Most Common Jobs in America

The American job market is broad and intricate. There are many jobs and industries on offer, from entry-level roles to more senior and advanced jobs.

However, the most common jobs are understandably the ones that are most accessible and in high demand. In fact, the ten largest occupations in America employ 30 million workers nationwide. In this guide, I’ll be highlighting the most common jobs, what you’ll need to apply, and how much you’ll earn in these positions.

So, let’s take an in-depth look at the top jobs in America and learn about some inspiring roles that could kickstart your career!

The Most Common Jobs In America

In this article, I have listed the top jobs in the USA, what is expected of these roles, how much you’ll earn, and what it takes to apply and succeed in these jobs.

What do you need to apply?

The majority of these common jobs require no experience to start. However, some companies may request that you have a Highschool Diploma qualification or some experience in the field to be considered.

On the other hand, for some common roles, you can begin training and become qualified without any qualifications or experience required. For some roles, all you need is an enthusiasm to do well and help others.

The Top Jobs In The USA

I’ve rounded up the most general jobs that you can get started in with limited experience and qualifications. So, do you have what it takes? Let’s find out…

Cashier

A cashier works in the customer service industry and deals with processing transactions. They are in charge of handling money using tills, scanning groceries, and bag items for customers in shops. Cashiers are required in any store or for any commercial service, so this job makes it the most common and in high demand.

What you’ll need is good communication and interpersonal skills because you’ll be working with customers and interacting with them all day.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid around $11-15 an hour as a cashier. There’s some possibility of career progression to other roles such as managerial roles or becoming a customer service representative.

How to apply:

You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications to become a cashier; you are trained when you start. You can search for the latest cashier roles online here.

Bartender

A Bartender is responsible for serving alcoholic drinks in a licensed establishment.

You’ll be handling sales transactions, taking orders, and preparing drinks for customers. Bartenders must also re-stock, clean, and prepare the bar area for service. Good communication skills and the ability to maintain a high standard of customer satisfaction are essential. In this role, you’ll develop transferable skills that will also prepare you for other roles in hospitality or customer service.

How much you’ll earn:

As a Bartender, expect to earn around $11-14 per hour. It’s also common for bartenders to earn tips from their customers during the shifts. Depending on where the Bartender works and how popular the establishment is, receiving tips from customers will often largely contribute to their overall wage.

How to apply:

You don’t need any previous experience or qualifications to become a Bartender; you are trained once you get hired. You’ll likely be supervised or assigned other roles in the bar, such as cleaning duties, until you’re considered able to work alone and serve customers.

You can search for the latest bar roles online here. You can also apply directly to the establishment and see whether any bars, restaurants, or clubs have any open vacancies.

Food and Beverage Assistant

Next in my rundown of the Most Common Jobs in America, we have Food and Beverage assistants, who are also known as waiters and waitresses. They are responsible for taking prepared meals and drinks to customers and serving them on tables in restaurants or cafes. They are required to greet customers, provide menus, show guests to their seats, and ensure that customers have everything they need for their dining experience.

How much you’ll earn:

The average salary for food and beverage assistant roles is around $14-15 per hour. Similar to bartending, you’ll also have the possibility of getting tips from customers on shift. In America, tips contribute to the vast majority of Food and Beverage assistants’ overall wage too.

How to apply:

It’s not required that you have any qualifications or previous work experience to apply for this role. Instead, you’ll just need good communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team and provide a hospitable service.

Having some specialized knowledge about the food and drinks that you serve is a bonus. You can apply directly and ask if local restaurants or cafes have open vacancies. Alternatively, you can search online and apply directly with job boards.

Administration Assistant

An Administrative assistant is also known as a receptionist or office assistant and is someone who performs clerical tasks such as organizing, filing, photocopying, answering calls, sending emails, and logging data. You may also be organizing appointments or meetings, handling schedules, and assisting other professionals in Administration with their workload or tasks.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid an average of $15-16 an hour for an Administrative assistant role.

How to apply:

You’ll need a High School Diploma to be an Administrative Assistant. You’ll likely be working in an office at a computer, so some other skills such as organization, management, and having some knowledge in technology and administration are desirable but not essential. You can find the latest Administrative and Clerical jobs here.

Cleaner

Cleaners are employed in various institutions and ensure the environment is hygienic and clean for guests or customers to use. Cleaners may be employed in any business from hotels, restaurants, shops, or schools. Regular duties include organizing, washing, dusting, vacuuming, rearranging furniture, emptying bins, and cleaning toilets.

Cleaners are also responsible for restocking shelves and replacing supplies for customers or guests.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid an average of $10-12 per hour for a cleaning role.

How to apply:

There are no qualifications or previous experience necessary to be a cleaner. You’ll be trained on the job and will be supervised once you’re hired. Because of the nature of the work, you’ll need to be able to handle working long hours standing up and performing cleaning tasks at a reasonable pace. You can search for the latest cleaning jobs here.

Sales Representative

Working as a sales representative means you could be in a sales environment representing a company or brand, selling products, and providing services to customers.

A Sales Representative may work in business or marketing and persuade people to purchase or use their company’s services. There are different types of Sales Representatives available which include being on the phone and calling up customers, working in person, holding sales meetings, and selling products.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid an average of $20 per hour for a Sales Representative role.

How to apply:

Some companies may request that you have a Bachelor’s degree or some experience in customer service, but some employers will provide training on the job. A background in sales, business, or marketing is beneficial. You can search the latest Sales Representative roles here.

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Representatives are responsible for handling customers’ complaints and requests in an office environment or person. They will deal with incoming calls and emails regularly, handling queries, processing refunds, and orders, and providing knowledge about products or services. Customer representatives are required to provide information, handle orders and offer customer support.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid an average of $15-20 per hour for a Customer Representative role.

How to apply:

Some companies may request that you have some experience in customer service, but some employers will provide training on the job.

A background in sales or working with others in a customer service environment is desirable because you’ll be handling queries, dealing with queries, and communicating with customers regularly. You can apply for the latest roles as a Customer Service representative online using this job board.

Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistants help students in the classroom with reading, writing, and learning tasks. They assist other teaching professionals with workloads, managing public behaviors, attending meetings, handling pupil referrals, and handling student needs.

Your role as an Assistant would be similar to a Teacher with a core focus on supporting the emotional and academic development of students, but overall you’ll have fewer responsibilities and will help out when required.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid an average of $13-15 an hour for a Teaching Assistant role.

How to apply:

You can become a teaching assistant with no experience; all you’ll need are basic qualifications or a diploma to get started. Or perhaps, take a college course and get work experience to be a teaching assistant.

You may also have the opportunity to do an internship or work placement which would enable you to practically learn in a school. Empathy, good communication, and problem-solving skills are required to be a teaching assistant. You can apply for jobs as a Teaching Assistant using this job board.

Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants help other healthcare professionals in clinical and medical settings such as in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and surgeries. Assistants may complete administrative and clerical duties, keep records and files, as well as help other medical professionals with patients but are not trained to give medical advice.

They may briefly assess patients as they enter the facility, make a note of their symptoms and any health concerns, and check what they require before referring them to the relevant professionals. You’ll also be scheduling appointments, handling medical bills, and preparing medical equipment for procedures carried out by physicians or doctors.

How much you’ll earn:

Expect to be paid an average of $12-17 an hour for a Medical Assistant role.

How to apply:

To become a Medical Assistant, further education is not necessary, but you’ll need to complete a Medical Assistant training program, have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Though some employers do prefer if you have experience and have completed a program, it’s not necessary. You can apply for a role as a Medical Assistant using this job board to find the latest roles.

What Is The Most Common Career In America?

The most common career in America is in the healthcare industry, which has the highest employment rate in the USA. Examples of roles in healthcare that are popular are registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, physicians, physician assistants, and medical assistants.

Why is a healthcare career so common?

What makes this career the most common is accessibility. It’s relatively easy to find a job in healthcare because this industry is so large and has many levels of positions available, from entry-level roles to senior positions.

So, the possibility of climbing the career ladder in healthcare is extremely high, can be financially rewarding, and makes it appealing for most to pursue.

An extremely fast-growing industry…

There is also a high demand for healthcare professionals, which makes this industry one of the fastest growing and is predicted to increase with 6 of the 10 fastest-growing occupations are related to healthcare. According to recent job reports, an industry in healthcare is considered a highly valued role for job satisfaction too.

What Are The Most Common Jobs In America?

Well, the most common jobs in the United States are working as a cashier, sales representative, and in customer service. The retail industry is also vast and has many opportunities for people to find jobs without any previous experience or qualifications.

Unlike the healthcare industry working in customer service or retail is fairly easy because you can learn how to do the job far more quickly too. It’s a common route for many Americans to take, and there are many roles to choose from. Plus, a large number of commercial businesses and companies require retail and customer service assistants, so there is a constant demand.

More In-Depth Guides On Your Job Options

Firstly to find out what these positions entail, check out my Cashier Job Description, my Customer Service Representative Job Description, and my Sales Representative Job Description, or how about my Teacher Job Description, my Teacher Assistant Job Description, and my Medical Assistant Job Description in 2023.

Whichever of these vocations you decide on, we’ve put together a list of companies that hire in your different industries such as our Companies That Hire For Remote Admin Jobs, our Companies That Hire For Remote Work From Home Customer Service Jobs, along with our Companies That Hire For Remote Travel Agent And Hospitality Jobs, and our Companies That Hire For Remote Marketing Jobs.

Next, we move on to our Companies That Hire For Remote Work From Home Healthcare Jobs, our Companies That Hire For Remote Medical Coding Jobs, and our Companies That Hire For Remote Sales Jobs, or perhaps you need to know about Companies That Hire For Remote Education Jobs to see what your options are.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to finding your ideal job, pursuing a common role such as the ones listed in this guide can ensure that you have an accessible route to make money easily.

The vast opportunities in the job market will guarantee you have many options. This will help when looking to boost your career and ensure that with time, you land the perfect job.

The best of luck with your future job search!