What Are the Top 25 Lowest-Paying Jobs?

Lowest-paying jobs can make it hard for people to cover their expenses, highlighting the importance of clear salary information in a competitive job market.

Talking about the importance of fair pay and the impact it has on employees, the question arises: What Are the Top 25 Lowest-Paying Jobs? Lowest-paying jobs are those that don’t provide a substantial income, making it challenging for individuals in these roles to cover their expenses.

In a competitive job market, it becomes crucial for companies to be transparent about salaries, ensuring they attract and retain top talent. As a worker, your pay and benefits should meet your basic needs, enabling you to live comfortably both now and in the future.

The significance of good pay extends beyond individual well-being; it contributes to overall job satisfaction and improved work performance. A 2020 study revealed that the majority of both men (60%) and women (52%) consider salary and financial benefits as the most important factors when seeking employment.

Therefore, offering competitive salaries not only boosts employee happiness but also acts as a magnet, attracting skilled individuals to join a company.

While it’s no surprise that the medical field takes the lead in the best-paying jobs of 2023, our focus shifts to the flip side—exploring the twentyfive jobs currently holding the title for the lowest pay in the United States.

Top 25 Lowest-Paying Jobs

Let’s talk about different jobs and how each one is important. Cooks make tasty food in restaurants. Shampooers take care of your hair. Fast food workers make sure you get your burgers and fries quickly. There are also people in entertainment places like amusement parks and theaters.

They help you have fun. Cashiers are the ones who take your money when you buy things. Each job is like a thread, making our working world colorful and interesting. So, you might be curious, what are the top 25 lowest-paying jobs? Let’s find out more about these jobs that don’t pay as much.

Cooks

In the culinary realm, a cook’s role can vary depending on the restaurant, but in essence, they plan, prepare, and cook food to deliver the best service and experience for customers. Beyond the stove, they play a crucial role in maintaining kitchen order, ensuring efficient operations, and upholding food safety standards.

Entry to Hospitality World

For those venturing into the hospitality industry and seeking to enhance their culinary skills, working as a cook is an excellent starting point. Typically earning a median annual salary of around $24,300, cooks often find themselves in fast-food establishments like McDonald’s or Burger King.

Distinguishing Cooks from Chefs

It’s essential to note the distinction between a cook and a chef. While a cook follows established recipes, a chef is a culinary expert trained in understanding flavors, cooking techniques, and crafting recipes from scratch using fresh ingredients. Additionally, chefs often hold higher responsibilities within a kitchen.

Shampooers

In the world of hair care, shampooers play a vital role, doing exactly what their name suggests – shampooing and rinsing customers’ hair. However, their responsibilities go beyond the basics.

They might also address scalp conditions and hair loss using specialized lotions, shampoos, or even equipment like infrared lamps or vibrating tools. Keeping detailed treatment records is part of their routine.

No Formal Requirements, Just Passion

Unlike many professions, becoming a shampooer doesn’t necessarily require formal education, specific credentials, or extensive work experience. It’s a field open to those with a passion for hands-on experiences.

Despite the optional entry qualifications, the median annual wage for shampooers hovers around $24,320, making it an appealing choice for individuals with sociable personalities eager to grasp the fundamentals of hairstyling and cosmetology.

Fast Food & Counter Workers

In the dynamic realm of hospitality, fast food and counter workers play pivotal roles in ensuring customers have a seamless experience.

From warmly welcoming patrons to guiding them to their seats, these workers handle various responsibilities such as explaining menus, taking orders, processing payments, and serving food and beverages over the counter.

You’ll find them in diverse settings like coffee shops, cafeterias, movie theaters, and, of course, fast-food restaurants.

No Formal Education Required

Becoming a food and beverage worker in this domain doesn’t demand formal education credentials. Instead, most individuals embark on their journey through on-the-job training, typically lasting a few weeks.

Popular Yet Low-Paying

Despite the absence of educational prerequisites, working in fast-food restaurants stands out as one of the most sought-after but low-paying jobs in the United States. Presently, approximately 3.5 million people contribute to this job sector, earning a median annual salary of $24,540.

Hosts and Hostesses

In restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops, hosts and hostesses are the friendly faces that greet you. They make sure customers feel welcome, find a seat, and receive good service. Sometimes, they also handle reservations and answer phone calls. Hosts earn around $26,000 per year on average.

Amusement and Recreation Attendants

People who work at fun places like amusement parks or sports centers are called amusement and recreation attendants. They do different jobs to keep everything running smoothly.

They might run rides, work at snack stands, organize the use of the place, and provide equipment to people (especially at recreation spots). The average yearly pay for attendants is around $26,110, but it can vary depending on where they work.

Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers

At different entertainment spots like cinemas, concert halls, and theaters, you’ll find ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers. Their tasks include collecting tickets, assisting people in finding their seats, and guiding them to facilities like restrooms. For these roles, the average yearly income is around $26,390.

Cashiers

Cashiers are the people who take and give money to customers buying things. You usually find them in stores. They use tools like scanners and cash registers to process payments. Cashiers can work either part-time or full-time, but those working full-time earn an average yearly income of $26,770.

Recreational Protective Services (e.g., Lifeguards and Ski Patrol)

People in recreational protective services watch over fun places to keep everyone safe. They give safety tips, keep an eye on the area, and provide first aid if someone gets hurt. You might find them as lifeguards at pools or beaches, ski patrollers on slopes, or in other places where protection is needed.

Certain roles might need special certifications like first aid or CPR training. On average, those in recreational protective services make about $27,320 per year.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers have the important job of cleaning dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment. You’ll find them in different food places like restaurants, coffee shops, and cafeterias. Dishwashers typically make an average yearly income of $27,350.

Childcare Workers

Childcare workers take care of children, making sure they are safe and happy. They might handle tasks like feeding, bathing, supervising playtime, and assisting older kids with schoolwork.

You can find childcare workers in various places, such as schools (working with after-school or infant care), childcare centers, their own homes, or in the homes of the children they care for. Their work hours can be either full-time or part-time. On average, a full-time childcare worker earns around $27,680 per year.

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

Attendants and bartender helpers play a crucial role in ensuring dining rooms, restaurants, cafes, and bars are well-equipped with essentials like clean linen, glasses, silverware, and dishes. Their tasks include clearing dirty dishes and sometimes serving water or coffee. For this job, the average yearly pay is around $27,690.

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers take charge of washing and dry-cleaning machines. You’ll find them working in various places like laundromats, dry-cleaning stores, or industrial washing sites that handle laundry for bigger places like hotels and hospitals. These workers earn an average annual income of $27,830.

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

The friendly faces at hotel, motel, and resort front desks are desk clerks who assist patrons by checking them in, assigning rooms, and handling various transactions, including computing bills, balancing accounts, and collecting payments.

In addition to their administrative duties, clerks also cater to patrons’ inquiries and concerns during their stay. On average, these helpful individuals earn an annual income of $28,040.

Pressers of Textiles, Garments, and Related Materials

Pressers take charge of smoothing out wrinkles and attaching patches onto fabric articles. Using tools like hand irons or specialized steam and hydraulic machines, they work their magic. Additionally, pressers might handle tasks like hanging, folding, and packaging the finished items for delivery.

These skilled individuals find employment in various settings, including laundromats, dry-cleaning stores, or larger industrial facilities. On average, pressers earn an annual income of $28,110.

Food-Preparation Workers

Food-preparation workers handle everything except the actual cooking. Their tasks range from slicing meat and brewing coffee to peeling vegetables. Alongside their food-related responsibilities, they diligently clean work areas, ensuring strict adherence to food-safety standards. These essential team members earn an average annual income of $29,450.

Gambling Dealers

Gambling dealers are the experts at the tables in casinos, card rooms, and other gaming spots. Their roles include dealing cards or blocks to players, distributing winnings, and collecting money or chips from players. For their skills and expertise, dealers earn an average annual income of $28,960.

Waiters and Waitresses

Waiters and waitresses, often referred to as “servers,” play a key role in taking orders and delivering food and drinks to patrons. Their workplace could be in restaurants, bars, hotels, or other food service spots.

Whether working part-time or full-time, a waiter’s income can significantly differ based on the establishment type. Many depend on tips to enhance their earnings. On average, a full-time waiter or waitress earns an annual salary of $29,010. Those who serve food in places other than traditional restaurants, such as coffee shops, earn an average annual income of $29,500.

Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners

Professionals in gambling and sports book roles provide information for individuals looking to place bets on diverse sporting events or races. Their duties may involve recording patrons’ bets and overseeing payouts. Additionally, some may find themselves operating games like bingo. For those in such positions, the average income is $29,110.

Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers

These individuals play a pivotal role in managing money within a casino or gambling establishment. They handle the sale of tokens and chips, facilitate payouts to customers while obtaining signatures on receipts.

Booth cashiers may operate a booth in the slot machine area, provide cash banks to fellow workers at the beginning of a shift, and conduct the counting and auditing of money in drawers. For these responsibilities, they earn an average annual income of $29,130.

Parking Lot Attendants

Parking lot attendants take charge of parking and delivering vehicles to customers in parking lots or garages. Their duties may extend to patrolling the garage to prevent property damage or theft. For their efforts, attendants earn an average annual income of $27,210.

Home Health and Personal Care Aides

Home health and personal care aides offer assistance to elderly individuals, convalescents, or those with disabilities in their daily activities. These tasks encompass general housekeeping, meal preparation, and running errands.

Aides go beyond, aiding patients with exercises, meals, and bathing. Some also provide guidance on nutrition and household activities to patients and their families. Their work can be in a care facility or at an individual’s home.

Although home health aides and personal care aides share similarities, personal care aides typically offer less specialized medical care. The average annual income for these dedicated workers is $29,260.

Non-Farm Animal Caretakers

These devoted caretakers look after non-farm animals, ranging from domestic pets like dogs and cats to fish and sometimes even zoo animals. Their workplace could be in pet stores, animal shelters, kennels, aquariums, zoos, or circuses.

Animal caretakers take on responsibilities such as feeding, watering, grooming, medicating, and cleaning the living spaces of the animals they care for. For their dedication, these caretakers earn an average annual income of $29,520.

Maids and Housekeepers

Maids and cleaners perform various cleaning duties, such as making beds, dusting and vacuuming, disinfecting counter spaces, and emptying trash and recycling baskets. They may work in private households or public establishments, such as hotels or nursing homes. Maids and cleaners earn an average annual income of $29,580.

Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers

This category encompasses individuals who offer services in venues not previously mentioned, such as spectator sports events or fitness and recreation centers. On average, these versatile workers earn an annual income of $29,680.

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders

Using an array of machines, shoe machine operators and tenders skillfully join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and their components. Their expertise finds application in footwear manufacturing or within the shoe wholesale sector. These dedicated workers in the shoe industry earn an average annual income of $29,920.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest paid career?

The lowest-paid career varies, but some of the least-paying jobs include certain roles in the fast-food industry or agriculture.

What is the least paid job in the world?

The least-paid job in the world can be found in certain sectors like agriculture or service industries, where wages may be minimal.

What is lowest salary in us?

The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, making it the lowest salary mandated by law.

What is the lowest paying IT job?

The lowest-paying IT job can vary, but entry-level positions such as IT support or help desk roles may have relatively lower salaries compared to more specialized roles in the industry.

Final Thoughts

In discovering the What are the Top 25 Lowest-Paying Jobs, we’ve looked at jobs often overlooked but crucial in our daily lives. From attendants to food servers, these roles may have modest pay, yet the hard work they bring is invaluable.

Reflecting on these jobs makes us think about fair wages and the importance of recognizing those who contribute to essential services. It goes beyond money, highlighting the broader impact these jobs have on our communities.

Exploring these professions might spark curiosity about the stories of those working in them, encouraging readers to share their thoughts or experiences.

As we conclude our journey into lower-paying jobs, it’s clear that each job, no matter its pay, plays a unique part in our society. Reflecting on these roles might make readers think about the significance of work and spark a curiosity that goes beyond the list itself.