14 "Boring" Jobs That Pay $55+ an Hour and Keep Growing

Not every high-paying job comes with a flashy title.

Some of the best-paying careers are quietly steady, and they're expanding too.

Here are 14 roles where the median pay tops $55 an hour, according to figures FinanceBuzz sourced from the BLS.

Why "boring" can be a good thing

Steady, behind-the-scenes work often pays well because employers rely on it.

Most of these jobs also share a few traits:

• A bachelor's degree is the usual starting point
• Many sit in business, computer, or health care fields
• Most have projected job growth through 2035

The 14 jobs at a glance

1. Actuary

Actuaries put numbers on risk, and the insurance industry depends on their work.

• Median pay: $62.50 per hour (about $130,000 a year in May 2025, per the BLS)
• Typical path: Strong math, statistics, and business skills, plus certification
• Outlook: 9% growth from 2025 to 2035

2. Medical and health services manager

These managers plan and direct the business side of health care providers.

• Median pay: $59.55 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree
• Outlook: 24% growth through 2035, much faster than average

3. Software quality assurance analyst

They help make sure software works the way users need it to.

• Median pay: $64.44 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree
• Outlook: 10% growth over the next decade

4. Computer network architect

They design and build data communication networks.

• Median pay: $64.45 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree in a computer-related field
• Outlook: 8% growth through 2035

5. Public relations manager

This one suits people who like working with others.

• Median pay: $65.61 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree plus work experience
• Outlook: 6% growth through 2035

6. Computer and information research scientist

They design new ways to use computer technology.

• Median pay: $67.45 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree at minimum, often an advanced degree
• Outlook: 22% growth through 2035, much faster than average

7. Training and development manager

Think of it as a teaching role inside a company.

• Median pay: $63.94 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's and often master's degrees, plus industry experience
• Outlook: 6% growth over the next decade

8. Aerospace engineer

They design, develop, and test aircraft and related equipment.

• Median pay: $64.89 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree
• Outlook: 8% growth through 2035

9. Sales manager

They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs.

• Median pay: $71.28 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree plus field experience
• Outlook: 4% growth over the next decade

10. Human resources manager

They connect an organization's leaders with its workforce.

• Median pay: $71.77 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree, then advancement through experience
• Outlook: 6% growth through 2035

11. Computer hardware engineer

They work on the computer systems built into modern devices.

• Median pay: $77.76 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree
• Outlook: 9% growth over the next decade

12. Sales engineer

They pair technical know-how with people skills to sell complex products.

• Median pay: $60.05 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree
• Outlook: 3% growth over the next decade

13. Financial manager

They prepare financial reports, oversee investments, and shape long-term strategy.

• Median pay: $80.08 per hour
• Typical path: Work in banks, investment firms, insurers, and other businesses
• Outlook: 10% growth over the next decade

14. Marketing manager

They plan programs that build interest in products and services.

• Median pay: $79.70 per hour
• Typical path: Bachelor's degree
• Outlook: 6% growth over the next decade

The bottom line

The fastest-growing roles on this list sit in health care, computer, and business fields.

If you're weighing a career change, those areas are a good place to start your research.

Before you commit, check the latest numbers for your target job in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

References

1. Koebert, J. (ed. Headrick, C.). "14 'Boring' Jobs That Secretly Pay $55+ an Hour (And Are Desperate for Workers)." FinanceBuzz. Updated Oct. 28, 2026. https://financebuzz.com/news/in-demand-boring-jobs-55-hourly
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Actuaries: Occupational Outlook Handbook" (2025 median pay and 2025–35 outlook). Wage data as of May 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/actuaries.htm
3. MSN syndicated copy of the original (could not be accessed). "14 boring jobs that secretly pay $55 an hour and are desperate for workers." Date not available. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/14-boring-jobs-that-secretly-pay-55-an-hour-and-are-desperate-for-workers/ar-AA2geQvM

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