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Lowest-paying jobs in Birmingham

Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Birmingham-Hoover, 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 Birmingham, the annual mean wage is $50,960 or 9.5% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $17,780. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Cooks, restaurant

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,000
– #165 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 3,380

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.

Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#49. Counter and rental clerks

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,540
– #39 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 960

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.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#48. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,370
– #125 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 910

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.

Don LaVange // Flickr

#47. Funeral attendants

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,320
– #26 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,130
– Employment: 32,300
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Ogden-Clearfield, UT ($20,980)
— Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($21,320)
— Lima, OH ($21,500)
– Job description: Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.

Canva

#46. Bakers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,980
– #52 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 420

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.

Canva

#45. Helpers–production workers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,960
– #20 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,290

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.

Canva

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

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,950
– #45 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#43. Nursing assistants

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,750
– #30 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 5,150

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

#42. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,660
– #64 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370

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.

ProfDEH // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Couriers and messengers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,570
– #29 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 370

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

#40. Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,450
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,900
– Employment: 93,300
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($25,450)
— El Paso, TX ($25,450)
— Pocatello, ID ($26,750)
– Job description: Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws, jointers, and mortisers to surface, cut, or shape lumber or to fabricate parts for wood products.

Travis Grathwell // Flickr

#39. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,440
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,320
– Employment: 11,530
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Oklahoma City, OK ($20,510)
— Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($21,040)
— Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ ($21,080)
– Job description: Provide personal items to patrons or customers in locker rooms, dressing rooms, or coatrooms.

Unsplash

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

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,270
– #63 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,910

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.

Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#37. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,940
– #48 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,160

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

#36. Physical therapist aides

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,200
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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.

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#35. Cooks, short order

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,960
– #73 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 590

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.

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#34. Sewing machine operators

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,890
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

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.

David Corby // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,870
– #17 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 400

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. Crossing guards and flaggers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,750
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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

Pixabay

#31. Psychiatric aides

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,700
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

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

#30. Fence erectors

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,560
– #1 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $40,120
– Employment: 27,010
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($23,560)
— Tulsa, OK ($27,060)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($28,440)
– Job description: Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#29. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,470
– #94 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 640

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.

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#28. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,380
– #64 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,650

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.

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Bartenders

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,250
– #128 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 810

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.

Canva

#26. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,070
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,070

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.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#25. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,000
– #102 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,650

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.

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#24. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,940
– #110 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,040

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.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#23. Animal caretakers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,820
– #37 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,150

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.

Canva

#22. Orderlies

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,810
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

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

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#21. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,730
– #71 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,130

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.

Martin Smith // Shutterstock

#20. Parking attendants

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,640
– #22 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

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.

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#19. Cashiers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,550
– #89 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 13,240

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.

CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images

#18. Preschool teachers, except special education

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,450
– #5 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,010

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.

Canva

#17. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,080
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,700
– Employment: 14,120
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Beckley, WV ($21,610)
— Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($22,080)
— Florence, SC ($22,100)
– Job description: Drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. Assist in lifting patients.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#16. Baggage porters and bellhops

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,990
– #13 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

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

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#14 (tie). Childcare workers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,850
– #89 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,460

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.

Canva

#14 (tie). Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,850
– #10 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

National
– Annual mean salary: $26,050
– Employment: 31,980
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Raleigh, NC ($18,320)
— Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($19,670)
— Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($19,930)
– Job description: Press or shape articles by hand or machine.

Unsplash

#13. Amusement and recreation attendants

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,920
– #67 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,150

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.

Canva

#12. Food preparation workers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,680
– #23 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,310

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.

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#11. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,590
– #69 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 810

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.

Pexels

#10. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,490
– #25 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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.

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#9. Dishwashers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,370
– #44 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,080

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.

Pixabay

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

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,180
– #22 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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

JOHANNES EISELE // Getty Images

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

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,870
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,580

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.

create jobs 51 // Shutterstock

#6. Legislators

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,690
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

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.

Pxhere

#5. Fast food and counter workers

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,470
– #23 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 12,240

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.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4. Waiters and waitresses

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,210
– #24 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 7,370

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.

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#3. Cooks, fast food

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,120
– #27 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,040

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

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

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,760
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 810

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.

Education Images // Getty Images

#1. Substitute teachers, short-term

Birmingham-Hoover, AL
– Annual mean salary: $17,780
– #5 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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