Lowest-paying jobs in Kansas City

Stacker
#50. Telemarketers

- Median annual wage: $35,270
- Median hourly wage: $16.96
- Total employment: 230 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $35,250
- Median hourly wage: $16.95
- Total employment: 11,950 people (10.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

- Median annual wage: $35,190
- Median hourly wage: $16.92
- Total employment: 70 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Broadcast technicians

- Median annual wage: $35,160
- Median hourly wage: $16.90
- Total employment: 80 people (0.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Food cooking machine operators and tenders

- Median annual wage: $35,050
- Median hourly wage: $16.85
- Total employment: 330 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $35,030
- Median hourly wage: $16.84
- Total employment: 1,460 people (1.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Funeral attendants

- Median annual wage: $34,830
- Median hourly wage: $16.74
- Total employment: 210 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $34,760
- Median hourly wage: $16.71
- Total employment: 4,340 people (3.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Concierges

- Median annual wage: $34,750
- Median hourly wage: $16.71
- Total employment: 130 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $34,430
- Median hourly wage: $16.55
- Total employment: 1,590 people (1.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $34,300
- Median hourly wage: $16.49
- Total employment: 470 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Demonstrators and product promoters

- Median annual wage: $33,900
- Median hourly wage: $16.30
- Total employment: 340 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $33,840
- Median hourly wage: $16.27
- Total employment: 24,630 people (22.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $33,750
- Median hourly wage: $16.23
- Total employment: 5,170 people (4.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Costume attendants

- Median annual wage: $33,610
- Median hourly wage: $16.16
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $33,560
- Median hourly wage: $16.14
- Total employment: 2,380 people (2.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $33,480
- Median hourly wage: $16.10
- Total employment: 390 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $33,350
- Median hourly wage: $16.04
- Total employment: 110 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $33,180
- Median hourly wage: $15.95
- Total employment: 2,170 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $32,050
- Median hourly wage: $15.41
- Total employment: 30 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $31,860
- Median hourly wage: $15.32
- Total employment: 1,310 people (1.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $31,340
- Median hourly wage: $15.07
- Total employment: 2,610 people (2.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Median annual wage: $31,110
- Median hourly wage: $14.96
- Total employment: 60 people (0.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,920
- Median hourly wage: $14.87
- Total employment: 6,070 people (5.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $30,910
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 8,470 people (7.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $30,890
- Median hourly wage: $14.85
- Total employment: 1,450 people (1.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $30,750
- Median hourly wage: $14.78
- Total employment: 350 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $30,740
- Median hourly wage: $14.78
- Total employment: 240 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $30,730
- Median hourly wage: $14.77
- Total employment: 620 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Physical therapist aides

- Median annual wage: $30,670
- Median hourly wage: $14.75
- Total employment: 200 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $30,440
- Median hourly wage: $14.64
- Total employment: 5,170 people (4.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Sales and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $30,350
- Median hourly wage: $14.59
- Total employment: 780 people (0.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Religious workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $30,010
- Median hourly wage: $14.43
- Total employment: 30 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $29,930
- Median hourly wage: $14.39
- Total employment: 20,210 people (18.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $29,920
- Median hourly wage: $14.38
- Total employment: 12,420 people (11.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $29,820
- Median hourly wage: $14.34
- Total employment: 24,210 people (22.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

- Median annual wage: $29,650
- Median hourly wage: $14.26
- Total employment: 850 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $29,600
- Median hourly wage: $14.23
- Total employment: 2,610 people (2.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $29,530
- Median hourly wage: $14.20
- Total employment: 2,550 people (2.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $29,440
- Median hourly wage: $14.15
- Total employment: 650 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,430
- Median hourly wage: $14.15
- Total employment: 1,180 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $29,380
- Median hourly wage: $14.12
- Total employment: 21,170 people (19.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $29,210
- Median hourly wage: $14.04
- Total employment: 18,000 people (16.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,170
- Median hourly wage: $14.02
- Total employment: 620 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Median annual wage: $29,030
- Median hourly wage: $13.96
- Total employment: 50 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $28,270
- Median hourly wage: $13.59
- Total employment: 2,890 people (2.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,080
- Median hourly wage: $13.50
- Total employment: 4,600 people (4.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $27,010
- Median hourly wage: $12.98
- Total employment: 4,880 people (4.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Legislators

- Median annual wage: $25,690
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 210 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $25,600
- Median hourly wage: $12.31
- Total employment: Not available

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