Lowest-paying jobs in Hickory

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#50. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $33,610
- Median hourly wage: $16.16
- Total employment: 180 people (1.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Median annual wage: $33,570
- Median hourly wage: $16.14
- Total employment: 90 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $33,530
- Median hourly wage: $16.12
- Total employment: 560 people (3.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $33,230
- Median hourly wage: $15.97
- Total employment: 1,480 people (9.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Writers and authors

- Median annual wage: $33,110
- Median hourly wage: $15.92
- Total employment: 50 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals

- Median annual wage: $33,030
- Median hourly wage: $15.88
- Total employment: Not available

#44. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

- Median annual wage: $33,010
- Median hourly wage: $15.87
- Total employment: 180 people (1.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $32,930
- Median hourly wage: $15.83
- Total employment: 460 people (2.98 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Tire repairers and changers

- Median annual wage: $32,830
- Median hourly wage: $15.78
- Total employment: 170 people (1.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Security guards

- Median annual wage: $32,780
- Median hourly wage: $15.76
- Total employment: 590 people (3.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Information and record clerks, all other

- Median annual wage: $32,710
- Median hourly wage: $15.73
- Total employment: 70 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers

- Median annual wage: $32,670
- Median hourly wage: $15.71
- Total employment: 150 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders

- Median annual wage: $32,060
- Median hourly wage: $15.41
- Total employment: 350 people (2.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $31,940
- Median hourly wage: $15.36
- Total employment: 200 people (1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $31,720
- Median hourly wage: $15.25
- Total employment: 40 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Manicurists and pedicurists

- Median annual wage: $30,840
- Median hourly wage: $14.83
- Total employment: 80 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $30,780
- Median hourly wage: $14.80
- Total employment: 90 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $30,740
- Median hourly wage: $14.78
- Total employment: 150 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Median annual wage: $30,620
- Median hourly wage: $14.72
- Total employment: 950 people (6.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $30,550
- Median hourly wage: $14.69
- Total employment: 60 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $30,540
- Median hourly wage: $14.68
- Total employment: 240 people (1.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,300
- Median hourly wage: $14.57
- Total employment: 250 people (1.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $30,270
- Median hourly wage: $14.55
- Total employment: 150 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Funeral attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,860
- Median hourly wage: $14.35
- Total employment: 80 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $29,770
- Median hourly wage: $14.31
- Total employment: 2,110 people (13.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Pharmacy aides

- Median annual wage: $29,520
- Median hourly wage: $14.19
- Total employment: 60 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $29,280
- Median hourly wage: $14.08
- Total employment: 650 people (4.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $28,810
- Median hourly wage: $13.85
- Total employment: 3,840 people (24.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Preschool teachers, except special education

- Median annual wage: $28,600
- Median hourly wage: $13.75
- Total employment: 350 people (2.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Dietetic technicians

- Median annual wage: $28,410
- Median hourly wage: $13.66
- Total employment: 60 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $28,400
- Median hourly wage: $13.65
- Total employment: 2,530 people (16.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $28,140
- Median hourly wage: $13.53
- Total employment: 130 people (0.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $28,040
- Median hourly wage: $13.48
- Total employment: 550 people (3.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $28,020
- Median hourly wage: $13.47
- Total employment: 290 people (1.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $27,790
- Median hourly wage: $13.36
- Total employment: 700 people (4.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $27,780
- Median hourly wage: $13.35
- Total employment: 300 people (1.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $27,670
- Median hourly wage: $13.30
- Total employment: 330 people (2.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Teaching assistants, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $27,120
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 40 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $27,070
- Median hourly wage: $13.01
- Total employment: 3,670 people (23.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $26,580
- Median hourly wage: $12.78
- Total employment: 2,070 people (13.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Motor vehicle operators, all other

- Median annual wage: $26,450
- Median hourly wage: $12.72
- Total employment: 50 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $26,420
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 830 people (5.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $24,990
- Median hourly wage: $12.02
- Total employment: Not available

#7. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $24,180
- Median hourly wage: $11.63
- Total employment: 2,990 people (19.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $23,960
- Median hourly wage: $11.52
- Total employment: 280 people (1.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $23,920
- Median hourly wage: $11.50
- Total employment: 130 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $23,200
- Median hourly wage: $11.15
- Total employment: 340 people (2.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $22,990
- Median hourly wage: $11.05
- Total employment: 90 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $22,620
- Median hourly wage: $10.88
- Total employment: 350 people (2.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Driver/sales workers

- Median annual wage: $19,570
- Median hourly wage: $9.41
- Total employment: 490 people (3.17 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