Is $30 an Hour a Good Salary? A Comprehensive 2024 Guide

Earning $30 an hour is a significant financial milestone for many professionals. It translates to an annual gross income of over $60,000, placing you comfortably above the national median wage and opening doors to financial stability and growth. But what does it really mean to earn this amount, what jobs pay this rate, and how can you reach this income level?

This guide will break down a $30 per hour salary, explore the key factors that influence your earning potential, and provide a data-driven look at the career paths that can get you there.

Breaking Down a $30 an Hour Salary

First, let's translate that hourly rate into figures you can use for budgeting and financial planning. Assuming a standard 40-hour workweek and 52 weeks in a year, a $30 an hour salary works out to:

• Annual Gross Salary: $30/hour x 40 hours/week x 52 weeks/year = $62,400 per year
• Monthly Gross Salary: $62,400 / 12 months = $5,200 per month
• Weekly Gross Salary: $30/hour x 40 hours = $1,200 per week

It's important to remember these figures are pre-tax. Your final take-home pay (net pay) will be lower after federal, state, and local taxes, as well as deductions for things like health insurance, retirement contributions (like a 401(k)), and other benefits.

What Kinds of Jobs Pay $30 an Hour?

A $30/hour wage is not exclusive to one industry; it's an income level accessible through various career paths, often requiring a specific skill set, level of education, or certification. This rate can be a starting salary for some professional roles or a mid-career wage for others.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and salary aggregators like Salary.com and Glassdoor, here are some examples of professions where earning $30 an hour (approximately $62,400/year) is common:

• Registered Nurse (RN): While the median pay for RNs is higher, many entry-level or early-career nurses in certain states start in this range. The BLS reports the median pay for RNs was $81,220 per year in May 2022, indicating strong growth potential.
• Electrician: Skilled trades are a reliable path to solid earnings. The BLS notes the median pay for electricians was $60,240 per year in May 2022, placing it right at the $30/hour mark.
• Web Developer: In the tech field, an entry-level or junior web developer can often command this salary. Payscale reports the average entry-level salary for a web developer is around $61,000 per year.
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant: These professionals are crucial to the legal industry. The BLS found their median pay to be $59,200 per year in May 2022.
• HVACR Technician: Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are in constant demand. Their median pay, per the BLS, was $57,460 per year in May 2022.
• Content Manager or Marketing Specialist: In the corporate world, professionals with a few years of experience in marketing or digital content can readily achieve this salary. Salary.com shows the average salary for a Marketing Specialist II is around $65,500 per year.

Key Factors That Influence Salary

Reaching—and exceeding—the $30 per hour mark often depends on a combination of factors. Understanding these drivers is key to maximizing your earning potential.

### Level of Education

Education is a foundational element of your career trajectory. While a four-year degree is not always necessary, some form of post-secondary education or training is typically required for jobs in this pay bracket.

• Associate's Degree or Certification: Many roles in healthcare (e.g., Radiologic Technologist) and skilled trades (e.g., Automotive Service Technician) become accessible with an associate's degree or a specialized certification program, paving the way for $30/hour earnings.
• Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree unlocks a wide array of professional jobs in business, tech, marketing, and more, often with starting salaries approaching or exceeding $30/hour. According to the BLS, workers with a bachelor's degree have significantly higher median weekly earnings than those with only a high school diploma.

### Years of Experience

Experience is one of the most powerful levers for increasing your income.

• Entry-Level (0-2 years): For some professions like software engineering or nursing, $30/hour can be an entry-level wage. For others, like administrative roles, it may take a few years to reach this level.
• Mid-Career (3-8 years): This is often the sweet spot where professionals combine proven skills with experience to command higher salaries. A graphic designer who started at $22/hour might reasonably expect to earn $30/hour or more after several years in the industry.
• Senior-Level (8+ years): At this stage, professionals in a $30/hour field should be aiming to surpass it significantly by taking on leadership, management, or highly specialized responsibilities.

### Geographic Location

Where you live and work has a massive impact on your salary and, more importantly, your purchasing power. A $30/hour salary in a low-cost-of-living area like Omaha, Nebraska, will stretch much further than the same salary in a high-cost city like San Francisco or New York.

For example, according to Payscale's Cost of Living Calculator, a salary of $62,400 in Omaha provides a similar standard of living to a salary of over $130,000 in San Francisco. Companies adjust their pay scales based on local market rates, so it's crucial to research the average salaries for your target role in your specific city or region.

### Company Type

The type of organization you work for can also influence your pay.

• Startups: May offer lower base salaries but compensate with equity or stock options.
• Large Corporations (Fortune 500): Often have more structured salary bands, comprehensive benefits, and higher overall compensation packages.
• Non-Profit Organizations: Tend to have tighter budgets and may offer lower pay compared to for-profit companies in the same field.
• Government: Federal, state, and local government jobs typically offer competitive salaries with excellent benefits and job security, often aligning with the $30/hour range for many professional roles.

### Industry and Specialization

Finally, the industry you're in matters. A project manager in the construction industry may have a different salary range than one in the IT industry. Within a field, specializations can dramatically increase your value. For example, a generalist web developer may earn $30/hour, while a developer specializing in a high-demand area like cloud security or AI integration could command a significantly higher rate.

Job Outlook

The future looks bright for many of the professions that pay in the $30/hour range. The demand for skilled labor, healthcare professionals, and technology experts continues to grow.

Citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2022-2032 projections:

• Registered Nurses: Employment is projected to grow 6% ("faster than average"), with about 177,400 openings projected each year.
• Electricians: Employment is projected to grow 6% ("faster than average"), driven by new construction and alternative energy sources like solar and wind.
• Web Developers and Digital Designers: This field is projected to grow by 16% ("much faster than average"), highlighting the immense demand for digital skills.

These strong growth rates indicate that pursuing a career path leading to a $30/hour wage offers not just a respectable income but also long-term job security and opportunities for advancement.

Conclusion

A salary of $30 an hour, or $62,400 per year, is a solid, achievable, and respectable income in the United States. It represents a level of financial health that can support a comfortable lifestyle in most parts of the country.

For those aspiring to reach this level, the key takeaways are:

1. Be Strategic: Identify industries and roles with strong demand and good earning potential.

2. Invest in Skills: Whether through a degree, certification, or on-the-job training, specialized skills are your ticket to higher pay.

3. Gain Experience: Build a strong track record and don't be afraid to leverage it for promotions or new opportunities.

4. Consider Location: Understand the relationship between salary and cost of living in your area to make informed career and life decisions.

Ultimately, earning $30 an hour is more than just a number—it's a launchpad for building a financially secure and professionally fulfilling life.