Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by average annual salary with information up to date as of May 2020. Job descriptions are from O*NET.
In Los Angeles, the annual mean wage is $63,660 or 13.1 percent higher than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $28,400. Read on to see which jobs make the list.
50. Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $34,070
– #90 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 640
National
– Annual mean salary: $33,290
– Employment: 48,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— El Paso, TX ($17,700)
— Dothan, AL ($22,000)
— Austin-Round Rock, TX ($22,360)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
49. Stockers and order fillers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,990
– #349 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 79,310
National
– Annual mean salary: $31,010
– Employment: 2,210,960
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Fond du Lac, WI ($23,990)
— Monroe, LA ($24,240)
— Florence, SC ($24,420)
– Job description: Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers’ orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.
48. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,980
– #100 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,080
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,800
– Employment: 147,760
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($20,270)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($20,500)
— New Bern, NC ($21,670)
– Job description: Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
47. Helpers–painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,770
– #27 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190
National
– Annual mean salary: $33,520
– Employment: 9,500
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Waco, TX ($22,580)
— Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($25,250)
— Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($25,490)
– Job description: Help painters, paperhangers, plasterers, or stucco masons by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
46. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,670
– #366 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 29,600
National
– Annual mean salary: $28,010
– Employment: 795,590
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Monroe, LA ($18,460)
— Valdosta, GA ($18,730)
— Alexandria, LA ($19,070)
– Job description: Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.
45. Passenger attendants
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,600
– #27 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,410
– Employment: 22,990
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($19,610)
— Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($19,660)
— Savannah, GA ($22,210)
– Job description: Provide services to ensure the safety of passengers aboard ships, buses, trains, or within the station or terminal. Perform duties such as explaining the use of safety equipment, serving meals or beverages, or answering questions related to travel.
44. Sewers, hand
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,550
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,790
– Employment: 3,410
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Salt Lake City, UT ($26,660)
— Ogden-Clearfield, UT ($26,930)
— Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($29,510)
– Job description: Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
43. Waiters and waitresses
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,420
– #343 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 78,250
National
– Annual mean salary: $27,470
– Employment: 1,944,240
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($17,980)
— Decatur, AL ($17,980)
— Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($18,060)
– Job description: Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
42. Furniture finishers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,370
– #19 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 810
National
– Annual mean salary: $35,040
– Employment: 15,590
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($27,490)
— Winston-Salem, NC ($28,710)
— Fort Wayne, IN ($28,880)
– Job description: Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
41. Cooks, restaurant
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,180
– #346 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 51,550
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,530
– Employment: 1,109,650
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($20,590)
— Laredo, TX ($21,000)
— Gadsden, AL ($21,540)
– Job description: Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
40. Helpers–production workers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,090
– #178 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 11,480
National
– Annual mean salary: $32,000
– Employment: 239,340
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Auburn-Opelika, AL ($21,100)
— Topeka, KS ($21,280)
— Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($21,360)
– Job description: Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
39. Telemarketers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,050
– #88 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,890
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,930
– Employment: 117,610
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($19,280)
— Erie, PA ($19,760)
— Logan, UT-ID ($21,130)
– Job description: Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
38. Cutters and trimmers, hand
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $33,010
– #19 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,090
National
– Annual mean salary: $34,190
– Employment: 7,980
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Provo-Orem, UT ($24,110)
— Tulsa, OK ($25,530)
— Pittsburgh, PA ($25,660)
– Job description: Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
37. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,980
– #281 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,920
National
– Annual mean salary: $28,150
– Employment: 112,750
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Valdosta, GA ($21,570)
— Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA ($21,740)
— La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($21,950)
– Job description: Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
36. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,970
– #79 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 350
National
– Annual mean salary: $31,060
– Employment: 36,820
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Goldsboro, NC ($20,690)
— Lynchburg, VA ($22,130)
— Tulsa, OK ($22,450)
– Job description: Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.
35. Food batchmakers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,960
– #98 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,760
National
– Annual mean salary: $34,970
– Employment: 153,270
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— San Angelo, TX ($18,770)
— Hammond, LA ($20,450)
— Tyler, TX ($21,070)
– Job description: Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.
34. Bartenders
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,730
– #322 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 17,520
National
– Annual mean salary: $28,910
– Employment: 486,720
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Gadsden, AL ($17,930)
— Decatur, AL ($17,950)
— Warner Robins, GA ($18,150)
– Job description: Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
33. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,630
– #172 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,980
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,140
– Employment: 293,910
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Rocky Mount, NC ($19,550)
— Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($20,610)
— Las Cruces, NM ($21,540)
– Job description: Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. Use hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying pesticides; or cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.
32. Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,460
– #10 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,330
National
– Annual mean salary: $31,600
– Employment: 7,260
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Spartanburg, SC ($25,770)
— Burlington, NC ($27,030)
— Columbia, SC ($29,180)
– Job description: Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
31. Bakers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,380
– #240 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,900
National
– Annual mean salary: $31,060
– Employment: 168,890
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Sherman-Denison, TX ($21,310)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($21,560)
— St. George, UT ($22,110)
– Job description: Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
30. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $32,210
– #355 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,070
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,900
– Employment: 222,550
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Decatur, AL ($18,020)
— Dalton, GA ($18,450)
— Monroe, LA ($18,500)
– Job description: Accommodate hotel, motel, and resort patrons by registering and assigning rooms to guests, issuing room keys or cards, transmitting and receiving messages, keeping records of occupied rooms and guests’ accounts, making and confirming reservations, and presenting statements to and collecting payments from departing guests.
29. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,970
– #145 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,530
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,390
– Employment: 95,600
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Tulsa, OK ($18,650)
— Appleton, WI ($18,760)
— Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC ($18,930)
– Job description: Assist patrons at entertainment events by performing duties, such as collecting admission tickets and passes from patrons, assisting in finding seats, searching for lost articles, and helping patrons locate such facilities as restrooms and telephones.
28. Etchers and engravers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,880
– #9 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $35,230
– Employment: 9,490
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($23,290)
— Knoxville, TN ($27,520)
— Colorado Springs, CO ($29,350)
– Job description: Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.
27. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,870
– #339 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,750
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,600
– Employment: 179,890
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Hattiesburg, MS ($18,060)
— Warner Robins, GA ($18,580)
— Rome, GA ($19,050)
– Job description: Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
26. Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,820
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $32,130
– Employment: 25,480
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Montgomery, AL ($21,590)
— Burlington, NC ($25,140)
— Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($27,700)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
25. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,650
– #31 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 920
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,890
– Employment: 12,650
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($18,940)
— El Paso, TX ($24,480)
— Cleveland, TN ($24,650)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
24. Graders and sorters, agricultural products
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,560
– #43 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,620
– Employment: 28,640
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($20,420)
— Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($20,450)
— Las Cruces, NM ($23,940)
– Job description: Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
23. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,450
– #310 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 17,770
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,400
– Employment: 341,660
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($20,280)
— Albany, GA ($20,850)
— Dalton, GA ($20,890)
– Job description: Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
22. Forest and conservation workers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,400
– #4 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210
National
– Annual mean salary: $33,520
– Employment: 6,490
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Madison, WI ($26,420)
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($27,280)
— Sioux Falls, SD ($31,190)
– Job description: Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
21. Cooks, short order
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,370
– #210 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,700
National
– Annual mean salary: $27,030
– Employment: 123,350
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Laredo, TX ($18,660)
— Gainesville, GA ($18,740)
— Mobile, AL ($18,820)
– Job description: Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
19 (tie). Amusement and recreation attendants
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,300
– #320 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 15,890
National
– Annual mean salary: $25,610
– Employment: 248,190
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($18,040)
— Lynchburg, VA ($18,600)
— Auburn-Opelika, AL ($18,650)
– Job description: Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
19 (tie). Physical therapist aides
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,300
– #120 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,460
National
– Annual mean salary: $30,110
– Employment: 45,790
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Fort Wayne, IN ($19,710)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($20,200)
— Montgomery, AL ($20,390)
– Job description: Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.
18. Packers and packagers, hand
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,240
– #295 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 27,550
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,270
– Employment: 599,270
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Wichita Falls, TX ($18,740)
— Casper, WY ($19,850)
— Johnstown, PA ($19,920)
– Job description: Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.
17. Slaughterers and meat packers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,180
– #28 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 660
National
– Annual mean salary: $31,210
– Employment: 77,980
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($24,210)
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($24,450)
— Tulsa, OK ($24,700)
– Job description: Perform nonroutine or precision functions involving the preparation of large portions of meat. Work may include specialized slaughtering tasks, cutting standard or premium cuts of meat for marketing, making sausage, or wrapping meats. Work typically occurs in slaughtering, meat packing, or wholesale establishments.
16. Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,160
– #14 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 670
National
– Annual mean salary: $32,370
– Employment: 18,830
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($22,960)
— Asheville, NC ($23,670)
— Winston-Salem, NC ($26,450)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
15. Parking attendants
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,150
– #164 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 9,750
National
– Annual mean salary: $27,910
– Employment: 123,790
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lake Charles, LA ($19,840)
— Huntsville, AL ($19,910)
— Auburn-Opelika, AL ($20,000)
– Job description: Park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage. May park or tend vehicles in environments such as a car dealership or rental car facility. May collect fee.
14. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $31,000
– #339 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 22,930
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,300
– Employment: 374,940
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Monroe, LA ($18,090)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($18,100)
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($18,240)
– Job description: Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.
13. Cooks, private household
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $30,970
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available
National
– Annual mean salary: $46,810
– Employment: 320
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay: data not available
– Job description: Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.
11 (tie). Cashiers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $30,820
– #362 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 128,880
National
– Annual mean salary: $25,710
– Employment: 3,333,100
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Hattiesburg, MS ($19,530)
— Monroe, LA ($19,780)
— Albany, GA ($20,320)
– Job description: Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
11 (tie). Gambling cage workers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $30,820
– #16 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,700
– Employment: 10,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($22,420)
— Tulsa, OK ($22,980)
— Oklahoma City, OK ($23,730)
– Job description: In a gambling establishment, conduct financial transactions for patrons. Accept patron’s credit application and verify credit references to provide check-cashing authorization or to establish house credit accounts. May reconcile daily summaries of transactions to balance books. May sell gambling chips, tokens, or tickets to patrons, or to other workers for resale to patrons. May convert gambling chips, tokens, or tickets to currency upon patron’s request. May use a cash register or computer to record transaction.
10. Food preparation workers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $30,210
– #331 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 34,580
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,820
– Employment: 793,590
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Hammond, LA ($18,290)
— Morristown, TN ($18,550)
— Monroe, LA ($19,010)
– Job description: Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
9. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $30,190
– #331 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 13,970
National
– Annual mean salary: $24,800
– Employment: 316,700
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Decatur, AL ($17,940)
— Gadsden, AL ($18,150)
— New Bern, NC ($18,190)
– Job description: Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
8. Sewing machine operators
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $30,140
– #132 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 13,380
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,420
– Employment: 116,520
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— El Paso, TX ($18,940)
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($21,950)
— Wichita Falls, TX ($22,070)
– Job description: Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
7. Fast food and counter workers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $29,920
– #364 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 135,180
National
– Annual mean salary: $24,540
– Employment: 3,450,120
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Dothan, AL ($18,690)
— Mobile, AL ($18,750)
— Montgomery, AL ($18,780)
– Job description: Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.
6. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $29,830
– #102 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,340
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,050
– Employment: 31,980
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Raleigh, NC ($18,320)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($19,670)
— Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($19,930)
– Job description: Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
5. Gambling dealers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $29,500
– #22 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,910
National
– Annual mean salary: $26,110
– Employment: 67,330
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lake Charles, LA ($17,840)
— Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL ($18,320)
— Reno, NV ($18,540)
– Job description: Operate table games. Stand or sit behind table and operate games of chance by dispensing the appropriate number of cards or blocks to players, or operating other gambling equipment. Distribute winnings or collect players’ money or chips. May compare the house’s hand against players’ hands.
4. Cooks, fast food
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $29,460
– #290 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 39,240
National
– Annual mean salary: $24,300
– Employment: 544,420
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Altoona, PA ($17,660)
— Johnson City, TN ($17,700)
— Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($17,900)
– Job description: Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
3. Manicurists and pedicurists
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $29,420
– #79 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,030
National
– Annual mean salary: $29,010
– Employment: 73,010
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— York-Hanover, PA ($18,440)
— Fort Wayne, IN ($18,880)
— Akron, OH ($19,540)
– Job description: Clean and shape customers’ fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
2. Dishwashers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $29,090
– #343 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 22,390
National
– Annual mean salary: $25,600
– Employment: 395,660
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($17,490)
— Fond du Lac, WI ($18,400)
— Muncie, IN ($18,550)
– Job description: Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
1. Shampooers
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
– Annual mean salary: $28,400
– #18 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140
National
– Annual mean salary: $24,320
– Employment: 8,310
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Reading, PA ($18,650)
— Pittsburgh, PA ($19,650)
— North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($19,650)
– Job description: Shampoo and rinse customers’ hair.
