With the cost of just about everything going up, many people are looking for better-paying jobs and side hustles. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for jobs that pay $20 per hour or more.
In this blog post, I’m covering 10 profitable and realistic options, many of which don’t even require a degree.
10+ Jobs That Pay $20 Per Hour
Ready to find a new job or side gig? Here are the top jobs that pay $20 per hour or more.
1. Virtual Assistant
Average Salary: $17.57+ per hour
Virtual assistants can perform many of the same tasks as executive assistants do physically. Just a few tasks you could offer include scheduling, customer service, booking travel, and other administrative tasks. However, some virtual assistants can also work in social media, blogs and websites, and more. Really, if you can think of a task, you can most likely offer it as a virtual assistant. You can be a generalist or specialize in a specific niche, depending on where your skillset is.
Luckily, a degree isn’t necessary to work as a virtual assistant, but we do recommend having some type of relevant experience. And while the pay will vary, especially depending on your skills and experience, many virtual assistants charge $20 or more per hour.
Related: How to Become a Virtual Assistant
Creative Virtual Assistant Services You Can Offer For $30+ Per Hour
How to Become a Virtual Assistant From Scratch (Interview w/ a Real VA)
2. Freelance Writer
Average Salary: $25.24+ per hour
Freelance writers work in many different sectors and niches. You could write for websites, blogs, newspapers, businesses and their marketing material, and more. You could even write books as a ghostwriter or as an author if you want to put yourself out in the public.
To be a freelance writer, you’ll need a good grasp of the English language, be able to proofread and edit your own work, know about the topic you’re writing about, and be able to research.
Just like virtual assisting, you don’t need a degree to be a freelance writer. But, degrees in communications, journalism, or English can be helpful. If you want to, you can also take classes to help you with blogging skills or join a freelance writers community. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a freelance writer, I share more tips and advice on my other website and blog – ChonceMaddox.com.
Related: Side Hustles Explored: How to Become a Freelance Writer
4 Common Misconceptions About Freelance Writers
3. Proofreader
Average Salary: $19.78 per hour
If you love correcting punctuation and grammar and enjoy the English language, being a proofreader may be a great option for you. As a proofreader, you’ll focus on and fix the syntactic, spelling, punctuation, grammatical, and formatting errors writers make. Usually, a proofreader works on an article, book, or newspaper before the editor makes their final changes.
While having a degree in English or journalism can be helpful, you may not need it if you can prove your skillset and have some experience. You can also take a course like Proofread Anywhere to give you credentials. Remember that as a freelance proofreader, you can set your own prices, but most make between $20-$25 per hour.
Related: How to Make a Full-Time Freelance Income With Part-Time Hours
4. Blog Editor
Average Salary: $22.29 per hour
Popular blogs will often hire and pay for a blog editor to oversee the publication of the blog’s content. Blog editors are comparable to magazine editors and have many responsibilities, including managing the writers, creating and managing editorial content for the blog, SEO, and editing and approving content once it’s been written.
Again, you don’t need a degree to work as a blog editor, but some larger websites (think Forbes) may want at least a bachelor’s degree in English or business.
Related: How to Start a Blog
How to Start a Successful Money-Making Blog in 10 Days
5. Bookkeeper
Average Salary: $19.28 per hour
All businesses, both big and small, need a bookkeeper. Bookkeepers help keep track of costs and revenues, reconcile accounts, and create financial statements that accountants can use when filing taxes on behalf of a corporation. And compared to CPAs and other accountants, bookkeepers don’t need a college degree.
However, you must know how to work with technology and certain bookkeeping systems, like Quickbooks. You’ll also need to be able to record financial transactions, process checks, handle payroll (if needed), monitor financial transactions and reports, and process accounts receivable and payable.
6. Online Teacher/Tutor
Average Salary: $19.51 per hour
There are many online opportunities for teachers and tutors. You could teach any subject you’d like using a platform like Outschool, or work as a teacher or tutor teaching ESL (English as a second language) to kids worldwide with websites like Cambly or VIPKid.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for online tutoring services, but it doesn’t always have to be in teaching or English. At the very least a website will typically require you to have a TESOL or TEFL certificate showing that you can teach online.
7. Medical Courier
Average Salary: $19.23 per hour
Daily deliveries are necessary in the medical industry. Many medical organizations hire and contract medical couriers to drive necessary equipment, medicines, and more, to patients and medical facilities.
Just a few things couriers may deliver include lab specimens, medical supplies, and even organs ready for transplant. As a medical courier, you usually don’t need a degree, but you will need a valid driver’s license and a clear driving record. Other skills include knowledge of medical regulations, HIPPA certification, and driving experience.
Depending on your location, your compensation will vary. Couriers in large cities with quite a few clients can receive more pay, and couriers who specialize in handling fragile materials can make extra money too. If you decide to freelance, your vehicle may be eligible for fuel reductions and mileage reimbursements.
8. Customer Service Representative
Average Salary: 15.84 per hour
While the average salary may seem fairly low, many customer service representatives can easily make over $20 per hour, especially with experience or working in certain fields like the medical sector. A customer service representative responds to inbound calls, identifies and satisfies customer needs, meets financial targets, and more.
You do not need a degree in order to work as a customer service representative, but you will need patience, empathy, love to chat with all different types of people, and be able to solve problems. The great part about this job is that many businesses have started moving their employees to work from home, which is a great benefit!
9. Online Translator
Average Salary: $22.99 per hour
Can you speak and write multiple languages? If so, you can be an online translator! Online translators translate texts from one language into another, like speeches and interviews. Translators only work with written language and their clients submit their documents online so they can be translated accurately.
You don’t need a degree to be a translator, but you need to be able to speak and write in at least two languages fluently. If you want to freelance, you can build up your portfolio by practicing translating various texts and volunteering in areas like nonprofits, medical facilities, and other options to boost your experience. Or, you can find an online service that offers translating jobs.
10. Amazon Flex
Average Salary: $19.31 per hour
Many people complain about working for Amazon, and for good reason. The low pay and crazy hours can be hard on your mental and physical health. However, working as an Amazon Flex picker or driver can be a great side gig. Not only do you get to make your own schedule, but you get paid more and can earn upward of $25 per hour.
As an Amazon Flex contractor, you’ll work a two-, four-, or six-hour shift where you drive around delivering packages or picking for orders. And the best part? As a driver, you keep 100% of any tips that you receive. Remember that as a contractor, you’ll be driving your own vehicle.
11. Legal Transcriptionist
Average Salary: 28.85 per hour
Legal transcriptionists are individuals who write down essential legal recordings and create written documents using their listening and typing abilities. They may focus on particular categories of court procedures or transcribe cases for judges or lawyers. Unlike court reporters, transcriptionists don’t record live and in courtrooms. They listen to recordings and transcribe for the most accurate reports.
Many jobs do require at least an associate’s in Legal Transcription Technology or at least 3-5 years of experience in a law setting (like working for an attorney). You’ll also need to be highly accurate, able to type at least 80 wpm, and be able to listen and type at the same time.
12. Security Guard
Average Salary: $20 per hour
Salary ranges for security guards vary widely and are heavily dependent on location, experience, and potential degrees like a bachelor’s in criminal justice. However, the average security guard can expect to earn at least $20 an hour, or more if they choose to work night shifts.
While you don’t need a degree to get a security job, you may need training and will certainly have to have a clean record. You may also need to qualify for gun ownership and be able to pass a polygraph. Most security guards work independently, which can be great if you’re a go-getter and decent with time management and working alone.
How to Find Jobs That Pay $20 Per Hour
Looking for more jobs that can earn you $20 per hour or more? Here are just a few of our favorite websites that post job opportunities, both online and offline!
If you’re looking for work opportunities that pay well and quickly, here are some additional ideas:
You can also search specific keywords (like “transcriptionist”) on sites like Indeed and Linkedin.
Summary: Jobs That Pay $20 Per Hour
As you can see, there are many jobs that pay $20 per hour, and many don’t require anything outside of hard work and being able to learn fast. Many of these opportunities are great as side hustles and may even offer full-time work if that’s what you’re looking for!
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