Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Auburn

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

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

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

Stacker compiled a list of the lowest-paying jobs in Auburn-Opelika, 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 2021.

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Pixabay

#50. Helpers–electricians

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $29,360
– #188 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,720
– Employment: 72,150
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,560)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,530)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,690)

Canva

#49. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $29,220
– #341 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 490

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,240
– Employment: 892,450
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,650)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,240)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($44,830)

Canva

#48. Tire repairers and changers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,950
– #260 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

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

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#47. Interviewers, except eligibility and loan

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,890
– #303 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,840
– Employment: 169,840
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($57,820)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,920)
— Salinas, CA ($52,980)

Paul Sableman // Flickr

#46. Bus drivers, transit and intercity

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,790
– #167 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

National
– Annual mean salary: $51,310
– Employment: 145,720
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,940)
— New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($69,310)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($67,370)

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Goldsithney // Shutterstock

#45. Psychiatric technicians

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,740
– #152 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,000
– Employment: 93,410
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Napa, CA ($76,220)
— San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($69,420)
— Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($67,950)

Canva

#44. Helpers–installation, maintenance, and repair workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,670
– #272 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,090
– Employment: 88,480
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Pittsfield, MA ($58,590)
— Reno, NV ($50,700)
— Springfield, MA-CT ($50,600)

Canva

#43. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,590
– #183 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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

Pixabay

#42. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,430
– #376 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,110

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,950
– Employment: 2,729,010
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,210)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,230)
— Fairbanks, AK ($42,590)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#41. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,330
– #201 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 70

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

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Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#40. Social and human service assistants

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,170
– #381 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $40,460
– Employment: 398,380
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($56,140)
— Danbury, CT ($54,870)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($54,590)

Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#39. Counter and rental clerks

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,160
– #361 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,170
– Employment: 371,620
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,760)
— Fairbanks, AK ($47,080)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,760)

Canva

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

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,040
– #168 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

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

New Africa // Shutterstock

#37. Receptionists and information clerks

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,450
– #355 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 480

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

Canva

#36. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,860
– #288 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

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

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Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#35. Residential advisors

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,800
– #251 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

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

Canva

#34. Bakers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,640
– #285 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,300
– Employment: 181,800
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,850)
— Chattanooga, TN-GA ($41,660)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,160)

Canva

#33. Physical therapist aides

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,440
– #134 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

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

Sean Rayford // Getty Images

#32. Security guards

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,120
– #372 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

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

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#31. Retail salespersons

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,060
– #374 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,020

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

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ESB Basic // Shutterstock

#30. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,790
– #198 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 30

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

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#29. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,580
– #325 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 140

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

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Cooks, restaurant

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,450
– #361 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 820

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

viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#27. Packers and packagers, hand

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,440
– #303 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 260

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,950
– Employment: 585,270
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,960)
— Rome, GA ($38,830)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,460)

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#26. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,200
– #302 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 220

National
– Annual mean salary: $31,760
– Employment: 1,187,270
– Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($46,390)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,820)

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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#25. Nursing assistants

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,970
– #377 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 440

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

Canva

#24. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,890
– #365 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 200

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

Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock

#23. Office clerks, general

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,820
– #387 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 840

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,990
– Employment: 2,578,180
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,980)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($49,740)
— Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($48,850)

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#22. Dishwashers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,380
– #186 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

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

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#21. Cooks, short order

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,270
– #184 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $28,110
– Employment: 124,800
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,670)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,060)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($37,940)

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PxHere

#20. Library assistants, clerical

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,150
– #227 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

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

Unsplash

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

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,010
– #371 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 790

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

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#18. Animal caretakers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,000
– #351 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

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

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#17. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,660
– #281 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 80

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

CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images

#15 (tie). Preschool teachers, except special education

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,490
– #368 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 420

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,460
– Employment: 391,670
– Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,990)
— Ocean City, NJ ($49,720)
— Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($49,560)

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Canva

#15 (tie). Helpers–production workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,490
– #336 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 590

National
– Annual mean salary: $32,910
– Employment: 202,860
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN ($48,190)
— Pittsfield, MA ($43,910)
— Reno, NV ($41,940)

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#14. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,000
– #317 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

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

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#12 (tie). Driver/sales workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,620
– #377 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

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

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#12 (tie). Bartenders

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,620
– #351 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 280

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

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#11. Cashiers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,610
– #321 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,730

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

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Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#10. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,440
– #320 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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

Canva

#9. Food preparation workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,320
– #366 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 570

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

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#8. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,770
– #367 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 320

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

aboutsung // Shutterstock

#7. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,630
– #311 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

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

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#6. Childcare workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,390
– #342 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 250

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

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. Waiters and waitresses

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,880
– #348 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,320

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

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

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

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,490
– #325 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 180

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

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#3. Cooks, fast food

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,330
– #292 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 680

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

Pxhere

#2. Fast food and counter workers

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,900
– #370 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,430

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

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#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

Auburn-Opelika, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,430
– #332 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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

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