Lowest-paying jobs in Lafayette

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#50. Helpers--carpenters

- Median annual wage: $29,950
- Median hourly wage: $14.40
- Total employment: 50 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Preschool teachers, except special education

- Median annual wage: $29,930
- Median hourly wage: $14.39
- Total employment: 160 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $29,780
- Median hourly wage: $14.32
- Total employment: 90 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $29,740
- Median hourly wage: $14.30
- Total employment: 50 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Couriers and messengers

- Median annual wage: $29,590
- Median hourly wage: $14.23
- Total employment: 100 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Nursing assistants

- Median annual wage: $29,490
- Median hourly wage: $14.18
- Total employment: 1,880 people (10.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,480
- Median hourly wage: $14.17
- Total employment: 4,040 people (23.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Parts salespersons

- Median annual wage: $29,450
- Median hourly wage: $14.16
- Total employment: 580 people (3.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Security guards

- Median annual wage: $29,020
- Median hourly wage: $13.95
- Total employment: 910 people (5.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Psychiatric technicians

- Median annual wage: $28,950
- Median hourly wage: $13.92
- Total employment: 150 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $28,800
- Median hourly wage: $13.85
- Total employment: 110 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Food processing workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $28,720
- Median hourly wage: $13.81
- Total employment: 250 people (1.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $28,680
- Median hourly wage: $13.79
- Total employment: 320 people (1.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Sewing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $28,670
- Median hourly wage: $13.79
- Total employment: 170 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $28,380
- Median hourly wage: $13.65
- Total employment: 1,540 people (8.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,060
- Median hourly wage: $13.49
- Total employment: 220 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $28,020
- Median hourly wage: $13.47
- Total employment: 200 people (1.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Cooks, institution and cafeteria (tie)

- Median annual wage: $27,910
- Median hourly wage: $13.42
- Total employment: 380 people (2.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Library technicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: $27,910
- Median hourly wage: $13.42
- Total employment: 30 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $27,880
- Median hourly wage: $13.41
- Total employment: 50 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $27,810
- Median hourly wage: $13.37
- Total employment: 1,200 people (6.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Grounds maintenance workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $27,760
- Median hourly wage: $13.35
- Total employment: 40 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $27,510
- Median hourly wage: $13.23
- Total employment: 5,360 people (30.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Orderlies

- Median annual wage: $27,330
- Median hourly wage: $13.14
- Total employment: 50 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $27,140
- Median hourly wage: $13.05
- Total employment: 260 people (1.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $27,020
- Median hourly wage: $12.99
- Total employment: 310 people (1.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $26,420
- Median hourly wage: $12.70
- Total employment: 2,070 people (11.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Manicurists and pedicurists

- Median annual wage: $26,370
- Median hourly wage: $12.68
- Total employment: 90 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $26,230
- Median hourly wage: $12.61
- Total employment: 330 people (1.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $26,120
- Median hourly wage: $12.56
- Total employment: 300 people (1.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Real estate sales agents

- Median annual wage: $25,690
- Median hourly wage: $12.35
- Total employment: 240 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Transportation workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $25,470
- Median hourly wage: $12.25
- Total employment: Not available

#18. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $24,510
- Median hourly wage: $11.79
- Total employment: 1,030 people (5.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $23,500
- Median hourly wage: $11.30
- Total employment: 320 people (1.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $22,980
- Median hourly wage: $11.05
- Total employment: 320 people (1.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Motor vehicle operators, all other

- Median annual wage: $22,940
- Median hourly wage: $11.03
- Total employment: 30 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $22,920
- Median hourly wage: $11.02
- Total employment: 350 people (2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $22,810
- Median hourly wage: $10.97
- Total employment: 4,960 people (28.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $22,790
- Median hourly wage: $10.96
- Total employment: 3,300 people (18.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Food preparation workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $22,360
- Median hourly wage: $10.75
- Total employment: 3,880 people (22.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $22,360
- Median hourly wage: $10.75
- Total employment: 430 people (2.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $21,860
- Median hourly wage: $10.51
- Total employment: 250 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $21,840
- Median hourly wage: $10.50
- Total employment: 460 people (2.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $21,780
- Median hourly wage: $10.47
- Total employment: 1,150 people (6.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $21,740
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,110 people (6.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $21,650
- Median hourly wage: $10.41
- Total employment: 250 people (1.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $19,970
- Median hourly wage: $9.60
- Total employment: 700 people (4.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $19,890
- Median hourly wage: $9.56
- Total employment: 4,830 people (27.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $17,770
- Median hourly wage: $8.54
- Total employment: 730 people (4.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $16,470
- Median hourly wage: $7.92
- Total employment: 3,390 people (19.32 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