Lowest-paying jobs in Lake Charles

Stacker
#50. Security guards

- Median annual wage: $31,140
- Median hourly wage: $14.97
- Total employment: 910 people (9.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Gambling change persons and booth cashiers

- Median annual wage: $31,050
- Median hourly wage: $14.93
- Total employment: 130 people (1.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

- Median annual wage: $30,860
- Median hourly wage: $14.84
- Total employment: 360 people (3.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Social and human service assistants

- Median annual wage: $30,510
- Median hourly wage: $14.67
- Total employment: 90 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $30,500
- Median hourly wage: $14.66
- Total employment: 260 people (2.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $30,480
- Median hourly wage: $14.65
- Total employment: 60 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Nursing assistants

- Median annual wage: $30,470
- Median hourly wage: $14.65
- Total employment: 870 people (8.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Counter and rental clerks

- Median annual wage: $30,390
- Median hourly wage: $14.61
- Total employment: 170 people (1.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $29,950
- Median hourly wage: $14.40
- Total employment: 510 people (5.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Order clerks

- Median annual wage: $29,910
- Median hourly wage: $14.38
- Total employment: 40 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $29,780
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 600 people (6.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Office clerks, general

- Median annual wage: $29,690
- Median hourly wage: $14.27
- Total employment: 1,730 people (17.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Psychiatric technicians

- Median annual wage: $29,680
- Median hourly wage: $14.27
- Total employment: 70 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,530
- Median hourly wage: $14.20
- Total employment: 50 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $29,460
- Median hourly wage: $14.16
- Total employment: 850 people (8.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $28,680
- Median hourly wage: $13.79
- Total employment: 80 people (0.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $28,620
- Median hourly wage: $13.76
- Total employment: 100 people (1.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. File clerks

- Median annual wage: $28,610
- Median hourly wage: $13.76
- Total employment: 40 people (0.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $28,260
- Median hourly wage: $13.59
- Total employment: 2,590 people (25.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $27,780
- Median hourly wage: $13.36
- Total employment: 460 people (4.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Veterinary technologists and technicians

- Median annual wage: $27,700
- Median hourly wage: $13.32
- Total employment: 110 people (1.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $27,380
- Median hourly wage: $13.16
- Total employment: 1,210 people (12.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Grounds maintenance workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $27,250
- Median hourly wage: $13.10
- Total employment: 40 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Couriers and messengers

- Median annual wage: $27,110
- Median hourly wage: $13.04
- Total employment: 60 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Protective service workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $27,070
- Median hourly wage: $13.01
- Total employment: 50 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $26,740
- Median hourly wage: $12.85
- Total employment: 210 people (2.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $26,140
- Median hourly wage: $12.57
- Total employment: 240 people (2.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

- Median annual wage: $24,960
- Median hourly wage: $12.00
- Total employment: 80 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $24,940
- Median hourly wage: $11.99
- Total employment: 160 people (1.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $24,640
- Median hourly wage: $11.85
- Total employment: 3,070 people (30.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $23,480
- Median hourly wage: $11.29
- Total employment: 490 people (4.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $23,420
- Median hourly wage: $11.26
- Total employment: 60 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $23,390
- Median hourly wage: $11.24
- Total employment: 70 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $23,100
- Median hourly wage: $11.11
- Total employment: 170 people (1.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $23,000
- Median hourly wage: $11.06
- Total employment: 110 people (1.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Recreation workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $22,880
- Median hourly wage: $11.00
- Total employment: 80 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Food preparation workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $22,880
- Median hourly wage: $11.00
- Total employment: 2,150 people (21.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $22,630
- Median hourly wage: $10.88
- Total employment: 1,680 people (16.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $22,390
- Median hourly wage: $10.77
- Total employment: 250 people (2.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $22,240
- Median hourly wage: $10.69
- Total employment: 270 people (2.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Physical therapist aides

- Median annual wage: $21,720
- Median hourly wage: $10.44
- Total employment: 130 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $21,660
- Median hourly wage: $10.42
- Total employment: 1,800 people (17.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $21,490
- Median hourly wage: $10.33
- Total employment: 70 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $20,170
- Median hourly wage: $9.70
- Total employment: 210 people (2.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $20,080
- Median hourly wage: $9.65
- Total employment: 610 people (6.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Medical equipment preparers

- Median annual wage: $19,760
- Median hourly wage: $9.50
- Total employment: 40 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $19,620
- Median hourly wage: $9.43
- Total employment: 750 people (7.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $18,430
- Median hourly wage: $8.86
- Total employment: 30 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $17,670
- Median hourly wage: $8.49
- Total employment: 1,490 people (14.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Gambling and sports book writers and runners

- Median annual wage: $15,230
- Median hourly wage: $7.32
- Total employment: 50 people (0.53 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