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Not every high-paying job is full of exciting, nonstop action. While those high-profile and action-packed jobs like airplane pilot or surgeon get all the notoriety, there are plenty of more mundane jobs that pay well and allow you to quietly build wealth.
These are roles focused on the backend of a company that the public doesn't see. Things like research and development and more managerial roles, rather than public-facing jobs like a C-suite executive. Learn more about some not-so-glamorous jobs that pay an average of $70 or more per hour.
Editor's note: All salary, requirements, and growth figures data are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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Financial manager
Median hourly salary: $77.44
This role will see you managing all aspects of a company's financial health. That means using data-driven insights to create detailed forecasts and budgets to help the company continue to grow.
The BLS projects that this profession will grow by 15% over the next decade, indicating strong demand for reliable workers. A bachelor's degree in finance or a related field is required to get started in this career path.
Lawyer
Median hourly salary: $72.67
Once you have a law degree and you've passed your state's Bar Exam, you'll have a wide variety of options to make good money. From serving as legal counsel to running your own firm, you'll be neck-deep in legal research, drafting documents, working on settlements, and appearing in court.
Keep in mind that many legal professionals don't step into the courtroom, so a lot of the work in this profession isn't as glamorous as you might think.
IT manager
Median hourly salary: $82.31
In this role, you'll oversee your organization's tech infrastructure — especially its internal networks. That includes planning upgrade cycles, protecting systems from security threats, and evaluating new tools that could support future projects.
Demand is expected to grow roughly 15% over the next decade, making it a strong field to enter. Most people start with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.
Marketing manager
Median hourly salary: $76.76
As the manager of a marketing team, you'll help assess the interest level in your company's products and how to boost consumer engagement. Some common tasks may include doing a deep dive into the data to study market trends, analyzing customer behavior, and identifying what messaging will resonate.
This job is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade, well above the national average.
Architectural and engineering manager
Median hourly salary: $80.64
In this role, you'll lead teams of architects, engineers, and technical staff to plan and execute complex projects by coordinating timelines, budgets, and resources while solving high-level design or engineering challenges while meeting safety standards, building codes, and client expectations.
This profession is expected to grow around 4% over the next 10 years. A degree in engineering or architecture is required, and typically, a master's degree is needed to move up into upper management roles.
Natural sciences manager
Median hourly salary: $77.49
A natural sciences manager oversees teams of scientists working in research and development across fields like biology, chemistry, and environmental science. They coordinate projects, manage budgets, and keep studies on track to meet organizational goals.
They also interpret findings, maintain safety and compliance, and help shape scientific strategy. The field is expected to grow about 4% over the next decade. Most managers have an advanced degree in a natural science plus hands-on lab experience.
Computer hardware engineer
Median hourly salary: $77.49
These engineers design and build the hardware inside our computers — CPUs, memory, circuit boards, and other core components. Most work happens in research labs, where new ideas are tested and refined before they hit the market.
The field is projected to grow about 7%, fueled by the demand for faster chips to power AI. A bachelor's in computer science or hardware engineering is the standard path in, though hands-on hardware experience helps.
Bottom line
These jobs may not be flashy, but the strong salaries and reliable paychecks make them hard to overlook. They might not deliver daily thrills, but they do lower your financial stress — making them worthwhile.
As these careers continue to grow, there's a real opportunity for anyone ready to make a move. If you've been thinking about a change, there's no better time to take that next step.
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