Lowest-paying jobs in San Diego

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#50. Sewing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $38,180
- Median hourly wage: $18.36
- Total employment: 900 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $38,170
- Median hourly wage: $18.35
- Total employment: 2,980 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Tire repairers and changers

- Median annual wage: $38,150
- Median hourly wage: $18.34
- Total employment: 1,040 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $38,130
- Median hourly wage: $18.33
- Total employment: 8,010 people (5.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $37,970
- Median hourly wage: $18.26
- Total employment: 3,800 people (2.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Dietetic technicians

- Median annual wage: $37,890
- Median hourly wage: $18.21
- Total employment: 550 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $37,690
- Median hourly wage: $18.12
- Total employment: 2,310 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Funeral attendants

- Median annual wage: $37,670
- Median hourly wage: $18.11
- Total employment: 90 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Passenger attendants

- Median annual wage: $37,540
- Median hourly wage: $18.05
- Total employment: 350 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $37,310
- Median hourly wage: $17.94
- Total employment: 70 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $37,270
- Median hourly wage: $17.92
- Total employment: 2,370 people (1.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $37,250
- Median hourly wage: $17.91
- Total employment: 340 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation

- Median annual wage: $37,210
- Median hourly wage: $17.89
- Total employment: Not available

#37. Desktop publishers

- Median annual wage: $37,200
- Median hourly wage: $17.89
- Total employment: 40 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Gambling change persons and booth cashiers

- Median annual wage: $37,110
- Median hourly wage: $17.84
- Total employment: 600 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $37,010
- Median hourly wage: $17.79
- Total employment: 22,460 people (14.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Cooks, all other

- Median annual wage: $36,970
- Median hourly wage: $17.77
- Total employment: 310 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,960
- Median hourly wage: $17.77
- Total employment: 1,520 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Dishwashers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,960
- Median hourly wage: $17.77
- Total employment: 6,870 people (4.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Shoe and leather workers and repairers

- Median annual wage: $36,910
- Median hourly wage: $17.74
- Total employment: 120 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Baggage porters and bellhops

- Median annual wage: $36,900
- Median hourly wage: $17.74
- Total employment: 510 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Skincare specialists

- Median annual wage: $36,610
- Median hourly wage: $17.60
- Total employment: 1,780 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Food servers, nonrestaurant (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,600
- Median hourly wage: $17.59
- Total employment: 2,690 people (1.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Retail salespersons (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,600
- Median hourly wage: $17.59
- Total employment: 31,420 people (20.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $36,510
- Median hourly wage: $17.55
- Total employment: 400 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $36,500
- Median hourly wage: $17.55
- Total employment: 5,160 people (3.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $36,460
- Median hourly wage: $17.53
- Total employment: 3,060 people (2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Parts salespersons

- Median annual wage: $36,280
- Median hourly wage: $17.44
- Total employment: 2,250 people (1.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,130
- Median hourly wage: $17.37
- Total employment: 3,530 people (2.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Parking attendants (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,130
- Median hourly wage: $17.37
- Total employment: 4,300 people (2.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $36,110
- Median hourly wage: $17.36
- Total employment: 31,630 people (20.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Personal care and service workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $36,090
- Median hourly wage: $17.35
- Total employment: 620 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Cutters and trimmers, hand

- Median annual wage: $35,960
- Median hourly wage: $17.29
- Total employment: 50 people (0.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $35,950
- Median hourly wage: $17.28
- Total employment: 210 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $35,860
- Median hourly wage: $17.24
- Total employment: 40,240 people (26.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $35,730
- Median hourly wage: $17.18
- Total employment: 12,450 people (8.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

- Median annual wage: $35,670
- Median hourly wage: $17.15
- Total employment: 1,140 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $35,620
- Median hourly wage: $17.12
- Total employment: 2,430 people (1.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Manicurists and pedicurists

- Median annual wage: $35,470
- Median hourly wage: $17.05
- Total employment: 3,910 people (2.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Gambling and sports book writers and runners

- Median annual wage: $35,420
- Median hourly wage: $17.03
- Total employment: 150 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $35,330
- Median hourly wage: $16.99
- Total employment: 5,180 people (3.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $35,270
- Median hourly wage: $16.96
- Total employment: 8,860 people (5.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $35,240
- Median hourly wage: $16.94
- Total employment: 8,630 people (5.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Material moving workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $35,220
- Median hourly wage: $16.93
- Total employment: 970 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $35,210
- Median hourly wage: $16.93
- Total employment: 5,650 people (3.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $35,060
- Median hourly wage: $16.85
- Total employment: 24,800 people (16.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $35,050
- Median hourly wage: $16.85
- Total employment: 51,760 people (33.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Food preparation and serving related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $35,040
- Median hourly wage: $16.85
- Total employment: 3,740 people (2.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Physical therapist aides

- Median annual wage: $34,810
- Median hourly wage: $16.74
- Total employment: 710 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Gambling dealers

- Median annual wage: $34,140
- Median hourly wage: $16.41
- Total employment: 1,770 people (1.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.

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