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10 ‘Boring’ Jobs That Secretly Pay $65+ an Hour (And Are Desperate for Workers)

These steady, under-the-radar, and in-demand roles offer at least $65 hourly.

By Summer Nevins

Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated Feb. 13, 2026

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A lot may come to mind when you think about high-paying jobs. You may picture long hours, intense competition, or a highly visible career. You may even get the impression that the job has to be "boring."

But the truth is that many roles that pay $65 or more per hour don't come with prestige or hype, and that's exactly why they're overlooked.

At the same time, many of these fields are facing worker shortages driven by retirements, licensing requirements, and fewer new entrants. As a result, employers are raising pay to attract qualified workers and creating lucrative opportunities for those willing to step outside trend-driven career paths.

Move beyond living paycheck to paycheck and consider exploring these 10 overlooked jobs that quietly pay $65+ an hour. See why demand is high, and what it takes to get hired.

Editor's note: All hourly wages are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Compensation and benefits managers

Median hourly wage: $67.48

When you think about a job in HR, the first word you think of may not be "exciting." But compensation and benefits managers have a lot on their plate, including designing and managing employee pay structures, benefits programs, and compliance with labor laws.

The role involves heavy analysis, policy work, and cross-department coordination rather than creative or public-facing tasks. As labor costs rise and regulations grow more complex, employers need compensation specialists, making these jobs always in demand.

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Architectural and engineering managers

Median hourly wage: $80.64

As the developed world expands, architectural and engineering managers remain in demand, with job growth happening as fast as average. They oversee technical teams, budgets, and project timelines rather than doing hands-on design work. The job is often administrative and compliance-heavy, which makes the qualified candidate pool a bit smaller.

You'll need a bachelor's degree at least. Ongoing infrastructure investment and an aging workforce have created steady demand, and as a result, strong hourly-equivalent pay.

Natural sciences managers

Median hourly wage: $77.49

Another job projected to grow as fast as the average is natural sciences managers. They supervise scientists and technical staff in labs, utilities, manufacturing, and government settings. The work centers on scheduling, regulatory compliance, and performance oversight.

Because the role requires both scientific expertise and management experience, hiring pipelines are limited, helping keep pay rates high. You'll also need at least a bachelor's degree, and you may likely have to start out as a scientist before taking on managerial tasks.

Computer and information research scientists

Median hourly wage: $67.74

We live in a world where technology is rapidly developing. So, it's no shock that computer and information research scientists are in high demand, with over 20% projected job growth.

These roles focus on advanced computing problems, algorithms, and systems research, rather than consumer-facing tech products. The work is often solitary and highly technical, which makes it less appealing to some job seekers. Typically, you have a master's degree to be a strong candidate and to enter this highly competitive field.

Air traffic controllers

Median hourly wage: $69.51

When you think boring, it's possible you think that air traffic controllers (ATC) fit the bill. But the truth is that an ATC's job is the furthest thing from boring. ATC's manage the flow of aircrafts to ensure safe takeoffs, landings, and routes.

Ongoing staffing shortages and extensive training requirements have kept wages and demand elevated, though you only need an Associate's degree to enter the field.

Petroleum engineers

Median hourly wage: $67.92

Petroleum engineers design and oversee methods for extracting oil and gas. The job is technical, cyclical, and often tied to remote or less desirable locations.

You'll need a bachelor's degree in engineering to enter the field. Fewer new graduates are entering the field, and fluctuating energy demand contributes to persistent hiring challenges, but very strong pay.

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Purchasing managers

Median hourly wage: $70.53

Purchasing managers oversee supply chains, negotiate contracts, and manage vendor relationships. The work is detail-heavy and process-driven rather than flashy. Supply chain disruptions and increased cost pressures have made experienced purchasing professionals all the more valuable.

Demand is expected to remain steady as companies prioritize cost control, supplier diversification, and supply chain resilience. Most roles require a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field, along with several years of purchasing or procurement experience.

Physicists

Median hourly wage: $79.95 per hour

If you fancy lots of education (you'll need a Ph.D typically) and love solving complex scientific problems, you may want to explore being a Physicist. They also conduct research and develop models, focusing on areas in government, academia, and private industry.

The work is typically abstract and slow-moving, which limits the candidate pool. The advanced education requirements and specialized expertise contribute to consistently high pay levels, and job growth remains consistent.

Nurse anesthetists

Median hourly wage: $102.98

Being a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is a high-paying, in-demand job. CRNA's provide anesthesia and pain management in hospitals, surgical centers, and outpatient clinics. The work is highly procedural, detail-oriented, and far from glamorous, but demand continues to outpace supply.

Retirements, lengthy training requirements, and expanding surgical needs have pushed pay well above $65 an hour in most markets.

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Human resources managers

Median hourly wage: $67.32

Coming full circle with HR roles: Human resources managers are well compensated. They oversee hiring, compensation, compliance, and employee relations, with much of the work focused on policy enforcement and documentation rather than strategy or visibility.

Growing regulatory complexity, evolving labor laws, and retirements among experienced professionals have kept demand steady, while most roles require a bachelor's degree and significant HR experience.

Bottom line

High-paying jobs don't always come with prestige or buzz, but they do help you build wealth. And many roles that pay $65 or more per hour are considered "boring" because they're structured, compliance-heavy, or highly specialized. But, those same "boring" traits often lead to stronger job security and consistent demand.

According to BLS data, several of these careers also have higher-than-average median worker ages, meaning retirements are expected to open up roles over the next decade. For workers willing to prioritize stability, training, and long-term earning power over glamour, these jobs could offer a reliable path to strong hourly pay.

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