a community health clinic. Recent figures show general dentists earning a median of about $166,300 per year, roughly in the $80 per hour neighborhood for full-time work.
Demand for dentists is expected to grow around 4 to 5 percent over the next decade. That is about average overall, but retirements and growing awareness of dental health keep job postings steady, especially in small towns and lower-income areas where practices have a hard time recruiting.
Dentists complete a bachelor’s degree, dental school, and licensure, and some go on to specialize in areas like orthodontics or oral surgery. Once established, many enjoy a mix of clinical work and business ownership, which can increase income if you are willing to manage staff and finances along with patient care.
Radiation therapist
Radiation therapists deliver targeted radiation treatments for cancer patients, working closely with oncologists and medical physicists. You position patients, operate linear accelerators, and follow strict safety protocols while supporting people through a very stressful time. Recent salary snapshots put median pay for radiation therapists around $116,000 per year, which is in the mid $50s per hour.
This role shows steady demand through 2033 because cancer care tends to grow with the population, and radiation departments cannot run without trained therapists. New treatment centers, expanded use of radiation, and retirements all contribute to job openings.
Most radiation therapists complete a specialized associate or bachelor’s program plus clinical rotations and national certification. Once you are licensed, you can work in hospital cancer centers, stand-alone treatment facilities, or travel contracts that may pay even higher hourly rates.
Cardiac medical technician
Cardiac medical technicians work with cardiologists to run heart tests like echocardiograms and stress tests, monitor patients, and help interpret data from implants and monitors. This is hands-on work with older adults and people with heart disease. A recent 2026 job ranking listed cardiac medical technician as the top job in the U.S., with a median salary around $133,907 per year, comfortably in the $60 per hour range.
Demand is rising fast. Job postings for this role have climbed more than 30 percent over the past few years, driven by an aging population and better detection of heart problems earlier in life.
Many cardiac techs train through associate-degree or certificate programs in cardiovascular technology or cardiac sonography, then pass industry credentials. You can work in hospitals, outpatient cardiology offices, or mobile testing services, and hours can range from weekday clinics to on-call hospital shifts that often pay extra.
Software developer
Software developers design and build the applications and systems that run everything from banking apps to hospital records and streaming video. They work in tech, finance, health care, retail, government, and plenty of small startups. Recent government data shows a median salary of about $133,080 per year for software developers in 2024, roughly the mid $60s per hour.
While some narrow programming roles have shrunk, software developer positions remain in demand, especially for people who can design systems, work with teams, and use new tools instead of being replaced by them. Projections through 2034 still show software development growing faster than the average job.
Many developers have computer science degrees, but plenty come from coding bootcamps or related fields and build portfolios through real projects. Remote and hybrid work are common, so this can be a high-paying option if you want geographic flexibility along with a six-figure income.
Data scientist
Data scientists turn huge piles of data into usable insight for businesses, hospitals, governments, and nonprofits. They clean data, build models, and explain results to decision-makers. The latest federal numbers put the median salary for data scientists at about $112,590 per year, which works out to roughly the mid $50s per hour.
This role is projected to grow around one third between 2023 and 2033, thanks to companies wanting to use data for everything from marketing to logistics and health care. Even with AI tools, organizations still need humans who understand statistics, ethics, and business needs.
Most data scientists have a strong math, statistics, or computer science background, often with a master’s degree. Some move into the role from business analyst, software developer, or engineering jobs after picking up skills in Python, SQL, and machine learning. Remote and hybrid schedules are common, especially in large companies and tech firms.
Information security analyst
Information security analysts protect networks and systems from hacks, ransomware, and data breaches. They monitor alerts, test defenses, and respond when something goes wrong. Recent figures show a median salary of about $124,910 per year, roughly $60 per hour for full-time work.
This field is booming. Projections through 2033 show information security analyst jobs growing close to 30 percent, as businesses, hospitals, and governments keep getting hit with cyberattacks and need more people watching their systems.
Most people get in with a bachelor’s in IT, computer science, or cybersecurity, plus certifications like Security+ or CISSP as you gain experience. Many roles are hybrid or fully remote, though you may need to be on call. If you like puzzles and do not mind some stress, this can be a very solid six-figure path.
Cloud or network architect
Cloud and computer network architects design the backbone that lets companies run applications, store data, and keep everything connected securely. They plan networks, choose hardware and cloud services, and troubleshoot issues that affect whole organizations. Federal data lists computer network architects at a median of about $130,390 per year, which is a little over $60 per hour.
Job outlook is solid, with network architect roles projected to grow around 12 percent over the decade, helped by constant cloud migrations and upgrades to support remote work and security.
Many architects start as network or systems administrators, then move up after earning advanced certifications and experience with cloud platforms. Some job titles will say “cloud architect” or “solutions architect” and may pay even more, especially at large tech and finance companies.
Sales engineer
Sales engineers bridge the gap between complex products and customers. They support sales teams by running demos, answering technical questions, and designing solutions for clients in software, manufacturing, or industrial equipment. Recent government data shows sales engineers earning a median of about $121,520 per year, so a typical full-time income lands in the upper $50s per hour, often with bonuses or commissions on top.
Demand is linked to growth in tech, energy, and advanced manufacturing. As products get more complex, companies need people who can talk to both engineers and nontechnical buyers, which keeps this niche in demand into the 2030s.
There are many entry points. Some sales engineers start as engineers who discover they like customer contact. Others come from sales and pick up technical skills over time. Employers look for strong communication, comfort with travel or video calls, and a willingness to learn new products quickly.
Construction manager
Construction managers oversee building projects from start to finish, managing budgets, schedules, subcontractors, and safety. They may handle residential developments, commercial buildings, or infrastructure projects. National wage data shows a median pay around $104,900 per year, which works out to just over $50 per hour.
Job outlook is stable to slightly above average as housing, infrastructure upgrades, and green building projects continue. Even when new construction dips, renovation and repair work help keep experienced managers employed, and many contractors report ongoing shortages of seasoned supervisors.
Many construction managers come up through the trades, then move into supervision and project management, sometimes adding an associate or bachelor’s in construction management along the way. Others start with a degree and summer experience in construction. Strong communication, problem-solving, and the ability to keep many moving pieces organized are more important than a perfect GPA.
Elevator and escalator installer and repairer
Elevator and escalator technicians install, maintain, and fix lifting systems in high-rises, hospitals, malls, and transit systems. The work mixes mechanics, electrical systems, hydraulics, and safety checks, often in tight spaces or at height. Recent federal data shows a median wage of about $106,580 per year, or roughly $51 per hour.
Job growth is projected to be faster than average, helped by new construction, modernization of older buildings, and the need to keep elevators running in aging infrastructure. There are not enough young workers entering this trade, which adds to demand and supports strong wages.
Most people enter through a paid apprenticeship with a union or contractor, combining classroom training with on-the-job work. It is physically demanding and can involve call-outs at odd hours, but for people who like hands-on problem solving, the pay and benefits are hard to beat.
Petroleum engineer
Petroleum engineers design ways to extract oil and gas from underground reservoirs, using drilling, reservoir modeling, and production techniques. They may work for major energy companies, smaller producers, or consulting firms. Recent data shows a median salary around $141,280 per year, which is close to $70 per hour.
Job growth is modest at around 2 percent, but there is still ongoing demand in certain regions, especially where new projects come online or older engineers retire. The energy mix is changing, yet oil and gas remain a major part of the economy, and that keeps experienced engineers employed.
Most petroleum engineers have at least a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field. Early-career engineers often start in field roles, then move into design, planning, or management. Because projects can be cyclical, this path tends to fit people who can handle some ups and downs in workloads and who may be willing to relocate.
Airline pilot
Airline pilots fly passenger and cargo planes for major and regional airlines. They handle flight planning, navigation, communication with air traffic control, and decisions about weather and safety. Recent numbers show airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers earning a median of about $226,600 per year, which is roughly in the $100 per hour range on a full-time schedule.
Airlines are still hiring aggressively due to retirements and increased travel demand after pandemic slowdowns. Forecasts into the early 2030s show a need for tens of thousands of new pilots as older captains age out and carriers add routes.
To get there, most pilots earn commercial and airline-transport pilot licenses through flight schools or college aviation programs, then build hours as instructors or in smaller operations before joining regional or major airlines. Schedules can be irregular, but senior pilots often gain more control over routes and days off.
Owner-operator truck driver
Owner-operator truck drivers own or lease their rig and contract with carriers or clients to haul freight. They choose loads, manage schedules, and handle the business side, from fuel to maintenance and taxes. A recent ranking of top 2026 jobs found owner-operator truck drivers earning a median of about $160,000 per year, which works out to somewhere in the high $70s per hour for full-time driving.
This role is in high demand. Trucking groups continue to warn about ongoing driver shortages, and recent reports note job postings for owner-operators up more than 30 percent since 2023.
You typically start as a company driver to gain experience, then move into an owner-operator arrangement once you understand routes, freight, and costs. It is not a passive income path, you are running a small business, but for people who like the road and want control over their work, it can be a six-figure, no-degree option that is still very much hiring.
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