Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour Near Me (No Degree Required)

$20/hour equals roughly $41,600/year — enough to live comfortably in most US cities. And you don't need a college degree to earn it. Here are 25 jobs near you that pay $20+ per hour without requiring a 4-year degree.

$20-25/Hour Jobs

• HVAC Installer Helper: $20-24/hour. Learn on the job, advance to $40+/hour as a licensed technician.
• Bank Teller: $18-22/hour. Professional environment, clear promotion path, most banks train you.
• Pest Control Technician: $18-24/hour. Outdoor work, company vehicle provided, quick licensing.
• Warehouse Team Lead: $20-26/hour. Promoted from within after 3-6 months as an associate.
• Dental Assistant: $19-25/hour. Short certification programs (9-12 months).
• Landscaping Foreman: $20-28/hour. Seasonal in some areas, year-round in warm climates.
• Insurance Claims Adjuster: $20-28/hour. Remote-friendly, training provided by employer.

$25-30/Hour Jobs

• Electrician Apprentice: $22-28/hour. Earn while you learn toward journeyman license.
• Paralegal: $23-32/hour. Certificate programs take 6-12 months.
• Radiation Therapist: $28-38/hour. Associate degree required.
• Wind Turbine Technician: $25-35/hour. One of the fastest-growing jobs in the US.
• Real Estate Appraiser: $25-40/hour. Licensing takes 6-12 months of training.
• Ultrasound Technician: $28-38/hour. 2-year associate degree.

$30+/Hour Jobs

• Elevator Installer: $35-50/hour. One of the highest-paying trades.
• Dental Hygienist: $35-50/hour. 2-year degree, excellent work-life balance.
• Commercial Pilot: $40-60/hour. Requires flight training but no degree.
• Web Developer: $30-50/hour. Bootcamp training (3-6 months) or self-taught.
• MRI Technologist: $32-42/hour. 2-year associate degree.

How to Break the $20/Hour Barrier

• Get a certification — even short ones (forklift, CNA, CompTIA) instantly boost your pay
• Move into a trade apprenticeship — electrician, plumber, HVAC all start around $20/hour
• Ask for a raise with data — show your manager what similar roles pay locally
• Switch to night or weekend shifts — shift differentials add $2-5/hour
• Move to a supervisor role — team leads earn 15-30% more than individual contributors