Best Jobs that Pay $11 an Hour

Among the various reasons we apply for specific jobs, the desire to make ends meet is perhaps the most significant factor. While passion could fuel the application for any job, the salary and benefits you enjoy often determine the drive and enthusiasm you have towards the job.

In the same light, we will consider the best jobs that pay $11 an hour and the companies where you can earn at that hourly rate. As we discuss the requirements and challenges of landing such jobs, we will also examine a reasonable hourly wage to determine if a minimum wage of $11 an hour is sufficient to cater to your basic needs. 

What Is a Good Hourly Wage?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for all industries as of October 2021 hovers around $30.96. This value, however, comprises industries in all states of the country without consideration to the respective cost of living and minimum wage within each state. 

Why Earning $11 Per Hour Is Important

If you consider the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and compare it to earning $11 per hour, you will realize and appreciate the value of the difference between both rates. Making above the minimum wage puts you in a good position because you will be able to afford necessities, especially if you don’t have a dependent.  

San Francisco and Washington, DC have increased their minimum hourly wages to $16.32 and $13.69, respectively, but costs of living are high in these cities. In some cities, earning $11 per hour may be enough to make ends meet.

What Types of Jobs Pay $11 Per Hour

With little or no experience, you can secure jobs that pay $11 per hour. Most of these positions are relatively flexible and come with some perks like health benefits and discounts. They are perfect if you have other responsibilities. The list below includes some of the types of jobs that pay $11 an hour. 

• Remote reservation agency jobs
• Remote customer service jobs
• Online tutor jobs
• Full-time fast-food jobs
• Part-time sales representative jobs

What Do You Need to Land a Job that Pays $11 an Hour?

Most jobs that pay $11 an hour are not high-level positions. As such, an average level of education would be enough to qualify you for these jobs. You can secure fast food, sales rep, and customer service positions with a high school diploma and excellent communication skills.

In addition, most organizations rely on digitization for their operations, so having tech skills would be a plus. However, if it is a tutor job, you might need a bachelor’s degree to qualify. Generally, your leadership and interpersonal skills are the most necessary skills.   

What Companies Pay $11 an Hour?

While there are considerations to reform the federal minimum wage, private businesses and some state-owned businesses have taken laws into their own hands to increase their minimum pay rates. Most companies that pay their workers an hourly wage of $11 also provide other incentives. Below are some of the companies that pay $11 an hour. 

• Arise: This company’s wages range from $10 to $20 per hour. It specializes in assisting clients through independent work-at-home contractors and customer service personnel. 
• Contract World: Paying its staff from $11 to $16, Contract World helps companies organize recruitments for various positions. 
• Neiman Marcus: Based in Dallas, this company majorly employs people within that region. With major operations in customer service, Neiman Marchus pays $11 to $16 an hour.  
• Virtual Office Temps: This company offers full-time and part-time services like virtual legal support, administration, and remote medical transcription. Depending on your role, you could earn from $10 to $35 per hour.
• Dollar Tree: Here, full-time employees earn at least $10 an hour. Your role determines how much you make.
• Sam’s Club: Employees at Sam’s Club earn an hourly wage between $11 to $15. The company is a retailer warehouse that sells various products like electronics, children’s accessories, pet supplies, and sporting goods. 
• Walmart: The American multinational retailer pays its employees a starting salary of $11. However, staff can earn up to $16.40 per hour based on their respective duties.  
• Okanogan Civil County Service Commission: Specifically for part-time workers, this company pays an average of $400 weekly, which amounts to a minimum of $10 per hour (assuming you work 40 hours a week). 
• McDonald’s: Aside from perks like health benefits and tuition reimbursement that employees enjoy, they also receive a minimum of $10 per hour and $11 for night shifts.
• IKEA: This furniture company pays its workers an hourly wage of $10.76. Although it specializes mainly in designing and furniture manufacture, it also operates a restaurant and real estate business. 

Jobs that Pay $11 an Hour with No Experience

Food and Beverage Service Worker

• Average hourly salary: $11.60
• Average yearly salary: $24,130
• Job growth: 17%

Food and beverage service workers are responsible for preparing customer orders, clearing tables and eating areas, and carrying out every food and drink service-related task. They work in schools, diners, airports, hospitals, and restaurants. 

Dishwasher 

• Average hourly salary: $11.74
• Average yearly salary: $24,410
• Job growth: 1%

Dishwashers require no form of education and are responsible for washing the dishes in restaurants, bars, and diners. In addition, they ensure that kitchen utensils are cleaned and are in charge of overseeing the cleanliness of dishwashing machines and other kitchen appliances.

Camp Counselor

• Average hourly salary: $13.67
• Average yearly salary: $28,440
• Job growth: 16%

Camp counselors lead day activities in camps like games, workouts, hikes, and sing-alongs. They work in parks, camps, and care centers, and in most cases, a high school diploma is sufficient. While some camp counselors work throughout the entire year, many work seasonally.

Animal Care and Service Worker

• Average hourly salary: $12.86
• Average yearly salary: $26,370
• Job growth: 33%

Animal care and service workers take care of animals and train them. They are responsible for the wellbeing of the animals and work mainly in kennels, pet stores, veterinary clinics, and zoos. Examples are dog walkers, groomers, and trainers. 

Hand Laborers and Material Mover

• Average hourly salary: $14.43
• Average yearly salary: $30,010
• Job growth: 7%

Hand laborers and materials movers are responsible for moving freight, luggage, and grocery items. This job is usually full-time because of continuous shipping times and the high sales volume in malls and grocery stores. Workers should be physically fit to carry out tasks.

Jobs that Pay $11 an Hour Online

Telemarketer

• Average hourly salary: $14.87
• Average yearly salary: $30,930
• Job growth: 3%

Telemarketers sell services or products to customers over the phone. They’re often paid an hourly wage and earn commission on their sales. They often follow a script when making outbound calls or receiving inbound calls. Telemarketers sell a wide range of services and products, including medical equipment, credit repair, cell phone service, and much more.

Online Tutor

• Average hourly salary: $13.90
• Average yearly salary: $28,900
• Job growth: 9%

Online tutors can either teach their own classes or assist a professional teacher in their classes. There are many tutoring positions for English as a second language, math, science, history, language arts, and foreign languages. Many companies have taken advantage of the demand by offering fully online platforms that allow tutors to connect with students from all over the world.

Customer Service Representative

• Average hourly salary: $17.23
• Average yearly salary: $35,830
• Job growth: -1%

Customer service representatives are responsible for attending to customer needs. With the integration of technology in every business, there is an increase in demand for customer service workers. Organizations strive to provide support for their customers around the clock, which creates a requirement for remote workers.

Medical Transcriptionist

• Average hourly salary: $16.96
• Average yearly salary: $35,270
• Job growth: -7%

Medical transcriptionists, sometimes referred to as healthcare documentation specialists, convert recordings from medical professionals into written documents. In some cases, medical transcriptionists review the written documentation produced by transcribing software to correct any errors and ensure it’s fully accurate. 

Data Entry Keyers

• Average hourly salary: $17.24
• Average yearly salary: $35,850
• Job growth: 2%

Data entry keyers are responsible for taking information on hard copies and converting it into an electronic form. This often requires good typing skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office applications like Excel, and close attention to detail. Data entry keyers ensure that information on physical documents can be recorded, stored, managed, and used electronically. 

Jobs that Pay $11 an Hour Part-Time

Retail Sales Worker

• Average hourly salary: $13.13
• Average yearly salary: $27,320
• Job growth: -1%

Retail sales workers are employed to greet customers, assist them in finding what they’re looking for, answer customers’ questions, process their purchases, process their returns, order inventory, restock shelves, clean and organize misplaced items, and other related responsibilities. Many stores allow employees to work part-time. 

Preschool Teacher

• Average hourly salary: $15.35
• Average yearly salary: $31,930
• Job growth: 18%

Although many preschool teachers work full-time, there are many part-time positions available, as well. Preschool teachers work with young children to prepare them for kindergarten. They plan lessons, facilitate and assist in activities, and teach basic educational concepts such as letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and vocabulary. 

Home Health Care Aide

• Average hourly salary: $13.02
• Average yearly salary: $27,080
• Job growth: 33%

Home health care aides take care of people with disabilities and ailments that restrict them from doing things themselves. Aides monitor and assist with various everyday activities. They are primarily employed in hospitals, elderly homes, and private homes. Although most aides work full-time, they also work part-time. 

Security Guard

• Average hourly salary: $14.94
• Average yearly salary: $31,080
• Job growth: 15%

Security guards are responsible for protecting people and properties from illegal and dangerous activities. They can work in various environments, including offices, malls, hospitals, retail stores, and parking lots. Security guards work full-time or part-time and can choose from a variety of shifts. Security guards often prefer the night or graveyard shifts.  

Lifeguard

• Average hourly salary: $13.00
• Average yearly salary: $27,050
• Job growth: 2%

Lifeguards ensure the safety of people in public pools and beaches. They use various techniques to monitor their surroundings and respond quickly in case of emergencies. Lifeguards usually work part-time, enabling them to take on other jobs. In most organizations, they receive bonuses, allowances, and health insurance benefits, as well. 

Where to Find a Job that Pays $11 an Hour

The job hunt is always a nerve-wracking process. More so, finding jobs that pay a median wage of $11 per hour in government agencies or private businesses could be tasking. But to ease your search, consider the following places and platforms. Each one comes with its perks and provides access to numerous job opportunities.

Company Career Page

If a company has a career page, that’s a good place to begin your job search. Apart from having access to recent job openings and opportunities, companies also provide applicants with steps to guide them throughout the application process. Also, by creating profiles and subscribing to their newsletters, you will receive regular updates and job alerts to keep you abreast of any developments.

Job Boards

A job board is an online platform and search engine that serves as a meeting point for recruiters and applicants. With job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, recruiters can post job openings and screen through a resume database. On the other hand, applicants will be able to apply for jobs at faster rates and receive guidance on the entire hiring process from the board. 

Job Fairs

A job fair is a perfect place to meet recruiters in person. The benefits of job fairs are networking, access to interview and contact information, and interacting with recruiters in a casual environment. Here, you have the opportunity to make a good impression which, in most cases, translates to responsive employer phone calls. 

Is It Easy to Find a Job that Pays $11 an Hour?

Regardless of the salary, jobs are often challenging to come by. While jobs with an hourly wage of $11 usually don’t demand a formal level of education, there are basic requirements that determine if you are qualified or not. Whether it is an online job or a part-time job, your interpersonal skills are essential because they determine your level of performance in these positions. 

Finally, there is always competition during the job hiring process. However, it is a lot easier when compared to high-paying jobs because there are fewer applicants. Even though you might still have to prepare formal application documents like your cover letter and resume, you still stand a good chance as long as you satisfy all requirements in the job listing.

Jobs that Pay $11 an Hour FAQ