Earning $30 an hour is a significant financial milestone for many American professionals. It represents a solid, middle-class income that can support a comfortable lifestyle in many parts of the country. Translating to an annual salary of over $62,000, this pay rate is achievable across a wide spectrum of industries, from healthcare and technology to skilled trades and creative fields.
This article serves as your comprehensive guide to understanding the $30/hr salary benchmark. We will break down what this income looks like annually, explore the diverse jobs that offer this level of compensation, and detail the key factors—like your location, experience, and education—that can help you reach and surpass this important career goal.
What Does a $30/hr Annual Salary Mean?
First, let's translate the hourly rate into broader terms. Assuming a standard 40-hour workweek and 52 weeks in a year (2,080 working hours), the calculation is straightforward:
- Hourly: $30
- Weekly: $1,200
- Monthly: ~$5,200
- Annually: $62,400
This pre-tax annual income of $62,400 places a single earner comfortably within the American middle class. For context, the U.S. Census Bureau reported a median household income of $74,580 in 2022. Therefore, a salary in this range provides a strong foundation for financial stability, savings, and discretionary spending, though its purchasing power will vary significantly based on location.
Common Jobs That Pay Around $30 an Hour
A $30/hr wage is not confined to a single industry. It is a common pay rate for skilled professionals who have acquired specific training, education, or several years of on-the-job experience. Here are some examples of roles where the median pay hovers around this mark.
| Job Title | Median Pay (BLS, 2022) | Typical Education/Training |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Electrician | $60,240 per year ($28.96/hour) | High school diploma + Apprenticeship |
| Accountant/Auditor | $78,000 per year ($37.50/hour) | Bachelor's degree |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,230 per year ($32.80/hour) | Bachelor's degree |
| Radiologic Technologist | $67,180 per year ($32.30/hour) | Associate's degree |
| Human Resources Specialist| $67,650 per year ($32.52/hour) | Bachelor's degree |
| Web Developer | $80,730 per year ($38.81/hour) | Bachelor's degree or equivalent skill |
| Technical Writer | $79,960 per year ($38.44/hour) | Bachelor's degree |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,620 per year ($26.26/hour) | Postsecondary nondegree award |
*Note: Salary aggregators like Salary.com and Payscale show that experienced LPNs and entry-to-mid-level accountants and web developers frequently earn in the $28-$35/hr range, confirming the viability of these roles for reaching the $30/hr target.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Reaching the $30/hr mark—and eventually exceeding it—is not just about choosing the right job title. Several key factors directly influence your earning potential.
### Level of Education
Your educational background sets the foundation for your career's earning trajectory.
- Degrees: A Bachelor's degree is often the entry point for professional roles like Accountant, Market Research Analyst, or HR Specialist, where starting salaries may be slightly below $30/hr but can quickly rise to that level with 1-3 years of experience.
- Associate's Degrees & Certifications: Fields like healthcare and IT demonstrate that a two-year degree or a specialized certification can be a highly effective path. A Radiologic Technologist with an associate's degree or an IT professional with a CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification can command this salary.
- Apprenticeships & Skilled Trades: For careers like Electrician or Plumber, a formal apprenticeship is the gold standard. While apprentices start at a lower wage, they earn while they learn. Upon becoming a journeyman, earning $30/hr or more is standard.
### Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the most powerful lever for increasing your hourly rate.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): In many professional fields, new graduates may start in the $22-$27/hr range. Their primary focus is on gaining practical skills and proving their value.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): This is the sweet spot where many professionals cross the $30/hr threshold. They have established a track record of competence and reliability, making them more valuable to their employer or on the open market.
- Senior/Expert (8+ years): At this stage, professionals in these fields should be earning well above $30/hr, often moving into roles that pay $40-$50/hr or more as they take on leadership, project management, or highly specialized technical responsibilities.
### Geographic Location
Where you live and work has a massive impact on your salary. The same job can have a 20-30% pay variance depending on the city. Companies adjust pay based on the local cost of living and the demand for talent.
- High Cost of Living (HCOL) Areas: In cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, a $30/hr salary ($62,400/year) may be considered an entry-level wage for many professional roles. The higher pay is necessary to offset steep housing, tax, and living expenses.
- Medium/Low Cost of Living (M/LCOL) Areas: In cities across the Midwest and South, like Omaha, NE, or Birmingham, AL, a $30/hr salary provides significantly more purchasing power and represents a very comfortable, solid middle-class income. According to Payscale's Cost of Living Calculator, a $62,400 salary in Des Moines, Iowa, is equivalent to needing over $115,000 to maintain the same standard of living in Brooklyn, New York.
### Company Type
The type and size of your employer also play a role in compensation.
- Large Corporations: Big companies often have standardized pay bands and can typically offer higher base salaries and more robust benefits packages (health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off).
- Startups: A tech or biotech startup might offer a salary at or slightly below the market rate but supplement it with stock options, which carry the potential for a high future payout.
- Small & Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): Pay can vary widely at smaller companies. While some may not be able to compete on salary, others may offer more flexibility, a better work-life balance, or faster opportunities for growth.
- Government & Non-Profit: Government jobs are known for their stability and excellent benefits, even if the base salary is sometimes slightly lower than in the private sector. Non-profits often operate on tighter budgets, but a $30/hr wage is still very common for experienced professionals.
### Area of Specialization
Developing a niche skill set within your field is one of the fastest ways to increase your value. Generalists are always needed, but specialists are often paid a premium.
For example, within Human Resources, an HR Generalist might make $30/hr, but an HR Specialist focused on compensation analysis or talent acquisition technology could earn $35-$40/hr. Similarly, a general-duty Registered Nurse can earn a great wage, but those who specialize in critical care, the operating room, or neonatal care often command higher hourly rates due to the advanced training and high-stakes nature of their work.
Job Outlook
The future is bright for many of the professions that pay in the $30/hr range. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. Many of the fields mentioned here are expected to grow much faster than average:
- Healthcare Occupations: Projected to add about 1.8 million jobs over the decade due to an aging population and continued medical advances.
- Computer and Information Technology: Projected to grow 15%, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Skilled Trades: Demand for skilled trades like electricians remains strong due to infrastructure upgrades, the push for renewable energy, and an aging workforce nearing retirement.
This data suggests that investing your time and education in these fields provides not only a path to a solid income but also long-term job security.
Conclusion
Earning a $30/hr annual salary, equivalent to about $62,400 per year, is a realistic and rewarding goal for a vast number of American workers. It signifies a level of skill and experience that is in high demand across stable, growing industries.
For those aspiring to reach this level, the path is clear:
1. Gain a valuable credential, whether it's a degree, a certification, or completion of an apprenticeship.
2. Commit to gaining 2-5 years of solid experience to move from an entry-level to a mid-career pay scale.
3. Understand your local job market and be prepared to negotiate based on your area's cost of living.
4. Never stop learning. Develop specializations within your field to become an indispensable expert who can command an even higher wage.
By focusing on these key factors, you can confidently build a career that not only meets the $30/hr benchmark but takes you far beyond it.