14 Jobs That Pay Over $50 an Hour (But Struggle to Find Workers)

14 Jobs That Pay Over $50 an Hour (But Struggle to Find Workers)

Finding a job that pays more than fifty dollars an hour should feel like winning a tiny personal lottery, yet many employers are practically begging people to take certain positions.

The catch?

Some of these roles are so repetitive, emotionally draining, or just plain dull that most applicants sprint in the opposite direction.

Still, they offer stability, solid benefits, and a paycheck that would make anyone’s budget spreadsheet breathe a sigh of relief.

What’s even more surprising is how desperately companies are trying to fill them.

If you’ve ever wondered why some high-paying jobs sit empty while others get flooded with résumés, this list pulls back the curtain.

You might even catch yourself thinking, “Maybe boring isn’t so bad after all.”

1. Court Stenographer

Sitting in a courtroom listening to every word uttered during long legal proceedings requires a level of focus most people reserve for defusing a bomb.

Hours can pass with nothing more thrilling than a politely phrased objection, yet the pressure to capture every syllable with absolute accuracy never goes away.

Many stenographers say the job feels like a quiet endurance test wrapped inside a typing marathon.

The pay easily passes fifty dollars an hour, but getting there demands intensive training and the ability to stay fully alert while everyone else quietly loses the will to live.

Employers struggle to recruit because the combination of monotony and high precision scares off most applicants.

If you thrive in silence and love structure, though, this could be your personal paradise.

2. Medical Coding Specialist

Decoding mountains of medical records and translating them into complex billing codes might sound like a puzzle lover’s dream, but for most people it becomes mind-numbing surprisingly fast.

Every chart must be interpreted with zero errors, because a tiny mistake can affect insurance claims, reimbursements, or even patient histories.

The work rarely changes from day to day, which means boredom becomes a very dependable coworker.

Despite that, the hourly rate is strong, and many positions are remote, making them incredibly appealing to anyone who values flexibility over excitement.

Hospitals and clinics constantly struggle to hire enough coders because the training is specialized and the role demands unshakable concentration.

If your ideal job involves consistency and calm routines, this career quietly offers exactly that.

3. Technical Writer

Transforming dense technical jargon into readable guides and manuals takes more patience than most people realize.

Writers in this field often spend their days rewriting the same instructions in twenty slightly different ways, all while battling the urge to add personality where none is allowed.

The hours can feel endless because the content rarely changes, and stakeholders constantly request revisions that somehow make the text more boring than before.

Even so, the paycheck is impressive, especially for freelancers who manage multiple projects at once.

Companies have trouble filling these roles because the work demands both high-level understanding and a tolerance for repetitive editing.

Anyone who enjoys clarity, structure, and the quiet satisfaction of perfectly organized information can thrive here, even if excitement isn’t included in the job description.

4. Tax Preparer (Specialized/Corporate)

Handling complex corporate filings or navigating obscure financial regulations can make even math enthusiasts question their life choices.

The work involves sorting through endless receipts, deductions, and spreadsheets, often under tight deadlines that leave little room for mistakes.

People who love predictability might appreciate the structured nature of tax season, while everyone else spends those months dreaming of a sunnier profession.

Employers struggle to recruit specialized preparers because the role requires advanced training, long hours, and a stomach strong enough to handle financial chaos.

Despite the monotony, the hourly pay is excellent and often surpasses what many more glamorous jobs offer.

If you secretly enjoy organizing numbers and solving financial puzzles, you might actually find this path surprisingly rewarding.

5. Safety Compliance Officer

Walking through facilities to ensure every sign, railing, and safety protocol is perfectly in place might not sound exhilarating, and that’s because it usually isn’t.

Most days revolve around checklists, reports, and reminding employees that “no, you really can’t stand on that unstable box.”

The role is vital, yet many workers treat compliance officers like the fun police, which doesn’t exactly boost workplace popularity.

Employers face shortages because the job demands attention to detail, firmness, and the ability to stay calm while enforcing rules adults should already understand.

The pay is strong, especially in industries like construction and manufacturing where safety standards are strict.

Anyone with a love for order and a talent for preventing disasters before they happen might find the routine strangely satisfying.

6. Mortician / Funeral Director

Guiding families through emotional moments while managing the behind-the-scenes work of funeral preparation requires remarkable emotional resilience.

The atmosphere is quiet, respectful, and undeniably heavy, which makes the job challenging for anyone who prefers lighter daily interactions.

Much of the work is procedural and repetitive, involving steps that rarely change from one case to the next.

Despite the somber environment, the pay exceeds fifty dollars an hour, especially for directors who manage entire funeral homes.

Staffing shortages happen because many people simply feel uncomfortable around death, even though the role is far more about compassion than anything unsettling.

Those who can provide calm support while handling delicate logistics often find the profession deeply meaningful, even if it isn’t glamorous.

7. MRI / Radiology Technologist

Operating advanced imaging machines brings a steady flow of patients, yet the tasks remain virtually identical from one day to the next.

Technologists must guide each person through the process while ensuring perfect positioning and crystal-clear scans, even when patients feel anxious or restless.

The pressure to get accurate images can be intense, because mistakes lead to delayed diagnoses or repeat visits.

Despite that responsibility, the role rarely offers excitement, and the environment stays predictably clinical.

Hospitals constantly seek qualified technologists because certification takes time and patience that many people lack.

The pay is excellent, especially for those willing to work evenings or weekends, and the job provides stability that’s hard to beat.

8. Elevator Inspector

Reviewing mechanical systems, checking safety features, and evaluating equipment performance might sound dramatic, but most inspections unfold with very little action.

Inspectors spend many hours climbing in and out of shafts, testing buttons, and confirming that the elevator behaves exactly as expected.

The work requires technical skill, yet the tasks become repetitive quickly because every elevator operates according to the same basic principles.

Employers often struggle to hire because the job involves specialized training and physical effort without much variety.

The pay easily reaches fifty dollars an hour, especially in major cities with dense building clusters.

Anyone who appreciates routine, precision, and a stable career path might find this surprisingly appealing.

9. Utility Metering Technician (Specialized)

Traveling from site to site to record meter data, inspect equipment, or verify energy usage creates a routine that rarely deviates.

Most technicians spend long hours walking the same neighborhoods or industrial areas, often in weather conditions that refuse to cooperate.

Even though the tasks are simple, the responsibility is significant because errors can affect billing and regulatory compliance.

Companies often struggle to recruit because candidates expect something more exciting than reading numbers all day.

However, the hourly rate is strong, especially for technicians who specialize in complex industrial systems.

For people who enjoy predictable routines, outdoor environments, and minimal office drama, this job offers all three in abundance.

10. Insurance Underwriter

Evaluating risks, analyzing reports, and determining whether clients qualify for certain policies requires a steady mind and an ability to make decisions with imperfect information.

Underwriters spend much of their time reviewing data that rarely sparks joy, such as actuarial tables, claim histories, and dense financial details.

The job is highly structured, which appeals to some but sends others searching for something more dynamic.

Companies frequently face shortages because underwriters must balance strict guidelines with nuanced judgment, and that combination is harder to find than most assume.

The pay is excellent, especially for those specializing in commercial or specialty insurance.

Anyone who enjoys analytical thinking and quiet work environments might discover this path fits surprisingly well.

11. Data Compliance Auditor

Digging through huge datasets to confirm that regulations have been followed feels like a scavenger hunt where the prize is usually “nothing went wrong.”

Auditors must meticulously review logs, documentation, and system records, which makes the job both repetitive and mentally demanding.

The work becomes even more tedious when companies operate under multiple regulatory frameworks that require constant cross-checking.

Recruiting is difficult because the role requires exceptional attention to detail and a willingness to spend hours immersed in spreadsheets.

The hourly compensation, however, is generous and often higher than people expect for a job with so little public visibility.

If you enjoy solving quiet puzzles and catching tiny errors before they become major problems, this career might be a perfect match.

12. Hydrologist / Water Quality Tester

Collecting water samples from streams, treatment facilities, or wells sounds peaceful, but the daily routine becomes predictable quickly.

Hydrologists analyze chemical levels, review environmental data, and produce lengthy reports that require scientific precision but rarely offer excitement.

The fieldwork portion can be enjoyable until you realize you’ll be performing the same tests over and over again.

Agencies and research organizations often struggle to hire because the training is specialized and the work doesn’t appeal to thrill-seekers.

The pay is strong, and many positions offer excellent job security, particularly in environmentally focused regions.

Anyone who enjoys quiet outdoor work paired with steady lab analysis may appreciate the slower pace of this profession.

13. Logistics Analyst

Managing supply chains might sound glamorous in movies, but the real job involves spreadsheets, forecasting models, and troubleshooting the same problems repeatedly.

Analysts track delays, monitor vendor performance, and search for inefficiencies that hide inside enormous amounts of data.

The work becomes monotonous because supply chains rarely reinvent themselves, and the same bottlenecks show up like unwanted guests.

Companies constantly look for qualified analysts because the role demands strategic thinking and patience, a combination that’s surprisingly rare.

Hourly pay easily surpasses fifty dollars, especially in industries that rely on complex global transportation networks.

If you enjoy patterns, problem-solving, and behind-the-scenes operations, logistics work offers stability with a calm, predictable rhythm.

14. Semiconductor Equipment Technician

Maintaining the machines that produce microchips requires precision, patience, and the willingness to perform identical procedures day after day.

Technicians follow strict protocols inside controlled cleanroom environments where even small mistakes can shut down production.

Although the technology is cutting-edge, the work often feels repetitive because the same equipment needs the same types of adjustments every shift.

Companies struggle to hire enough technicians because the training is demanding and the job environment isn’t exactly glamorous.

Despite that, the hourly pay is excellent and often comes with strong benefits due to the industry’s high demands.

People who like structure, routine, and quiet technical problem-solving may find this job far more appealing than they expect.