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Lowest-paying jobs in Louisville

Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, 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 LouisvilleJefferson County, the annual mean wage is $49,200 or 12.6% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $20,550. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

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#50. Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,300
– #10 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,950
– Employment: 38,470
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($26,980)
— Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA ($27,200)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($28,260)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#49. Nursing assistants

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,250
– #187 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,060

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,050
– Employment: 1,371,050
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Monroe, LA ($21,840)
— Brunswick, GA ($22,370)
— Columbus, GA-AL ($22,540)
– Job description: Provide or assist with basic care or support under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff. Perform duties such as monitoring of health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients in a health or nursing facility. May include medication administration and other health-related tasks. Includes nursing care attendants, nursing aides, and nursing attendants.

Stokkete // Shutterstock

#48. File clerks

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,930
– #36 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,140
– Employment: 91,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($22,210)
— Jackson, MS ($24,610)
— Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA ($25,040)
– Job description: File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.

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#47. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,670
– #48 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

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.

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#46. Library technicians

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,640
– #55 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

National
– Annual mean salary: $39,630
– Employment: 89,070
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Twin Falls, ID ($19,270)
— Jonesboro, AR ($23,470)
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($24,420)
– Job description: Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#45. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,530
– #250 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,380

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.

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#44. Residential advisors

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,300
– #75 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,140

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,430
– Employment: 102,450
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Gadsden, AL ($20,950)
— Jonesboro, AR ($20,980)
— Amarillo, TX ($21,360)
– Job description: Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

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#43. Physical therapist aides

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,280
– #92 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#42. Recreation workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,260
– #190 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 630

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,960
– Employment: 325,640
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Rocky Mount, NC ($20,040)
— Lake Charles, LA ($20,300)
— Monroe, LA ($21,000)
– Job description: Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

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#41. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,220
– #203 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,230

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,940
– Employment: 387,300
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Montgomery, AL ($19,990)
— Dothan, AL ($20,340)
— Decatur, AL ($20,520)
– Job description: Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

ITisha // Shutterstock

#40. Bailiffs

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,550
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,730
– Employment: 18,120
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Columbus, GA-AL ($17,970)
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($28,000)
— Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN ($28,550)
– Job description: Maintain order in courts of law.

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#39. Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,520
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,370
– Employment: 41,660
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($24,740)
— Columbus, GA-AL ($25,140)
— Medford, OR ($26,260)
– Job description: Mold, shape, form, cast, or carve products such as food products, figurines, tile, pipes, and candles consisting of clay, glass, plaster, concrete, stone, or combinations of materials.

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#38. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,190
– #161 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,620

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,410
– Employment: 1,990,510
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Monroe, LA ($21,200)
— Sumter, SC ($21,400)
— Dothan, AL ($21,670)
– Job description: Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

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#37. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,050
– #165 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 390

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.

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Cooks, restaurant

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,990
– #221 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,390

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.

viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#35. Packers and packagers, hand

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,670
– #175 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,190

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.

PxHere

#34. Library assistants, clerical

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,620
– #100 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,740
– Employment: 84,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Rocky Mount, NC ($20,080)
— Corpus Christi, TX ($20,520)
— Akron, OH ($20,530)
– Job description: Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#33. Retail salespersons

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,580
– #95 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 14,510

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,940
– Employment: 3,659,670
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Albany, GA ($22,740)
— Hinesville, GA ($23,640)
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($23,660)
– Job description: Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#32. Security guards

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,540
– #43 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,680

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,360
– Employment: 1,054,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Columbus, IN ($22,600)
— Hammond, LA ($22,690)
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($22,760)
– Job description: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

Education Images // Getty Images

#31. Substitute teachers, short-term

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,430
– #82 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,090
– Employment: 512,030
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($17,360)
— Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($17,470)
— Huntsville, AL ($17,470)
– Job description: Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher’s lesson plan.

U.S. Department of Agriculture // Flickr

#30. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,410
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

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.

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#29. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,380
– #35 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,980
– Employment: 59,270
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Alexandria, LA ($20,580)
— Lawton, OK ($21,710)
— Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($22,090)
– Job description: Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.

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#28. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,340
– #82 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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.

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#27. Orderlies

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,020
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,780
– Employment: 43,570
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC ($22,440)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($22,810)
— Jackson, MS ($22,850)
– Job description: Transport patients to areas such as operating rooms or x-ray rooms using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds. May maintain stocks of supplies or clean and transport equipment. Psychiatric orderlies are included in Psychiatric Aides.

Arsenii Palivoda // Shutterstock

#26. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,970
– #4 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,640
– Employment: 26,140
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($23,270)
— El Paso, TX ($24,790)
— Lafayette, LA ($25,710)
– Job description: Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

David Corby // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,760
– #62 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 580

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,980
– Employment: 98,810
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Johnstown, PA ($19,580)
— Tyler, TX ($20,460)
— Cleveland, TN ($20,690)
– Job description: Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

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#24. Food preparation workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,580
– #236 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,480

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.

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#23. Crossing guards and flaggers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,540
– #32 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,220
– Employment: 85,050
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Killeen-Temple, TX ($20,210)
— Jackson, MS ($20,610)
— El Paso, TX ($21,020)
– Job description: Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.

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#22. Bakers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,430
– #58 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 500

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#21. Driver/sales workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,240
– #66 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,980

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,870
– Employment: 420,890
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY ($19,230)
— Sumter, SC ($19,740)
— Dalton, GA ($21,020)
– Job description: Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#20. Animal caretakers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,940
– #176 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,130

National
– Annual mean salary: $28,380
– Employment: 193,660
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Morristown, TN ($18,810)
— Greenville, NC ($20,320)
— Twin Falls, ID ($20,580)
– Job description: Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#19. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,300
– #206 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,130

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.

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#18. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,010
– #165 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 860

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,460
– Employment: 254,650
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Decatur, AL ($18,460)
— Enid, OK ($18,780)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($18,960)
– Job description: Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#17. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $24,110
– #125 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 850

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.

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#16. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,840
– #150 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 870

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.

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#15. Childcare workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,550
– #158 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,480

National
– Annual mean salary: $26,790
– Employment: 494,360
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Rome, GA ($17,330)
— Dothan, AL ($18,370)
— Warner Robins, GA ($18,440)
– Job description: Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#14. Cashiers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,390
– #146 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 13,030

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.

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#13. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,090
– #219 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,190

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.

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#12. Dishwashers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,050
– #196 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,110

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.

Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#11. Parking attendants

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,040
– #27 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 350

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#10. Waiters and waitresses

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,900
– #147 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 8,270

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.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#9. Baggage porters and bellhops

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,440
– #15 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,060
– Employment: 28,440
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Greensboro-High Point, NC ($19,580)
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($19,920)
— Baton Rouge, LA ($19,940)
– Job description: Handle baggage for travelers at transportation terminals or for guests at hotels or similar establishments.

Unsplash

#8. Amusement and recreation attendants

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,330
– #131 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,140

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.

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Bartenders

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,120
– #86 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,720

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.

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#6. Cooks, short order

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,110
– #32 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Pexels

#5. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $21,680
– #45 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 480

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.

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#4. Cooks, fast food

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $21,440
– #110 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,320

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.

Pxhere

#3. Fast food and counter workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $21,370
– #125 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 16,580

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.

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#2. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $21,340
– #108 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,590

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.

Pixabay

#1. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $20,550
– #30 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,050
– Employment: 113,150
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Montgomery, AL ($17,440)
— Athens-Clarke County, GA ($17,790)
— Sheboygan, WI ($17,940)
– Job description: Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.