Best Jobs That Pay $15 An Hour in 2023

Salaries are a significant component in job happiness for many professionals. Hourly earnings for the same work can vary significantly depending on where in the country you live. However, several careers starting at $15 do not require a college background.

In this post, we’ll explore a range of occupations in various sectors where you may start earning $15 an hour with little to no experience.

What Is an appropriate hourly wage?

A competitive hourly income is sufficient to maintain a reasonable level of life while motivating you to work.

What constitutes a reasonable hourly salary is determined by the value of your function and the cost of living in any particular place, even in high-cost areas. This indicates that a decent living income varies by industry and geography.

What is the significance of earning $15 per hour?

It is widely believed that $15 an hour equates to a “living wage,” or money sufficient to satisfy basic living expenses in most places.

Earning a livable wage is critical because it enables a full-time worker to purchase essentials such as housing, food, and health care while keeping over the federal poverty level. 

Nevertheless, numerous jobs are available that pay $15 an hour or more, provide bonuses and overtime, and demand little or no particular credentials.

What skills do you need to get a $15-an-hour job?

Many $15-per-hour jobs have few job qualifications. Furthermore, these positions do not necessitate a lot of formal schooling.

The retail, healthcare, security, childcare, and manufacturing sectors account for most of these positions.

As a result, you should consider honing your soft skills, as most of these occupations will involve outstanding communication, collaboration, and interpersonal abilities. Adding computer abilities to your resume is another excellent strategy to boost your brand value.

Read this: 20 Best Jobs That Requires Travel And Pay Well | 2023

Organizations who pay $15 per hour

Despite the economic constraints posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, several bigger organizations have elected to restructure their compensation systems to include positions paying a minimum wage of $15 per hour or higher.

These organizations have increased wages and undertaken various additional steps to recruit top people. Numerous of these businesses are recognized for their competitive pay.

Amazon

Amazon boosted its beginning hourly pay to $15 lately. This implies that you can find work at Amazon even as an entry-level employee.

Target

Similar to Amazon, Target recently hiked the minimum pay for all hourly employees to $15.

Fifth Third Bancorp

In January 2018, this commercial and industrial loans lender increased its minimum salary from $12 to $15 per hour. Additionally, this firm altered its benefit packages to include parental bonding leave and concierge maternity care.

It was announced in January 2021 that Wayfair would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Starbucks

Starbucks has announced intentions to enhance working conditions and pay structure to ensure that all hourly wage employees receive a minimum of $15 to $23 per hour, based on the area of the store.

Under Armour

After June 6, 2021, all Under Armour employees will receive at least $15 per hour as the firm upped its minimum wage.

Chipotle

Chipotle is a reputable firm with a high rating on Glassdoor. The corporation just announced a minimum salary increase of an average of $15 per hour.

Google

Google is one of the world’s largest corporations. They provide a variety of positions at attractive wages, including $15 an-hour positions.

Santander Bank

With over 2000 ATMs in Massachusetts alone, this Spanish-based bank is unquestionably one of the largest retail and business banks in the United States of America. In 2018, it increased its minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Best Buy

Best Buy was one of the first corporations to change its compensation structure to require all employees to earn a minimum of $15 an hour.

Criteria to look out for

Consider the following criteria for the finest jobs paying $15 per hour. When determining whether $ 15-hour employment qualifies as the “best,” the following considerations should be taken into account:

• Is there potential for the position to evolve into a long-term career with room for advancement, or can it double as transitory part-time employment?
• Is the employment suitable for those with only a high school diploma (or less)?
• Also, is the profession boomed in recent years?
• Do experts believe that employees in these occupations have a feeling of purpose?
• Is the position open to individuals with no prior experience and willing to teach them vital skills?

Best Jobs That Pay $15 An Hour

There are 19 jobs listed below that pay at least $15 per hour.

1. Admin assistant

The national average hourly wage is $15.69.

Administrative assistants, sometimes known as secretaries, assist with office efficiency and order.

Filing documents, organizing calendars, scheduling meetings, taking notes, creating letters and reports, preserving office supplies, and answering and transferring calls are among their responsibilities. 

An administrative assistant must have a high school diploma or a GED as a minimum requirement.

2. Representative – Call Center

$14.61 per hour is the average hourly wage.

Call center representatives are also known as customer service representatives. Professionals who work in high-paying call centers process inbound and outbound calls promptly. They respond appropriately to customers’ inquiries, queries, and concerns.

In addition, this is one of the best jobs that pay $15 an hour.

3. Cashier

$12.03 per hour is the average hourly wage.

After consumers have completed their purchases, cashiers accept payments and other related operations.

Customers are greeted, and their items are scanned. Costco, Target, and Best Buy are among the corporations that have changed their pay systems for cashiers to include a minimum hourly rate of $15.

4. The postman

The average hourly wage is $15.30.

A mail handler, a postal service clerk, might work for a private corporation or the US Postal Service. Selling stamps, processing money orders, leasing post office boxes, and collecting and sorting letters, packages, and magazines are all common responsibilities. 

A GED or high school graduation is necessary for mail handlers, and they may be expected to complete a reading speed and accuracy exam during the interview process.

5. Stocker

$14.91 per hour is the average hourly wage.

Stockers are responsible for filling retail shelves, racks, and tables, among other things. They transport merchandise from stock rooms, warehouses, and storage yards to display places.

Although the national average rate is $14.91, many organizations now pay a minimum of $15 per hour.

6. Assistant in the laboratory

National average hourly wage: $15.72

Laboratory assistants collaborate with scientists, medical experts, and researchers to ensure the effective running of a laboratory.

They are generally in charge of ordering, stocking, and maintaining experimental supplies and equipment and cleaning, sanitizing, and processing specimens. 

They may also be liable for animal care if they operate in a laboratory with animal subjects.

7. Technician in veterinary medicine

The average hourly wage in the United States: $16.09

Veterinary technicians support veterinarians, patients, and animal owners at animal clinics and hospitals.

A vet tech’s typical responsibilities include providing injections and IV fluids, monitoring patient conditions, questioning owners during intake, transmitting physician orders, keeping exam rooms, and collecting blood, urine, and stool samples as necessary. 

While just a high school certificate or GED is required for admission, additional qualifications are available via vocational schools and community colleges.

8. Worker in construction

National average hourly wage: $16.19

Construction workers are manual laborers tasked with dismantling, renovating, and erecting structures per a plan and customer demands.

Additionally, they are often responsible for procuring and maintaining their tools and materials management. 

Construction workers might begin as unskilled general laborers and quickly accumulate substantial expertise and capabilities on the job, allowing for career advancement and increased income potential.

9. Assistants in social and human services

Earnings per hour on average: $20.00 

They give services to clients, including family assistance, in a range of professions, including psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other employees, such as social workers, and aid clients in locating benefits and community resources.

In addition, this is one of the best jobs that pay $15 an hour

10. Operators of agricultural machinery

Earnings per hour on average: $14.00 

They plow and plant seeds and manage and harvest crops using a range of agricultural equipment. Tractors, fertilizer spreaders, balers, combines, threshers, and trucks may be used.

Additionally, these individuals run conveyor belts, loading machines, separators, cleaners, and dryers. Workers may make adjustments and simple repairs to equipment.

11. Barbers

Earnings per hour on average: $19.00 

They mostly work with male clientele, cutting, trimming, shampooing, and styling their hair. Additionally, they may fit hairpieces, provide facials, and shave the face.

Certain barbers are licensed to color, bleach, and highlight hair and provide permanent-wave treatments, depending on the state in which they practice. In addition, this is one of the best jobs that pay $15 an hour

12. Concierges

Earnings per hour on average: $15.00 

They provide personal services to consumers in hotels, flats, and business buildings. Accepting messages, arranging or advising guests on transportation, commercial services, or leisure, and monitoring visitor demands for cleanliness and upkeep are all responsibilities of this position.

13. Demonstrators and advocates of products

Earnings per hour on average: $27.00 

Demonstrate items and field inquiries to pique audience interest in purchasing the product. Possibility of selling displayed items.

14. Painter

National average hourly wage: $16.99

Primary responsibilities: Painters operate in various business and residential settings, stripping, priming, and painting walls and other surfaces.

Their job frequently includes erecting and working on scaffolding, ordering and keeping records of all essential materials, sanding, scraping, and removing old paint, mixing and laying fresh paint cleanly, and safeguarding adjacent areas.

While no specific criteria exist for becoming a painter, possibilities, and compensation rise with expertise.

15. Nanny

National average hourly wage: $17.86

A nanny is a professional child care provider who works in a private household to look after the needs of one or more children.

Their responsibilities vary according to the employer and the child’s unique requirements but often include light cleaning, meal preparation, educational assistance, and monitoring. 

For convenience, many families employ nannies to provide in-house housing; accredited training sessions are available, although not necessary, and maybe given by bigger nanny agencies as part of the employment package.

Also, check this: 20 Best Jobs that Pay $50k a Year

16. Assistant dentist

National average hourly wage: $17.92

Dental assistants assist dental hygienists and dentists in providing dental health care and maintaining clinical equipment and offices.

They assist dental clinics in their daily operations by checking patients in and out, offering directions, scheduling appointments, preparing exam rooms, and completing other necessary jobs. 

A dental assistant needs only a GED or high school diploma to accomplish these activities but may require extra schooling to help with dental treatments.

17. Bookkeeper

National average hourly wage: $18.22

Primary responsibilities: A bookkeeper is accountable for a business’s financial records. They keep track of expenses, revenue, receipts, and invoices and occasionally oversee payments. 

While a bookkeeper can work with a GED or high school certificate, they may also get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting or business to enhance their employment possibilities.

18. Instructor of physical fitness

The average hourly wage is: $24.04

Athletic trainers work in gyms, community centers, and other similar settings, organizing and leading group fitness sessions for individuals of all ages and ability levels.

Unlike personal trainers, fitness instructors are not usually required to be certified, requiring a high school certificate or GED.

19. Tutor

The average hourly wage is: $24.99

A tutor’s primary responsibilities are to augment and improve pupils’ educational achievement and to give enrichment.

Individual tutors engage with customers online or in person, concentrating on a particular subject or task with specific goals. 

Additionally, they may provide standardized exam preparation, music classes, practice with a second language, and support with writing and college application essays.

Qualifications for tutoring roles vary by topic and customer but often require a GED or a high school certificate.

FAQs

CONCLUSION

If you’re enthusiastic about entering the job market for the first time or fear that you’ll have to opt for a minimum wage job, this list will assist you in locating work at decent pay that might lead to a long and happy career.

Finally, don’t be scared to attempt new things if you’re unsure about your job goals. This list of vocations might help you develop useful skills and experience that you can apply to other employment.

At the absolute least, you’ll significantly boost your career, and a delighted employer may even cover the cost of your college tuition or occupational certifications and licensure.

REFERENCES

• Career Tool Belt
• Career Karma
• Indeed
• Career Builder

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