Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024 reference period
Jobs Paying $30K to $50K a Year (2026)
0 U.S. occupations have a national median salary $30k to $50k based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS 2024 data, employing roughly 0 workers. The highest-paying role in this band is undefined ($0 median); the lowest is undefined ($0). Pay varies significantly by metro — top-paying cities can run 30–60% above the listed median for high-skill occupations.
These are the 0 BLS-tracked occupations with national median salaries between $30,000 and $50,000 — the entry-level and high-volume tier of the U.S. labor market. Most roles in this band are accessible with a high-school education or short-term post-secondary training.
Pay in this band is the U.S. labor market's broad floor for full-time work. Searching for "$30K jobs" or "$40K jobs" usually means asking either "what entry-level work is realistic for someone without a degree" or "what is fair pay for a service or admin role." The list below is the BLS answer.
Full Ranking (0 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median Salary | Top Metro | Employment |
|---|
No roles currently fall in this pay range.
Education and Credentials Required
Most roles in this band do not require a four-year degree; many require only a high-school diploma plus on-the-job training or short certificates. Some roles (particularly in education and social services) require bachelor's degrees but pay below their educational requirements due to public-sector compensation structures.
How to Use This List
The figures above are national medians. Actual pay varies by metro area, employer size, and individual experience and credentials. For role-specific city data, click any occupation to see the full BLS percentile breakdown by metro. For pay benchmarking against your own offer, the salary percentile calculator places any number you enter into the BLS distribution.
For reaching this pay band, the practical path differs by occupation. Healthcare specialist roles in higher pay bands require specific licensure that takes years; technology roles often require demonstrated specialization plus a track record at well-paying employers; management roles require time-in-role plus willingness to take on scope. Each role page covers the typical credential and experience profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
0 BLS-tracked occupations have a national median salary $30k to $50k as of 2026 (BLS OEWS 2024 reference period). Total employment across these occupations is approximately 0 workers. The figures are base wages — bonus, equity, and other compensation are excluded.
No roles currently fall in this pay range.
The figures listed are raw BLS national medians (employment-weighted across metros). Actual purchasing power depends on local cost of living — a salary in San Francisco or New York buys materially less than the same number in a low-cost metro. Each role page on this site shows COL-adjusted pay for every BLS-tracked metro.
Most roles in this band do not require a four-year degree; many require only a high-school diploma plus on-the-job training or short certificates. Some roles (particularly in education and social services) require bachelor's degrees but pay below their educational requirements due to public-sector compensation structures.
Every wage figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes annual percentile wages by occupation and metropolitan area; the figures on this page are national medians employment-weighted across all BLS-tracked metros.
Related Pages
National medians are employment-weighted across BLS-tracked metros, using OEWS 2024 data. Roles sorted by national median salary.