JOHANNES EISELE // Getty Images

Lowest-paying jobs in Mobile

Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Mobile, 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 Mobile, the annual mean wage is $46,660 or 17.1% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $18,750. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#50. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,730
– #138 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 740

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.

Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#49. Counter and rental clerks

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,640
– #42 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 410

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.

New Africa // Shutterstock

#48. Receptionists and information clerks

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,510
– #35 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,230

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.

Canva

#47. Tire repairers and changers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,180
– #25 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

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.

Unsplash

#46. Floral designers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,930
– #27 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,670
– Employment: 36,810
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ($19,290)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($21,560)
— Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA ($22,530)
– Job description: Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.

Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock

#45. Office clerks, general

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,770
– #11 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,290

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.

Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

#44. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,700
– #66 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 390

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.

PxHere

#43. Library assistants, clerical

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,510
– #60 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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.

Skeeze // pixabay

#41 (tie). Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,450
– #5 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

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.

Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#41 (tie). Security guards

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,450
– #15 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,050

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,360
– Employment: 1,054,400
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Columbus, IN ($22,600)
— Hammond, LA ($22,690)
— Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($22,760)
– Job description: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

Canva

#40. Helpers–production workers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,380
– #14 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,270

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

#39. Bakers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,340
– #31 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

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.

Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#38. Office machine operators, except computer

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,280
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,580
– Employment: 40,640
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Laredo, TX ($21,930)
— Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR ($24,480)
— Mobile, AL ($25,280)
– Job description: Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines.

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#37. Sewing machine operators

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,070
– #26 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.

ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#36. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,010
– #8 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 150

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.

Needpix

#35. Food batchmakers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,900
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,970
– Employment: 153,270
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— San Angelo, TX ($18,770)
— Hammond, LA ($20,450)
— Tyler, TX ($21,070)
– Job description: Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

Paul Sableman // Flickr

#34. Bus drivers, transit and intercity

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,890
– #3 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#33. Nursing assistants

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,350
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,920

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.

Unsplash

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,050
– #29 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,720

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,410
– Employment: 1,990,510
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Monroe, LA ($21,200)
— Sumter, SC ($21,400)
— Dothan, AL ($21,670)
– Job description: Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

Canva

#31. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,960
– #12 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

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.

CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images

#30. Preschool teachers, except special education

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,640
– #10 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.

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Cooks, restaurant

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,490
– #33 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,340

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

#28. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,110
– #22 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 940

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.

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#27. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,050
– #81 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

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.

viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#26. Packers and packagers, hand

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,860
– #35 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

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.

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#25. Animal caretakers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,830
– #38 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

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

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,810
– #17 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#23. Residential advisors

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,540
– #7 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 330

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,430
– Employment: 102,450
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Gadsden, AL ($20,950)
— Jonesboro, AR ($20,980)
— Amarillo, TX ($21,360)
– Job description: Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

#22. Recreation workers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,530
– #14 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 530

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,960
– Employment: 325,640
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Rocky Mount, NC ($20,040)
— Lake Charles, LA ($20,300)
— Monroe, LA ($21,000)
– Job description: Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

Canva

#21. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,950
– #5 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 360

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,800
– Employment: 147,760
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($20,270)
— Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($20,500)
— New Bern, NC ($21,670)
– Job description: Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.

Education Images // Getty Images

#20. Substitute teachers, short-term

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,890
– #21 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.

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#19. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,790
– #66 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

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.

Finist4 // Shutterstock

#17 (tie). Manicurists and pedicurists

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,360
– #11 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

National
– Annual mean salary: $29,010
– Employment: 73,010
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— York-Hanover, PA ($18,440)
— Fort Wayne, IN ($18,880)
— Akron, OH ($19,540)
– Job description: Clean and shape customers’ fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17 (tie). Waiters and waitresses

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,360
– #95 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,360

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.

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#16. Cashiers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,180
– #19 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,120

National
– Annual mean salary: $25,710
– Employment: 3,333,100
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Hattiesburg, MS ($19,530)
— Monroe, LA ($19,780)
— Albany, GA ($20,320)
– Job description: Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.

Canva

#15. Food preparation workers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,060
– #33 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Geraldshields11 // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Labor relations specialists

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,730
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $74,870
– Employment: 70,050
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Beckley, WV ($19,490)
— Mobile, AL ($20,730)
— Racine, WI ($21,770)
– Job description: Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#13. Dishwashers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,710
– #61 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

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.

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#12. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,640
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 570

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.

Unsplash

#11. Amusement and recreation attendants

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,630
– #55 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

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.

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Bartenders

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,350
– #32 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 290

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.

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#9. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,340
– #21 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

National
– Annual mean salary: $27,460
– Employment: 254,650
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with lowest average pay:
— Decatur, AL ($18,460)
— Enid, OK ($18,780)
— Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($18,960)
– Job description: Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#8. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,250
– #18 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,050

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.

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,930
– #50 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#6. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,800
– #42 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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.

JOHANNES EISELE // Getty Images

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

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,640
– #10 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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.

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#4. Cooks, fast food

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,500
– #41 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 640

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

#3. Childcare workers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,830
– #4 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 770

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.

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#2. Cooks, short order

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,820
– #3 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.

Pxhere

#1. Fast food and counter workers

Mobile, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,750
– #2 lowest pay among all metros
– Employment: 4,990

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.