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10 'Boring' Jobs That Secretly Pay $72+ an Hour (And Are Desperate for Workers)

These surprisingly high-paying jobs are worth pursuing.

By Anna Armstrong

Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated Feb. 23, 2026

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Not every high-paying job comes with a flashy title or daily excitement. Some of the most lucrative roles quietly earn $72 an hour or more, enabling you to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck. From finance and tech to health care and sustainability, employers are scrambling to fill positions that demand skill, experience, and reliability.

Below, we break down 10 careers that pay over $72 hourly and are actively hiring, many in places you might never have expected.

Editor's note: Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unless otherwise stated.

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Lawyer

Median hourly wage: $72.67

Lawyers interpret laws, draft contracts, represent clients, and argue in court. Becoming one requires a law degree and passing your state's bar exam. About 31,500 openings appear each year across law firms, corporations, and government offices.

Despite the reputation for dramatic courtroom scenes, most legal work involves researching case history and managing detailed paperwork for hours at a time. That boring, mentally demanding routine comes with impressive pay.

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Financial manager

Median hourly wage: $77.74

Financial managers oversee budgets, guide investments, and ensure regulatory compliance. Most roles require a bachelor's degree and several years in accounting or financial analysis. Employment is projected to grow 15% through 2034, with openings at banks, investment firms, and large corporations.

Daily work often revolves around spreadsheets, forecasts, compliance reviews, and meetings about numbers. The structure can feel repetitive, but the responsibility for major financial decisions brings consistently high compensation.

Marketing manager

Median hourly wage: $80

Marketing managers plan campaigns, analyze performance data, and coordinate promotions. A bachelor's degree and prior marketing or sales experience are typical. Roughly 35,000 openings appear each year across retail, technology, and media companies.

While marketing sounds creative, much of the role involves reviewing metrics, adjusting budgets, and writing reports. The routine analysis behind the scenes is what makes the job feel methodical, even as salaries remain strong.

Physicist

Median hourly wage: $79.95

Physicists study matter, energy, and the laws that govern the universe, often working in government labs, universities, or advanced research organizations. Most research roles require a Ph.D., though some federal positions accept a bachelor's degree.

The work can feel quiet and repetitive, with long experiments, dense calculations, and slow-moving results. That deep specialization, however, continues to deliver stable demand and strong, reliable pay.

Architectural and engineering manager

Median hourly wage: $80.64

If you enjoy keeping complex projects on track, this role could be a fit. These managers oversee teams, review designs, and ensure safety and compliance. Most enter with a bachelor's degree and years of experience.

Employment is steady at 4%, with openings in construction firms, engineering consultancies, and government projects. Much of the role involves schedules, approvals, and regulatory paperwork, which can feel procedural.

Natural sciences manager

Median hourly wage: $77.49

These managers guide lab teams and coordinate research projects. Most have a science background with a bachelor's degree or higher. About 8,500 annual openings exist in biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, and government labs.

Much of the work involves writing reports, managing grants, and coordinating timelines rather than conducting experiments. Such an administrative focus might feel boring, but the combination of intellectual challenge and strong pay makes it rewarding.

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Nurse anesthetist

Median hourly wage: $102.24

Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia and monitor patients during procedures. A master's degree, state license, and national certification are required. Employment is booming at 35%, with 32,700 openings annually in hospitals, surgical centers, and specialty clinics.

Procedures follow strict clinical protocols and long hours in operating rooms. The predictable, highly controlled routine can feel repetitive, but the precision required explains the exceptionally high pay.

Blockchain engineer

Median hourly wage: $103 (Indeed)

Blockchain engineers design secure ledger systems, smart contracts, and decentralized applications. Most start with a bachelor's degree and hands-on IT or blockchain experience. There are 31,300 projected job openings, with high turnover keeping demand strong.

Daily work includes debugging code, running security tests, and maintaining complex systems. These detailed and repetitive technical tasks may feel monotonous, yet they place engineers in one of the highest-paid niches in technology.

Computer and information systems manager

Median hourly wage: $82.31

They run IT operations, maintain networks, and oversee software deployment. Most start with a bachelor's degree in computer science or IT and several years of experience. Employment is projected to grow by 15%, with 55,600 openings annually in tech companies, government agencies, and large corporations.

Much of the job involves troubleshooting issues, approving updates, and managing technical budgets. It may feel routine, but it supports strong and dependable salaries.

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Biofuels/Biodiesel technology and product development manager

Median hourly wage: $80.64 (O*NET OnLine)

These develop sustainable fuel processes, lead technical teams, and fine-tune production systems. A degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, or biotechnology plus industry experience is typically required. About 14,500 openings are projected annually with opportunities at renewable energy companies, government labs, and private research firms.

The role includes detailed testing, regulatory documentation, and careful data review. Its methodical pace may not feel exciting, yet it combines environmental impact with impressive income potential.

Bottom line

Many jobs across the finance, healthcare, tech, and engineering sectors quietly offer $70 to $200 an hour. These roles may seem routine, but demand is rising due to retirements, turnover, and labor shortages, creating real opportunities for skilled workers to make extra cash.

Pursuing retraining, certifications, or leadership experience in these areas can lower your financial stress while providing stability and impressive late-career earnings.

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