A Look at the 25 Lowest Paying Jobs in America

A Look at the 25 Lowest Paying Jobs in America A Look at the 25 Lowest Paying Jobs in America What are the worst paying jobs out  there? While your salary can vary drastically based on your geographic location, your  experience level, the company you work for, and  the  minimum wage in your city/state, there are a number of occupations that earn consistently low salaries. These jobs are very diverse, in industries ranging from entertainment to transportation to health care. However, despite  being  in  different  industries,  they  have a number of similarities. These jobs  typically pay by the hour.  Many are service jobs that require tipping  in  order  for  the  worker  to  make  a  decent  salary.  Most of these low-paying jobs  require that  the  applicant  have  no more than  a  high school diploma, and most offer on-the-job training.  Top 25 Lowest Paying Jobs Here are the top 25  worst  paying jobs in America, according to an  employment survey from the US Department of Labor in May 2018. ShampooersShampooers  massage, shampoo, condition, and rinse customers hair before haircuts or stylings. Some shampooers also train to become hairstylists or cosmetologists. Shampooers earn an average annual salary of $22,160. Fast Food and Counter WorkersFast food and counter workers  are involved in a variety of food preparation and serving tasks in fast food restaurants, cafeterias, food concession stands, and coffee shops. The average annual salary for these positions is $22,260. CooksCooks work in institutions ranging from cafeterias to fast food chains to high-end restaurants. Cooks prepare, season, and cook dishes and may help plan the menu with the head chef. On the low end are  cooks working in fast food restaurants,  who  earned an average of $22,650. Overall, cooks in restaurants earn an annual  average of $27,580. However,  private household cooks and chefs can earn as much as $50,000 a year or more. Gaming DealersGaming dealers  operate table games at casinos, card rooms, and other gaming venues. They may dispense cards or blocks to players, dispense winnings, or collect players money or chips. Dealers earn an average annual  salary of $23,070. DishwashersDishwashers  are responsible for cleaning dishes, utensils, and food preparation equipment. They may work at a variety of food service establishments, such as restaurants, coffee shops, and cafeterias. Dishwashers earn an average annual salary of $23,190. CashiersCashiers  receive and disburse money to customers purchasing goods and services. They typically work in retail stores.  Cashiers  may work part-time or full-time, but full-time cashiers earn an average annual salary of $23,240. Hosts/HostessesHosts and hostesses  work at restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops. They are responsible for welcoming customers, seating them, and ensuring quality service. They may also be responsible for receiving and recording reservations and answering other calls. Hosts earn an average annual salary of $23,260. Amusement and Recreation AttendantsAmusement and recreation attendants  may work in a variety of recreation facilities, such as amusement parks, ski resorts, sports complexes, or community centers. They perform a variety of duties related to the use of the facility. They may operate amusement rides or concession stands, schedule use of the facility, and maintain and provide equipment to participants (particularly at recreation facilities). While salary varies depending on the type of facility, attendants earn an average annual salary of $23,460. Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersUshers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers  work at various entertainment establishments, such as cinemas, concert halls, and theaters. They perform duties such as collecting admission tickets, helping patrons find their seats, and guiding patrons to facilities such as restrooms. The average annual salary for these positions is $23,610. Pressers of Textile, Garment, and Related MaterialsPressers  press or shape articles of fabric to remove wrinkles or patch items onto fabric. They may use a hand iron or other steam or hydraulic machines. Pressers may also hang, fold, and package finished items for delivery. Pressers may work at laundromats, dry cleaning stores, or larger industrial facilities. Pressers earn an average salary of $24,060. Recreational Protective Services (Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, etc.)Recreational protective services  are responsible for monitoring recreational areas to provide protection and assistance to attendants. They may provide safety precaution information, monitor recreation areas, and be responsible for administering first aid to injured people. Recreational protective services workers may be  stationed at pools or beaches as lifeguards, on ski slopes as ski patrollers, or in any other recreational area that requires protective services. Some of these positions require special certifications, such as first aid or CPR training. Recreational protective services earn an average annual salary of $24,420. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersLaundry and dry-cleaning workers  operate or tend to  washing and dry-cleaning machines. Workers may be employed at laundromats, dry-cleaning stores, or industrial washing sites that provide laundry services to larger institutions like hotels and hospitals. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers earn an average annual salary of $24,480. Childcare WorkersChildcare workers  are responsible for the well-being of children. They may be responsible for feeding and bathing children, overseeing play, and even helping older children with schoolwork. Childcare workers may be employed at schools (as afterschool or infant care workers), childcare centers, in their own homes, or at the homes of the children for  whom  they care. They may work full-time or part-time. The average full-time annual salary for a childcare worker is $24,610. Personal Care AidesPersonal care aides  assist  the elderly, convalescents, or persons with disabilities with their  daily living activities. These activities may include general housekeeping, preparing meals, and running errands. Aides may also assist patients with tasks such as exercising, eating, and bathing. Some aides also advise patients and their families regarding topics such as nutrition and household activities. Personal care aides may work in a care facility or at a persons home. While there are many similarities between a home health aide and a personal care aide, personal care aides typically provide less specified medical care. While a personal care aide may have home health aide certification, they typically do not hold any higher medical degrees or certifications, which a home health aide might. Personal care aides earn an average annual salary of $25,090. Hotel/Motel/Resort Desk ClerksHotel, motel, and resort desk clerks  serve patrons by registering and assigning rooms to guests. Clerks perform a number of transactions, such as computing patrons bills, balancing accounts, and collecting payments. Clerks also accommodate patrons by addressing any questions and concerns regarding their stay. On average, desk clerks earn $25,130 annually. Parking Lot AttendantsParking lot attendants  park and deliver vehicles to customers in parking lots or garages. They may also be responsible for patrolling the garage to prevent property damage and/or theft. Attendants earn an average annual salary of $25,130. Motion Picture ProjectionistsMotion picture projectionists  set up and operate film projection and related sound equipment. They may also be responsible for inspecting the quality of films and maintaining the quality of the film and sound equipment. Projectionists earn an average salary of $25,280. Home Health AidesHome health aides  provide routine healthcare to elderly, disabled, or convalescent people at their homes or in a care facility. Aides may change bandages, administer medications, and/or perform personal care duties, such as bathing and dressing patients. Aides monitor each patients health status and report observations to a supervisor and/or the patients family. Home health aides typically have a home health aide certification,  which involves completing a nurse-supervised training program. Some are even certified nursing assistants (CNAs). While income depends on ones level of certification, home health aides earn an average annual salary of $25,330. Maids and Housekeeping CleanersMaids 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 salary of $25,570. Waiters and WaitressesWaiters and waitresses,  also  known  as  servers,  take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons. They may work in restaurants, bars, hotels, or other food service establishments. Waiters and waitresses may work part-time or full-time. While a waiters salary varies greatly based on the type of establishment, the  average annual salary for a full-time waiter or waitress  is $25,830. Manicurists and PedicuristsManicurists and pedicurists  clean, shape, polish, and decorate customers fingernails and/or toenails. They may work independently or at a nail salon or spa. Based on salary and tips, manicurists and pedicurists earn an average salary of $25,860. Nonfarm Animal CaretakersThese  animal caretakers  tend to nonfarm animals, including domestic animals  like  dogs, cats, fish, or,  in  some  cases,  zoo animals. They may work in pet stores, animal shelters, kennels, aquariums, zoos, or circuses. Animal caretakers may feed, water, groom, and medicate animals, as well as clean animal quarters. These caretakers earn an average of $25,890 annually. Automotive and Watercraft Service AttendantsService attendants  examine and repair cars, trucks, boats, or other automotive or marine vehicles. Attendants may be responsible for filling vehicles with fuel, lubricating vehicles, changing oil, repairing tires, or repairing and replacing accessories (such as windshield wipers or fan belts). Service attendants may work at gas stations, auto mechanic shops, marinas, or other places where customers  bring  in  their  vehicles  for service. While salary varies based on location and type of vehicles serviced, the average annual salary for a service worker is $25,940. Agricultural WorkersWhile some  agricultural workers  can earn more money  in  different  positions (e.g., agricultural inspectors), farmworkers earn an average yearly salary  of $26,450. On the low end are the workers who are typically responsible for manually planting, cultivating, and harvesting plants and/or field crops. Other positions include graders and sorters of agricultural products (those  who sort and identify food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, and condition and earn only slightly more than farmworkers). These agricultural workers are often responsible for distinguishing between inferior or defective products and acceptable products. BartendersBartenders  serve drinks in bars, restaurants, wineries, or breweries. While a bartenders salary will vary based on their location  and  tips, the average annual salary for a bartender is $26,780. Bartender helpers earn even less than bartenders, with an average annual salary of $23,050. Bartender helpers typically do not serve drinks, but they facilitate service by cleaning counters, washing dishware, and stocking and maintaining supplies.