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12 Jobs Paying Over $20 an Hour That Are Open to Applicants With Little to No Experience

A licensing exam or short certificate, not a diploma, is usually the requirement.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Aug. 10, 2026

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The median hourly wage across every occupation the government tracks was $24.51 as of the most recent BLS data. That's the median, the point where half of all workers earn more and half earn less. The $32 to $33 figure sometimes cited as "typical" is actually the average, pulled upward by a relatively small number of high earners.

Against the real median, $20 an hour isn't a stretch, and a dozen BLS-tracked jobs clear it, several by a wide margin, without asking for a four-year degree or prior related work experience.

Many of these paths suit a career-changer or someone re-entering the workforce, and a few could even help pay for your rent while training for something better.

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

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Occupational therapy assistant

Median hourly wage: $34.76

Occupational therapy assistants help patients recovering from injury, illness, or disability relearn everyday skills, working under a therapist's supervision in hospitals, schools, and rehab clinics.

An associate's degree from an accredited program covers the entry requirement, plus a licensing exam in most states. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary. The two-year program itself is the preparation.

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Physical therapist assistant

Median hourly wage: $32.88

Physical therapist assistants guide patients through exercises a physical therapist prescribes, helping people rebuild strength and mobility after surgery, injury, or illness.

An associate's degree from an accredited program covers the entry requirement, followed by a licensing exam in most states. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary to start.

Surgical technologist

Median hourly wage: $31.08

Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms, sterilize instruments, and hand tools to surgeons mid-procedure, work at the center of every operation.

A postsecondary certificate or associate's degree in surgical technology covers the entry requirement, plus certification in many states. BLS lists no prior experience as necessary before starting.

Massage therapist

Median hourly wage: $28.10

Massage therapists treat clients by manipulating muscles and soft tissue, working in spas, chiropractic offices, and physician practices.

A postsecondary certificate program covers the entry requirement, plus a state license or certification almost everywhere. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary to start.

Solar photovoltaic installer

Median hourly wage: $25.55

Solar photovoltaic installers assemble, mount, and wire the panel systems that convert sunlight into electricity, physical outdoor work tied to one of the fastest-growing fields BLS tracks.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, and most installers learn through employer training or a short technical program rather than a degree. BLS lists no prior experience as necessary.

Public safety telecommunicator

Median hourly wage: $25.50

Public safety telecommunicators answer 911 calls and dispatch police, fire, and medical help, fast-paced work handled entirely from a desk and headset.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement, and training happens on the job, often followed by state certification. BLS lists no prior experience as necessary to apply.

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Automotive service technician

Median hourly wage: $24.34

Automotive service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks, diagnosing problems with hand tools and shop computers.

A postsecondary program in automotive technology is typical, though some enter with just a high school diploma and learn on the job. BLS lists no prior experience as necessary, and certification usually comes after hire.

Dental assistant

Median hourly wage: $23.11

Dental assistants prepare patients and instruments, take X-rays, and keep records for a dentist in a dental office.

Requirements vary by state; some require a postsecondary certificate and exam, while others allow dental assistants to learn entirely on the job. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary either way.

Veterinary technologist or technician

Median hourly wage: $22.78

Veterinary technologists and technicians run lab tests, take X-rays, and assist veterinarians treating animals in clinics and animal hospitals.

An associate's degree in veterinary technology covers the entry requirement, followed by a credentialing exam in most states. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary to start.

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Medical assistant

Median hourly wage: $21.97

Medical assistants take vital signs, prepare patients for exams, and handle administrative tasks in physician offices and outpatient clinics.

A postsecondary certificate covers the typical entry path, though some medical assistants learn entirely on the job with just a high school diploma. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary.

Phlebotomist

Median hourly wage: $21.75

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, and donations, precise work in hospitals, labs, and blood donation centers.

A postsecondary certificate program, often just a few months long, covers the entry requirement, plus certification in some states. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary to start.

Pharmacy technician

Median hourly wage: $22

Pharmacy technicians fill prescriptions, manage inventory, and handle customer transactions under a pharmacist's supervision.

A high school diploma covers the entry requirement in most states, plus a certification exam. BLS lists no prior work experience as necessary; training happens on the job or through a short program.

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Bottom line

None of these 12 jobs requires a four-year degree or prior related work experience, but "no experience" rarely means no preparation. Most substitute a licensing exam, a short certificate program, or on-the-job training for a resume, a structured route rather than a shortcut.

Watch for postings that skip that structure: Six-figure pay for zero training, interviews conducted only through a chat app, or any request for money upfront are signs of a scam, not an opportunity.

Pick one path, look up your state's licensing or certification requirement, and treat the short training investment as the on-ramp to a durable wage, worth exploring alongside other ways to get ahead financially while you train.

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