Dragon Images // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Lexington

Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY, 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 Lexington, the annual mean wage is $48,150 or 14.5% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $20,630. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

New Africa // Shutterstock

#50. Receptionists and information clerks

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,820
– #180 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,940

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,410
– Employment: 968,420
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Gadsden, AL ($22,570)
— Killeen-Temple, TX ($22,770)
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($22,880)
– Job description: Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#49. Tellers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,750
– #82 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 650

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,960
– Employment: 423,570
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lawton, OK ($25,350)
— Abilene, TX ($25,860)
— Las Cruces, NM ($25,970)
– Job description: Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution’s various transactions.

ProfDEH // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Couriers and messengers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,740
– #104 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,010
– Employment: 70,700
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Tuscaloosa, AL ($19,770)
— Monroe, LA ($21,160)
— Lawton, OK ($21,380)
– Job description: Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.

Canva

#47. Demonstrators and product promoters

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,680
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,080
– Employment: 69,990
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Boise City, ID ($22,120)
— North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($22,370)
— Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($22,820)
– Job description: Demonstrate merchandise and answer questions for the purpose of creating public interest in buying the product. May sell demonstrated merchandise.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#46. Nursing assistants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,660
– #165 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,100

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.

Canva

#45. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,580
– #220 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,210

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.

Canva

#44. Physical therapist aides

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,350
– #93 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.

Canva

#43. Helpers–carpenters

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,330
– #22 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,360
– Employment: 30,900
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($21,250)
— Sioux Falls, SD ($23,260)
— Tallahassee, FL ($24,740)
– Job description: Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#42. Packers and packagers, hand

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,970
– #219 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 640

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.

Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#41. Counter and rental clerks

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,900
– #86 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,060

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,700
– Employment: 368,300
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Carbondale-Marion, IL ($21,980)
— Lawton, OK ($22,200)
— Parkersburg-Vienna, WV ($22,360)
– Job description: Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.

Unsplash

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,870
– #182 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,960

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.

Canva

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,740
– #4 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

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.

fizkes // Shutterstock

#38. Order clerks

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,720
– #16 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,660
– Employment: 119,640
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— El Paso, TX ($23,580)
— Wichita Falls, TX ($23,900)
— Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA ($25,930)
– Job description: Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.

The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#36 (tie). Stockers and order fillers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,180
– #114 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,200

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.

PxHere

#36 (tie). Library assistants, clerical

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,180
– #113 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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

#35. Retail salespersons

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,140
– #119 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,590

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.

Pixabay

#34. Psychiatric aides

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,030
– #19 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,300
– Employment: 51,550
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Jackson, TN ($21,440)
— Charleston, WV ($22,320)
— Jackson, MS ($22,620)
– Job description: Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.

Canva

#32 (tie). Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,020
– #29 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,340

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.

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#32 (tie). Cooks, restaurant

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,020
– #223 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,760

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.

Canva

#31. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,730
– #156 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

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.

Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#30. Security guards

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,680
– #44 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,560

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.

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#29. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,640
– #37 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

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.

Canva

#28. Bakers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,600
– #87 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

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.

David Corby // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,570
– #79 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

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.

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#26. Residential advisors

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,470
– #50 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

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.

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#25. Recreation workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,350
– #131 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 500

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.

Canva

#24. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,140
– #64 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

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.

Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#23. Parking attendants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $26,890
– #108 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

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.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#22. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $25,830
– #104 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 530

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.

Needpix

#21. Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $25,560
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,290
– Employment: 32,460
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lexington-Fayette, KY ($25,560)
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($25,950)
— Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC ($27,920)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or rubber.

Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#20. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,920
– #47 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,740
– Employment: 302,410
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— San Angelo, TX ($18,370)
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($19,280)
— Bowling Green, KY ($19,460)
– Job description: Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#19. Animal caretakers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,820
– #124 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,060

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.

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#18. Dishwashers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,630
– #257 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 500

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.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#17. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,150
– #129 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 470

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.

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#16. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,850
– #207 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 460

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.

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#15. Childcare workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,610
– #161 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 950

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.

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#14. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,340
– #91 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#13. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,300
– #114 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,430

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.

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#12. Cooks, short order

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,220
– #59 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.

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#11. Cashiers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,200
– #135 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 6,650

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.

Canva

#10. Food preparation workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,540
– #65 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,620

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#9. Waiters and waitresses

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,400
– #134 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,060

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.

Unsplash

#8. Amusement and recreation attendants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,250
– #127 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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.

Unsplash

#7. Athletes and sports competitors

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,050
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

National
– Annual mean salary: $94,740
– Employment: 8,380
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Lexington-Fayette, KY ($22,050)
— Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($38,710)
— Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($38,880)
– Job description: Compete in athletic events.

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#6. Cooks, fast food

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $21,790
– #123 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $21,710
– #152 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 730

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.

Pexels

#4. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $21,640
– #43 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Bartenders

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $21,510
– #63 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 770

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.

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#2. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $21,080
– #43 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

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.

Pxhere

#1. Fast food and counter workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $20,630
– #77 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 8,100

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.