Jobs That Pay $35 Per Hour: 20 Skilled Careers (2026)
Find 20 skilled careers paying $35 per hour. Nursing, trades, tech, and management roles with requirements and growth outlook.
$35/hour represents a strong single income that comfortably supports homeownership, savings, and a solid quality of life in most U.S. markets outside major coastal cities.
What $35/Hour Means
- Weekly: $1,400
- Monthly: $6,067
- Annual: $72,800
20 Jobs at $35/Hour
| Job | Pay Range | Education | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $30 – $48 | BSN/ADN | +6% |
| Dental Hygienist (exp) | $32 – $45 | Associate | +7% |
| Network Administrator | $30 – $42 | Bachelor's + cert | +3% |
| Licensed Plumber (exp) | $30 – $48 | Apprenticeship | +6% |
| Operations Manager | $30 – $50 | Bachelor's + exp | +6% |
| Sonographer | $30 – $42 | Associate | +10% |
| Electrician (journeyman) | $30 – $45 | Apprenticeship | +11% |
| Logistics Manager | $30 – $45 | Bachelor's | +18% |
| Occupational Health Nurse | $32 – $42 | BSN + exp | +6% |
| Web Developer (mid) | $30 – $48 | Skills-based | +16% |
| Purchasing Manager | $32 – $45 | Bachelor's | +6% |
| Nuclear Medicine Tech | $32 – $42 | Associate/bachelor's | +3% |
| Boilermaker | $30 – $42 | Apprenticeship | +3% |
| Power Plant Operator | $32 – $48 | OJT + license | -5% |
| Court Reporter (exp) | $30 – $45 | Certificate | -2% |
| Paralegal (senior) | $30 – $40 | Associate/bachelor's | +4% |
| Interior Designer | $28 – $42 | Bachelor's | +4% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $30 – $40 | Associate | +5% |
| Millwright | $30 – $40 | Apprenticeship | +12% |
| SEO Manager | $30 – $45 | Experience + portfolio | +10% |
Trades vs. Degrees at $35/Hour
The $35/hour mark is where trade professionals and bachelor's degree holders converge:
- Trades (no college debt): Plumber, electrician, boilermaker — earn while learning, no student loans
- Healthcare (2-year degree): Dental hygienist, sonographer, nuclear med tech — moderate education cost, strong stability
- Corporate (4-year degree): Operations manager, logistics manager, purchasing manager — corporate benefits and advancement
FAQ
Is $35/hour considered good pay?
$72,800/year is above the median U.S. household income. It provides a comfortable single-income lifestyle in most areas including car payments, mortgage, retirement savings, and discretionary spending. In NYC or SF, it's tighter but manageable.
What's the quickest path to $35/hour?
Dental hygienist (2-year program), trade apprenticeship (4-5 years but paid while learning), or coding bootcamp to mid-level web developer (2-4 years total). All three can reach $35/hour without a bachelor's degree.