20 Jobs That Pay More Than $20 an Hour

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com Writer

Think back to your first job at the local ice cream shop. Working after school, 15 hours per week at $7 an hour was enough to fulfill your wishes, hopes and dreams. (Let's be honest, back then, none of us wished for much more than a reciprocated crush and a big allowance.)

Those days have long since passed. Unless you're a waged worker (paid hourly) like 59 percent of U.S. workers are, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you probably don't have a clue what your salary translates to per hour.

The median household salary is $48,201, according to the 2006 U.S. Census Bureau report. This makes the average hourly rate $23.17 based on a 40-hour workweek. We've made a list of jobs in various industries; each position earns between $20 and $30 per hour and will experience job growth through 2016, based on data from the BLS.

Here are 10 jobs that earn more than $20 per hour:

1. Gaming supervisors -- $20.38/ hour*
Gaming supervisors watch over assigned areas in casinos and gaming facilities to make sure that all gaming stations are covered and gamblers are following the rules.
Annual salary: $42,390*
Growth through 2016: 23 percent
Industry: Personal care and services

2. Health educators -- $21.81/hour
Health educators encourage people and communities to live healthy lifestyles by teaching them about healthy behaviors and how to prevent diseases.
Annual salary: $45,370
Growth through 2016: 26 percent
Industry: Community and social services

3. Subway and streetcar operators -- $22.20/hour
Subway and streetcar operators control or drive trains, electric-powered streetcars and trolleys that transport passengers in metropolitan areas.
Annual salary: $46,180
Growth through 2016: 12 percent
Industry: Transportation and materials moving

4. Respiratory therapists -- $23.37/hour
Respiratory therapists practice under a physician's supervision to treat patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.
Annual salary: $48,610
Growth through 2016: 23 percent
Industry: Health care practitioner and technicians

5. Curators -- $24.03/hour
Curators manage museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, nature centers and historic sites. They direct collections storage and exhibitions, including negotiating and authorizing the purchase, sale, exchange or loan of collections.
Annual salary: $49,980
Growth through 2016: 23 percent
Industry: Education, training and library occupations

6. Cartographers and photogrammetrists -- $25.29/hour
Cartographers and photogrammetrists analyze and map geographic data provided by surveys, satellite information and photographs.
Annual salary: $52,600
Growth through 2016: 20 percent
Industry: Architecture and engineering

7. Multimedia artists and animators -- $27.90/hour
Multimedia artists and animators create special effects, animation or other visual images seen in movies, television programs and computer games.
Annual salary: $58,030
Growth through 2016: 26 percent
Industry: Arts, design, entertainment, sports and media

8. Arbitrators, mediators and reconcilers -- $28.27/hour
Arbitrators, mediators and reconcilers decide or recommend resolutions, penalties and liabilities on claims regarding legal matters.
Annual salary: $58,790
Growth through 2016: 11 percent
Industry: Legal

9. Urban and regional planners -- $28.33/hour
Urban and regional planners develop plans and programs for land use and physical facilities in towns, cities, counties and metropolitan areas.
Annual salary: $58,940
Growth through 2016: 15 percent
Industry: Life, physical and social sciences

10. Loan officers -- $29.77/hour
Loan officers approve various types of credit loans and advise borrowers on financial status and methods of payments.
Annual salary: $61,930
Growth through 2016: 11 percent
Industry: Business and financial operations

More $20 an hour jobs:
- Clergy -- $20.70/hour
- Gas pumping station operators -- $21. 52/hour
- Electricians -- $22.41/hour
- Dietitians and nutritionists -- $23.02/hour
- Appraisers of real estate -- $24.57/hour
- Editors -- $25.59/hour
- Public relations specialists -- $25.85/hour
- Zoologists and wildlife biologists -- $26.98/hour
- Food scientists -- $28.49/hour
- Detectives and criminal investigators -- $29.03/hour


*All wages and salaries are mean averages provided by the BLS.


Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Copyright 2008 CareerBuilder.com. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
Story Filed Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 12:24 PM