Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Lexington

The U.S. may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world but there’s a growing trend of financial inequality, with middle-class households feeling the most impact. In fact, the number of adults who live in middle-class households dropped from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021, according to an April 2022 analysis from Pew Research Center. On the other hand, the upper-income level rose from 14% to 21%. The declining middle class in the U.S. can be attributed to various factors including a decrease in unions and manufacturing jobs and an increased need for college-educated, tech-savvy employees.

The COVID-19 pandemic also played a major role in exposing the harsh financial gap as those who fell under the middle- and upper-income brackets were able to keep their jobs and/or work remotely. At the start of the pandemic in the U.S., workers who fell under the lower-income tier found themselves unemployed or having to be out of work, even if temporarily, as their place of employment was closed.

Those who worked in the leisure and hospitality industries were hit the hardest financially. In December 2020, employment in the hospitality industry was down by 23% compared to pre-pandemic levels in February 2020, an unemployment rate that surpassed other industries. Service employees such as housekeepers, food preparation workers, kitchen cooks, automobile glass installers, and animal caretakers were some of the lowest-paying jobs in the nation.

Stacker compiled a list of 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 2021.

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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#50. Nursing assistants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,740
– #216 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,360

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,250
– Employment: 1,314,830
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,690)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,500)
— Salinas, CA ($44,210)

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,550
– #86 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,020

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,150
– Employment: 34,140
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,780)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,120)
— Provo-Orem, UT ($41,660)

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#48. Tire repairers and changers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,510
– #202 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,520
– Employment: 93,180
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($44,520)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,520)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,370)

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#47. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,360
– #51 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,430
– Employment: 17,270
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($52,450)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,410)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($46,480)

Canva

#46. Skincare specialists

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,190
– #159 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,700
– Employment: 50,580
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($79,860)
— Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($67,750)
— Danbury, CT ($67,480)

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Giulio_Fornasar // Shutterstock

#45. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,100
– #161 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,390
– Employment: 69,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,730)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,210)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,390)

ProfDEH // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Couriers and messengers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $30,040
– #135 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,270
– Employment: 68,310
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,430)
— Modesto, CA ($42,550)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,220)

Canva

#43. Physical therapist aides

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,860
– #79 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,370
– Employment: 42,390
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Santa Rosa, CA ($45,060)
— Jackson, MS ($42,210)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,510)

New Africa // Shutterstock

#42. Receptionists and information clerks

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,670
– #258 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,030

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,910
– Employment: 983,150
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,680)
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($41,290)

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#41. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,370
– #152 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,590
– Employment: 48,190
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($51,610)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,250)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,440)

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#40. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,190
– #168 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,960
– Employment: 111,480
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($50,340)
— Fairbanks, AK ($41,840)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,120)

Canva

#39. Demonstrators and product promoters

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,160
– #103 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,990
– Employment: 40,680
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($64,820)
— Boulder, CO ($51,470)
— Prescott, AZ ($47,200)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#38. Retail salespersons

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $29,060
– #267 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,310

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,920
– Employment: 3,693,490
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,150)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,150)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($38,790)

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#36 (tie). Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,900
– #193 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 630

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,550
– Employment: 351,960
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($40,840)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,980)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,780)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#36 (tie). Driver/sales workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,900
– #257 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,190

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,970
– Employment: 477,020
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bismarck, ND ($48,560)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,390)
— Fargo, ND-MN ($46,360)

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Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#35. Animal caretakers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,640
– #138 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,720

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,520
– Employment: 225,680
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($40,460)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,720)
— Salinas, CA ($37,420)

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Cooks, restaurant

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,610
– #220 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,500

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,630
– Employment: 1,193,860
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($43,900)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,380)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($41,690)

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#33. Sewing machine operators

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,560
– #170 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,880
– Employment: 116,220
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Appleton, WI ($43,060)
— Glens Falls, NY ($42,270)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($40,660)

Unsplash

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,510
– #242 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,990

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,860
– Employment: 2,036,680
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,030)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($41,240)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($41,150)

Canva

#31. Crossing guards and flaggers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $28,430
– #146 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,670
– Employment: 82,690
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($56,540)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($55,860)
— Bellingham, WA ($54,870)

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#30. Pharmacy aides

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,920
– #121 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,560
– Employment: 43,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($59,160)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($57,630)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($56,450)

Flamingo Images // Shutterstock

#29. Concierges

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,840
– #87 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,520
– Employment: 33,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($47,700)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,690)
— Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($42,870)

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#28. Residential advisors

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,820
– #239 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 310

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,950
– Employment: 92,500
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Trenton, NJ ($50,560)
— Napa, CA ($48,390)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,210)

PxHere

#27. Library assistants, clerical

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,660
– #159 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,490
– Employment: 78,470
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,770)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($52,500)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($49,030)

Canva

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,520
– #178 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,440
– Employment: 277,200
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,490)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,560)
— Ithaca, NY ($39,570)

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Canva

#24 (tie). Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,490
– #224 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,780
– Employment: 98,970
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Ames, IA ($44,000)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,680)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,920)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#24 (tie). Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,490
– #239 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,570
– Employment: 175,660
– Entry level education requirements: not available
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,740)
— Napa, CA ($42,730)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($42,000)

Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#23. Security guards

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,450
– #357 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,250

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,830
– Employment: 1,057,100
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Idaho Falls, ID ($70,350)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($58,440)
— Kennewick-Richland, WA ($55,500)

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#22. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,430
– #152 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 300

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,500
– Employment: 243,030
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Napa, CA ($46,270)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,930)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,400)

Pixabay

#21. Psychiatric aides

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,280
– #63 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,640
– Employment: 39,140
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($54,830)
— Stockton-Lodi, CA ($54,000)
— Utica-Rome, NY ($51,960)

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Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#20. Parking attendants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $27,170
– #94 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,210
– Employment: 91,160
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,920)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,670)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,420)

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#19. Recreation workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $26,200
– #338 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 540

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,020
– Employment: 264,020
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($50,710)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,730)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($44,200)

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#18. Dishwashers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $25,590
– #135 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 490

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,350
– Employment: 377,040
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($37,560)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,200)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,440)

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#17. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $25,550
– #241 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,320

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,580
– Employment: 723,430
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,430)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($44,940)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,580)

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Bartenders

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $25,490
– #251 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 720

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,340
– Employment: 485,330
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($50,180)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,820)
— Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($47,440)

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#15. Food preparation workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $25,280
– #269 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,600

National
– Annual mean salary: $28,810
– Employment: 783,350
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,950)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,230)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($38,340)

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#13 (tie). Cashiers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,860
– #198 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,190

National
– Annual mean salary: $26,780
– Employment: 3,335,170
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,860)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,910)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,400)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#13 (tie). Childcare workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,860
– #207 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,500

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,680
– Employment: 438,520
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,390)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,120)
— Napa, CA ($36,850)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#12. Waiters and waitresses

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,800
– #229 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,560

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,010
– Employment: 1,804,030
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Glens Falls, NY ($47,570)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,080)
— Ithaca, NY ($44,970)

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#11. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,720
– #259 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 460

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,830
– Employment: 157,400
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,740)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,290)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($35,690)

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Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#10. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,350
– #345 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 520

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,990
– Employment: 285,980
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($53,630)
— Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($53,470)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($52,630)

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#9. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $24,320
– #240 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 490

National
– Annual mean salary: $28,040
– Employment: 220,380
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($52,150)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,900)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,910)

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,960
– #168 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 710

National
– Annual mean salary: $26,000
– Employment: 324,690
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,560)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,060)
— Madera, CA ($36,490)

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#7. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,370
– #231 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 510

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,690
– Employment: 336,970
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($38,490)
— Ithaca, NY ($38,170)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($37,910)

Pixabay

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

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $23,280
– #149 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,320
– Employment: 114,320
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($43,930)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,420)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($37,930)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4 (tie). Tutors

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,580
– #250 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 490

National
– Annual mean salary: $41,780
– Employment: 147,100
– Entry level education requirements: nan
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Pittsfield, MA ($82,910)
— Santa Fe, NM ($68,440)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($60,110)

Unsplash

#4 (tie). Amusement and recreation attendants

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,580
– #234 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $26,110
– Employment: 262,170
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,560)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($36,800)
— Anchorage, AK ($36,020)

Pxhere

#3. Fast food and counter workers

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $22,300
– #271 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,080

National
– Annual mean salary: $26,060
– Employment: 3,095,120
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,090)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,360)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($34,240)

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#2. Cooks, fast food

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $21,010
– #268 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,150

National
– Annual mean salary: $25,490
– Employment: 768,130
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($36,820)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($36,640)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,040)

Education Images // Getty Images

#1. Substitute teachers, short-term

Lexington-Fayette, KY
– Annual mean salary: $20,950
– #290 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,410
– Employment: 374,620
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Prescott, AZ ($64,310)
— Appleton, WI ($63,310)
— Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($58,770)

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