25 an hour is 52k/year. Most Science based bachelor degrees will net you a position around the 40-45k range, provided you've interned with somoeone during college, and some positions pay higher than that.
Engineering grads started out at ~50k minimum, back when I got my bachelors degree. Hotshot Finance guys came out making 45k+, these days they make 50k+ coming out, and Engineers make 60ish($28/hr).
Here in Illinois, you'd be hard pressed to find a gov job that pays less than $40,000 a year, and some you don't even need a degree to get.
Check Glassdoor.com and see what they're paying these guys coming fresh out of college, don't think everybody's stuck in the 20's, because they're definintely not, people are earning good money out here.
Again, this is all assuming you went to college and got a degree.
If you're in retail/service sector then I don't know what to tell you, I guess just put time in and hope they promote you to Manager? They usually make 35-45k and they don't need degrees either, I know a few people that went that route and they seem happy. Which is a HUGE "w" for them, cause I know people making triple that, and are always stressed about money.