#8 It is hard to believe, but 62 percent of all Americans make $20 or less an hour at this point. #9 Nine of the top ten occupations in the U.S. pay an average wage of less than $35,000 a year. These two statements seemingly conflict. $35,000 per year averages out to less than $17.00 per hr. Nine of the top ten occupations does not necessarily mean 90%, each could employ 5%.