What are the lowest paying jobs?

The 25 Lowest-Paying Jobs in America

Which careers now available pay the least amount of money? Although the amount of money you make might vary greatly depending on where you live, how much experience you have, the firm you work for, and the minimum wage in your city or state, there are a number of jobs that regularly pay a low income.

These positions are available in a wide variety of fields, ranging from the entertainment industry to the transportation sector to the medical field. Nevertheless, although working in very diverse fields, they have a lot of characteristics in common.

The pay rate for these positions is often hourly. There are a lot of occupations in the service industry, and many of them need tips in order for the worker to get a respectable pay.


25 of the Jobs with the Lowest Paying Wages

The following is a list of the top 25 occupations in the United States that pay the least, as determined by an employment survey conducted by the United States Department of Labor in May of 2020. Take into consideration that this list does not include some careers, such as acting or music, which do not often need full-time or year-round commitments from their practitioners.


Cooks

Cooks may be found working in a wide variety of establishments, from cafeterias to fast-food franchises to upscale restaurants. They are responsible for preparing, seasoning, and cooking food, and may also assist in the menu planning process with the chief chef. Cooks who work at fast-food restaurants get an average annual salary of $24,300, while short-order cooks earn an average annual salary of $27,030. Cooks who prepare meals to order earn an average annual salary of $27,030.

The national average salary for chefs working in restaurants is $29,530 per year. On the other hand, cooks and chefs who work in private households may make up to or even more than $46,810 per year.


Shampooers

Before cutting or styling the customer's hair, the shampooer will massage, shampoo, condition, and rinse the customer's hair. Some people who work in shampooing also pursue further education to become hairstylists or cosmetologists. The national average salary for shampooers is now sitting at $24,320.


Worker at Counters and Quick-Service Restaurants

In fast-food restaurants, cafeterias, food concession stands, and coffee shops, staff at the counter and behind the counter are responsible for a wide array of responsibilities related to the production and serving of food. The yearly salary for these occupations is usually somewhere around $24,540 on average.


Those in Charge of the Hospitality

In establishments such as restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops, hosts and hostesses are employed. They are in charge of greeting clients, showing them to their seats, and ensuring that exceptional service is provided. They could also be responsible for answering additional calls and taking bookings, in addition to receiving and logging reservations. The yearly pay for hosts is usually about $24,800 on average.


Dishwashers

The task of cleaning dishes, utensils, and other items used in the preparation of meals falls to dishwashing staff. They could find employment in places like restaurants, coffee shops, or cafeterias, all of which are examples of businesses that provide food service. The national average yearly salary for dishwashing workers is $25,600.


Attendants of Amusement and Recreational Events

Attendants who work in amusement and recreation have the opportunity to find employment in a wide range of recreation facilities, including amusement parks, ski resorts, sports complexes, and community centers. They are responsible for a wide range of responsibilities that are connected to the operation of the facility.

They could be in charge of running amusement rides or concession stalls, as well as scheduling users of the facility, maintaining it, and providing participants with equipment (particularly at recreation facilities). Attendants make, on average, $25,610 a year, however the amount of money they make is contingent on the kind of institution they work in.



Cashiers

Cashiers are responsible for taking money from consumers who are buying products and services and giving it back to those customers. They most often get employment in retail establishments. The majority of them accept payments and employ various pieces of technology, such as scanners and cash registers. Cashiers may work either part-time or full-time, but those who work full-time bring in an annual salary that is on average of $25,710.


Pressers of Textiles, Clothing, and Other Associated Materials

Pressers eliminate creases from pieces of fabric by pressing or shaping them, and they also sew patches onto cloth. They could use a hand iron or one of many devices that run on steam or hydraulic pressure. Pressers often hang, fold, and package completed objects for shipment as part of their duties. It's possible that they get employment in places like dry cleaners, laundromats, or even bigger industrial operations. Pressers make, on average, $26,050 per year in salary.


Gambling Dealers

Dealers at casinos, card rooms, and other gaming facilities are responsible for running the various table games. They may hand out cards or blocks to players, hand out wins, or collect players' money or chips. In certain games, they may also disburse winnings. The typical income for a dealer in the United States is $26,110 per year.


Dining Area in Addition to Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Attendants and bartender aids are responsible for stocking dining areas, restaurants, cafés, and bars with supplies such as clean linen, glasses, cutlery, and dishes. In addition to that, they wash dirty dishes and sometimes provide water or coffee. The typical yearly salary for someone working in this field is $26,300.


Attendants at the lobby, ushers, and those who take tickets

At many different kinds of entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, music halls, and theaters, there are jobs available for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers. They are responsible for responsibilities such as collecting entrance tickets, assisting customers in locating their seats, and directing them to amenities such as bathrooms. The yearly salary for these occupations is usually about $26,390 on average.


Employees Who Do Dry Cleaning and Laundry

Workers at laundries and dry cleaners are responsible for operating and maintaining the washing and cleaning machinery. Laundromats, dry-cleaning shops, and industrial washing sites are examples of the types of businesses that employ people to offer laundry services to bigger establishments like hotels and hospitals. Other similar businesses include dry cleaners. Workers in the laundry and dry-cleaning industry bring home an annual salary of $26,600 on average.


Those Who Work in Childcare

The caretakers of children are the ones who are accountable for their health and safety. It's possible that they'll be in charge of making sure kids are fed and cleaned up, supervising playtime, and even assisting older kids with their homework.

Childcare workers have the option of finding employment in a variety of settings, including schools (as after-school or infantcare workers), childcare facilities, their own homes, or the homes of the children for whom they care. They could work full time, or they might work part time. The yearly salary for a daycare worker who works full-time is around $26,790 on average.


Workers in the Food Preparation Industry

Food prep staff are responsible for everything except actually cooking the food. They might be responsible for slicing meat, making coffee, or even peeling vegetables, depending on the job they have. In addition to this, they ensure that the work facilities are clean; with everything that they do, it is essential that they comply to the regulations for food safety. Workers in the food preparation industry bring in an annual salary of $26,820 on average.


Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

Desk clerks at hotels, motels, and resorts provide a service to customers by registering visitors and assigning rooms to them. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including the computation of customers' invoices, the balancing of accounts, and the collection of payments.

Customers are accommodated by clerks in other ways, including having any queries or reservations about their stay addressed. They bring in a yearly income of around $26,900 on average.


Services de protection pour les activités récréatives (e.g., Lifeguards and Ski Patrol)

Protective services for recreational activities Monitoring recreational places in order to provide attendants with security and support falls within the purview of staff assigned to this duty. It is possible for them to offer information about safety precautions, monitor leisure areas, and be responsible for providing first aid to persons who have been hurt. Workers in recreational protective services could be found on ski slopes as ski patrollers, in swimming pools or beaches as lifeguards, or in any other recreational environment that calls for protective services.

Certain qualifications, such as certification in first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), are needed for some of these occupations. Workers in the recreational protective services industry bring home an annual salary of $27,050 on average.


Writers and Runners in the Gambling and Sports Book Industries

Gambling and sports book authors and runners collaborate to provide information that may help customers make bets on a variety of sporting events and races. They can be responsible for recording the wagers made by customers and coordinating any payments that occur. Bingo, keno, and other games may also have operators who are these people.

A salary of $27,130 per year is the typical compensation for workers in this kind of employment.


Attendants working behind the counter

Customers place their orders with waiters and waitresses, who are also referred to as "servers," and they then get their food and drinks. They could find employment at hotels, pubs, restaurants, or other facilities that provide food service.

Waiters and waitresses have the option of working either part- or full-time shifts. The earning potential of a waiter is highly dependent on the sort of business in which they are employed; the vast majority of waiters depend on tips to supplement their basic wage. Waiters and waitresses who work full time often earn an annual pay of $27,470 on average.

The yearly salary for food servers working in non-restaurant settings such as coffee shops is on average $27,460.


Parking Lot Attendants

Parking lot attendants are responsible for parking clients' automobiles and delivering them to them in parking garages or lots. Additionally, it is possible that they will be responsible for monitoring the garage in order to deter theft and/or damage to property. Attendants make an average of $27,910 per year in salary and tips.


Maids and Housekeepers

A wide variety of cleaning tasks, such as making beds, dusting and vacuuming, sanitizing counter areas, and emptying garbage and recycling bins, are performed by maids, cleaners, and other such personnel. They could find employment in private houses or in public facilities like hotels or nursing homes, for example. The yearly salary for housekeepers and other cleaning personnel is usually about $28,010.


Aide de santé à domicile et aux soins personnels

Aides in personal care and home health care provide assistance with activities of daily living to people of all ages, including the elderly, convalescents, and those with disabilities. Some examples of these pursuits include cleaning the home on a more general level, making meals, and doing errands. Patients may also get assistance from aid workers with activities like as eating, exercising, and bathing. Some assistants also provide guidance to patients and their families with matters pertaining to diet and activities around the home. These personnel might be employed at a residential care facility or in the home of an individual.

Personal care aides are often expected to offer less specialized medical care than home health aides, despite the fact that there are numerous parallels between the two types of caregivers. A personal care assistant can expect to make a yearly salary of $28,060 on average.


Attendants of Service for Automobiles and Other Watercraft

Attendants at service stations inspect and provide repairs to automobiles, trucks, boats, and other types of automotive and marine vehicles. It is possible for attendants to be responsible for tasks such as repairing and replacing accessories, repairing and replacing tires, fixing and filling gas tanks, and lubricating vehicles (such as windshield wipers or fan belts).

There are a variety of locations where customers bring their cars to be serviced, including gas stations, auto repair shops, marinas, and other establishments. Service attendants may operate in any of these locations. The yearly salary of a service worker averages $28,150, despite the fact that pay might vary significantly depending on the region and the kinds of cars that are serviced.


Animal Keepers Who Do Not Work on a Farm

Animals that are not kept on farms are the responsibility of these animal caregivers. These animals include household pets such as dogs and cats, as well as fish and, in certain circumstances, animals from zoos. They could find employment in kennels, animal shelters, aquariums, zoos, or circuses, among other possible settings. Animal keepers are responsible for the feeding, watering, grooming, and medical care of the animals as well as the cleanliness of the living spaces for the animals. The yearly salary for these individuals comes in at a mean of $28,380.


Bartenders

Customers are served mixed cocktails and other beverages by bartenders. Drinks may be served by wait staff in certain establishments, while customers may place their orders directly with the bartender at the bar in other establishments. Bartenders may find employment in a variety of settings, including restaurants, bars, and even establishments that cater to travelers, such as lounges.

On average, bartenders bring approximately $28,910 per year in salary.


Specialists in Manicures and Pedicures

The fingernails and toenails of clients are cleaned, shaped, polished, and then decorated by manicurists and pedicurists, respectively. They could work for themselves or in a nail salon or spa instead. The average compensation for manicurists and pedicurists is $29,010 per year, which includes both their base pay and tips.

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