Good middle-class careers -- plenty of openings, too.
By Debra AuerbachIf you make an hourly wage, you may not know how much you could potentially earn in a year. Let's say you make $25 an hour and work 40 hours a week year-round. That comes out to about $52,000 a year, a nice amount, especially considering it's roughly equivalent to the median annual household income in the U.S.
If getting a paycheck like that sounds good to you, consider any of these nine jobs, all of which make around $25 an hour.
Job description: Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on airplanes and helicopters. They also inspect airplanes and helicopters as required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Typical education level: Postsecondary non-degree award
Median hourly pay: $25.59
Job description: Construction and building inspectors ensure that new construction, changes or repairs comply with local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations and contract specifications.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $25.18
3. Dietitian and nutritionist
Job description: Dietitians and nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition who advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or reach a specific health-related goal.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $25.60
4. Editor
Job description: Editors plan, review and revise content for publication. An editor's responsibilities vary with the employer and the type and level of editorial position.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $24.75
5. Fire inspector and investigator
Job description: Fire inspectors visit and inspect buildings and other structures, such as sports arenas and shopping malls, to search for fire hazards and to ensure that federal, state and local fire codes are met. Fire investigators determine the origin and cause of fires by searching the surrounding scene and collecting evidence.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $25.11
6. Geological and petroleum technician
Job description: Geological and petroleum technicians provide support to scientists and engineers in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oil and natural gas.
Typical education level: Associate degree
Median hourly pay: $25.97
Job description: HR specialists recruit, screen, interview and place workers. They also may handle human resources work in a variety of other areas, such as employee relations, payroll and benefits and training.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
Median hourly pay: $25.33
Job description: Property, real estate and community association managers handle the many aspects of residential, commercial or industrial properties. They ensure the property looks nice, operates smoothly and preserves its resale value.
Typical education level: High school diploma or equivalent
Median hourly pay: $24.75
9. School and career counselor
Job description: School counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career counselors assist people with making career decisions by helping them choose a career or educational program.
Typical education level: Master's degree
Median hourly pay: $25.67
