Earning $35 an hour is a significant financial milestone, translating to an annual income of over $70,000. This places you comfortably above the national median wage and opens the door to a wide range of rewarding and stable careers. But what does this salary truly mean for your lifestyle and career trajectory?
This comprehensive guide will break down a $35 per hour salary, explore the types of jobs that offer this level of compensation, and detail the key factors you can leverage to reach this earning potential.
What Does a $35/hr Salary Actually Mean?
First, let's translate that hourly rate into figures you can use for budgeting and financial planning. Assuming a standard 40-hour work week with no overtime, a $35/hr wage breaks down as follows:
- Annual Salary: $35/hour x 40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year = $72,800 per year
- Monthly Salary: $72,800 / 12 months = $6,067 per month (gross)
- Bi-Weekly Paycheck: $35/hour x 80 hours = $2,800 (gross)
- Weekly Salary: $35/hour x 40 hours = $1,400 per week (gross)
It is important to remember these figures are *gross income*—your earnings before taxes, insurance premiums, and retirement contributions are deducted. Your actual take-home pay (net income) will be lower, but a $72,800 annual salary provides a strong foundation for financial health in most parts of the country.
To put this in perspective, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the median annual wage for all workers in the U.S. was $48,060 in May 2023. Earning $35 an hour places you significantly above this national median.
What Kind of Jobs Pay $35 an Hour?
A $35/hr wage is not limited to one specific industry. It's an attainable benchmark for skilled professionals across many fields, especially those with a few years of experience or specialized training. Here are some examples of professions where the median pay is in the $35/hr range, with data from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook:
- Registered Nurse (RN): With a median pay of $86,070 per year ($41.38/hour), nursing is a prime example of a career where $35/hr is a very common wage, especially for those beyond the entry-level.
- Accountant or Auditor: These financial professionals earn a median salary of $79,880 per year ($38.40/hour).
- Market Research Analyst: Professionals who study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service have a median pay of $74,680 per year ($35.90/hour).
- Construction Manager: Overseeing and leading construction projects, these managers earn a median salary of $104,890 per year ($50.43/hour), making $35/hr a common starting point in the field.
- Web Developer: With a median salary of $84,960 per year ($40.84/hour), experienced web developers can easily command this wage.
- Electrician: Skilled electricians, often with union membership or specialized experience, earn a median wage of $61,480 per year ($29.56/hour), but experienced and master electricians frequently earn well over $35/hour.
Key Factors That Influence Your Earning Potential
Achieving a salary of $35 an hour or more isn't just about finding the right job title; it's about strategically building your professional value. Here are the most critical factors that determine your earning power.
###
Level of Education
Your educational background is a foundational element of your salary potential. A bachelor's degree is often the minimum requirement for many of the professional roles listed above. Pursuing advanced degrees or certifications can directly increase your hourly rate.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Unlocks access to professional fields like accounting, marketing, and tech.
- Master’s Degree (MBA, MS): Can elevate your earning potential significantly, especially for management or highly specialized technical roles.
- Certifications: Industry-specific certifications (like a PMP for Project Managers or specialized nursing certifications for RNs) validate your expertise and often come with a pay bump.
###
Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most powerful drivers of salary growth. Companies pay a premium for professionals who have a proven track record of delivering results.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): You may start below $35/hr but can quickly reach it with demonstrated competence.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): This is often when professionals break through the $35/hr ($72,800/year) ceiling as they take on more complex projects and responsibilities.
- Senior-Level (8+ years): At this stage, your expertise can make you a highly valuable asset, and your salary should well exceed this benchmark. Salary aggregators like Payscale consistently show a strong positive correlation between years of experience and pay.
###
Geographic Location
Where you work has a massive impact on your salary. A $72,800 annual salary feels very different in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area compared to a low-cost-of-living (LCOL) one. Employers in major metropolitan areas like New York City, San Francisco, and Boston typically pay higher salaries to compensate for the higher cost of housing, goods, and services. According to Salary.com's cost of living calculator, a $72,800 salary in Des Moines, Iowa, would need to be over $120,000 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
###
Company Type and Industry
The type of company and industry you work in can create significant salary variations.
- Industry: High-revenue industries like technology, finance, and pharmaceuticals generally offer higher pay scales than non-profit or public education sectors.
- Company Size: Large, multinational corporations often have more structured (and higher) pay bands than small businesses or startups, though startups may offer equity as part of compensation.
###
Area of Specialization
Within any given profession, having in-demand, niche skills can make you a top earner. A generalist may earn a solid wage, but a specialist often commands a premium. For example:
- A Registered Nurse specializing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will likely earn more than a general floor nurse.
- A Web Developer with expertise in cutting-edge AI integration or cybersecurity will be paid more than one with only basic front-end skills.
- An Accountant who is an expert in international tax law will command a higher salary than a general bookkeeper.
Job Outlook for Professions Earning Around $35/hr
One of the most encouraging aspects of targeting a $35/hr wage is that many of the corresponding professions have excellent long-term job security. The BLS projects strong growth for many of these roles between 2022 and 2032.
- Market Research Analysts: Projected to grow by 13%, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Registered Nurses: A projected growth of 6%, creating about 177,400 openings each year.
- Web Developers: A projected growth of 16%, much faster than average, fueled by the continued growth of e-commerce.
This data suggests that investing in the skills and education required to reach the $35/hr mark is a sound long-term career strategy.
Conclusion: A Benchmark of Professional Success
So, is $35 an hour a good salary? Absolutely. It translates to an annual income of $72,800, placing you well above the national median and providing a comfortable living in most areas of the United States.
It represents a level of professional achievement that is attainable through a combination of a solid educational foundation, a few years of dedicated experience, and a commitment to developing specialized skills. While its true value is influenced by your location and lifestyle, reaching this financial milestone is a clear indicator that you have built a valuable and in-demand career. For students and professionals mapping out their future, aiming for roles that pay $35 per hour or more is a strategic, rewarding, and highly achievable goal.