Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Dothan

Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Dothan, AL, 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 Dothan, the annual mean wage is $41,610 or 26.1% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $18,260. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

Paul Sableman // Flickr

#50. Bus drivers, transit and intercity

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,240
– #9 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

National
– Annual mean salary: $48,110
– Employment: 162,850
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY ($23,460)
— Wilmington, NC ($23,820)
— Mobile, AL ($24,890)
– Job description: Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.

Milkovasa // Shutterstock

#49. Medical assistants

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,170
– #9 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 430

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,930
– Employment: 710,200
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Laredo, TX ($25,790)
— Florence, SC ($25,960)
— El Paso, TX ($26,450)
– Job description: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#48. Phlebotomists

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,960
– #5 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,280
– Employment: 128,020
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Decatur, AL ($27,030)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($27,140)
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($27,550)
– Job description: Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

Pixabay

#47. Construction laborers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,490
– #4 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 360

National
– Annual mean salary: $43,000
– Employment: 971,330
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($25,260)
— Albany, GA ($27,070)
— Rocky Mount, NC ($27,380)
– Job description: Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#46. Stockers and order fillers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,480
– #81 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 850

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.

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#45. Social and human service assistants

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,460
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,230
– Employment: 399,920
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($22,640)
— Gadsden, AL ($25,940)
— Kokomo, IN ($26,210)
– Job description: Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

Canva

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

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,440
– #25 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.

Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#43. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,410
– #110 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

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.

Canva

#42. Pest control workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,230
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

National
– Annual mean salary: $40,350
– Employment: 79,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Clarksville, TN-KY ($25,240)
— Dothan, AL ($27,230)
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($28,830)
– Job description: Apply or release chemical solutions or toxic gases and set traps to kill or remove pests and vermin that infest buildings and surrounding areas.

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#41. Sewing machine operators

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,130
– #65 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,420
– Employment: 116,520
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— El Paso, TX ($18,940)
— McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($21,950)
— Wichita Falls, TX ($22,070)
– Job description: Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#40. Residential advisors

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,600
– #41 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

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.

Zhanna Kavaliova // Shutterstock

#39. Logging equipment operators

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,990
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $43,570
– Employment: 25,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Dothan, AL ($25,990)
— Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC ($27,810)
— Rapid City, SD ($31,170)
– Job description: Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#38. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,760
– #14 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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.

viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#37. Packers and packagers, hand

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,460
– #110 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

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.

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Cooks, restaurant

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,350
– #96 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 620

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

#34 (tie). Helpers–production workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,050
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,000
– Employment: 239,340
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Auburn-Opelika, AL ($21,100)
— Topeka, KS ($21,280)
— Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($21,360)
– Job description: Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.

New Africa // Shutterstock

#34 (tie). Receptionists and information clerks

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,050
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 510

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.

David Corby // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,990
– #29 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

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.

Canva

#32. Physical therapist aides

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,950
– #28 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.

Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#31. Counter and rental clerks

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,760
– #14 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

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.

Canva

#30. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,420
– #6 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,800
– Employment: 872,370
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($22,780)
— El Paso, TX ($23,330)
— Charleston, WV ($23,500)
– Job description: Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

Canva

#29. Tire repairers and changers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,390
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,790
– Employment: 98,560
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Monroe, LA ($20,890)
— Terre Haute, IN ($21,540)
— Champaign-Urbana, IL ($22,830)
– Job description: Repair and replace tires.

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#28. Recreation workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,410
– #18 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

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.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#27. Nursing assistants

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,320
– #5 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,130

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.

Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock

#26. Office clerks, general

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,290
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 760

National
– Annual mean salary: $37,770
– Employment: 2,788,090
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Manhattan, KS ($20,320)
— Dothan, AL ($23,290)
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($23,570)
– Job description: Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#25. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,620
– #13 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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.

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#24. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,420
– #45 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 380

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,630
– Employment: 1,272,840
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Alexandria, LA ($17,810)
— Gadsden, AL ($18,110)
— Hammond, LA ($18,740)
– Job description: Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.

Canva

#23. Food preparation workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,310
– #62 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 280

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.

PxHere

#22. Library assistants, clerical

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,280
– #13 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

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.

Canva

#21. Bakers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,110
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

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.

Skeeze // pixabay

#20. Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,000
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,290
– Employment: 48,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— El Paso, TX ($17,700)
— Dothan, AL ($22,000)
— Austin-Round Rock, TX ($22,360)
– Job description: Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#19. Cooks, short order

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,980
– #29 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

#18. Cashiers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,950
– #57 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,750

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.

Unsplash

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

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,670
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 850

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.

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Bartenders

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,460
– #60 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

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.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#15. Animal caretakers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,220
– #9 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

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.

CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images

#14. Preschool teachers, except special education

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,200
– #4 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,550
– Employment: 370,940
– Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Pocatello, ID ($18,910)
— Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($19,970)
— Lima, OH ($20,340)
– Job description: Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#13. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,760
– #30 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

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.

create jobs 51 // Shutterstock

#12. Legislators

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,630
– #6 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $53,560
– Employment: 51,290
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Florence, SC ($18,230)
— Warner Robins, GA ($19,630)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($19,690)
– Job description: Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.

Canva

#11. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,340
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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.

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#10. Dishwashers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,180
– #36 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 200

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

#9. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,120
– #6 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

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.

Unsplash

#8. Amusement and recreation attendants

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,080
– #31 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

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.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#7. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,600
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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.

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#6. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,370
– #23 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. Waiters and waitresses

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,830
– #13 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,320

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.

Pxhere

#4. Fast food and counter workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,690
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,600

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.

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#3. Cooks, fast food

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,450
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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.

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#2. Childcare workers

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,370
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

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.

JOHANNES EISELE // Getty Images

#1. Passenger vehicle drivers, except bus drivers, transit and intercity

Dothan, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,260
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 430

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,360
– Employment: 599,980
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Decatur, AL ($17,980)
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($18,250)
— Dothan, AL ($18,260)
– Job description: Drive a motor vehicle to transport passengers on a planned or scheduled basis. May collect a fare.