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You don’t have to be a lawyer or doctor to make a living wage. Plenty of jobs pay well, even those we might think pay poorly, and many have excellent benefits, too.
As long as you know how to budget and manage your money well, you can make a decent living in any of these industries. You can often do so without years of higher education and tuition debt.
For this list, I only chose jobs with a reputation for low pay that make at least $15 an hour. Keep reading for about 12 jobs you thought paid less but are actually lucrative.
1. Housekeeper
Housekeeping is another great and lucrative job that is often looked down upon. Of course, some housekeepers don’t make much money, but it depends on the company and area. My best friend’s mother is a housekeeper who makes over $1,000 a week with tips. She’s been doing this work for over two decades and doesn’t see herself leaving it.
2. Writer
For as long as I can remember, I have been told that writers make no money and are starving artists. As a writer, I can tell you this is far from the truth. There are so many incredible ways to make money in the writing world. You can write product descriptions, reviews, blogs, educational papers, non-fiction books, fiction books, and more.
3. Janitor
Don’t be fooled. Janitors make pretty good money. Of course, you won’t become a millionaire, but it’s a comfortable job with plenty of benefits. One of my best friend’s parents worked as a school janitor and retired comfortably. The average salary for a janitor in the U.S. is $15.63.
4. Nurse
Until recently, I was under the impression that nurses don’t make a lot. However, now that my husband is studying to be an LPN, I know this isn’t the case. The average salary for an LPN in the U.S. is $33.23 an hour. Most LPN programs are just a year long. Even CNAs make good money, averaging about $20.28 an hour.
5. Sanitation Worker
Sanitation workers are essential workers. They work in parks, public spaces, and the streets. The average salary of a sanitation worker varies greatly, depending on the area. However, across the USA, the average sanitation worker earns $17.88.
6. Principal
While teachers may not make much, principals are paid well. According to Indeed, the average principal in the United States makes $113,423 a year, which is nearly $9,500 a month before taxes and benefits.
In my local district, principals make slightly above $100,000. I honestly always assumed they were only paid slightly more than teachers.
7. Fast Food Manager
Not all fast food jobs are low-paying. If you can move up and become a fast food manager, the sky’s the limit. I’ve known people who make $60,000 as a manager at Taco Bell. Regional managers make even more, and it is a goal you can aspire to.
8. Bus Driver
I never really considered becoming a bus driver until last year. My local county is experiencing a public school bus driver shortage and starts bus drivers at $20 without experience.
They definitely deserve more, though. I’d love to help, but managing a big vehicle in traffic is brutal. Managing a big vehicle in traffic with dozens of young kids is a huge responsibility. Wouldn’t you feel better as a parent knowing your child was in the hands of a well-paid professional?
9. Pest Control
Pest control is something I can’t live without. I’ve lived in apartments for over four years, and pest control is such a lifesaver when dealing with infestations. Pest control technicians also get paid pretty nicely, too. They typically make about $19.57 an hour in the U.S.
10. Apartment Maintenance Technicians
I’m a bit biased with this career. I had no idea that maintenance technicians made good money or got even better benefits. My husband now works as a maintenance man for apartments and makes over $20 an hour, with a lot of potential for advancement. You also get discounts on apartments, which certainly helps as the cost of living rises.
11. Phlebotomist
Also on our list is phlebotomist, another career in the medical field. For a short while, I thought phlebotomists made slightly above minimum wage. However, I was trained and worked as a phlebotomist, starting at $19 an hour. It’s a great way to break into the medical field before completing more schooling.
12. Legal Videographer
Last but not least are legal videographers. This is another job I had no idea existed until recently. Legal videographers are specialists with special permission to film crime scenes and legal proceedings.
Whenever I thought of video careers, I just assumed they weren’t well-paid. However, legal videographers earn more than $70,000 a year.
15 Highest Paying Jobs That Nobody Wants
Truthfully, almost all of the best high-paying jobs that no one wants to work, are blue-collar jobs. Working in the trades can sound intimidating, but it comes with great benefits, high pay, and job security.
Despite the pros, not a lot of people turn to the trades. If you’re feeling stuck, you may want to consider one of these high-paying jobs.
To curate this list, we chose jobs where you could earn at least $25 an hour. These jobs are also high in demand. To find out how in demand, we used Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
Here are 15 high-paying jobs that nobody wants.
- Read More: 15 Highest Paying Jobs That Nobody Wants
18 Jobs Where Skills Trump Intelligence
Our society often judges people’s intelligence based on their professions. While it’s an unfair practice, some jobs have unfortunately been associated with a stereotype of lower intellectual capabilities. Let’s dispel some misconceptions as we explore 18 professions unfairly branded as “requiring less brainpower.”
- Read More: 18 Jobs Where Skills Trump Intelligence
