Lowest-paying jobs in Iowa City

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#50. Medical equipment preparers

- Median annual wage: $38,060
- Median hourly wage: $18.30
- Total employment: 160 people (1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $38,000
- Median hourly wage: $18.27
- Total employment: 910 people (9.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Customer service representatives

- Median annual wage: $37,940
- Median hourly wage: $18.24
- Total employment: 1,170 people (12.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Nursing assistants

- Median annual wage: $37,900
- Median hourly wage: $18.22
- Total employment: 1,200 people (13.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Residential advisors

- Median annual wage: $37,680
- Median hourly wage: $18.11
- Total employment: 50 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Phlebotomists

- Median annual wage: $37,290
- Median hourly wage: $17.93
- Total employment: 80 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $37,040
- Median hourly wage: $17.81
- Total employment: 120 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Median annual wage: $37,000
- Median hourly wage: $17.79
- Total employment: 40 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Bakers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,540
- Median hourly wage: $17.57
- Total employment: 140 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Parts salespersons (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,540
- Median hourly wage: $17.57
- Total employment: 110 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Stockers and order fillers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $36,540
- Median hourly wage: $17.57
- Total employment: 1,420 people (15.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $36,300
- Median hourly wage: $17.45
- Total employment: 1,560 people (16.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

- Median annual wage: $36,290
- Median hourly wage: $17.45
- Total employment: 140 people (1.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $36,230
- Median hourly wage: $17.42
- Total employment: 550 people (5.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $36,220
- Median hourly wage: $17.41
- Total employment: 200 people (2.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Bicycle repairers

- Median annual wage: $36,090
- Median hourly wage: $17.35
- Total employment: 40 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $35,990
- Median hourly wage: $17.31
- Total employment: 130 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $35,880
- Median hourly wage: $17.25
- Total employment: 1,100 people (11.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $35,740
- Median hourly wage: $17.18
- Total employment: 140 people (1.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Pharmacy aides

- Median annual wage: $35,130
- Median hourly wage: $16.89
- Total employment: 80 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $34,880
- Median hourly wage: $16.77
- Total employment: 1,630 people (17.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Skincare specialists

- Median annual wage: $34,780
- Median hourly wage: $16.72
- Total employment: 30 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $34,710
- Median hourly wage: $16.69
- Total employment: 130 people (1.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $34,440
- Median hourly wage: $16.56
- Total employment: 270 people (2.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Butchers and meat cutters

- Median annual wage: $32,280
- Median hourly wage: $15.52
- Total employment: 160 people (1.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $32,050
- Median hourly wage: $15.41
- Total employment: 270 people (2.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $31,040
- Median hourly wage: $14.92
- Total employment: 430 people (4.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $30,930
- Median hourly wage: $14.87
- Total employment: 60 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Driver/sales workers

- Median annual wage: $30,570
- Median hourly wage: $14.70
- Total employment: 230 people (2.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $30,430
- Median hourly wage: $14.63
- Total employment: 250 people (2.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,420
- Median hourly wage: $14.63
- Total employment: 310 people (3.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,320
- Median hourly wage: $14.58
- Total employment: 180 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $30,040
- Median hourly wage: $14.44
- Total employment: 50 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Preschool teachers, except special education

- Median annual wage: $29,610
- Median hourly wage: $14.23
- Total employment: 450 people (4.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $29,420
- Median hourly wage: $14.14
- Total employment: 30 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $29,210
- Median hourly wage: $14.04
- Total employment: 2,130 people (23.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $29,170
- Median hourly wage: $14.02
- Total employment: 250 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $29,140
- Median hourly wage: $14.01
- Total employment: 330 people (3.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Food servers, nonrestaurant (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 230 people (2.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Retail salespersons (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 2,460 people (26.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Community and social service specialists, all other (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 30 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $29,040
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,220 people (13.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $28,800
- Median hourly wage: $13.84
- Total employment: 220 people (2.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $28,610
- Median hourly wage: $13.76
- Total employment: 2,380 people (25.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $28,520
- Median hourly wage: $13.71
- Total employment: 1,700 people (18.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $27,910
- Median hourly wage: $13.42
- Total employment: 440 people (4.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $27,740
- Median hourly wage: $13.34
- Total employment: 420 people (4.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $27,250
- Median hourly wage: $13.10
- Total employment: 260 people (2.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $26,190
- Median hourly wage: $12.59
- Total employment: 250 people (2.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $22,880
- Median hourly wage: $11.00
- Total employment: 750 people (8.08 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.

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock