Who makes $30 an hour without a degree? A practical U.S. guide

Quick answer: can you earn about $30 an hour without a four year degree?

Short answer: yes, many U.S. occupations commonly reach roughly $30 per hour without a bachelor degree, though local pay and employer rules vary and should be checked before committing to training.

Roughly $30 per hour converts to about $60,000 a year before taxes if you work full time, and national occupational tables list several groups where median or common wages fall near that mark.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics national estimates and apprenticeship guidance are the primary starting points to judge whether a given job typically pays in that range, and local variation can be large so regional checks matter.BLS OES national estimates

What "about $30 an hour" means in annual pay

For planning, use gross hourly times hours worked to estimate annual pay; at 40 hours per week and 52 weeks, $30 an hour is roughly $62,400 before taxes and deductions. This gives a practical benchmark to compare job listings and training costs.

National medians and occupation tables provide context for that benchmark and show which occupation groups commonly reach it without a four year degree.BLS OES national estimates

Why degree requirements matter less for certain occupations

Many occupations that reach about $30 per hour rely on credentials, apprenticeships, or employer training rather than a bachelor degree; for example, registered apprenticeships combine paid work and instruction while producing recognized credentials.

Registered apprenticeship programs are designed to provide paid on the job learning and related instruction, reducing the need for a four year degree for many trades and technical roles.Apprenticeship.gov overview

Main pathways that commonly reach $30 an hour

Common occupation groups that frequently reach or exceed about $30 per hour include skilled trades, several allied health technician roles, commercial driving with a CDL, and skill-first tech or remote freelance work.

Each pathway typically has a different entry route: registered apprenticeship for many trades, certificate or associate routes for some healthcare technicians, CDL and employer onboarding for truck driving, and portfolios or short certificates for many remote or tech support roles.

National occupational data and platform reports show these groups in national tables and workforce research; use them as a starting point, but confirm local listings and pay scales for your area.BLS OES national estimates (see Coursera's roundup)

Skilled trades and apprenticeships

Trades such as electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians commonly move to $30 per hour or higher after apprenticeship completion and journeyman certification.

Registered apprenticeship combines paid on the job training with classroom instruction and produces recognized credentials that many employers accept instead of a bachelor degree.Apprenticeship.gov overview

Healthcare technicians and allied roles

Certain allied health roles, including diagnostic sonographers and dental hygienists, report medians at or above the $30 per hour mark in national occupational accounts, though some require associate degrees or postsecondary certificates rather than a bachelor degree.

Use Occupational Outlook Handbook pages and OES tables to check which technician roles in your region are likely to pay at that level.OOH diagnostic medical sonographer profile

Transportation and CDL jobs

Commercial driving careers can reach roughly $30 per hour in many segments once drivers gain experience or take specialized routes, but pay patterns vary widely by route type, employer, and pay model.

Entry typically requires completing CDL training and employer onboarding rather than holding a four year degree; check local carrier postings for expected pay and route details.OOH truck driver profile

Tech, customer support, and remote freelance work

Many tech and customer service roles hire on demonstrable skills and portfolios rather than degrees; on remote freelance platforms a substantial cohort of contractors charge $30 per hour or more for services like web work and specialized support.

Platform research and national occupational context both show remote and freelance work can reach $30 per hour for those who can prove relevant skills, though competition and market rates vary by service and platform.Upwork freelance report (Indeed also lists similar jobs at Indeed)

Skilled trades: how apprenticeships lead to $30 an hour and beyond

Registered apprenticeships pair paid work and classroom instruction and are a common route into trades where many workers reach or exceed $30 per hour after completing the program and gaining experience.

Apprenticeship programs are structured so wages typically increase during the term and may reach journeyman rates that are at or above $30 per hour in many areas, depending on local demand and union or employer scales.Apprenticeship.gov overview

Typical apprenticeship timelines vary by trade but often last two to five years; during that time apprentices earn a wage that rises with skill while receiving related technical instruction and a credential at completion.

To find local opportunities, use the federal apprenticeship site and your state workforce or labor agency, which list sponsors, openings, and the application process for registered programs.Apprenticeship.gov overview

Healthcare technician roles that often reach or approach $30 an hour

Examples of allied health occupations that commonly report median wages near or above $30 per hour include diagnostic medical sonographers and dental hygienists, according to occupational profiles.

These roles usually require postsecondary credentials, such as an associate degree or a certificate, rather than a four year degree, and licensure or board registration may be required for practice in many states.OOH diagnostic medical sonographer profile

When evaluating these pathways, confirm program length, clinical placement requirements, and state licensure rules with training providers and credentialing boards before enrolling.

Transport jobs and CDL careers: when truck driving equals about $30/hour

Pay for heavy and tractor trailer drivers varies by haul type, region, and experience; experienced drivers on regional or specialized routes often see hourly equivalents that approach or exceed $30 per hour.

The standard entry path is to obtain a commercial driver's license via training and then complete carrier onboarding; this route does not require a bachelor degree but does require meeting CDL and employer physical and safety standards.OOH truck driver profile

Compare route types, mileage pay, detention rules, and time off when estimating whether a given driving job will net an hourly equivalent near $30; carrier pay models change the take home math significantly.

Before committing to training, request sample pay statements or use job postings to understand how a carrier calculates pay for routes you prefer, and factor in time away from home and benefit packages.

Tech, customer support, and remote freelance roles that can pay $30/hour without a degree

Remote and tech support roles often prioritize demonstrable skill over formal degrees; roles like web developer contractors, specialized support agents, and content or technical writers can charge or earn roughly $30 per hour with relevant experience or certifications.

Freelance platform research shows a notable share of contractors bill at $30 per hour or more for specialized services, making remote freelance work a realistic path for people who can market a portfolio and consistent delivery.Upwork freelance report

To build marketable credentials, complete short, focused certificates, published sample projects, and gather client references or platform ratings that demonstrate reliability and results.

When setting rates, factor in self employment taxes, platform fees, and periods without billable work so hourly pricing reflects net take home and stability needs.

How to choose the right path where you live

Decide by comparing local demand, time to credential, cost of training, physical demands, schedule fit, and licensing requirements; weigh these factors against your current responsibilities and timeline.

• Check local median wages for the occupation you are considering
• Estimate training length and out of pocket costs
• Confirm licensing, certification, or apprenticeship sponsor requirements
• Consider commute, schedule demands, and family commitments

Use state workforce tools and national training directories to verify program recognition and to find local openings and training sponsors.CareerOneStop training lookup

Contact Michael Carbonara

After checking sources, prioritize paths that fit your timing and financial needs and that show local openings paying toward your $30 per hour goal.

A practical 30/60/90 day plan to move toward $30 an hour

First 30 days: research and prepare. Identify two target occupations, check local median wages, list nearby training providers, and contact at least one employer or apprenticeship sponsor for application windows.

Use national and state occupational tools to confirm which of your target occupations has realistic local demand and wage prospects before enrolling in paid training.BLS OES national estimates

Next 60 days: enroll and begin training or small paid work. Start an apprenticeship, a short certificate, CDL course, or a portfolio project; complete initial modules and gather early evaluations or client feedback.

CareerOneStop and apprenticeship listings can help you locate training providers and sponsors quickly, and many short programs provide clear timelines to credentialing.CareerOneStop training lookup

Days 90 plus: finish credential steps, apply for positions, and scale pay. Complete required exams or clinical hours, apply for job openings or bid on higher paying freelance work, and track progress against hourly targets.

Keep a simple record of applications, interviews, completed projects, and pay offers so you can adjust the next 30/60/90 cycle based on what converts locally.

Licenses, certifications and credential costs to expect

Common credential types include registered apprenticeship completion certificates, CDL licenses, postsecondary certificates, and associate degrees; platform credentials and short certificates are also common for remote work.

Time and cost vary: apprenticeships may pay while you learn, CDL programs are often weeks to months long, certificate programs range from a few weeks to a year, and associate degrees typically take about two years; verify costs with local providers before enrolling.CareerOneStop training lookup

Always confirm program recognition with state licensing boards or education agencies and check whether employers in your area accept the credential you plan to pursue.

Regional pay variation: how to verify local wage rates

Start with BLS OES regional tables or state wage data to get a local median for the occupation you plan to pursue; national medians are a guide but local medians decide your likely results.

Complement OES checks with recent job postings, state workforce dashboards, and employer sites to see actual posted pay and benefit packages in your area.BLS OES national estimates (see an example state list at MN.gov)

Remember to convert salary structures to hourly equivalents when employers use mileage pay, piece rates, or salaried arrangements so you can compare offers accurately.

Common mistakes and pitfalls when aiming for $30 an hour

Typical errors include relying on national medians without checking local wages, underestimating training time and costs, and failing to account for taxes and benefit differences between employed and contract work.

To correct these mistakes, verify local wage data, request sample pay statements or job posting examples from employers, and factor in taxes, insurance, and unpaid time when estimating take home pay.

Short case examples and sample career paths

Apprenticeship to journeyman electrician (illustrative): find a registered apprenticeship sponsor, complete multi year training with progressive wage increases, and use state journeyman exams and local job postings to confirm wage prospects along the way.Apprenticeship.gov overview

CDL training to regional driver (illustrative): complete a CDL course, join a carrier with a trainer program, focus on regional lanes and consistent schedules, and compare posted carrier pay to estimate hourly equivalents for your preferred route type.OOH truck driver profile

Freelance web support to $30 an hour (illustrative): complete certificate projects, publish sample work, gather client references on a platform, and price services to include platform fees and self employment taxes when you set hourly rates.

These scenarios are illustrative and should be checked against local wage data and employer requirements before you commit to a specific program or job.

Conclusion: next steps and where to verify information

Summary checklist: identify target occupation, confirm local median wage, choose the shortest credible credential or apprenticeship, and follow a 30/60/90 plan to build skills and earnings.

Primary sources to bookmark: BLS OES for wage tables for wage tables, Apprenticeship.gov for registered programs, CareerOneStop for training listings, relevant OOH occupation pages, and platform reports for freelance rate benchmarks. See local updates on the news page.

Verify local conditions and employer expectations before enrolling or changing careers; local workforce agencies and training sponsors can confirm program details and start dates.