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9 Jobs That Require Minimal Experience (But Some Still Pay Over $65 an Hour)

Nine jobs that can pay $65 an hour or more, with minimum experience needed.

By Andy Lindquist , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated April 23, 2026

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While it may be hard to believe, you don't always need years of experience to land a high-paying job. Some industries are willing to pay top dollar for professionals who are capable and ready to do the work.

That means if you've been thinking of a job shift, these roles could be just what you need to break out of your professional rut and build your savings. In many cases, employers prioritize trainability and reliability over formal credentials, making it easier to get started. That means you can begin earning sooner while gaining valuable skills on the job.

Here are nine jobs that require minimal experience and pay well, with some paying $65 per hour or more.

Editor's note: All salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unless otherwise stated. All roles are categorized by the BLS as requiring either no prior work experience or less than five years of experience.

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Elevator and escalator installer and repairer

Median hourly salary: $51.24

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are in charge of installing and fixing machines like elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and similar lifts in commercial buildings, hospitals, transit systems, and residences.

Often, the only educational requirement is a high school diploma, as no college degree or prior experience in the skilled trades is needed to get started. Entry is entirely through a formal apprenticeship, typically sponsored by the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), which pays workers from their very first day and combines hands-on training with classroom instruction.

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Air traffic controller

Median hourly salary: $69.51

Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to keep the skies safe, directing planes during takeoff, landing, and en route flight.

Candidates typically complete a four-year degree or a Federal Aviation Administration-approved college program, then pass rigorous testing before entering the FAA Academy. Because the FAA manages hiring and training centrally, there is no outside experience you need to acquire on your own, though long-term on-the-job training is common.

Electrical engineer

Median hourly salary: $57.11

In this role, you'll design, develop, and test electrical systems and equipment, from power generation and transmission infrastructure to communications devices, electric motors, and navigation systems.

A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is the standard entry credential, and most employers hire new graduates directly into entry-level roles. Growing demand tied to electric-vehicle infrastructure, renewable-energy grid expansion, and domestic semiconductor manufacturing is creating sustained hiring pressure that benefits new entrants to the field.

Information security analyst

Median hourly salary: $60.05

Information security analysts plan and implement the security measures that protect organizations' computer networks and systems from cyberattacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access. This is a field where certifications carry enormous weight. Credentials like CompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or CISSP can shorten or substitute for years of traditional work experience in many employers' eyes, especially for candidates who demonstrate hands-on skills through labs, competitions, or personal projects.

The demand for qualified candidates far outpaces supply as cybersecurity business needs increase, creating real openings for relatively new entrants who are skilled and credentialed.

Actuary

Median hourly salary: $60.47

In this job, you'll use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to analyze risk and uncertainty for insurance companies, pension funds, health care organizations, and government agencies. They determine the likelihood of costly events and help organizations plan financially for them.

Becoming a fully credentialed actuary is a multi-year process of passing a demanding series of professional exams, but the pay and stability make it worthwhile. Entry-level actuaries with even one or two exams passed are highly sought after, and employers are explicitly designed to develop candidates from scratch.

Nuclear engineer

Median hourly salary: $61.31

In this job, you'll research and develop solutions related to nuclear energy and radiation, from designing reactor systems and improving power plant safety to managing nuclear waste and developing medical applications of radiation. A bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering is the standard entry point, and federal agencies and major defense contractors tend to recruit directly from university programs.

While overall employment is projected to decline slightly as some older plants retire, the specialized nature of nuclear work, the difficulty of replacing nuclear expertise, and growing interest in next-generation reactor designs and small modular reactors create continued demand for new workers.

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Petroleum engineer

Median hourly salary: $67.92

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from underground deposits. They evaluate geological formations, design drilling equipment, and work to maximize the efficiency and safety of extraction operations.

A bachelor's degree in petroleum, chemical, or mechanical engineering is the standard entry credential, and many employers hire new graduates directly, given the technical nature of the job.

Software developer

Median hourly salary: $63.20

As a developer, you'll design, build, and maintain the applications and systems that run on computers, phones, and the web. A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is the standard credential, but there are other ways to get experience.

In practice, the tech industry has also long accepted strong portfolios, bootcamp credentials, and self-taught skills as supplements or even substitutes for formal degrees, which is part of why this profession has historically been accessible to career changers without lengthy resumes.

Aerospace Engineer

Median hourly salary: $64.82

Aerospace engineers design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, and defense systems. Their work spans aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, and structural design, in industries ranging from commercial aviation and national defense to the fast-growing private space sector.

A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field is the standard entry credential, as employers tend to recruit new graduates directly from university programs.

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Bottom line

High-paying careers aren't always locked behind decades of experience. Many of the strongest earners either hire directly from college, rely on apprenticeships, or value certifications and exams over long resumes. That means career changers and new graduates can realistically pivot if they focus on high-demand, technical, or regulated fields. Plus, it's a great way to get ahead financially, since you'll be earning well above the national average.

Many of these jobs have real staying power since they're in technical fields. According to the BLS, computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow much faster than the national average from 2024 to 2034, adding roughly 3,177,000 new jobs over the decade. That's more than three times the average growth rate for all occupations, which means the demand for qualified candidates entering these fields with no prior track record will only increase.

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