MONEY
25 Lowest Paying Jobs in America
![To determine the lowest paying jobs in the US, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2018 median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/gettyimages-500923660.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
To determine the lowest paying jobs in the US, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2018 median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers by detailed occupation from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
101cats / Getty Images![25. Misc. agricultural workers • 2018 median annual earnings: $28,704 • Total workers: 641,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry1-ncj.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
25. Misc. agricultural workers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $28,704
• Total workers: 641,000
Valio84sl / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $28,704
• Total workers: 641,000
![24. Bakers • 2018 median annual earnings: $28,548 • Total workers: 151,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry2-asy.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
24. Bakers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $28,548
• Total workers: 151,000
Petar Chernaev / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $28,548
• Total workers: 151,000
![23. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists • 2018 median annual earnings: $28,340 • Total workers: 309,000 Though all 50 states require that barbers and cosmetologists obtain a license to work in that state, the profession is one of the lowest paying in the country, with median annual earnings of $28,340. Hair care is a necessary service for most people, so as the population grows, so will employment in the field. Cosmetology employment is projected to grow 13% over the next decade, well ahead of the average job projected growth rate.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry3-wta.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
23. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists • 2018 median annual earnings: $28,340 • Total workers: 309,000 Though all 50 states require that barbers and cosmetologists obtain a license to work in that state, the profession is one of the lowest paying in the country, with median annual earnings of $28,340. Hair care is a necessary service for most people, so as the population grows, so will employment in the field. Cosmetology employment is projected to grow 13% over the next decade, well ahead of the average job projected growth rate.
MilanMarkovic / Getty Images![22. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment • 2018 median annual earnings: $27,976 • Total workers: 232,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry4-zjv.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
22. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,976
• Total workers: 232,000
Believe_In_Me / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,976
• Total workers: 232,000
![21. Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders • 2018 median annual earnings: $27,508 • Total workers: 250,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry5-ktf.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
21. Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,508
• Total workers: 250,000
Kadmy / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,508
• Total workers: 250,000
![20. Refuse and recyclable material collectors • 2018 median annual earnings: $27,248 • Total workers: 63,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry6-ksh.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
20. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,248
• Total workers: 63,000
Kozmoat98 / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,248
• Total workers: 63,000
![19. Misc. personal appearance workers • 2018 median annual earnings: $27,196 • Total workers: 258,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry7-ejz.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
19. Misc. personal appearance workers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,196
• Total workers: 258,000
Foremniakowski / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,196
• Total workers: 258,000
![18. Misc. entertainment attendants and related workers • 2018 median annual earnings: $27,196 • Total workers: 85,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry8-5va.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
18. Misc. entertainment attendants and related workers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,196
• Total workers: 85,000
Prayitnophotography / Flickr• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,196
• Total workers: 85,000
![17. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks • 2018 median annual earnings: $27,040 • Total workers: 85,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/247WallSt.com-247WS-537471-imageforentry9-9vm.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
17. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,040
• Total workers: 85,000
Macniak / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $27,040
• Total workers: 85,000
![16. Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides • 2018 median annual earnings: $26,832 • Total workers: 1,419,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry10-5ur.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
16. Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides
• 2018 median annual earnings: $26,832
• Total workers: 1,419,000
Jacoblund / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $26,832
• Total workers: 1,419,000
![15. Personal care aides • 2018 median annual earnings: $26,000 • Total workers: 786,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry11-5ex.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
15. Personal care aides
• 2018 median annual earnings: $26,000
• Total workers: 786,000
KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $26,000
• Total workers: 786,000
![14. Child care workers • 2018 median annual earnings: $26,000 • Total workers: 437,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry12-08r.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
14. Child care workers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $26,000
• Total workers: 437,000
Asiseeit / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $26,000
• Total workers: 437,000
![13. Sewing machine operators • 2018 median annual earnings: $25,896 • Total workers: 131,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry13-v9r.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
13. Sewing machine operators
• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,896
• Total workers: 131,000
Andresr / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,896
• Total workers: 131,000
![12. Waiters and waitresses • 2018 median annual earnings: $25,792 • Total workers: 932,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry14-pxm.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
12. Waiters and waitresses
• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,792
• Total workers: 932,000
Maximkabb / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,792
• Total workers: 932,000
![11. Hand packers and packagers • 2018 median annual earnings: $25,740 • Total workers: 490,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry15-udd.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
11. Hand packers and packagers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,740
• Total workers: 490,000
RusN / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,740
• Total workers: 490,000
![10. Cooks • 2018 median annual earnings: $25,272 • Total workers: 1,325,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry16-nqj.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
10. Cooks
• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,272
• Total workers: 1,325,000
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,272
• Total workers: 1,325,000
![9. Food servers, non-restaurant • 2018 median annual earnings: $25,168 • Total workers: 106,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry17-n88.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
9. Food servers, non-restaurant
• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,168
• Total workers: 106,000
Orbon Alija / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $25,168
• Total workers: 106,000
![8. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop • 2018 median annual earnings: $24,492 • Total workers: 102,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry18-wuh.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
8. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,492
• Total workers: 102,000
Andresr / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,492
• Total workers: 102,000
![7. Maids and housekeeping cleaners • 2018 median annual earnings: $24,284 • Total workers: 825,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry19-6vo.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
7. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,284
• Total workers: 825,000
STEFANOLUNARDI / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,284
• Total workers: 825,000
![6. Cashiers • 2018 median annual earnings: $24,180 • Total workers: 1,390,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry20-wdu.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
6. Cashiers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,180
• Total workers: 1,390,000
Sturti / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,180
• Total workers: 1,390,000
![5. Food preparation workers • 2018 median annual earnings: $24,076 • Total workers: 473,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry21-ln2.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
5. Food preparation workers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,076
• Total workers: 473,000
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons• 2018 median annual earnings: $24,076
• Total workers: 473,000
![3. Dishwashers • 2018 median annual earnings: $22,932 • Total workers: 111,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/gettyimages-624489016.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
3. Dishwashers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $22,932
• Total workers: 111,000
Juanmonino / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $22,932
• Total workers: 111,000
![2. Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food • 2018 median annual earnings: $22,672 • Total workers: 147,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry24-ufm.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
2. Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food
• 2018 median annual earnings: $22,672
• Total workers: 147,000
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons• 2018 median annual earnings: $22,672
• Total workers: 147,000
![1. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers • 2018 median annual earnings: $22,464 • Total workers: 108,000](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/media/2019/03/27/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry25-39i.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
1. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
• 2018 median annual earnings: $22,464
• Total workers: 108,000
Kali9 / Getty Images• 2018 median annual earnings: $22,464
• Total workers: 108,000
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