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Lowest-paying jobs in Tuscaloosa

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 Tuscaloosa, 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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#50. Helpers–production workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $29,200
– #278 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 710

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)

Canva

#49. Butchers and meat cutters

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $29,190
– #331 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

National
– Annual mean salary: $35,670
– Employment: 145,930
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Fairbanks, AK ($50,570)
— Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($50,510)
— Barnstable Town, MA ($48,490)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#48. Driver/sales workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $29,010
– #252 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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)

Unsplash

#46 (tie). Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,980
– #224 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,470

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)

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#46 (tie). Helpers–installation, maintenance, and repair workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,980
– #266 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

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)

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#45. Tire repairers and changers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,770
– #267 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 110

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)

Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock

#44. Office clerks, general

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,300
– #370 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,370

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)

The Boston Globe // Getty Images

#43. Stockers and order fillers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,260
– #340 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,430

National
– Annual mean salary: $33,020
– Employment: 2,451,430
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,240)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,960)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($40,620)

Finist4 // Shutterstock

#42. Manicurists and pedicurists

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,120
– #98 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,480
– Employment: 120,540
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Provo-Orem, UT ($45,320)
— Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($42,170)
— Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($40,030)

Vasin Lee // Shutterstock

#41. Residential advisors

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $28,080
– #234 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 340

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)

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Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos // Flickr

#40. Counter and rental clerks

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,680
– #369 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 410

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)

New Africa // Shutterstock

#39. Receptionists and information clerks

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,590
– #350 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 720

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)

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

#38. Nursing assistants

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,560
– #334 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,060

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)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

#37. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,520
– #237 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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#36. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,310
– #290 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 320

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)

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UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

#35. Sewing machine operators

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,200
– #195 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $30,880
– Employment: 116,220
– Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Appleton, WI ($43,060)
— Glens Falls, NY ($42,270)
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($40,660)

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#34. Emergency medical technicians

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,130
– #264 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 130

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,690
– Employment: 161,400
– Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($63,500)
— Coeur d’Alene, ID ($59,020)
— Urban Honolulu, HI ($58,770)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#33. Retail salespersons

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,120
– #346 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,870

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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#32. Bakers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $27,110
– #278 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)

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

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,890
– #185 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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)

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viviandnguyen_ // Flickr

#30. Packers and packagers, hand

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,710
– #270 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

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)

Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Cooks, restaurant

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,620
– #310 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 770

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)

Pixabay

#28. Psychiatric aides

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,570
– #70 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 750

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,640
– Employment: 39,140
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($54,830)
— Stockton-Lodi, CA ($54,000)
— Utica-Rome, NY ($51,960)

Jason Person // Shutterstock

#27. Cooks, short order

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $26,090
– #140 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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#26. Physical therapist aides

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,870
– #141 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)

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VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#25. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,630
– #219 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 120

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

#24. Preschool teachers, except special education

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $25,300
– #361 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 190

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)

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#23. Helpers–pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,870
– #158 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $36,350
– Employment: 45,930
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($52,210)
— San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,200)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($49,910)

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

#22. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,480
– #272 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 170

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)

Canva

#21. Orderlies

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,430
– #110 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

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

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create jobs 51 // Shutterstock

#20. Legislators

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,370
– #147 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 60

National
– Annual mean salary: $57,110
– Employment: 44,590
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Yakima, WA ($139,690)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($136,400)
— Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($132,460)

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#19. Animal caretakers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,290
– #339 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 90

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)

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

#18. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $24,240
– #367 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 270

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)

Ryan Everton // Unsplash

#17. Dishwashers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,730
– #231 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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)

Crew // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Bartenders

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,210
– #330 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 360

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)

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ProfDEH // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Couriers and messengers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,070
– #219 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 50

National
– Annual mean salary: $34,270
– Employment: 68,310
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,430)
— Modesto, CA ($42,550)
— San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,220)

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

#14. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $23,040
– #295 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 240

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)

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

#13. Cashiers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,860
– #309 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,510

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)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#12. Childcare workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,710
– #307 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 230

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)

Canva

#11. Food preparation workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,330
– #365 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 900

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)

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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#10. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $22,080
– #364 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 430

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

#9. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,550
– #316 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 160

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)

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

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

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,450
– #284 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 210

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)

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

#7. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,360
– #375 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 430

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)

Daniel Lee // Flickr

#6. Cooks, fast food

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $21,320
– #257 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: data not available

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)

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#5. Fast food and counter workers

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,900
– #339 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 2,100

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)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4. Waiters and waitresses

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,850
– #350 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 1,400

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)

Unsplash

#3. Amusement and recreation attendants

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $20,550
– #315 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 100

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)

Education Images // Getty Images

#2. Substitute teachers, short-term

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $19,230
– #297 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 40

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,410
– Employment: 374,620
– Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Prescott, AZ ($64,310)
— Appleton, WI ($63,310)
— Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($58,770)

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#1. Bus drivers, school

Tuscaloosa, AL
– Annual mean salary: $18,670
– #337 highest pay among all metros
– Employment: 420

National
– Annual mean salary: $38,750
– Employment: 361,420
– Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
– Metros with highest average pay:
— Elkhart-Goshen, IN ($55,400)
— Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($55,150)
— Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($53,770)

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