Lowest-paying jobs in Joplin

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#49. Opticians, dispensing (tie)

- Median annual wage: $35,360
- Median hourly wage: $17.00
- Total employment: 60 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Ophthalmic medical technicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: $35,360
- Median hourly wage: $17.00
- Total employment: 40 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

- Median annual wage: $35,280
- Median hourly wage: $16.96
- Total employment: 300 people (3.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers

- Median annual wage: $35,220
- Median hourly wage: $16.93
- Total employment: 680 people (7.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Counter and rental clerks

- Median annual wage: $35,190
- Median hourly wage: $16.92
- Total employment: 150 people (1.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Correctional officers and jailers

- Median annual wage: $35,150
- Median hourly wage: $16.90
- Total employment: 100 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Legal secretaries and administrative assistants

- Median annual wage: $35,140
- Median hourly wage: $16.90
- Total employment: 40 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $35,090
- Median hourly wage: $16.87
- Total employment: 40 people (0.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Interviewers, except eligibility and loan

- Median annual wage: $34,900
- Median hourly wage: $16.78
- Total employment: 140 people (1.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Stockers and order fillers

- Median annual wage: $34,710
- Median hourly wage: $16.69
- Total employment: 2,430 people (28.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Nursing assistants (tie)

- Median annual wage: $34,660
- Median hourly wage: $16.66
- Total employment: 1,110 people (12.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Psychiatric technicians (tie)

- Median annual wage: $34,660
- Median hourly wage: $16.66
- Total employment: 120 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Tellers

- Median annual wage: $34,550
- Median hourly wage: $16.61
- Total employment: 290 people (3.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Self-enrichment teachers

- Median annual wage: $33,630
- Median hourly wage: $16.17
- Total employment: 60 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $33,340
- Median hourly wage: $16.03
- Total employment: 1,200 people (13.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Preschool teachers, except special education

- Median annual wage: $33,260
- Median hourly wage: $15.99
- Total employment: 190 people (2.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers

- Median annual wage: $33,080
- Median hourly wage: $15.90
- Total employment: 120 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $33,030
- Median hourly wage: $15.88
- Total employment: 60 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $32,880
- Median hourly wage: $15.81
- Total employment: 500 people (5.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $32,550
- Median hourly wage: $15.65
- Total employment: 70 people (0.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $32,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.61
- Total employment: 70 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Median annual wage: $31,660
- Median hourly wage: $15.22
- Total employment: 250 people (2.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $31,200
- Median hourly wage: $15.00
- Total employment: 110 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $30,750
- Median hourly wage: $14.79
- Total employment: 2,180 people (25.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $30,360
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 790 people (9.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $30,330
- Median hourly wage: $14.58
- Total employment: 2,720 people (31.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $30,140
- Median hourly wage: $14.49
- Total employment: 110 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $30,010
- Median hourly wage: $14.43
- Total employment: 90 people (1.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $30,000
- Median hourly wage: $14.42
- Total employment: 360 people (4.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $29,920
- Median hourly wage: $14.39
- Total employment: 470 people (5.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $29,850
- Median hourly wage: $14.35
- Total employment: 150 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $29,680
- Median hourly wage: $14.27
- Total employment: 130 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Sewing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $29,670
- Median hourly wage: $14.27
- Total employment: 90 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $29,320
- Median hourly wage: $14.10
- Total employment: 860 people (9.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $28,990
- Median hourly wage: $13.94
- Total employment: 300 people (3.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $28,580
- Median hourly wage: $13.74
- Total employment: 160 people (1.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $28,550
- Median hourly wage: $13.73
- Total employment: 520 people (5.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $28,410
- Median hourly wage: $13.66
- Total employment: 220 people (2.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $28,300
- Median hourly wage: $13.61
- Total employment: 2,440 people (28.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $27,950
- Median hourly wage: $13.44
- Total employment: 270 people (3.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $27,930
- Median hourly wage: $13.43
- Total employment: 1,920 people (22.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $27,760
- Median hourly wage: $13.35
- Total employment: 100 people (1.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $27,520
- Median hourly wage: $13.23
- Total employment: 1,020 people (11.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

- Median annual wage: $27,430
- Median hourly wage: $13.19
- Total employment: 120 people (1.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $27,080
- Median hourly wage: $13.02
- Total employment: 60 people (0.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $26,610
- Median hourly wage: $12.79
- Total employment: 210 people (2.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $26,460
- Median hourly wage: $12.72
- Total employment: 220 people (2.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $25,850
- Median hourly wage: $12.43
- Total employment: 130 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Bartenders (tie)

- Median annual wage: $25,580
- Median hourly wage: $12.30
- Total employment: 300 people (3.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Waiters and waitresses (tie)

- Median annual wage: $25,580
- Median hourly wage: $12.30
- Total employment: 1,320 people (15.17 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