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12 Jobs Paying Over $30 an Hour That Are Open to Applicants With Little to No Experience

A degree and a license do the work a résumé usually would.

By Chris Lewis, CEPF , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Aug. 6, 2026

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Well-paying work doesn't always require a long employment history. A wide range of BLS-tracked jobs pay well over $30 an hour while listing no prior related work experience as a requirement, asking instead for a degree, a license, or a certification earned on the way in.

Landing one of these roles could be a legitimate way to make some extra money on the side or launch an entirely new career. Here is what each role involves, what it typically pays, and exactly how little experience it takes to get started.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Genetic counselor

Median hourly wage: $47.55

Genetic counselors help patients and families understand their risk for inherited conditions, translating complex test results into plain language and guidance.

A master's degree in genetic counseling covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary. Board certification comes after graduate school, not before someone is considered for the role.

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Registered nurse

Median hourly wage: $45

Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients on managing their health, working across hospitals, clinics, and home health care settings.

An associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or diploma from an approved nursing program covers the entry requirement, followed by passing the NCLEX licensing exam. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary; new graduates are hired directly into hospital roles every year.

Financial examiner

Median hourly wage: $43.46

Financial examiners review the books of banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to confirm they're following the law.

A bachelor's degree with some accounting coursework covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary. New examiners train under senior examiners for a year or more after hire.

Budget analyst

Median hourly wage: $42.27

Budget analysts help government agencies, universities, and companies plan and track spending, translating financial goals into a workable annual budget.

A bachelor's degree covers the entry requirement, with coursework in accounting, economics, or statistics considered helpful. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary to start.

Urban and regional planner

Median hourly wage: $40.25

Urban and regional planners review site plans, zoning requests, and development proposals to help cities grow in an organized way.

A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited planning program covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary, though certification often helps later in a career.

Respiratory therapist

Median hourly wage: $38.68

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients with breathing problems, from premature infants to older adults with chronic lung disease.

An associate's degree in respiratory therapy covers the entry requirement, plus a licensing exam. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary before starting the job.

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Insurance underwriter

Median hourly wage: $38.40

Insurance underwriters review applications for coverage and decide whether, and on what terms, to approve them.

A bachelor's degree, often in business, covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary. The field is shrinking somewhat as software absorbs routine underwriting tasks, though thousands of openings are still expected yearly from retirements.

Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanic and technician

Median hourly wage: $38.05

These mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair the airframes, engines, and electronics that keep planes flying safely.

Completing an FAA-approved training program and earning a mechanic certificate covers the entry requirement. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary; the certification process itself is the training.

Compliance officer

Median hourly wage: $37.70

Compliance officers make sure companies follow the laws and regulations that apply to their industry.

A bachelor's degree covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary, though employers often layer on additional training once someone is hired.

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Radiologic technologist

Median hourly wage: $37.34

Radiologic technologists position patients and operate the equipment that produces X-rays and other diagnostic images.

An associate's degree in radiologic technology covers the entry requirement, plus certification in most states. The BLS doesn't list a required-experience bar for this role, unlike the MRI specialty within the same field, which typically does.

Cost estimator

Median hourly wage: $37.05

Cost estimators calculate the time, labor, and materials a construction project or manufactured product requires, work that shapes decisions before a dollar gets spent.

A bachelor's degree covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary for degree holders. Employment is shrinking somewhat as estimating software takes on more routine calculations, though replacement openings remain steady.

Property appraiser and assessor

Median hourly wage: $31.45

Property appraisers and assessors inspect land and buildings to determine their taxable or market value.

A bachelor's degree covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary, though many appraisers also complete state licensing coursework alongside the job.

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Bottom line

None of these 12 jobs ask for years of related work history, the barrier that usually keeps career changers out of well-paying fields. What they ask for instead is a degree, sometimes a bachelor's, sometimes a master's, plus licensing, certification, or training completed after getting hired rather than proof required before applying. That's a meaningfully lower bar than the typical picture of six-figure-adjacent work, and it could be worth a look for anyone whose résumé is heavier on education than employment history. It might also be worth exploring legit ways to make extra cash in the meantime, while training for one of these roles.

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