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Minimum wage sets the bar for hourly work and gives us perspective on the low end of the pay scale. On the other end of the spectrum sits $100+ per hour jobs, which many of us find to be out of reach for any number of reasons. In many cases, achieving this high of an hourly rate is indicative of success, but it doesn’t have to be unobtainable.
If you want to earn $100 or more per hour and just aren’t sure what industry and/or position to get into to achieve this rate, you’re not alone. Jobs that pay $100 per hour are actually more common than you might think, though some of them do require specific skill sets in order to attain success.
Our guide includes a number of jobs you can do to earn $100 per hour, along with tips on how to increase your hourly rate as well. After reading through these job posts, you may find that the position you’ve been stuck in can be improved by redirecting your focus and setting your sights on a $100 per hour job that you can enjoy.
Are you ready to learn more about $100 per hour jobs and how you can earn more? Let’s get started.
Requirements for Jobs That Pay $100 an Hour
For a lot of folks, $100 per hour jobs just aren’t visible on the horizon. In some cases, this can be because we associate these types of jobs with college degrees, niche-specific skills, and a driving desire to strive for great heights.
While it might be true that most $100-an-hour jobs do require a few years of experience (try 5-10 in most cases) and a whole lot of hard work and dedication, you shouldn’t let the idea of a ceiling stop you from reaching for more. It’s all about how you approach this goal that dictates what your results will be.
For example, a doctor or lawyer might make $100 or more per hour after spending years learning and practicing. That said, an entrepreneur can achieve the same rate (or higher) with little to no experience. With the advent of a single product and record sales of said product, that entrepreneur’s hourly rate might skyrocket from $18 an hour to over $100 an hour in a short period of time.
Time is truly the factor here that most people don’t consider. Earning $100 an hour seems impressive at face value, but if you dig deeper, you might find the true hourly rate totals up differently.
For instance, a therapist may schedule $100 per hour meetings with her clients, but if she only works 15 hours per week, she’s not making the same amount as someone who works full-time at a $100 hourly rate. The amount of time you spend working factors into this $100 per hour rate, too.
Jobs That Pay $100 or More an Hour
The following positions pay $100 or more. Search your favorite job listings app with these titles to see what high-paying positions are open in your area.
Freelance Photographer
Photographing what you love can pay you up to $100 an hour with the right experience and clientele. Some of the highest freelance photographer rates are in New York and Boston, but many of these positions require anywhere from 5-10 years of experience.
Many commercial photographers specialize in graphic art and design as well, so they can earn money while not behind the camera specifically. Freelance photographers typically have to provide their own health and retirement benefits.
Arbitrator
Settling disputes out of court is a lucrative job for arbitrators. The top 10% of arbitrators earn over $100 per hour on average, but they typically come from a legal or business background. It’s critical that arbitrators remain neutral in their approach, but there are no standard requirements for an arbitrator across the nation.
Instead, many programs require 40-60 hours of mediation training to prepare arbitrators for their duties. As the court system continues to be backlogged, the need for arbitrators is expected to increase.
Saturation Diver
Also known as an “underwater welder,” saturation divers spend weeks at a time at depth beneath large bodies of water. These welders typically work 12-hour days repairing pipes for oil and gas companies, but they can earn anywhere from $900-$1,200 within that time period for such extreme hours and conditions.
If you’re claustrophobic, this position probably isn’t the right fit. Welders typically live in a hyperbaric chamber 700+ feet below the surface, so it’s not a job for the faint of heart.
Interior Designer
If you’re an interior designer in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Arlington, or San Jose, a $100 hourly rate is even more achievable with the clientele at your fingertips. At the same time, competition is high for interior designers.
Most interior designers offer services in terms of architectural, engineering, or other specialized form. You will benefit most from a bachelor’s degree in this field, and depending on the state you work in, you may need a license. At the same time, this field is expected to increase as more and more people remodel their homes.
Anesthesiologist
Family doctors might get the spotlight when it comes to earning $100 per hour, but anesthesiologists take quite a large piece of the pie as well. In fact, the national average salary for an anesthesiologist is $230,440 per year. This is in part due to the patient’s life in their hands (literally), with the other half dependent upon the anesthesiologist monitoring vital signs during surgery.
Hospital anesthesiologists tend to earn the most in this profession. As healthcare needs increase, the outlook for this position continues to be positive.
Tattoo Artist
Artists who love to make an impact on their clients can make a living as a tattoo artist. Tattoo artists typically don’t work 40 hours per week. Instead, they charge clients a per-tattoo rate that can be based on an hourly rate as well. For example, if a tattoo takes 5 hours, they may charge $450 or more for an hourly rate of $90.
There’s no formal education required to become a tattoo artist, although an affinity for drawing can be helpful. Many tattoo artists complete apprenticeships. The most successful tattoo artists are self-employed and may also offer piercing and clothing products on top of their tattooing services.
Parts Model
Modeling in general can land you contracts that are worth $100 per hour or more, but parts models can earn a pretty penny too. “Parts” in this case refers to the specific body part that is being modeled. Hand models are a common example of this type of work that could earn you $100 an hour or more, as long as you take care of that body part to continue landing jobs.
Interpreter
Speech is valuable, and so is knowing what other people are saying. Interpreters are one of the many areas where earning $100 per hour does require some education, especially if you plan on being a simultaneous interpreter who translates as the speaker talks.
In fact, simultaneous interpreters are often sought after for many different applications, from business meetings and transactions to court proceedings. Most simultaneous interpreters have a Master’s degree in interpretation and translation, as well as exceptional communication skills.
Software Engineer Manager
Technology evolves constantly and with that comes the opportunity to earn big bucks. Software engineer managers are those supervisors who overlook the creation, development, and management of software in practically any field. Extensive coding knowledge is required of this position, as well as a knack for managing technical minds in order to complete projects.
Political Speechwriter
In the age of ghostwriting, political speechwriters can earn a pretty penny, depending on how successful they are. Most political speechwriters charge per speech, so it’s not necessarily a full-time job unless you sign up with a particular candidate.
The only requirements you’ll need for becoming a political speechwriter include a degree in communications, English, journalism, or the liberal arts and a passion for politics.
Massage Therapist
The average hourly rate of a massage therapist is $45, but that’s not to say you can’t earn upwards of $100 with a private practice and a pool of dedicated clients. The American Massage Therapy Association requires graduates to complete a 500-hour training program in order to be certified, which is one of the best ways to set yourself apart from your peers in massage.
As far as outlook, many experts foresee this career path thriving. Massage therapists excel in private practices, but they can also be employed in hospitals and at physical therapy agencies as well.
Consultant
The advice industry continues to boom as more and more people desire a sense of direction. Consultants work in a number of fields, from business development and human resources to legal, public relations, accounting, and security. A consultant is anyone with extensive knowledge that businesses can benefit from, so while experience is key, the ability to translate expertise to value is even more critical.
Actor/Actress
Making it big as an actor/actress means you’ll likely be earning more than $100 per hour. At the same time, this industry is very competitive and it can take years before you achieve such success. The demands of an acting role can be trying as well, depending on what all is required of you for that particular opportunity.
Commercial Pilot
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for a commercial pilot is $134,630. The caveat to this $100+ per hour rate is that pilots are paid only for flight hours, so it’s not necessarily a full-time job in the traditional sense.
Then again, the FAA only lets pilots fly 100 hours per month or up to 1,000 hours per year. Most pilots have college degrees and work for commercial airlines, but you’ll need at least 4,000 hours of flight under your belt before you can apply. Commercial pilots do face a slew of dangers in their line of work, as well as extended time away from home. However, they get to travel the globe and see new places with each flight.
Tips for Improving Your Hourly Rate
Generally speaking, the higher your hourly rate, the more experience you have to back it up. At the same time, there are things you can do to increase your hourly rate:
- Stay consistent: Reliability and dependability go a long way in determining your hourly rate, especially if employers know that you’ll consistently provide results. This also helps to set the stage for any talk of raises in the future.
- Ask for a raise: We could devote a whole article in itself to how you should ask for a raise, but keep in mind that you’ll want to ask before the annual budget is finalized. You should also emphasize recent successes and refer to national averages in terms of payment for a position similar to yours. Build your case and present it confidently.
- Reposition yourself: This act can take many forms, from a mental repositioning to discussing your intent with your employer. If you want to earn more, setting yourself up for success via positioning is the best way to gain momentum.
- Improve your skills: Continue to add value by increasing the tools you have available. Start with skills that are closely related to what you do already, as they can help you increase your efficiency and success in your daily work as you build value.
- Take on more responsibilities: It might seem counterintuitive to take on more before getting paid more per hour, but demonstrating that you’re willing to work harder can help an employer see that you’re dedicated and worthy.
- Over-deliver: Did you promise a report within a week? Try delivering it within 48 hours instead. The key here is to stay consistent in your quality, but step up your game to stay competitive.
The best way to increase your hourly rate is to think outside the box. Rather than just earning money from one income source, you can capitalize on other side hustles and streams of income in order to increase your hourly rate overall.
For example, if you work a full-time job where you earn $25 per hour, you can supplement that income with a side hustle that earns you roughly $10 per hour. While that might not seem great, it could be passive income that doesn’t require you to do anything besides put in the initial investment of time. Both of these incomes combined would put you at a $35 hourly rate, which is a third of the way to $100 per hour.
FAQs
You don’t necessarily need a degree in order to earn $100 per hour. Many positions do require education in order to develop your skills, but in this day and age, anything is possible.
If you made $100 per hour, your yearly salary would be around $200,000.
Making $100 per hour is not something everyone will achieve. At the same time, you can achieve this high hourly rate if you put in time and dedication to finding ways to increase your hourly rate via active and passive income combined.
Raise Your Rates
Earning a higher hourly rate can go a long way in improving your financial circumstances. We hope you’ve found this article helpful in finding out which jobs earn you $100 per hour and which you can do to get more from each paycheck. Broaden your horizons, raise your rates, and achieve your financial dreams with $100 per hour jobs in your area.
