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12 'Boring' Jobs That Secretly Pay $35+ an Hour (And Are Desperate for Workers)

These may not be the most glamorous roles, but they can reward the right candidates.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Sept. 1, 2026

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Some of the best-paying jobs in the country are also some of the most forgettable on paper. Nobody dreams of becoming a boiler operator or a compensation analyst, but a long list of unglamorous roles pay $35 an hour or more precisely because so few people want to do them.

Every job below is backed by live BLS wage and growth data, and $35 an hour is presented as an attainable rate once someone is trained and certified, not a guaranteed starting wage. Getting into one of these fields could genuinely earn extra money without chasing a trendy title. Here is what each role involves, what it pays, and why it's struggling to hire.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Nuclear power reactor operator

Median hourly wage: $58.95

Nuclear power reactor operators monitor and control the equipment that runs a nuclear power plant, among the highest-paying jobs in the utility sector.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, and utilities train new hires from the ground up before licensing. The specialized nature of the work keeps the qualified pool thin.

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Power plant operator, distributor, or dispatcher

Median hourly wage: $49.81

These workers control the systems that generate and distribute electricity, monitoring equipment and adjusting output to match demand.

A high school diploma is typically enough to start, with long-term on-the-job training covering the rest. A wave of retirements is expected to open thousands of positions.

Electrical power-line installer or repairer

Median hourly wage: $44.50

Line installers and repairers put up and maintain the high-voltage lines and towers that carry electricity to homes and businesses.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, and the trade is learned through a paid apprenticeship. Storm response work is demanding enough that many who start the apprenticeship don't finish.

Occupational health and safety specialist

Median hourly wage: $40.34

Occupational health and safety specialists inspect workplaces for hazards and design procedures that keep workers safe, tedious documentation work with real stakes.

A bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety covers the entry requirement, with no prior experience listed as necessary. Demand is projected to grow 12% through 2034, much faster than average.

Insurance underwriter

Median hourly wage: $38.40

Insurance underwriters review applications for coverage and decide whether, and on what terms, to approve them, desk-based work most people never think about.

A bachelor's degree, often in business, covers the entry requirement, with no prior experience listed as necessary. The field is shrinking slightly as software absorbs routine underwriting, though openings remain from retirements.

Aircraft mechanic or avionics technician

Median hourly wage: $38.05

Aircraft mechanics inspect, maintain, and repair the airframes, engines, and electronics that keep planes flying, unglamorous work most passengers never see.

FAA certification covers the entry requirement, earned through a training program rather than a college degree. Demand is projected to grow faster than average as the workforce ages toward retirement.

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Compensation, benefits, or job analysis specialist

Median hourly wage: $37.03

These specialists research pay and benefits programs, comparing an organization's compensation against the market and ensuring pay practices comply with the law.

A bachelor's degree plus some related experience covers the entry path. Demand is projected to grow 5% through 2034, faster than average, as pay transparency pressure grows.

Claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner, or investigator

Median hourly wage: $36.92

Claims adjusters evaluate insurance claims, inspecting damaged property or vehicles and deciding how much an insurer should pay.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, and BLS lists no prior experience as necessary. Auto damage appraising specifically prefers a postsecondary certificate.

Stationary engineer or boiler operator

Median hourly wage: $36.15

Stationary engineers and boiler operators run and maintain the boilers, generators, and mechanical systems that keep large buildings and plants operating.

Licensing requirements vary by state and city, and most engineers learn on the job while working toward a required license; that hurdle itself keeps new entrants slow.

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Loan officer

Median hourly wage: $35.66

Loan officers evaluate, authorize, and recommend approval of loan applications, walking applicants through the paperwork.

A high school diploma covers the entry point, and most training happens on the job. A bachelor's degree is common but not required, and pay often runs partly on commission.

Boilermaker

Median hourly wage: $35.26

Boilermakers assemble, install, and repair the large steel boilers, tanks, and pressure vessels that power industrial facilities, physically demanding work requiring travel.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, and the trade is learned through a multiyear apprenticeship. Few people choose a trade this demanding, which keeps the field short-staffed.

Media or communication worker

Median hourly wage: $35.70

This BLS category covers media and communication roles that don't fit neatly elsewhere, centered on producing or distributing content for broadcast, print, or digital outlets.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, with no prior experience listed as necessary. The median sits just around $35 an hour, though specialized roles within this category regularly clear it.

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Bottom line

None of these jobs pay $35 an hour for showing up untrained. The rate reflects a license, a certification, or an apprenticeship that most people skip past in favor of something that sounds more exciting. The fastest way in is usually the most boring-sounding one: a state license exam, an apprenticeship application, or a bachelor's degree in a field like safety or compensation that nobody talks about at parties.

That unglamorous path could genuinely build real wealth faster than waiting for a trendier opportunity to open up.

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