Dragon Images // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Louisville

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 Louisville, 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 2021.

You may also like: Highest paying jobs that require a 2 year degree in Louisville

Canva

#50. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,850
– #48 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

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)

Unsplash

#49. Floral designers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,740
– #104 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,100
– Employment: 36,000
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New Haven, CT ($44,600)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,780)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,120)

Canva

#48. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,710
– #181 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,560

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,520
– Employment: 392,860
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($48,130)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,400)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($47,000)

Canva

#47. Skincare specialists

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,390
– #158 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 400

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)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#46. Driver/sales workers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,270
– #197 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,670

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)

You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Louisville

New Africa // Shutterstock

#45. Receptionists and information clerks

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,250
– #227 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,800

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)

YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#44. Occupational therapy aides

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,100
– #17 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $39,230
– Employment: 3,370
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($68,500)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($63,090)
— Salt Lake City, UT ($54,170)

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#43. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $30,070
– #153 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,540

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)

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#42. Sewing machine operators

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,810
– #139 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 660

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)

Atstock Productions // Shutterstock

#40 (tie). Telemarketers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,530
– #73 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,670
– Employment: 115,130
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($63,030)
— Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($49,120)
— New Haven, CT ($48,680)

You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Louisville in the last week

Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#40 (tie). Security guards

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,530
– #332 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,490

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)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#39. Retail salespersons

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,480
– #236 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 16,390

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)

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#38. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,410
– #151 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

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)

Canva

#37. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,370
– #162 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 390

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)

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Cooks, restaurant

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,240
– #195 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,600

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)

You may also like: Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Louisville, according to Tripadvisor

Don LaVange // Flickr

#35. Funeral attendants

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,170
– #80 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,630
– Employment: 32,490
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,440)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,270)
— Trenton, NJ ($43,730)

Canva

#34. Orderlies

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,100
– #79 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,440
– Employment: 45,160
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,820)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,370)
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,740)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#33. Tutors

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $29,040
– #234 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 410

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)

PxHere

#32. Library assistants, clerical

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,870
– #135 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260

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

#31. Dietetic technicians

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,500
– #82 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,160
– Employment: 21,610
– Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,550)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,700)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,370)

You may also like: Where people in Louisville are moving to most

Education Images // Getty Images

#30. Substitute teachers, short-term

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,400
– #224 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 300

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)

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#29. Residential advisors

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,360
– #230 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 900

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)

Unsplash

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

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $28,230
– #251 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 8,180

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)

Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#27. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,900
– #307 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,060

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)

Canva

#26. Food preparation workers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,770
– #152 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,960

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)

You may also like: Highest-rated steakhouses in Louisville, according to Tripadvisor

Canva

#25. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,700
– #214 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

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)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#24. Animal caretakers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,430
– #172 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,660

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)

Canva

#23. Physical therapist aides

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $27,100
– #123 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#22. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,970
– #258 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 510

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)

Richard Thornton // Shutterstock

#21. School bus monitors

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,760
– #81 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,220
– Employment: 55,310
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($49,850)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($48,610)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,750)

You may also like: Highest-earning zip codes in Louisville metro area

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#20. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,740
– #174 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 770

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)

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#19. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,730
– #195 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,020

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)

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#18. Recreation workers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,670
– #326 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,000

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)

Canva

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

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,590
– #57 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $28,110
– Employment: 26,910
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,040)
— Santa Rosa, CA ($37,370)
— Springfield, MA-CT ($36,530)

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Bartenders

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $26,000
– #217 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,570

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)

You may also like: Highest-rated pizza restaurants in Louisville

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#15. Baggage porters and bellhops

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,900
– #41 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,040
– Employment: 20,530
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($42,310)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,760)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,160)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#14. Childcare workers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,680
– #165 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,020

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)

Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#13. Parking attendants

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,420
– #120 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260

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)

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#12. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,140
– #242 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,060

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)

Flamingo Images // Shutterstock

#11. Concierges

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $25,070
– #92 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

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)

You may also like: Highest-rated cheap eats in Louisville, according to Tripadvisor

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#10. Dishwashers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $24,720
– #171 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,090

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)

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#9. Cashiers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $24,640
– #210 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 12,940

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)

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#8. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $24,590
– #228 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 880

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)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#7. Waiters and waitresses

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $24,220
– #253 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,280

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)

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#6. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,350
– #234 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,400

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)

You may also like: Highest-rated pizza restaurants in Louisville, according to Tripadvisor

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

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

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $23,210
– #197 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,240

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)

Pxhere

#4. Fast food and counter workers

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,730
– #251 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 9,750

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

#3. Cooks, fast food

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,580
– #221 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 9,520

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)

Pixabay

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

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,480
– #176 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370

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)

Unsplash

#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

Louisville, KY-IN
– Annual mean salary: $22,060
– #255 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 760

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)

You may also like: Metros sending the most people to Louisville