77% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.
30 Jobs That Pay $25 to $30 an Hour, Ranked by Annual Openings (2026)
Truck Driver tops this list at $58,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +4.0% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 30 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.
Occupations whose BLS median hourly wage is at least $25.00 and under $30.00, ranked by projected annual openings so the list leads with the work that exists in volume at this rate. The hourly figure is the one BLS publishes in the OEWS release, not an annual salary divided by 2,080; occupations OEWS reports on an annual basis only, which is most teaching and airline flight-crew work, carry no hourly wage to test and are left off rather than converted. The band has an upper end so that each rate gets its own list rather than four copies of the same one; jobs paying above $30 an hour are on the higher lists.
- Careers on this list
- 30
- Median pay on the list
- $59,165
- Projected to grow
- 23 of 30
- Openings a year
- 1,200,000
From 923 in the bank
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Combined, BLS EP
How we built this list
- Included when the BLS OEWS published median hourly wage is at least $25.00 and under $30.00.
- The hourly figure is the median hourly wage BLS itself publishes, never an annual salary divided by 2,080. Occupations BLS reports on an annual basis only are left out rather than converted.
- Ranked by projected annual openings from BLS Employment Projections, so the list leads with work that actually exists in volume at this pay rate rather than with the rare job that happens to clear the floor.
- BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over.
- Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
- The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.
The top 30 jobs that pay $25 an hour
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $58,640
- Growth
- +4.0%
- Openings / yr
- 237,600
- Education
- Certificate
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
2. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $60,320
- Growth
- +10.4%
- Openings / yr
- 104,400
- Education
- N/A
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
3. Mental Health Counselor
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $60,320
- Growth
- +10.4%
- Openings / yr
- 104,400
- Education
- N/A
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $60,580
- Growth
- +4.5%
- Openings / yr
- 74,100
- Education
- High school
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways,…
Sales and Related
- Median pay
- $62,280
- Growth
- +3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 47,000
- Education
- High school
Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance.
Production
- Median pay
- $53,750
- Growth
- +2.2%
- Openings / yr
- 45,600
- Education
- High school
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $59,850
- Growth
- +3.6%
- Openings / yr
- 41,900
- Education
- High school
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erec…
Computer and Mathematical
- Median pay
- $61,860
- Growth
- -3.7%
- Openings / yr
- 40,800
- Education
- Some college
Provide technical assistance to computer users.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $61,010
- Growth
- +8.1%
- Openings / yr
- 40,100
- Education
- Certificate
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Sales and Related
- Median pay
- $52,830
- Growth
- +3.1%
- Openings / yr
- 36,600
- Education
- High school
Rent, buy, or sell property for clients.
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $59,550
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 35,100
- Education
- Bachelor's
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $59,650
- Growth
- -1.8%
- Openings / yr
- 34,100
- Education
- High school
Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule.
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $58,940
- Growth
- -7.8%
- Openings / yr
- 30,100
- Education
- High school
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures.
Production
- Median pay
- $58,750
- Growth
- 0.0%
- Openings / yr
- 29,500
- Education
- High school
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal.
Protective Service
- Median pay
- $59,280
- Growth
- +3.4%
- Openings / yr
- 27,100
- Education
- Certificate
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $61,770
- Growth
- +2.4%
- Openings / yr
- 26,500
- Education
- High school
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines.
17. Massage Therapist
Healthcare Support
- Median pay
- $58,450
- Growth
- +15.4%
- Openings / yr
- 24,700
- Education
- Certificate
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
18. First-Line Supervisor of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance
- Median pay
- $58,430
- Growth
- +2.3%
- Openings / yr
- 23,200
- Education
- High school
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping activities.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
19. Clergy
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $60,810
- Growth
- +1.0%
- Openings / yr
- 23,000
- Education
- Bachelor's
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Transportation and Material Moving
- Median pay
- $59,050
- Growth
- +4.3%
- Openings / yr
- 20,900
- Education
- High school
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $60,550
- Growth
- -3.5%
- Openings / yr
- 20,600
- Education
- No formal credential
Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $55,570
- Growth
- -5.8%
- Openings / yr
- 19,600
- Education
- High school
Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents.
Business and Financial Operations
- Median pay
- $61,160
- Growth
- +4.8%
- Openings / yr
- 15,500
- Education
- Bachelor's
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Median pay
- $54,890
- Growth
- +1.6%
- Openings / yr
- 14,600
- Education
- High school
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
25. Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender
Production
- Median pay
- $58,040
- Growth
- +3.3%
- Openings / yr
- 14,400
- Education
- High school
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Construction and Extraction
- Median pay
- $57,020
- Growth
- +1.8%
- Openings / yr
- 14,300
- Education
- No formal credential
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $54,210
- Growth
- +1.0%
- Openings / yr
- 14,000
- Education
- High school
Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.
28. Director, Religious Activity and Education
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $52,100
- Growth
- +2.1%
- Openings / yr
- 13,800
- Education
- Bachelor's
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group.
Profile coming in the next tranche.
Community and Social Service
- Median pay
- $60,280
- Growth
- +9.7%
- Openings / yr
- 13,500
- Education
- Master's
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs.
Office and Administrative Support
- Median pay
- $58,260
- Growth
- -16.7%
- Openings / yr
- 13,000
- Education
- High school
Compile and record employee time and payroll data.
Jobs That Pay $25 an Hour: FAQ
What is the top career on the jobs that pay $25 an hour list?
Truck Driver leads the list with a median wage of $58,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +4.0% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is certificate.
How was this list put together?
Occupations whose BLS median hourly wage is at least $25.00 and under $30.00, ranked by projected annual openings so the list leads with the work that exists in volume at this rate. The hourly figure is the one BLS publishes in the OEWS release, not an annual salary divided by 2,080; occupations OEWS reports on an annual basis only, which is most teaching and airline flight-crew work, carry no hourly wage to test and are left off rather than converted. The band has an upper end so that each rate gets its own list rather than four copies of the same one; jobs paying above $30 an hour are on the higher lists. Included when the BLS OEWS published median hourly wage is at least $25.00 and under $30.00. The hourly figure is the median hourly wage BLS itself publishes, never an annual salary divided by 2,080. Occupations BLS reports on an annual basis only are left out rather than converted. Ranked by projected annual openings from BLS Employment Projections, so the list leads with work that actually exists in volume at this pay rate rather than with the rare job that happens to clear the floor. BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.
How much do jobs that pay $25 an hour pay?
Across the 30 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $59,165 a year, from $52,100 at the bottom to $62,280 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.
How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?
23 of the 30 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034).