Earning $30 an hour is a significant financial milestone for many professionals. This wage translates to an annual income that can support a comfortable lifestyle in many parts of the country and serves as a launching pad for even greater career growth. But what does it take to get there? This guide breaks down what a $30/hour salary looks like annually, which jobs pay in this range, and the key factors you can leverage to reach this earning potential.
So, How Much is $30 an Hour Annually?
Before diving into specific careers, let's clarify the numbers. A $30 per hour wage translates to a solid annual income. Here’s the standard calculation, based on a typical 40-hour workweek:
- $30/hour × 40 hours/week = $1,200 per week
- $1,200/week × 52 weeks/year = $62,400 per year
This annual salary of $62,400 (before taxes and other deductions) places you above the national median personal income, which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported as $59,540 annually in the fourth quarter of 2023. This income level opens up a wide variety of professional roles across numerous industries, from healthcare and tech to skilled trades and business administration.
What Kinds of Jobs Pay Around $30 an Hour?
A $62,400 annual salary is not limited to one type of profession. It's an attainable goal for individuals with diverse educational backgrounds, including those with associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and specialized vocational training.
Here are some examples of professions where the median or average pay hovers around the $30/hour mark:
| Profession | Typical Education | Median Pay (BLS, 2022) | Hourly Equivalent |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Registered Nurse | Associate's or Bachelor's Degree | $81,220/year | $39.05/hour |
| Web Developer | Bachelor's Degree | $80,730/year | $38.81/hour |
| Electrician | Apprenticeship / High School Diploma | $60,240/year | $28.96/hour |
| Paralegal | Associate's Degree / Certificate | $59,200/year | $28.46/hour |
| HR Specialist | Bachelor's Degree | $64,240/year | $30.88/hour |
| Marketing Specialist | Bachelor's Degree | $68,230/year | $32.80/hour |
| Graphic Designer | Bachelor's Degree | $57,990/year | $27.88/hour |
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Note: BLS provides median pay, meaning half of workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Entry-level pay may be lower, while senior-level pay can be significantly higher.*
Key Factors That Influence Your Salary
Reaching—and exceeding—a $30/hour wage isn't just about choosing the right job title. Several key factors directly impact your earning potential. Understanding them is crucial for strategically navigating your career path.
### Level of Education
Your educational background often sets the foundation for your starting salary. While many skilled trades that pay well don't require a four-year degree, roles in fields like technology, healthcare, and business typically do.
- Associate's Degree/Certification: Fields like paralegal studies or nursing (ADN) can lead directly to jobs in the $30/hour range.
- Bachelor's Degree: This is the standard for many professional roles like HR specialists, marketing managers, and web developers. It often provides a higher entry-level salary and a clearer path to advancement compared to non-degree roles.
- Master's Degree: For some roles, an advanced degree can significantly boost earning potential. For example, a Nurse Practitioner with a master's degree earns a median salary of $121,610 per year, far exceeding the $30/hour mark.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most powerful drivers of income growth. As you transition from an entry-level employee to a seasoned professional, your value to an employer increases dramatically.
According to data from Payscale, salary growth based on experience is substantial. For example, an entry-level Graphic Designer might start around $48,000/year (~$23/hour), but a mid-career professional with 5-9 years of experience can expect to earn closer to $60,000/year (~$29/hour), with senior designers earning significantly more. This pattern holds true across almost every profession.
### Geographic Location
Where you live and work plays a massive role in your salary. A $62,400 salary in a low-cost-of-living area like Omaha, Nebraska, will stretch much further than the same salary in a high-cost city like San Francisco or New York City.
Employers adjust pay based on local market rates and cost of living. For instance, data from Salary.com shows that a Human Resources Specialist earning the national average of $64,000 might earn 25% more ($80,000) in San Jose, CA, but 5% less ($60,800) in Orlando, FL. When evaluating a job offer, always consider the local cost of living.
### Company Type and Industry
The type of company you work for and its industry can create wide salary variations.
- Company Size: Large, multinational corporations often have more structured compensation bands and can typically offer higher salaries and more robust benefits packages than small businesses or startups.
- Industry: A web developer working in the high-margin tech or finance industry is likely to earn more than a web developer working for a non-profit or in the education sector.
- Public vs. Private: Private sector jobs generally offer higher salaries than public sector (government) jobs, though government roles often come with greater job security and excellent retirement benefits.
### Area of Specialization
Within any given field, developing a specialized skill set can make you a more valuable—and higher-paid—asset. A generalist may have broad appeal, but a specialist solves specific, high-value problems.
- In Tech: A general web developer might earn around $30/hour, but one who specializes in a high-demand area like cloud computing (AWS, Azure) or cybersecurity can command a much higher salary.
- In Healthcare: A Registered Nurse who specializes in a critical care unit (ICU) or the operating room typically earns more than a general-duty nurse.
- In Marketing: A digital marketing specialist with expertise in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or marketing automation platforms will often out-earn a marketing generalist.
Job Outlook for Roles Paying Around $30/Hour
The future looks bright for many professions that fall within this salary range. Demand for skilled professionals in healthcare, technology, and specialized trades remains strong.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook from 2022 to 2032 is promising for several of the careers mentioned:
- Registered Nurses: Projected to grow by 6%, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 177,400 openings each year.
- Web Developers: Projected to grow by 16%, much faster than average, as e-commerce and the need for mobile-friendly websites continue to expand.
- Marketing Specialists: Projected to grow by 6%, faster than the average, as organizations continue to seek ways to promote their products and services.
- Electricians: A steady growth of 6% is projected, with many openings resulting from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.
This strong growth indicates that investing your time and education into these fields provides not just a solid income, but also a high degree of job security for the coming decade.
Conclusion
A salary of $30 an hour, or approximately $62,400 a year, is an achievable and rewarding goal for professionals across a wide spectrum of industries. It represents a level of financial stability that allows for comfort and opportunity.
For those aspiring to reach this income level, the path is clear:
1. Be Strategic with Education: Choose a field with strong demand, whether it requires a traditional degree or a skilled apprenticeship.
2. Gain Valuable Experience: Focus on building a strong track record and actively seek opportunities for growth and added responsibility.
3. Specialize in High-Demand Skills: Identify and cultivate a niche expertise within your chosen profession to stand out.
4. Consider Location and Industry: Understand how these factors impact pay and make career decisions that align with your financial goals.
By focusing on these key areas, you can confidently work toward securing a role that not only meets but exceeds the $30-per-hour benchmark, setting you on a path to long-term professional success.