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24 Real Jobs that Pay $40 an Hour [$80,000 Per Year]

Did you know that if you have the right set of skills, you can bag yourself jobs that pay $40 an hour or more? Yes, it is possible to earn the sum through lucrative jobs. And not all of them require formal education.

Jobs that pay $40 an hour without a degree generally need training, expertise, and experience in your area of work. The salary is manageable and can take care of your bills or even buy a car as long as you invest and save appropriately.     

That said, getting paid an hourly wage can make it almost impossible to budget. But once you analyze the hourly amount every month or on a yearly basis, you can easily budget your income.

To help you out, apart from looking at career paths that can lead you to make forty dollars an hour, this post will show you how to convert the rate into daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, and yearly payments. 

Jobs That Pay $40 an Hour [Requirements]

jobs that pay  an hour

Let’s get real here.

It’s likely that the jobs that pay $40 an hour or more will need you to have a formal education, especially if you’re thinking of healthcare, IT, etc. However, there are many areas of work which need you to have some basic training, only.

Even if you do not have a degree, you are likely to make it big, as long as you know your trade thoroughly.

As you start to gather experience and proof of your high-level performance, you can start earning more and more.  

$40 An Hour is How Much Per Year? 

For you to better understand what you get from $40 an hour, and arrive at $40 an hour is how much per year, let’s see how much you earn yearly, monthly, biweekly, and daily with the aid of this calculator.

Assuming you are working for 37.5 hours per week, working for 52 weeks a year. We will multiply your base salary by the hours you are supposed to work and the weeks you work in a year.

In this scenario, the 37.5 hours workweek takes into consideration the standard 30 minutes (unpaid) daily lunch break.

$40 per hour x 37.5 hours per week x 52 weeks = $78,000 per year.

So, $40 an hour equals $78,000 per year.

Now, assuming you take a paid vacation, and you are working for 40 hours per week (no breaks), the annual salary will be approximately $83,200 per year.

$40 per hour x 40 hours x 52 weeks = $83,200 yearly!

What Jobs Pay $40 an Hour? 

There are several jobs that pay 40 dollars an hour or even more. But, here’s a list of the well-paying opportunities that you can consider even if you don’t have a degree.

Proofreading
General Proofreading: Theory & Practice™

Learn everything you need to become a Successful Proofreader with this wildly popular Proofreading skill-building course and tools!

Bookkeping
Bookkeepers Launch™

Learn the essentials needed to become a successful bookkeeper and launch your own profitable Bookkeeping Business. 

Transcription
General & Legal Transcription: Theory & Practice™

Learn everything you need to get started to start earning as a successful transcriptionist - general or legal!

Jobs That Pay $40 an Hour Without a Degree

1. Bookkeeper

Qualifications: High school diploma 

Average Income: $37k – $59k per year

Virtual Bookkeeping is one of the highest-paying work-from-home jobs on the internet right now.

Yes, there is an incredibly high demand for 21st Century Bookkeepers, and the best part is that you don’t need to be in any specific location to do the job. You are able to work virtually from your computer. 

While beginners get paid up to $20/hr, you can earn $40 an hour or even earn up to $50 per hour as an experienced Bookkeeper.

And, you don’t need prior experience or even a degree to become a bookkeeper.

In order to find out if you fit the criteria, I suggest you watch this FREE workshop, presented by the Founder of Bookkeepers.com, Ben Robinson. 

During this FREE session about starting a virtual bookkeeping business, you will discover:Virtual Bookkeepers Launch

  1. Exactly what the business is (and is NOT),f20
  2. What you need to know (and have) before you start… are YOU a good fit, and
  3. The 3-step system to launch your own business.

So, without any further ado, enroll in this FREE workshop and get access to the 3-part video series to learn more about Digital Bookkeeping and how to start this easiest and #1 most profitable career.

Also Checkout: Jobs that Pay $30 per hour

2. Proofreader

If you’re not a creative pen but have a strong grip on the English language, then you can start your freelance career as a proofreader.

In this job role, you don’t need any creativity needed for writing, but you just need a good understanding of grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Besides, you also need to have a keen eye for errors.

How much do proofreading jobs pay?

Proofreading experience solely depends on the experience and skills of the proofreader. Accuracy is one such factor that decides your final hourly rate.

Also, if you are speedy enough and can quickly spot errors in a document, then you can charge a higher hourly rate than the regular proofreaders.

According to Salary.com, a full-time proofreader earns around $50,000 per year. However, this can go further up if you are skilled enough and also have some good clients.

In case you are not ready to commit to a full-time job, then you can also try taking this profession as a part-time opportunity where you can earn as high as $40 per hour.

How to become a qualified proofreader?

A maestro of the proofreading industry, Caitlin Pyle, recently launched her own proofreading course that will help you to set your foot in this industry. 

By joining her course, you’ll not only learn the basics of proofreading but also learn about the hidden tricks and tips of this industry.

In this course, Caitlin has covered all the tools and skills that are absolutely necessary to become a proofreader.

This self-paced lesson will also open a window for you to the proofreading industry to dive deep and become a successful freelance proofreader.

You’ll even have the option to join her paid course after watching this free 76-min workshop if you are truly interested.

40 an hour jobs

3. Virtual Assistant

VA is actually a broad spectrum of various job niches that mainly need telephonic or online communication.

There are varieties of jobs that a virtual assistant needs to do, such as making a doctor’s appointment for their clients or emailing for a new campaign.

Equivity is one such website that often hires virtual assistants for various works. Besides, you can also try Connects Virtual Assistants if you are living in North America.

How much do virtual assistant jobs pay?

The most popular Sensei in the virtual assistance industry, Gina Horkey, once said that it is possible to make as much as $40 per hour just by working as a VA right from your home.

And according to Christine Durst, the founder of the International Virtual Assistants Association, you can earn as high as $75k per year from this job.

The hourly or annual earnings while working as a virtual assistant can largely vary, depending on your skills.

If you have any specific skillset or have great communication skills, then you can charge much higher than the usual rate. However, it is possible to earn around $20 per hour if you are a complete newbie in this field. 

How to become a virtual assistant?

The maestro of the VA service and the jobs coach at HorkeyHandbook, Gina Horkey, recently started her own course that will teach you all the skills needed to become a successful virtual assistant.

She started her journey in this field in 2014, even before VA was a thing in the online market.

You can check the initial course material and then subscribe to her course. These self-paced courses designed by Gina cost anywhere between $300 – $500.

However, this is a very small investment, considering how you can earn as high as $50,000 per year from home if you can set your foot in the virtual assistant industry.

Click Here to Break Into VA Work

$40 an Hour Jobs

Now, let’s take a look at this comprehensive list of lucrative jobs that pay 40 an hour for degree holders.

1. Interpreter

Qualifications: High school diploma + Language courses

Average Income: $20 – $50 per hour

There are several great options available nowadays, if you know two or more languages. And out of these options, becoming an interpreter or translator can be quite lucrative.

You need to have a good grip on the languages, along with flair in writing, to grab this job opportunity.

There are now many websites available online that hire freelance interpreters. Besides knowing the languages, you also need to have a good grip on grammar and syntax.

And if you are really talented, then it is not difficult to make around $50 per hour just by translating or interpreting. 

Also, check out jobs that pay $35/hour.

2. Marketing Manager

Qualification: Graduation in commerce or business

Average Income: $68.03 per hour 

Marketing managers mainly oversee sales and promotional strategies for companies.

They also make and execute plans to retain the company’s existing customers, while looking to gain new customers, as well. Besides the planning aspect, they are also responsible for budgeting.

You need to be good at handling team members if you are planning to become a marketing manager. Besides, you need to have a college degree in marketing or related subjects.

Moreover, you should also have at least seven years of industry experience to make more than $50 per hour. 

3. Sales Manager

Qualification: Graduation in business or sales

Average Income: $63.60 per hour

Confused between marketing and sales? Let me explain. I’ve already told you about the job role of a marketing manager.

A sales manager, on the other hand, is responsible for sales only and not for the retention of customers. They mainly generate sales leads for a company, and hence, they are the main money-generation tool for any company.

It is not very difficult to make as high as $70 per hour from this job, although this job can be extremely stressful due to undefined work hours and sales targets.

You need to have a college degree in a sales-related subject to shine in this sector. Besides, having at least five years of industry experience is also preferred.

4. PR Manager

Qualification: Graduation in management or PR

Average Income: $56.94 per hour

Public relationship managers maintain the brand presence and public image of any company.

They are responsible for advertisement campaigns, press releases, and other PR activities. They are also the ones that maintain the goodwill of a company in the consumer market. And, as a PR personality, you need to know the who’s who of the industry. 

It is not very difficult to make as high as $55 per hour as a PR manager, although this job can be extremely exhausting at times. Besides, their day-to-day activities must remain error-free as they are maintaining the image of the brand itself.

You need to have a graduation degree in PR or management to get this job.

5. Dentist

Qualification: Graduation in dentistry

Average Income: $78.85 per hour

We all go to dentists not only when we encounter any health hazards related to teeth or gum, but also for our overall oral hygiene.

Besides taking care of teeth or gum diseases, dentists perform minor surgeries, as well. Moreover, they often execute even maxillofacial surgeries to reconstruct the whole jaw segment.

You need to have 4-5 years of medical graduation from dental colleges. Besides, you need to have the proper practitioner’s license.

It is also advised to get your master’s degree if you are looking for a good hike in your per-hour income.

However, you can earn around $78 per hour just with a graduation degree. 

6. Nurse Practitioner

Qualification: Graduation or diploma in nursing

Average Income: $55.05 per hour

The nurses are the second in command after the doctors if you talk about the medical industry. They take special care and provide advanced nursing services to patients.

The per-hour salary is quite attractive, although you might need to spend long hours in hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices as a nurse. 

Besides being a technically challenging job, the nursing profession can be extremely tiring, besides being mentally demanding, as you have to stay strong while providing comfort to those who are suffering.

However, saving someone’s life can be extremely satisfying for you. You need to have a diploma or degree in nursing to start your job in this industry.

Also Read: 45 Side Jobs for Nurse Practitioners

7. Pharmacist

Qualification: Graduation or diploma in pharmacy

Average Income: $61.88 per hour

Pharmacists mainly keep patients safe by prescribing and giving proper medication.

While a good prescription can quickly cure the disease, a bad one can instantly deteriorate the overall health of anyone. So, the right kind and the right amount of medicines are a must for any recovery.

You need to have an undergraduate diploma or a three-year degree in pharmacy to enter this industry. But, most of the highest-paying companies only accept applicants with more than three years of experience.

With proper skills and experience, you can earn as high as $60 per hour.

8. Health Services Managers

Qualification: Graduation in any discipline

Average Income: $50.13 per hour

Health service managers or supervisors are the ones who look after the entire aspect of any hospital, clinic, or medical facility.

You need to have strong communication skills, along with good management skills to shine in this industry. Besides, you also need to have the ability to work with a group.

In this job role, you often need to work with a group of doctors and nurses; so, it will be easy for you if you come from a medical background.

However, a graduate degree in any discipline can be useful for this job. You can earn almost $50 per hour if you have a minimum of five-year industry experience.

9. Fitness Instructor

Qualification: Certification degree in fitness

Average Income: $25 – $45 per hour

In this twenty-first century, we have all become quite a fitness addicts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. And for that, the demand for a good fitness instructor is rapidly increasing with each passing day.

Starting from yoga to Zumba, you need to have a good grip on any discipline of fitness to begin working as an instructor.

You don’t need any educational background to start working as a fitness instructor, although a certification in any discipline of fitness can be helpful to increase your student base.

It is not difficult to earn around $20 per hour as a newbie, and then go on to make as high as $40 per hour with proper experience and goodwill.

10. Makeup Artist

Qualification: State-mandated license

Average Income: $48.07 per hour

If you are a makeup enthusiast and know how to make anyone pretty, then being a freelance makeup artist can be an ideal option for you.

You can earn around $40 per hour if you are really good at it and also have professional makeup kits.

In fact, there are several artists who charge as high as $200 per hour and are in huge demand!

Makeup artists are the highest-paid workers in the cosmetology industry all over the United States. You don’t need any educational qualifications to start this career, though you need a license with state mandates.

There are several cosmetology schools available where you can earn a degree in makeup to get started.

11. Tutor

Qualification: Graduation degree in any subject

Average Income: $40 per hour

What jobs pay $40 an hour easily? Since the dawn of the 21st century, school education has become much tougher, and university entrance exams are way more competitive.

And for that, almost everyone needs a private tutor to help them with their studies or exam preparation. So, if you are good at any subject, then you can become a private tutor and earn quite a lot.

You need to have a minimum of a graduation degree in your preferred subject, although a master’s degree in your discipline is advised.

Besides physical schools, you can also start teaching through several online platforms for tutors or choose your own home or the students to teach them.

It is not very difficult to earn around $50 per hour if you have a strong academic background.

Here’s how to get started as an English tutor if you have no experience.

12. Freelance Writer

Qualification: Graduation degree in language

Expected Income: $30 – $76 per hour

We are now standing in the era of blogs and websites. And each blog, website, or any online media platform needs talented and enthusiastic writers.

If you are good at English and also have a flair for writing, then being a freelance writer can be the ideal option for you. However, you need to have a firm grip on the grammatical and syntactical aspects of the language.

Starting from marketing manuals to personal blogs, you can choose any niche or subject that you are comfortable with. It will be great if you have a graduation degree in language or language-related subjects. You can easily earn around $40 per hour, just working as a freelance writer.

Proceed here for high-paying low-stress jobs

13. Transcriptionist

Qualification: No educational qualification is needed

Average Income: $40 per hour

The duty of a transcriber is to convert an audio file to a document file. They just listen to the audio file and type what is exactly there in that file on a text document.

Starting from legal industries to print media, several companies now need their own transcribers. Besides, there are several websites available that provide opportunities for freelancers.

You need to have excellent ear-hand coordination to do this job. Besides, a good typing speed is a must-have for this job. In addition, there are some excellent tools and software that can help with the job.

It is great if you at least have a high school diploma, although this job role doesn’t require any educational qualification. You do, however, need some training in this. You can easily earn around $40 per hour.

Related Read: 20+ Trusted Transcription Companies for Beginners

Also Read: 15 Best Captioning Jobs for Beginners

14. Web Designer

Qualification: Graduation degree in software and programming

Expected Income: $40 – $70 per hour

Starting from consumer brands to technical startups, every company on this blue planet now needs its own personalized website to make its identity on the online market. And for that, the demand for web designers is constantly increasing. But, you need to be computer savvy to feel attracted to this job role.

You need to have a graduation degree in computer-related subjects to start working in this industry. Besides, you need to have good coding skills for this job.

It is not very difficult to earn as high as $75 per hour if you are really talented and have good experience in the web designing industry.

15. App Developer

Minimum Qualification: Graduation degree in software or computer science

Average Income: $43 per hour

Apps are the newest trend since smartphones have started dominating the market. We all mainly perform all our activities through apps.

All companies and e-commerce houses have dedicated apps that already made our life easy. And, as an app developer, you can be quite successful while earning well.

You need to have a graduation degree in software development or computer science to enter this industry. Besides, you also need to have good coding skills to make your name.

App developers working in UI designing or AI are now earning as high as $100 per hour.

16. Software Developer

Minimum Qualification: Graduation degree in software or computer science

Average Income: $52.95 per hour

Software forms the main engine of our computers. And, there is a billion-dollar industry that is fueled just by software development. So, if you have excellent coding skills, then you can easily make around $50-70 per hour just by developing new software.

However, you do need to have at least a graduate degree in software development or programming.

You should also be good at solving complex problems. Besides, it will help if you also have the ability to handle a group of people as the developers mainly work in teams.

Besides the giants in the software industry, there are several online platforms available where you can find freelance projects, too. 

17. Massage Therapist

Minimum Qualification: Certification from an accredited organization

Average Income: $40 per hour

Our wellness plans now often include massages and chiropractic therapies. And for that, a good therapist is now always in demand.

It is actually an appointment-based job that needs you to devote your time according to your client’s preference. However, they take good care of you, too – through monetary compensation!

Several good massage therapists charge around $100 per hour for a single session. However, you can go with $40 per hour if you are new in this industry.

There is no educational qualification needed to enter this job field, although you definitely need a certification from an accredited organization. 

18. Business Analyst

Minimum Qualification: Graduation in commerce or business

Average Income: $42.14 per hour 

The primary duty of a business analyst is to look at the overall performance and growth of any organization. They also often take charge of any specific department of a company if that is a bigger one.

Their primary duty also includes maintaining the streamlined execution of jobs to increase the profitability of a company.

You need to have at least a graduation degree in business or any other commerce-related subject to enter this industry.

However, you also need to go for specialized training and post-graduation diplomas if you are eyeing higher pay. A good business analyst often earns up to $50 an hour.

19. Financial Manager

Minimum Qualification: Graduation in economics or finance

Average Income: $64.51 per hour

We all have encountered situations in our life where we find it extremely difficult to make the right financial decision. And here, a financial manager does his magic to guide people along the right track to financial success.

They mainly create long-term strategies and also guide their clients on the right kind of investment.

You need to have at least a graduation degree in economics or finance to start working as a financial manager. Besides, you also need to have excellent communication skills as you’ll be dealing with lots of clients with little to no knowledge of finance. It is quite easy to earn as high as $60 per hour while working as a financial manager.

20. Lawyer

Minimum Qualification: Graduation degree in Law

Average Income: $61.03 per hour

Any job related to the law can be extremely high-paying. However, it demands dedication and devotion to prosper in this industry.

Among all the law-related jobs, being a lawyer can be the best option for you. You need to attend law school to get your degree. Besides, you also need to clear the entrance of your state bar council.

There are two ways you can work as a lawyer. You can either work for a company as their legal advisor or become an independent practicing lawyer.

A good lawyer in the United States can earn as high as $300 – $500 per hour. However, you can expect somewhere between $50 and $60 per hour if you are new to this field.

Also Read: Difference Between Laid Off and Terminated

$40 An Hour Is How Much A Week?

When working on a casual basis with hourly pay, the practice is that you get to receive your paycheck at the end of the week. So, how much will your weekly paystub show from a $40 an hour gig? 

Let’s do the math using our earlier assumption of a 37.5-hour workweek.

$40 an hour x 37.5 hours per week = $1,500 per week

That’s not a bad amount for a week’s work which leaves you with extra hours for a side gig.

How Much Is $40 An Hour Per Month?

Monthly income will be: $78,000 per year divided by 12 months = $6,500

$78,000/12 months = $6,500 monthly

Biweekly salary adds up to $40 per hour * (37.5 hours per week * 2) = $3,000

$40/hr x 37.5 hrs x 2 = $3,000 biweekly

Your Daily salary will be around $300. This takes into account the lunch break, which sees you work for 7.5 hours a day.

$40/hr x 7.5 hrs = 300 per day

How Much Per Year Is 40 Dollars An Hour After Taxes?

Are you wondering what remains of your $40/hour salary after paying your taxes? How about we analyze this together and see how much you will pocket after the various taxes including federal and state taxes?

Note that, tax rates differ from one state to another, and also the marital status of the filer. 

Let us assume you are taxed at a rate of around 26.3%, this is from rates stated on online tax calculators.

The first illustration is if you are earning $78,000 per year in New York. So, take $78,000 minus 26.3% of $78,000 to give you $57,491 per year. This means you pay a total of $20,509 in taxes.

The second illustration is if you are earning $83,200 per year.

Here, your tax rate goes up by a few points to 26.9%. 

Your tax $40 per hour salary gets taxes $22,363, leaving you with a net of $60,837 per year.

83,200 – (26.9% x 83,200) = $60,837

Additionally, your income determines your marginal tax rate. This is the rate at which your extra income gets taxed. For example, $83,200 attracts a marginal tax of 35.6%. So, if you make 100 dollars more from working overtime, you pay $35.60 in taxes, taking home $64.40.

The different tax deductions go to government programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and State Disability Insurance. 

Is $40 an Hour Good Pay?

Since we have seen that $40 an hour is approximately $78,000 per year from a 9-5 job. This is not a bad amount to live on. And you can get it from jobs like bookkeeping, sales management, software development, and business analyst.

Wondering if 40 dollars an hour job will be enough to help you take care of all your responsibilities? Is $40 an Hour a Good Salary?

Let me take you through a quick calculation. Let’s assume that you are willing to deviate from the conventional and invest 7 hours a day, for 25 days in a month (considering there are 5 Sundays in a month).

At $40 an hour, your annual income will be $84,000 prior to taxes! 

What kind of life will $the salary afford you? For starters, with just $80,000 yearly you can afford a house worth $429,395. This is according to a CBNC report that estimates the mortgages that different salaries can cover comfortably.

The same report also shows that if you increase your pay to $120,000, a 6-figure income, you can afford a $743,587 house.

If you wish for such a kind of house, all have to do is make around $40k extra per year through a side hustle. 

But first things first- ready to make a whooping 5-figure income? Let’s learn…

Ready for 40 an Hour Jobs?

If you are looking for jobs that pay over $40 an hour, then it is a good idea to earn expertise in a particular field, instead of leaving it all to luck and hoping that you will make it.

Just invest some time into the preparation in the field that interests you, so that the path becomes smoother for you.

Jim

Sunday 19th of September 2021

I wanted to find a good list of "Real" jobs and yours is probably the best one yet. Thanks for the info!

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