Your Guide to a $30 Per Hour Annual Salary
Earning $30 per hour is a significant financial milestone for millions of professionals. It represents a wage that can support a comfortable lifestyle in many parts of the country and serves as a launching pad for even greater career growth. Annually, this hourly rate translates to a gross income of approximately $62,400 per year, placing you above the national median for individual workers.
This article breaks down what a $30 per hour salary truly means, the factors that influence your ability to earn it, and the types of jobs that commonly offer this level of pay.
What a $30 per Hour Salary Looks Like Annually
Before diving into specific careers, it’s essential to understand the numbers. How does an hourly wage convert into a weekly, monthly, and annual salary? The calculation is straightforward, assuming a standard full-time work schedule.
- Calculation: $30/hour x 40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year = $62,400 per year (gross)
Here is a more detailed breakdown:
| Pay Period | Gross Income |
| :--- | :--- |
| Hourly | $30.00 |
| Daily (8-hour day) | $240 |
| Weekly | $1,200 |
| Bi-weekly | $2,400 |
| Monthly | ~$5,200 |
| Annually | $62,400 |
It's important to remember that this is your *gross* income. Your *net* income, or take-home pay, will be lower after taxes (federal, state, local), Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax deductions like health insurance premiums or 401(k) contributions are taken out.
How a $62,400 Salary Compares
To put this figure into perspective, a salary of $62,400 per year is very competitive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers in the United States was $1,145 in the fourth quarter of 2023. This equates to an annual median salary of $59,540.
Therefore, earning $30 per hour ($62,400 annually) places you comfortably above the national median, signifying a solid, middle-class income.
Key Factors That Influence Your Earning Potential
Reaching the $30-per-hour mark isn't just about finding the right job; it’s about cultivating the right skills and experience. Several key factors will determine your ability to achieve and surpass this income level.
### Level of Education
While a four-year degree isn't always mandatory, higher education is a powerful lever for increasing earning potential. Many professional roles that start at or quickly grow to $30/hour require a bachelor's degree. For technical or highly specialized fields, advanced degrees (Master's, Ph.D.) or specific certifications (e.g., PMP for project management, CISSP for cybersecurity) can significantly boost your hourly rate.
### Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the most significant factor. An entry-level employee in a professional field might start in the $20-$25 per hour range. However, with 3-5 years of proven experience, demonstrated skills, and a track record of success, that same professional can readily command $30 per hour or more. Senior-level positions in these same fields often pay well over $40-$50 per hour.
### Geographic Location
Where you live and work dramatically impacts both your salary and how far that salary goes. A $62,400 salary in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area like New York City or San Francisco will feel much tighter than the same salary in a low-cost-of-living (LCOL) city like Omaha, Nebraska, or St. Louis, Missouri. Companies in HCOL areas often adjust salaries upward to compensate, so a role that pays $30/hour in the Midwest might pay $38/hour on the West Coast to attract similar talent. Websites like Salary.com and Payscale offer cost-of-living calculators to compare salaries between different cities.
### Company Type
The type of organization you work for plays a role in compensation.
- Large Corporations: Often offer competitive, standardized salaries and robust benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Startups: Might offer a slightly lower base salary but compensate with stock options, offering the potential for a high reward if the company succeeds.
- Government/Public Sector: May offer salaries slightly below the private sector but often provide exceptional job security, generous pension plans, and excellent work-life balance.
- Non-Profit: Salaries can vary widely, but mission-driven work is often the primary motivator for employees.
### Jobs and Industries That Pay Around $30 Per Hour
A $30/hour wage is not tied to a single profession but is common across many growing industries. These roles typically require a combination of specific skills, post-secondary education or training, and some level of experience.
Here are some examples of jobs where the median pay is around $30 per hour, with data from the BLS (2022 data) and other salary aggregators:
- IT Support Specialist: With a median pay of $29.23 per hour (BLS), these professionals are the backbone of any organization's tech infrastructure. Experienced specialists easily exceed the $30/hour mark.
- Skilled Trades (e.g., Electrician): Electricians have a median pay of $28.96 per hour (BLS) and often earn significantly more with experience and specialization. This path requires apprenticeship and licensing rather than a college degree.
- Registered Nurse (RN): While the national median for RNs is higher at $39.05 per hour (BLS), entry-level and early-career nurses in many regions start in the $30-$35 per hour range, with rapid potential for growth.
- Marketing Specialist / Content Manager: As companies invest heavily in their digital presence, skilled marketers are in high demand. Glassdoor reports that the average salary for a Marketing Specialist often falls within the $60,000-$70,000 range, aligning perfectly with this pay scale.
- HR Generalist: These professionals manage the day-to-day functions of a human resources department. According to Payscale, the average salary for an HR Generalist is approximately $64,000 per year, making $30/hour a very common wage.
Job Outlook for Roles in This Pay Range
The career outlook for jobs that pay around $30 per hour is generally strong, as many are concentrated in high-demand sectors. The BLS projects that total employment in the U.S. will grow by 4.7 million jobs from 2022 to 2032.
Fields like healthcare (driven by an aging population), technology (driven by digitalization), and the skilled trades (driven by infrastructure needs and a retiring workforce) are all expected to experience faster-than-average growth. Pursuing a career in one of these industries provides a clear and stable path to achieving and exceeding a $30/hour wage.
Conclusion
Reaching the $30 per hour benchmark—and the $62,400 annual salary it represents—is a fantastic and highly achievable career goal. It signifies a competitive, living wage that puts you ahead of the national median and opens the door to financial stability.
For those aspiring to this level, the path is clear:
- Invest in your skills through education and certifications.
- Gain valuable experience and actively seek opportunities for growth.
- Be strategic about the industries and locations you target.
By focusing on these key areas, you can confidently work toward a role that not only meets your financial goals but also provides a fulfilling and promising professional future.