Earning $38 an hour places you in a strong financial position, translating to an annual income that is significantly above the national median. This salary level opens doors to a wide range of rewarding and stable careers, often in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, and finance. It represents a tangible goal for ambitious professionals and a comfortable living for individuals and families in many parts of the country.
This guide will break down what a $38 hourly wage truly means, explore the types of jobs that offer this level of compensation, and detail the key factors you can leverage to reach this impressive earnings milestone in your career.
Breaking Down a $38 an Hour Salary
Before diving into specific careers, let's put this figure into perspective. A $38 hourly wage is not just a number—it represents significant earning power. Assuming a standard 40-hour workweek and 52 weeks in a year, the calculation is straightforward:
- Annual Salary: $38/hour x 40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year = $79,040 per year
- Monthly Income: $79,040 / 12 months = $6,586 per month (before taxes)
- Weekly Income: $38/hour x 40 hours/week = $1,520 per week (before taxes)
To contextualize this, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers in the fourth quarter of 2023 were $1,145. At $1,520 per week, a $38/hour wage is substantially higher, marking it as a well-paying and competitive salary.
Jobs That Can Earn You $38 an Hour (or More)
A salary of approximately $79,000 per year is common across various industries, often requiring a blend of formal education, specialized skills, and practical experience. Here are some examples of professions where this income level is typical, especially for those with a few years of experience.
- Registered Nurse (RN): With a median pay of $86,070 per year ($41.38/hour), nursing is a prime example. RNs provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients, and offer emotional support. A $38/hour wage is a very common starting point or mid-career salary depending on location and specialty. *(Source: BLS)*
- Web Developer: The digital world runs on code, and web developers are its architects. They design and create websites. The median pay for web developers is $80,730 per year ($38.81/hour), making it a perfect match for this salary target. *(Source: BLS)*
- Financial Analyst: These professionals guide businesses and individuals in making investment decisions. The median pay stands at $99,010 per year ($47.60/hour), with entry-level and mid-career roles often falling within the $75,000-$85,000 range. *(Source: BLS)*
- Technical Writer: If you can translate complex technical information into clear, easy-to-understand language, this career is for you. Technical writers create instruction manuals, how-to guides, and journal articles. Their median pay is $80,050 per year ($38.49/hour). *(Source: BLS)*
- Market Research Analyst: These analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. With a median pay of $74,680 per year ($35.90/hour), earning $38/hour is a very achievable goal with a few years of experience or a specialization. *(Source: BLS)*
- Construction Manager: Planning, coordinating, and supervising construction projects from start to finish is a high-responsibility role with strong compensation. While the median pay is $104,830 per year ($50.40/hour), those in smaller firms or with less experience often earn a salary right around the $79,000 mark. *(Source: BLS)*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Reaching a $38-per-hour wage isn't just about choosing the right job title; it's about strategically building your professional profile. Several key factors will determine your earning potential.
### Level of Education
For most roles in this salary bracket, a bachelor's degree is the standard entry requirement. For example, financial analysts, technical writers, and registered nurses typically need a four-year degree. However, higher education can accelerate your earnings. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) for an analyst or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for an RN can unlock senior roles and significantly higher pay. In tech, alternative paths like intensive coding bootcamps combined with strong portfolios can also lead to salaries in this range.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most powerful levers for increasing your income.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): You might start closer to $25-$30/hour as you learn the ropes.
- Mid-Career (3-7 years): This is the sweet spot where many professionals cross the $38/hour threshold. You have proven your skills, can work independently, and are a valuable asset to your team.
- Senior-Level (8+ years): With extensive experience, you can expect to earn well above $38/hour, potentially moving into management or highly specialized roles that command wages of $50-$60/hour or more.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. A $79,000 annual salary feels very different in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) city like San Francisco compared to a lower-cost area like Omaha, Nebraska. According to Salary.com, a tech writer earning $80,000 in Chicago would need to earn over $110,000 in San Jose, CA, to maintain the same standard of living. Companies in major metropolitan hubs (New York, Boston, Seattle) typically offer higher salaries to compensate for the higher expenses. The rise of remote work has complicated this, but location-based pay adjustments are still common.
### Company Type
The type of organization you work for has a direct impact on your paycheck.
- Large Corporations: Major tech companies, financial institutions, and healthcare systems often have structured pay scales and generous benefits, making them a reliable path to a $38/hour salary.
- Startups: While sometimes offering lower base salaries initially, startups may compensate with stock options that can lead to a significant financial windfall if the company succeeds.
- Government/Public Sector: Government jobs often provide excellent benefits and job security, though their salaries may sometimes lag slightly behind the top-paying private sector roles.
- Non-Profit: These organizations typically offer lower salaries but attract individuals passionate about a specific cause.
### Area of Specialization
Within any given profession, specialization pays. A generalist registered nurse earns a good wage, but an RN who specializes in a high-demand area like the intensive care unit (ICU), neonatal care, or surgical nursing can command a higher hourly rate. Similarly, a web developer specializing in a niche, high-demand framework like advanced cloud architecture or cybersecurity will earn more than a general front-end developer.
Job Outlook
The future is bright for professions that command a $38/hour wage. Many of the careers listed above are in sectors with robust growth projections.
The BLS projects that employment for:
- Registered Nurses will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032 ("faster than average").
- Web Developers will grow by 16% ("much faster than average").
- Financial Analysts will grow by 8% ("faster than average").
This strong demand indicates that not only are these well-paying jobs, but they also offer a high degree of job security and opportunities for future advancement.
Conclusion
A salary of $38 an hour, or approximately $79,000 a year, is an excellent financial goal that signifies a successful and in-demand professional. It is more than just a number; it represents a comfortable standard of living and a rewarding career path.
For those aspiring to reach this level, the path is clear:
- Pursue a relevant degree or high-value certification.
- Gain several years of dedicated experience in your field.
- Consider specializing in a high-demand niche.
- Be strategic about the location and type of company you work for.
With strong projected growth in many of these fields, achieving and exceeding a $38-an-hour salary is a realistic and empowering goal for anyone committed to their professional development.