Lowest-paying jobs in Columbia

Stacker
#50. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $32,240
- Median hourly wage: $15.50
- Total employment: 210 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Barbers

- Median annual wage: $32,050
- Median hourly wage: $15.41
- Total employment: 90 people (0.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $31,830
- Median hourly wage: $15.31
- Total employment: 5,520 people (14.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Driver/sales workers

- Median annual wage: $31,510
- Median hourly wage: $15.15
- Total employment: 850 people (2.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,250
- Median hourly wage: $15.03
- Total employment: 40 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Helpers--production workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,250
- Median hourly wage: $15.03
- Total employment: 490 people (1.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Concierges

- Median annual wage: $31,210
- Median hourly wage: $15.01
- Total employment: 80 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

- Median annual wage: $30,760
- Median hourly wage: $14.79
- Total employment: 50 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Library technicians

- Median annual wage: $30,720
- Median hourly wage: $14.77
- Total employment: 70 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,550
- Median hourly wage: $14.69
- Total employment: 770 people (1.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $30,360
- Median hourly wage: $14.60
- Total employment: 830 people (2.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,290
- Median hourly wage: $14.56
- Total employment: 1,870 people (4.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Personal care and service workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $30,210
- Median hourly wage: $14.53
- Total employment: Not available

#37. Couriers and messengers

- Median annual wage: $30,140
- Median hourly wage: $14.49
- Total employment: 200 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $29,620
- Median hourly wage: $14.24
- Total employment: 1,120 people (2.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing

- Median annual wage: $29,440
- Median hourly wage: $14.15
- Total employment: 140 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $29,400
- Median hourly wage: $14.14
- Total employment: 550 people (1.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $29,360
- Median hourly wage: $14.11
- Total employment: 230 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $29,320
- Median hourly wage: $14.10
- Total employment: 6,690 people (17.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $29,150
- Median hourly wage: $14.02
- Total employment: 770 people (2.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $28,990
- Median hourly wage: $13.94
- Total employment: 420 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $28,950
- Median hourly wage: $13.92
- Total employment: 390 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $28,890
- Median hourly wage: $13.89
- Total employment: 10,740 people (27.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Bailiffs

- Median annual wage: $28,730
- Median hourly wage: $13.81
- Total employment: 30 people (0.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,690
- Median hourly wage: $13.79
- Total employment: 220 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Maids and housekeeping cleaners (tie)

- Median annual wage: $28,580
- Median hourly wage: $13.74
- Total employment: 1,670 people (4.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Cooks, short order (tie)

- Median annual wage: $28,580
- Median hourly wage: $13.74
- Total employment: 140 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $28,410
- Median hourly wage: $13.66
- Total employment: 1,810 people (4.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $28,330
- Median hourly wage: $13.62
- Total employment: 600 people (1.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $28,280
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,350 people (6.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,040
- Median hourly wage: $13.48
- Total employment: 30 people (0.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $27,750
- Median hourly wage: $13.34
- Total employment: 80 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $27,660
- Median hourly wage: $13.30
- Total employment: 1,240 people (3.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $27,140
- Median hourly wage: $13.05
- Total employment: 100 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

- Median annual wage: $27,090
- Median hourly wage: $13.02
- Total employment: 590 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $26,970
- Median hourly wage: $12.96
- Total employment: 750 people (1.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $26,790
- Median hourly wage: $12.88
- Total employment: 9,220 people (23.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $26,550
- Median hourly wage: $12.77
- Total employment: 300 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $26,310
- Median hourly wage: $12.65
- Total employment: 11,590 people (30.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $25,910
- Median hourly wage: $12.46
- Total employment: 40 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Funeral attendants

- Median annual wage: $24,000
- Median hourly wage: $11.54
- Total employment: 120 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $23,740
- Median hourly wage: $11.41
- Total employment: 830 people (2.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $23,270
- Median hourly wage: $11.19
- Total employment: 1,160 people (3.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $23,230
- Median hourly wage: $11.17
- Total employment: 530 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $22,560
- Median hourly wage: $10.85
- Total employment: 2,030 people (5.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $22,260
- Median hourly wage: $10.70
- Total employment: Not available

#4. Telemarketers

- Median annual wage: $21,420
- Median hourly wage: $10.30
- Total employment: 100 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Legislators

- Median annual wage: $18,970
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 100 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $18,270
- Median hourly wage: $8.78
- Total employment: 5,920 people (15.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $17,820
- Median hourly wage: $8.57
- Total employment: 1,120 people (2.9 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