Lowest-paying jobs in Allentown

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#50. Self-enrichment teachers

- Median annual wage: $36,280
- Median hourly wage: $17.44
- Total employment: 950 people (2.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $36,260
- Median hourly wage: $17.43
- Total employment: 250 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Security guards

- Median annual wage: $36,210
- Median hourly wage: $17.41
- Total employment: 2,750 people (7.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Cooks, all other

- Median annual wage: $36,200
- Median hourly wage: $17.40
- Total employment: 50 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Sales and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $36,190
- Median hourly wage: $17.40
- Total employment: 180 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $35,780
- Median hourly wage: $17.20
- Total employment: 100 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Dietetic technicians

- Median annual wage: $35,620
- Median hourly wage: $17.13
- Total employment: 250 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $35,250
- Median hourly wage: $16.95
- Total employment: 1,680 people (4.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service

- Median annual wage: $35,210
- Median hourly wage: $16.93
- Total employment: 330 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Driver/sales workers

- Median annual wage: $35,200
- Median hourly wage: $16.92
- Total employment: 1,310 people (3.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers

- Median annual wage: $34,590
- Median hourly wage: $16.63
- Total employment: 110 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $34,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 3,670 people (9.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Preschool teachers, except special education

- Median annual wage: $34,440
- Median hourly wage: $16.56
- Total employment: 1,470 people (3.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Demonstrators and product promoters

- Median annual wage: $34,310
- Median hourly wage: $16.50
- Total employment: 50 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $34,270
- Median hourly wage: $16.48
- Total employment: 840 people (2.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $34,080
- Median hourly wage: $16.39
- Total employment: 660 people (1.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians

- Median annual wage: $33,920
- Median hourly wage: $16.31
- Total employment: 70 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $33,850
- Median hourly wage: $16.28
- Total employment: 450 people (1.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $33,440
- Median hourly wage: $16.08
- Total employment: 680 people (1.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Helpers, construction trades, all other

- Median annual wage: $33,330
- Median hourly wage: $16.02
- Total employment: 50 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $33,280
- Median hourly wage: $16.00
- Total employment: 40 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $33,020
- Median hourly wage: $15.87
- Total employment: 1,200 people (3.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $32,660
- Median hourly wage: $15.70
- Total employment: 240 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $32,330
- Median hourly wage: $15.54
- Total employment: 500 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $32,250
- Median hourly wage: $15.51
- Total employment: 8,790 people (23.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $31,810
- Median hourly wage: $15.29
- Total employment: 1,430 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. School bus monitors (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 120 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Tour and travel guides (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 150 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Food preparation workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 1,420 people (3.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Waiters and waitresses (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 5,290 people (14.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Library assistants, clerical (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 210 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Automotive and watercraft service attendants (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 260 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Animal caretakers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 700 people (1.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Telemarketers

- Median annual wage: $31,300
- Median hourly wage: $15.05
- Total employment: 60 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $31,020
- Median hourly wage: $14.92
- Total employment: 1,140 people (3.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $30,630
- Median hourly wage: $14.73
- Total employment: 1,840 people (4.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $30,110
- Median hourly wage: $14.48
- Total employment: 7,050 people (19.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $30,020
- Median hourly wage: $14.43
- Total employment: 1,280 people (3.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,950
- Median hourly wage: $14.40
- Total employment: 210 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,880
- Median hourly wage: $14.37
- Total employment: 1,090 people (2.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $29,870
- Median hourly wage: $14.36
- Total employment: 11,120 people (30.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $29,610
- Median hourly wage: $14.23
- Total employment: 1,290 people (3.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $29,230
- Median hourly wage: $14.05
- Total employment: 8,120 people (21.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Manicurists and pedicurists

- Median annual wage: $28,130
- Median hourly wage: $13.52
- Total employment: 500 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $28,120
- Median hourly wage: $13.52
- Total employment: 1,390 people (3.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Motor vehicle operators, all other

- Median annual wage: $27,800
- Median hourly wage: $13.37
- Total employment: 50 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

- Median annual wage: $27,700
- Median hourly wage: $13.32
- Total employment: 250 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Personal care and service workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $23,260
- Median hourly wage: $11.18
- Total employment: 140 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Shampooers

- Median annual wage: $22,880
- Median hourly wage: $11.00
- Total employment: Not available

#1. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $22,330
- Median hourly wage: $10.73
- Total employment: 170 people (0.45 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