You might be asking the question, “How much is 30 dollars an hour, and can you live off it yearly? This post will go into more details about how much 30 dollars is an hour and if you can actually live off it.
To properly manage your finances, it’s best to know how much you make annually if your job pays $30 an hour. You’ll also know if it’s practical to live off of it. When job hunting, what motivates a jobseeker to apply for a position is most likely the starting salary.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income of workers in the private sector is $30 per hour. So, is it worth taking a job that pays $30 an hour? You probably want to know how much you’ll take home after taxes.
This guide will cover how much $30 adds up to in a year. We’ll also look at the jobs that pay $30 an hour.
Table of Contents
How Much Is $30 an Hour?
$30 an hour translates to $62,400 annually. How? Assuming you work 8 hours each day, five days per week, you would put in 40 hours per week at your job. Multiplying the weekly hours by $30 gives you your weekly income. That simple!
Here’s the math:
- 40 hours x $30 = $1,200
In one year, there are 52 weeks. So to calculate your annual income, multiply your weekly wages by 52 weeks.
- $1200 x 52 = $62,400
So, your taxable income at the end of every year would be $62,400.
How Can I Make 30 Dollars an Hour?
Most employers offering $30 an hour are looking for someone with proficiency and some experience on the job. Your resume certainly needs to impress your potential employer to get a job that pays $30 an hour.
While some industries pay their entry-level employees $30 an hour, most will require you to have some little experience. You can hire a professional CV writer to ensure your resume stands out and gets you the job. We’ll discuss some of these jobs in this article.
Can You Get Paid 30 Dollars an Hour?
Employees holding various positions in the private sector earn $30 per hour. Attracting this hourly rate is not challenging if you have some marketable skills. Some of the most common jobs that $30 an hour or more are in fields such as commerce, construction, finance, education, and healthcare. With some relevant experience and certification, you can land such jobs.
Remote positions in this pay range include telehealth nurses, freelance editors, virtual assistants, and affiliate marketing managers. A quick search on reputable job sites like Indeed and LinkedIn will give you insights into jobs that pay $30 an hour.
30 Dollars an Hour Is How Much a Year?
Let’s assume you’ll work 52 weeks a year. Most jobs in the United States require you to work 40 hours a week. So, multiplying 52 weeks x 40 hours amounts to 2,080 working hours in a year.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 52 (weeks) x 40 (hours)= 2,080 hours
- 2,080 hours x $30 per hour= $62,400
$62,400 would be your annual wage before taxes. To be more precise about how much you’ll make in a certain year, you need to count the actual working days.
For this, subtract all public holidays and your days off. Assuming you don’t work on weekends and public holidays, you would have 250 working days in 2022.
How Much Is $30 an Hour After Taxes?
With an annual income of $62,400, you can expect to pay about 22% to 30% of your income as tax. Tax rates vary in every state. In this case, we’ll assume a tax rate of 22%.
- 22% of $62,400 =13,728
- $62400 – $13,728 = $48,672
If you make $30 an hour, $48,672 will be your take-home income per year if we deduct the taxes. You can find out how much is deductible from your hourly income here.
How Much Is $30 an Hour per Day?
The average working hours of an employee in the United States is 8 hours. So multiplying your hourly rate of $30 by 8 hours equals $240, which is your daily income before taxes.
- Daily income: $30 x 8 hours = $240
How Much Is $30 an Hour per Week?
Working 8 hours a day, five days a week, implies that you work for 40 hours every week. In a week, you will make $1200 before taxes.
- Weekly income: $1200 ($30 x 40 hours)
How Much Is $30 an Hour Bi-Weekly?
If you get paid every two weeks, you make $2,400 before taxes.
Here’s the breakdown:
- $30 x 8 hours daily = $240
- $240 x 10 days = $2400
$2,400 is the exact bi-weekly figure to expect if you work five days per week.
How Much Is $30 an Hour per Month?
Working 40 hours a week at a rate of $30 an hour gives you a monthly gross income of $5,200. You get this by dividing your annual income by the number of months in one year.
Here’s how:
Monthly salary: $5200 (62400÷ 12)
Is 30 Dollars an Hour Good?
$30 an hour is good for a careful spender. It is possible to manage this income if you live within your means and have no recurring debt. You can also take on extra shifts to supplement your income. Remember that the more hours you work, the more you’ll earn.
If you work an additional two hours daily, you will earn $60, which translates to an additional $1200 monthly. With a reasonable budget and low expenses, $30 an hour is a good wage.
Can You Buy a House if You Make 30 dollars an Hour?
You can buy a house when working 40 hours a week at $30 an hour. All you need is a down payment and a monthly payment plan. The down payment for an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan ranges from 3.5% to 5%. How much house you can afford depends on how much you can set aside for the monthly payment.
Generally, mortgages tend to favor first-time house buyers. Lenders use the debt to income ratio (DTI) to determine whether you qualify for a mortgage. Don’t use more than 28% of your gross income on housing expenses and 36% of your income on total debt.
The debt-to-income ratio takes into account your mortgage, insurance, car loans, student loans, and other debts. If you are debt free or have a good debt profile, you can qualify for a house.
Can You Live off $30 an Hour?
Earning $30 an hour puts you above the average wage in the US. Depending on your state, this money is enough to pay rent, bills, and savings. Consider living in a state with moderately priced houses like Indiana, Texas, or Georgia. Also, put into consideration any debt you have and your recurring expenses.
Creating a realistic budget including all these expenses will help you prioritize important stuff. However, if you’re constantly late on payments and bills, it’s time to consider cutting down on luxuries or looking for a side hustle.
Is $30 an Hour Good for a Teenager?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a teen in the United States is $18.50 per hour. According to the survey, a teenager’s highest wage is $30.29. Massachusetts and California rank among the best paying cities for teen jobs. Given that most teens live in their parent’s house and have few expenses, $30 an hour is a decent wage for a teenager.
Tips To Live Off of $30 an Hour
- Create a Budget
A budget helps you live within your means and can lead you to financial freedom. You can avoid overspending by setting limits on your spending. This way, you won’t get into credit card debt.
Most people who don’t budget max out their credit cards and end up in massive debt. Making a budget helps you save for big purchases, such as a car or house, and prepare for the future.
- Pay Off Debt
Carrying debt often deters us from our financial goals. When you pay off your debts, put more money in your emergency fund and try making investments. You can employ either the debt avalanche or debt snowball strategy if you have several debts.
Debt avalanche prioritizes offsetting high-interest loans. With this method, you can save the money you would have spent on loan interest. Using the debt snowball method, you pay off your loans faster by starting with the ones with the smallest balances.
- Pick Up an Additional Side Hustle if 30 dollars an Hour Isn’t Enough
One of the best ways to supplement your income is to get a side hustle. Working a remote side hustle is simple and lets you work at your convenient time. Some of the best-paying remote jobs include tutoring, blogging, and web design.
- Cut Down on Unnecessary Expenses
There are several effective ways to cut costs. One way is to list things you need to buy before going to the store. A shopping list prevents impulse purchases by ensuring you only buy what you need. Include some groceries on your list.
It’s always cheaper to cook at home than to eat out. Also, re-evaluate your monthly recurring bills and cancel those you don’t use. These include gym memberships, cable TV, and premiums.
Where Can I Make at Least 30 dollars an Hour?
There are a couple of jobs that pay $30 per hour. They are primarily professional jobs that require certifications and highly skilled workers. Some companies do not list a college degree as one of the requirements.
Nevertheless, you will have to undergo training to familiarize yourself with the job duties. If you are willing to go to school to earn a certification, that will be an added advantage. Some training courses are offered online and typically take a few months.
Here are a few jobs that pay at least $30 an hour:
Jobs That Pay $30 Hour
1. Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants are licensed, medical professionals. They work with doctors to diagnose and treat illnesses. In some states, they also perform minor surgeries and incisions as part of the surgical team.
Academic credentials: Master’s degree
Average pay: $52 per hour
2. Radiologic technologists
Radiologic technologists are health care professionals who perform diagnostic imaging procedures. The procedures include X-ray examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Academic credentials: Associate’s degree
Average pay: $30 per hour
3. Dental hygienist
A dental hygienist performs routine oral care during a patient’s dental appointment. Dental hygienists’ roles include examining patients for oral diseases like cavities, bad breath, and gingivitis. They also provide preventive care and educate patients about oral hygiene.
Academic credentials: Associate’s degree
Average pay: $35 per hour
4. Speech-language pathologists
These specialists help children and adults with speech and language problems. They diagnose and treat various conditions, such as dysarthria (slowed or slurred speech), dysphagia (feeding and swallowing disorder), and stuttering.
Academic credentials: Master’s degree
Average pay: $39 per hour
5. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
These makeup artists work on movie sets and theaters to enhance performers’ looks to fit a movie role and scene. This position requires creativity and exceptional skill.
Academic credentials: Post-secondary certificate
Average pay: $30 per hour
6. Respiratory Therapists
A respiratory therapist examines and cares for patients with breathing difficulties and respiratory disorders. This occupation ranks among the 100 best jobs in the US due to its promising job prospects and good pay.
Academic credentials: Associate’s degree
Average pay: $35 per hour
How to Budget When You Make 30 dollars an Hour
With an hourly wage of $30, creating a budget is essential. Below is a sample budget of a person earning $30 per hour. Let’s assume they take home $4056 per month after taxes.
We’ll use the 70/20/10 rule to split the income into various categories. 70% goes to monthly expenses. These include housing, utilities, shopping, and other recurring costs. 20% will be allocated to saving or debt repayments, if any. 10% goes to tithe and gifts.
Using this budget template, you will be able to track your expenses. Use your monthly after-tax income for your calculations, as this will be the money you take home.
70/20/10 Monthly Budget Sample
|
Monthly Expenses |
Amount |
|
Rent/ Mortgage |
$1216 |
|
Utilities |
$200 |
|
Car payment |
$400 |
|
Car insurance |
$130 |
|
Groceries |
$400 |
|
Entertainment |
$294 |
|
Tithe/ Givings |
$405 |
|
Savings/ Debt repayment |
$811 |
|
Misc |
$200 |
Final Thoughts On 30 dollars an Hour Per Year
Living on $30 an hour is possible with a budget and wise spending habits. However, living in an expensive state would be impractical for this salary range. Apart from housing, several other factors influence the average cost of living in a given area.
These include taxes, food, transportation costs, and access to good health care services. Getting a side hustle is the best way to go if you want to supplement your income. With time, you could even turn it into a profitable full-time business.