Let’s get real here. Not everyone’s cut out to be a lawyer or doctor, nor do you need to be one to earn a respectable paycheck. There are plenty of gigs out there paying more than decent wages—far beyond what you might expect, and they come with some sweet perks too.
If you’re savvy with your finances, you can carve out a comfortable existence in any of these fields, sidestepping the soul-crushing debt often associated with higher education.
For this enlightening journey, I’ve cherry-picked jobs notorious for their supposedly meager earnings, yet surprisingly, they all dish out at least $15 an hour. Stick around as we debunk myths about 12 jobs you thought were underpaying but are actually gold mines.
1. **Housekeeper**
Look, housekeeping isn’t glamorous, and it’s often sneered at. But let me tell you, it can be a goldmine. Take it from my best friend’s mom: raking in over a grand weekly with tips after decades in the business, and she’s not quitting anytime soon.
2. **Writer**
Starving artist? Please, spare me. As a writer, I’m here to tell you that’s a bunch of baloney. The writing world is lush with lucrative opportunities—from crafting snappy product descriptions to spinning tales in best-selling novels.
3. **Janitor**
Don’t be duped by the title. Janitors can earn a pretty penny. Sure, you won’t be a millionaire, but with a comfy salary and benefits, it’s nothing to scoff at. A buddy’s parent retired from sweeping school halls without financial worry.
4. **Nurse**
I had it all wrong about nurses until my other half dove into nursing school. Turns out, they make bank! LPNs haul in around $33.23 an hour, and it only takes a year to get certified.
5. **Sanitation Worker**
Essential, yet underrated. Whether they’re keeping our parks clean or streets tidy, these folks earn a solid $17.88 on average in the U.S. Not too shabby for keeping our communities pristine, right?
6. **Principal**
Teachers may get the short end of the stick, but principals? They’re sitting pretty with an average salary topping $113,000 annually. That’s almost $9,500 a month pre-tax!
7. **Fast Food Manager**
Next time you scoff at a fast-food job, remember this: managers can make upwards of $60,000. Climbing to regional manager might just be the career spice-up you crave.
8. **Bus Driver**
Ever thought of driving a bus? Well, with a starting wage of $20 an hour and a dire need for drivers, it might just be your next calling. Especially if you can handle a busload of kids while navigating traffic.
9. **Pest Control**
Trust me, never underestimate the relief a skilled pest controller can bring. And they’re compensated well for their heroics, earning about $19.57 an hour.
10. **Apartment Maintenance Technician**
Here’s a personal bias—I never knew maintenance techs made such good money until my husband joined their ranks. With over $20 an hour on the paycheck and room for growth, it’s a solid pick.
11. **Phlebotomist**
Once thought to be a low-wage job, I can personally vouch for phlebotomy as a lucrative stepping stone in healthcare, starting at $19 an hour.
12. **Legal Videographer**
Ever heard of this niche? Legal videographers are the unseen heroes in courtrooms and crime scenes, pulling in more than $70,000 annually.
So, next time you’re contemplating a career pivot or just starting out, think beyond the conventional. These 12 roles aren’t just jobs; they’re unexpected treasure troves waiting to be discovered.
