11 Jobs That Pay 20 Dollars an Hour

Jobs That Pay 20 Dollars an Hour

Earning a high income is all about math.

You have to calculate the hourly rate, determine how much you make per month, and multiply it to estimate yearly income.

Then, you can find out whether or not you are reaching the income that you want. 

To reach a desirable yearly income, you should do jobs that pay at least 20 dollars an hour.

Of course, there is nothing to do with working for less. 

But, with less income, you have fewer possibilities.

And, with more money, your life becomes full of possibilities. 

What Jobs Pay 20 an Hour 

The first thing you want to look at is a job that pays 20 an hour.

Here the advantage is that there are a lot of jobs that pay that rate.

The disadvantage here is that you need actual skills to qualify for that rate. 

But, once you have acquired those skills, you can look at several types of jobs.

And, these jobs depend on your expertise and field of work.

Thus, you can classify them as remote jobs, standard jobs, and part-time jobs.  

Remote Jobs 

Remote jobs are jobs you can do from home or another space aside from official workspaces.

These jobs are usually done with a computer and fall into the IT job category.

The thing about them is that they give you more freedom and all you need is a device and internet connection. 

The problem here is that you need actual expertise.

You want to spend your time acquiring relevant experience and portfolio to earn the 20$/h pay rate.

Often, these types of jobs go by as freelance jobs. 

Additional problem is that you need proper negotiation skills to land clients and keep the cash flow. 

One of the few rare job categories that don’t require as much skills to make decent income are transcription jobs.

Standard Jobs

Standard jobs refer to trades and similar jobs you do without the use of devices.

At least, without a dominant use of devices, but relying on your physical skills instead.

The excellent thing about trade is that people are always in need of them.

So, if you are an agile worker, you are looking at an excellent pay rate and even better income. 

The problem with these jobs is that you need actual skills to perform them.

While a plumber may look at a six-figure yearly income, you need skills and clients to reach that.

So, you have to be a proper salesman and close a lot of deals. 

Marketing is often an issue for newcomers to the job. It takes time to build a reputation and consistently land clients.  

Part-Time Jobs 

Part-time jobs are a combination of the previous two categories. Both categories allow you the space to work part-time, as long as you can find work.

However, the subtle difference here is that it is simpler to land a remote part-time job. 

It is something you can do in your spare time.

Additionally, you have to think if it is worth it.

For example, as an electrician, you can easily find a part-time job. According to Jobber’s Electrician Salary Guide, an electrician’s hourly rate is $23 on average.

However, you should take into account if that makes sense for you when you take other expenses into account. 

For example, it is fine if you are an electrician looking to earn an extra 60$ in a few hours.

However, if you have to travel a lot, you are spending that money on gas. Then, that kind of job is far from worth your time.  

You can also look into flipping stuff for profit.

People do this all the time, and flip everything, from cars, used clothes to flipping furniture and homes.

How to Make 20 Dollars an Hour

Of course, that is something to think about once you start working.

But, right now, you want to focus on reaching the 20$/h rate. While it sounds like something simple, you have to cover several fields before you achieve that pay rate. 

There are three fields you want to focus on.

These are your expertise, experience, and portfolio.

Once you have each, landing clients with those rates becomes much easier.

Expertise

The first and crucial thing you need is expertise. Without skills, you will never reach that pay rate.

If you are a beginner, mastering your craft is necessary for all sorts of progress in your career. 

With every job you take and an hour you spend on work, you increase your expertise.

Thus, it takes some time before you reach that level of expertise.

But, you have to work anyway, it is up to you how much time it takes to reach it. 

If you already have a skill, then focus on perfecting it so you can get that 20 dollars an hour pay rate.  

Experience 

Along with expertise, you need experience. Often, people mix up experience and expertise.

That is because they look at a person who had a chance to program during college.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are an effective programmer. 

On the other hand, a person who starts working as a programmer at 20 in companies has actual experience.

That is because that person had a chance to work on applications with practical use. 

Education, of course, is a valuable thing.

However, employers and clients look at your experience first.

That means that they want to take a look at your previous employment and results.

That is detrimental to your success when finding new clients.  

Portfolio 

Finally, you need a portfolio. Portfolios often come as a result of expertise and experience.

It is a showcase of your previous work relevant to your industry.

Whether you are a web developer or a plumber, you want some sort of portfolio.

Of course, it is much easier to have a portfolio for digital trade than traditional trade.

As a web developer, you can add a bunch of links to a Google Doc, and voila, you have a portfolio. 

For a plumber, it is smart to have a website to showcase what you did for previous clients. Then, potential clients can come to your website and see your work.  

Making 20 Dollars an Hour 

Thus, it is time to look at what is necessary to make 20 dollars an hour.

The thing about this rate is that it requires you to do more than mechanical work.

It considers that you are a specialist of a specific skill with a relevant portfolio. 

So, you are looking at work that requires that you develop a skill.

And to perform at a job of medium complexity.

To put it in simpler terms, you could say that you want to be an expert technician in your trade. 

With that, you are ready to learn and master jobs that pay 20$/hr. 

Jobs that pay 20$/hr 

On this list, some jobs fall between digital and traditional trade.

Each job requires skills and experience.

And, the best way to excel at the job is to show dedication, willingness to learn, and wish to master the craft. 

1. Proofreading 

Proofreading is a remote job that requires you to fix various errors in documents.

These documents have grammatical and syntax errors and typos you have to fix. With proofreading, you can be a generalist or specialize in a specific niche. 

To start proofreading, you need a computer and basic language skills.

While there are various courses for proofreaders, there aren’t any education requirements for the job.

However, if you have a specific education, it can help you find clients in that niche and industry. 

With proofreading, you can expect a median salary of $42.000 per year. You can earn additional money with proper marketing and specialization.  

2. Freelance Writing 

Freelance writing is a remote job that consists of writing articles and other web materials.

As a freelance writer, you write about anything and everything. Also, it is easy to build a portfolio, find a niche, and increase your rate. 

To start freelance writing, you need a computer. You can have any education or have none. Instead, focus on learning how to write for the web, and learn the basics of SEO to boost your writing. 

With freelance writing, you can expect a median salary of $39.000 per year.

However, freelance writing offers a lot of flexibility, so you can take more jobs and earn more.  

3. Web Development 

Web development is a remote job that consists of building websites and web apps.

As a web developer, you design, develop, and test websites. It is a highly popular job, due to the high demand for web developers. 

To start web development, you need a background in web design or computer programming.

Also, you could pursue a degree in computer science.

However, you need to know how to design or develop websites to land a job.

That means you need design or programming skills with practical application. 

With web development, you can expect a median salary of $59.000 per year.

It is a high-paying job, and it allows you much space to progress and build a career around.  

4. Digital Marketing 

Digital marketing is a remote job and umbrella term for various online promotional practices.

As a digital marketer, you could be a content marketer, SEO specialist, PPC specialist, or community manager.

It is another popular job, due to the possibility of specialization and constant income growth. 

To start digital marketing, you could get a marketing degree or finish a high-value course.

Of course, you can start by volunteering in agencies or on projects.

Like with web development, you want to have a portfolio and a showcase of results. 

With digital marketing, you can expect a median salary of $64.000 per year.

It is another high-paying job you can turn into a six-figure income career in a few years. 

5. Virtual Assistant 

A virtual assistant is a remote job where you act as a real-life assistant for individuals and companies.

As a virtual assistant, you take care of appointments, schedule events, and do other tasks for those who hire you. 

To start as a virtual assistant, you don’t need any education.

For this kind of job, employers want a self-starter and an agile person.

They care more about your previous work experience.

So, it is best if you have a recommendation from a previous employer. 

As a virtual assistant, you can expect a median salary of $39.000 per year.

While it is a job that is easy to start, it offers less space to grow career-wise.    

6. Tutoring 

Tutoring is a remote job where you help others learn about specific topics and skills.

As an online tutor, you can teach any academic discipline, but tutors most often teach English.

Depending on your education and experience, it could become quite a lucrative job. 

To start as a tutor, you need education.

If you want to teach others, you need a college degree and actual expertise on the topic.

That is why most tutors teach English as a second language. It is fairly easy to start, even more so if you are a native English speaker. 

As an online tutor, you can expect a median salary of $36.000 per year.

Depending on your education and expertise, you can earn much more. But only if you have a specific type of expertise.    

7. Transcription 

Transcription is a remote job where you listen to audio files and transform them into text documents.

As a transcriptionist, you can be a generalist or specialize in a specific type of transcription. You can earn much more with a specialization in medical or law transcription. 

To start as a transcriptionist, you don’t need specific education.

Instead, you have to develop skills such as fast typing and work on documents.

Transcription is a fairly hard job to start since you need specific skills.

The employers want to see your quality of work and check your previous work experience. 

As a transcriptionist, you can expect a median salary of $32.000 per year. With more experience and expertise, you could earn even more. 

Here are some best online transcription jobs for beginners.

8. Real Estate Agent 

A real estate agent is a job where you help people buy and sell properties.

As a real estate agent, you are always on the move looking for properties, negotiating, and trading real estate.

The possibilities of multiplying your income are only bound by your ambition. 

To start as a real estate agent, you need to pass a state exam and get a license.

You can take courses, read, and attend seminars to become a better salesman.

Aside from that, you get a chance to build a reputation and name to stand out from the competition.  

As a real estate agent, you can expect a median salary of $47.000 per year. But, the longer you are in the trade the more you can earn.   

9. Sales Representative 

A sales representative is a job where you sell products and services on behalf of companies and clients.

As a sales representative, you have to constantly talk to people, negotiate and communicate to find new offers. Being a salesman is an excellent career path if you want to earn a lot of money. 

To start as a sales representative, you don’t need any specific education. You need an outgoing personality and a talent for trading.

Of course, you can supplement your skills with courses and seminars.

Potential employers want to know your previous employment history and demonstrated results. 

As a sales representative, you can expect a median salary of $50.000 per year. Of course, you can easily multiply that after a year or two into the career.  

10. Construction Trades 

Construction trades are a set of trades that help housing and development projects.

In construction trades, you can be an electrician, plumber, welder, or carpenter.

It is an excellent job since you need skill and you can enter the career early and earn a lot. 

To start in construction trades, you need skills.

The excellent thing about trades is that you can learn as you work.

So, you enroll at a company or work for an expert and gain your skills. Then, you can branch out and multiply your streams of income.  

As a person in construction trades, you can expect a median salary of $50.000.

However, you can expect a rise in your income after a year or two into your career.  

11. Aesthetician 

Aesthetician is a job where you work on nails, hair, and skin, making customers healthier and prettier.

It is a trade that is fun to do, and it allows you to specialize in a specific skill.

With proper marketing and business skills, you can build your studio and increase your income. 

To start as an aesthetician, you need to master a specific skill.

You can do that as an apprentice at a salon, or you can pursue a paid course.

The excellent thing about being an aesthetician is that people can become your clients by viewing photos of previous clients.  

As an aesthetician, you can expect a median salary of $38.000.

You could earn even more if you could brand your business and build a salon.    

Give it a Try 

All that is left is to try out the jobs on the list.

They can help you whether it is your first job, or you want to make a career change. 

Follow the blueprint, build a portfolio and hone your craft. Then, you can succeed under any conditions.