Earning $19 an hour is a significant milestone for many professionals. It represents a wage that can provide a stable foundation in many parts of the country and serves as a crucial stepping stone in a variety of rewarding career paths. Annually, a $19 hourly wage translates to a gross income of approximately $39,520 per year.
But what does it really mean to earn $19 an hour? Which jobs fall into this pay bracket, and more importantly, what is the potential for growth? This article will break down the numbers, explore the types of careers available at this pay scale, and detail the key factors that can help you increase your earning potential far beyond this starting point.
What Does a $19 an Hour Wage Look Like?
First, let's establish the baseline. A $19 an hour wage, when calculated for a standard full-time position, works out as follows:
- $19/hour × 40 hours/week = $760 per week
- $760/week × 52 weeks/year = $39,520 per year
This pre-tax annual salary is common for many essential entry-level to early-career roles that require specific skills, training, or certifications. These are not just "jobs," but the start of viable careers in growing industries.
Examples of professions where you might find a starting or average wage around $19 an hour include:
- Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Medical Assistant
- Customer Service Specialist
- Bank Teller
- Pharmacy Technician
- Entry-Level Skilled Trades (e.g., Carpenter's Apprentice, HVAC Trainee)
- Security Officer
Average Salary for Jobs in the $19/hr Range
While $19/hour ($39,520/year) is a specific figure, it often falls within the typical salary range for several major occupations. It's important to look at the median salary and the broader pay scale to understand your position and potential.
- Administrative Assistants: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median pay for secretaries and administrative assistants was $45,370 per year or $21.81 per hour in May 2023. This indicates that $19/hour is a common starting wage, with significant room for growth.
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs): The BLS notes the median pay for nursing assistants was $38,130 per year or $18.33 per hour in May 2023. This places a $19/hour wage slightly above the national median, making it a competitive salary for this role, especially in certain regions or facilities.
- Customer Service Representatives: According to the BLS, the median pay for customer service representatives was $39,910 per year or $19.19 per hour in May 2023. A $19/hour wage is right at the heart of this profession's earning spectrum.
*(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023 data)*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your starting wage is rarely your final salary. Several critical factors determine your earning potential. Focusing on these areas is the key to advancing from a $19/hour role to a more lucrative position.
### Level of Education
Education and credentials are a direct lever for increasing income. While many $19/hour jobs require only a high school diploma, additional education opens doors to higher pay.
- Certifications: In fields like healthcare or IT, earning a specific certification can immediately boost your value. A Pharmacy Technician with a CPhT certification or a Medical Assistant with a CMA credential will often command a higher wage than their uncertified peers.
- Associate's Degree: Earning a two-year associate's degree in a field like business administration, paralegal studies, or nursing (ADN) can qualify you for roles that start well above the $19/hour mark.
- Bachelor's Degree: A four-year degree typically positions a candidate for roles with higher starting salaries and a clearer path to management. An Administrative Assistant with a Bachelor's degree is a prime candidate for an Executive Assistant or Office Manager position, which often pays significantly more.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most powerful drivers of salary growth. An entry-level employee may start at $19/hour, but a professional with 5-10 years of experience in the same role is far more valuable.
For example, an entry-level Administrative Assistant might earn $19/hour. After five years, having mastered office management software, developed complex scheduling skills, and proven their reliability, they could command $25/hour or more. Senior Executive Assistants who support C-suite leaders can earn upwards of $80,000-$100,000 annually, according to data from salary aggregators like Payscale.com.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. A $19/hour wage can feel very different depending on the local cost of living. Furthermore, median wages for the same job can vary dramatically by state and metropolitan area.
For instance, according to Salary.com, the salary range for a Medical Assistant in a lower-cost-of-living city like Omaha, Nebraska, might be $35,000-$42,000. In a high-cost-of-living city like Boston, Massachusetts, that same role might range from $42,000-$51,000. Companies in major metropolitan areas must offer higher wages to attract talent and account for higher living expenses. When evaluating a $19/hour offer, always consider the local economic landscape.
### Company Type
The type of organization you work for can have a major impact on your compensation and benefits package.
- Large Corporations: Big companies often have more structured pay scales and may offer more generous benefits (health insurance, 401(k) matching), which add to your total compensation.
- Startups: A tech startup might offer a slightly lower base salary but include stock options as part of the compensation, offering potential for a high future payout.
- Non-Profits: While non-profits may have tighter budgets and offer lower salaries, they often provide a strong sense of mission and may have other benefits like flexible work schedules.
- Government: Federal, state, and local government jobs are known for their excellent job security, defined benefit pension plans, and comprehensive healthcare, even if the starting hourly wage is comparable to the private sector.
### Area of Specialization
Developing a niche skillset is one of the fastest ways to increase your earnings. General skills are valuable, but specialized skills are lucrative.
Consider a Customer Service Representative earning $19/hour. By specializing, their career and salary could evolve:
- Technical Support Specialist: Specializing in troubleshooting a specific software or hardware product.
- Bilingual Customer Service: Becoming fluent in a high-demand language like Spanish or Mandarin.
- Client Success Manager: Moving from reactive problem-solving to proactively managing high-value client accounts in a B2B environment.
Each of these specializations builds upon the core customer service skillset but leads to roles that pay significantly more than the generalist starting point.
Job Outlook
The long-term demand for your chosen career is a crucial consideration. Fortunately, many of the professions that start around the $19/hour mark have a stable or growing job outlook.
The BLS projects the following growth from 2022 to 2032:
- Medical Assistants: A projected growth of 14%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This is driven by the aging baby-boomer population's increasing demand for healthcare services.
- Customer Service Representatives: Employment is projected to show little or no change, but thousands of openings are expected each year to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants: A projected decline of 7%. However, the BLS notes that prospects will be best for those with expertise in modern office technology and software applications, highlighting the importance of specialization.
This data underscores that while these jobs provide a solid entry point, continuous learning and skill development are essential for long-term career security and growth.
Conclusion
A $19 an hour wage, or approximately $39,520 per year, is a respectable and common salary for a wide range of vital professions in the American economy. It represents a solid foundation upon which to build a successful and fulfilling career.
For anyone earning or considering a job at this pay rate, the key takeaways are:
1. See it as a Starting Point: Use this role to gain invaluable hands-on experience.
2. Invest in Yourself: Pursue certifications, further education, or specialized training to increase your market value.
3. Become a Specialist: Identify a niche within your field to set yourself apart and command a higher salary.
4. Understand Your Worth: Be mindful of how factors like location and company type influence your pay, and be prepared to negotiate for compensation that reflects your skills and experience.
A $19/hour job is not just an endpoint; for the motivated professional, it is a launchpad into a future of greater opportunity and higher earnings.