20 Jobs that Pay $20 an Hour Without a Degree!

As a real estate agent, it’s your job to help people to buy, sell, or rent a property. From searching for properties to closing the deal, you’ll help clients through every step of the way.

Take a look at this guide on how to become a real estate agent to learn more about this job.

2. Freelance writer

• Average pay: $23 an hour
• Pay range: $12 to $58 an hour

As a freelance writer, you write everything from blog posts to books for clients.

No degree is required, just strong research and writing skills. I am a fulltime writer, and I do not have a degree, so it’s totally possible for you to get into this career.

Although freelance writers can be paid hourly, most are paid per word. This can be anywhere from $0.01 per word to as much as $0.10 per word or even more than that. Other places pay per article. Freelance writing can be a good work from home job.

You can get started writing for content sites like:

• Textbroker
• Verblio
• BKA Content

And, you can also find private clients on websites like UpWork and PeoplePerHour.

3. Truck driver

• Average pay: $24 an hour
• Pay range: $10 to $39 an hour

Truck drivers are paid to pick up and deliver goods from places like warehouses and distribution centers. You help to ensure product fulfilment. You don’t need a degree for this job, which is great.

4. Insurance agent

• Average pay: $25 an hour
• Pay range: $8 to $48 an hour

As an insurance agent, you sell insurance policies to clients. You’ll explain a variety of policies to clients and help them to choose a plan that suits them.

Insurance agents aren’t required to have a degree. Instead, they need to have a high school diploma or GED and be licensed in the state where they plan to work.

The licensing requirements differ from state to state. Often, you’ll need to take a course and pass your state’s licensing exam. You may also need different licenses if you plan to sell different types of insurance, for example, if you want to sell property insurance and health insurance, then you may need two different licenses.

This job also requires confidence since you may need to cold call prospective customers, and you’ll need to be able to maintain your composure.

5. Plumber

• Average pay: $29 an hour
• Pay range: $14 to $46 an hour

Trade professions are a good option for anyone looking to earn a good income without a degree. Plumbing is a well-paid trade profession.

As a plumber, you install, and repair water, gas, and other piping systems. Plumbers install things like toilets, water heaters, bathtubs, and dishwashers. They work in a variety of settings, such as in people’s homes, businesses, and factories.

You can become a plumber through an apprenticeship and no degree is required.

6. Elevator installers and repairers

• Average pay: $36 an hour
• Pay range: $30 to $44 an hour

Elevator installers and repairers repair and maintain elevators, as well as walkways, escalators, and other lifts. You only need a high school diploma to get started.

You will also need to complete an apprenticeship, and depending on where you live, you may need to be licensed. Currently, 35 states require workers to be licensed.

7. Video editor

• Average pay: $23 an hour
• Pay range: $8 to $40 an hour

This is one of those jobs that don’t suck! Video editors edit videos for clients. All you need to get started with this job are video-editing skills, which you could learn about online, a fast computer, and the right software.

You could advertise your video editing service to individuals and businesses near you. Or you could find jobs online.

Here’s where you can find video editing jobs:

• Indeed
• UpWork
• ZipRecruiter
• Jooble

8. Solar Installer

• Average pay: $20 an hour
• Pay range: $11 to $32 an hour

Solar installers are paid to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels onto a structure’s rooftop. These panels provide electricity from the sun. Solar panel installers create a plan for the installation on each owner’s property, according to the customer’s specifications. Installers assemble and maintain solar panels.

Solar panel installers need a high school diploma, and some take courses at a trade school, technical school, or community college. Generally, installers receive on-the-job training. This training can last up to a year.

9. Gas plant operator

• Average pay: $35 an hour
• Pay range: $21 to $50 an hour

Gas plant operators oversee and operate gas processing equipment, and they control systems and ensure that everything functions properly.

You could earn up to $50 an hour and the average pay is $35 an hour!

A degree isn’t required for this job, but you will need to complete long-term, on-the-job training.

10. Stationary Engineer

• Average pay: $31 an hour
• Pay range: $16 to $48 an hour

Being a stationary engineer is a well-paid job without a degree. As a stationery engineer, you control stationary engines, boilers, and other types of mechanical equipment, and you usually work in manufacturing, government, hospitals, and educational services.

Although a degree isn’t required, you will need to complete an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

11. Online ESL teacher

• Average pay: $19 an hour
• Pay range: $8 to $24 an hour

You could make money teaching English as a second language (ESL) online. You’re paid to teach people how to speak English. Although some places require a degree, many don’t. You could consider getting a TEFL certification to open up more job opportunities.

Here’s where you can find ESL teacher jobs:

• Indeed
• ZipRecruiter
• Cambly
• VIPkid

12. Translator

• Average pay: $29 an hour
• Pay range: $7 to $100 an hour

If you speak multiple languages, then you could make money as a translator.

As a translator, you’re paid to translate the written word from one language into another. Although some places may require a degree, most don’t.

The main qualification that you’ll need to have is the ability to speak more than one language fluently. Many jobs are freelance-based too, which can give you more flexibility.

Have a read of 30 Online Translation Jobs to learn more.

13. Dental assistant

• Average pay: $19 an hour
• Pay range: $17 to $21 an hour

Dental assistants provide care to patients, schedule appointments, keep records, and take x-rays. They work in a dentist’s office. The requirements for becoming a dental assistant vary from state to state.

Some states require you to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam.

In other states though, there are no formal education requirements, and dental assistants learn through on-the-job training. Either way, you don’t need a degree – just a certification in some states.

14. Proofreader

• Average pay: $22 an hour
• Pay range: $9 to $36 an hour

Proofreaders check work, like novels, articles, and blog posts, for things like typos, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes.

Proofreaders make $22 an hour on average and don’t need a degree!

Have a read of my proofreading guide for a list of places where you can find jobs and advice on how to get started with this job.

15. Amazon Flex Driver

• Average pay: $20 an hour
• Pay range: $18 to $25 an hour

If you’re looking for a flexible job where you can work as much or as little as you want to, then you might want to try being an Amazon Flex Driver.

You make money delivering packages for Amazon.

You can even search for available delivery blocks near you and choose the deliveries you want to make. According to Amazon, Amazon Flex drivers earn anywhere from $18 to $25 an hour. No degree is required!

You’re paid twice a week by direct deposit too, making this a great way to make money fast.

16. Medical Coder

• Average pay: $22 an hour
• Pay range: $11 to $32 an hour

Medical coders translate physicians’ reports into medical codes. Medical coders use medical charts, which have been created by physicians, to extract patient data. The charts show procedures and diagnoses that have been reported by each physician.

Although some people get a degree, being a medical coder doesn’t require one. Instead, you can get into this career by obtaining certification. This can take just months to complete, rather than years as a degree would.

You can find online medical courses at the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). These courses teach the essentials of medical coding, train students for certification, and help newly certified coding specialists with establishing their careers.

17. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

• Average pay: $44 an hour
• Pay range: $25 to $73 an hour

First-line supervisors of police and detectives are paid to supervise and coordinate the activities of members of the police force. It’s their job to make sure that all procedures are carried out in accordance with laws and regulations.

First-line supervisors of police and detectives don’t need a degree. They just need to have a high school diploma and they may need to have related on-the-job experience or have completed training in a vocational school. Most of the time though, they just need to complete on-the-job training.

18. Hotel Floor Manager

• Average pay: $22 an hour
• Pay range: $19 to $26 an hour

As a hotel floor manager, it’s your job to take care of the whole floor of the hotel. You work with multiple members of staff, and you direct workers to ensure that the floor runs efficiently.

Responsibilities and duties of a hotel manager vary from job to job depending on the requirements of the company. Although some floor managers do have a degree, most learn on the job, and work their way up to this role.

19. Voiceover artist

• Average pay: $30 an hour
• Pay range: $14 to $149 an hour

Voiceover artists are paid to provide narration for different types of media, such as audiobooks, YouTube videos, and tutorials.

To become a voiceover artist, no degree is required. If you have the voice for it, this could be a good way for you to earn $20 or even more than that an hour. After all, the average pay for voiceover artists is $30 an hour.

Here’s where you can find voiceover work:

• Voices.com
• Backstage
• Upwork

20. Graphic designer

• Average pay: $23 an hour
• Pay range: $9 to $38 an hour

As a graphic designer, you’re paid to create a variety of illustrations and designs, such as logos, flyers, and original images, for clients. Although some graphic design jobs require you to have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, or a related field, it’s definitely not a requirement for all jobs.

Many companies will hire entry level graphic designers if they have a portfolio and experience. You can also find freelance graphic design jobs and many of these don’t require you to have a degree, so this is a good option for beginners who want to gain experience in the field.

You can find freelance graphic design jobs on sites like PeoplePerHour and UpWork.

Summary

Having a degree isn’t a prerequisite for success. There are plenty of jobs that pay $20 an hour without a degree! Often, these jobs pay more than $20 an hour too! Give these jobs a try if you don’t have a degree or much experience!