Besides researching job opportunities and working on your résumé, one of the most important parts of a job search is knowing the needs of your budget and the types of jobs that will meet those needs.
If a job that earns $15 an hour is the right fit for your budget and
lifestyle, check out these 15 jobs, all of which earn about $15 an hour
and require varying levels of work experience and education.
1. Agricultural and food science technician*
Job description: Under the supervision of scientists, agricultural and food science technicians measure and analyze the quality of food and agricultural products.
Typical education level: Associates degree
Median hourly pay: $15.75
Job description: Under the supervision of scientists, agricultural and food science technicians measure and analyze the quality of food and agricultural products.
Typical education level: Associates degree
Median hourly pay: $15.75
2. Bill and account collector
Job description: Bill and account collectors, sometimes called collectors, try to recover payment on overdue bills. They negotiate repayment plans with debtors and help them find solutions to make paying their overdue bills easier.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.05
Job description: Bill and account collectors, sometimes called collectors, try to recover payment on overdue bills. They negotiate repayment plans with debtors and help them find solutions to make paying their overdue bills easier.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.05
3. Dental assistant
Job description: Dental assistants have many tasks, ranging from patient care to record keeping, in a dental office. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $16.09
Job description: Dental assistants have many tasks, ranging from patient care to record keeping, in a dental office. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $16.09
4. Dispensing optician
Job description: Dispensing opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also help customers decide which eyeglass frames or type of contact lenses to buy.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.84
Job description: Dispensing opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also help customers decide which eyeglass frames or type of contact lenses to buy.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.84
5. Fitness trainer and instructor
Job description: Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise (exercises for the heart and blood system), strength training and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $14.95
Job description: Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise (exercises for the heart and blood system), strength training and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $14.95
6. Home entertainment equipment installer and repairer
Job description: Home entertainment equipment installers and repairers set up and fix household audio and video equipment, such as televisions, stereo components and home theater systems.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.84
Job description: Home entertainment equipment installers and repairers set up and fix household audio and video equipment, such as televisions, stereo components and home theater systems.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.84
7. Medical records and health information technician
Job description: Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.
Typical education level: Associate degree
Median hourly pay: $15.55
Job description: Medical records and health information technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, for databases and registries and to maintain patients’ medical and treatment histories.
Typical education level: Associate degree
Median hourly pay: $15.55
8. Medical transcriptionist
Job description: Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings that physicians and other health professionals make and convert them into written reports. They interpret medical terminology and abbreviations in preparing patients’ medical histories, discharge summaries and other documents.
Typical education level: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median hourly pay: $15.82
Job description: Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings that physicians and other health professionals make and convert them into written reports. They interpret medical terminology and abbreviations in preparing patients’ medical histories, discharge summaries and other documents.
Typical education level: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median hourly pay: $15.82
9. Metal and plastic machine worker
Job description: Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.34
Job description: Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.34
10. Painting and coating worker
Job description: Painting and coating workers paint and coat a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry and candy.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $14.99
Job description: Painting and coating workers paint and coat a wide range of products, including cars, jewelry and candy.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $14.99
11. Printing worker
Job description: Printing workers produce print material in three stages: prepress, press and binding and finishing. They review specifications, identify and fix problems with printing equipment and assemble pages.
Typical education level: Associates degree
Median hourly pay: $15.94
Job description: Printing workers produce print material in three stages: prepress, press and binding and finishing. They review specifications, identify and fix problems with printing equipment and assemble pages.
Typical education level: Associates degree
Median hourly pay: $15.94
12. Quality control inspector
Job description: Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from manufacturers’ or industry specifications.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.88
Job description: Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from manufacturers’ or industry specifications.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.88
13. Rehabilitation counselor
Job description: Rehabilitation counselors help people with emotional and physical disabilities live independently. They help their clients overcome personal, social and professional effects of disabilities as they relate to employment or independent living.
Typical education level: Master’s degree
Median hourly pay: $15.55
Job description: Rehabilitation counselors help people with emotional and physical disabilities live independently. They help their clients overcome personal, social and professional effects of disabilities as they relate to employment or independent living.
Typical education level: Master’s degree
Median hourly pay: $15.55
14. Small engine mechanic
Job description: Small engine mechanics inspect, service and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats or outdoor power equipment.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.29
Job description: Small engine mechanics inspect, service and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats or outdoor power equipment.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.29
15. Travel agent
Job description: Travel agents sell transportation, lodging and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups who are planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries and make travel arrangements for clients.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.32
Job description: Travel agents sell transportation, lodging and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups who are planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries and make travel arrangements for clients.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $15.32