Lowest-paying jobs in Houston

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#50. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Median annual wage: $30,890
- Median hourly wage: $14.85
- Total employment: 11,270 people (3.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Animal trainers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $30,710
- Median hourly wage: $14.77
- Total employment: 150 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Cooks, short order (tie)

- Median annual wage: $30,710
- Median hourly wage: $14.76
- Total employment: 560 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,630
- Median hourly wage: $14.72
- Total employment: 3,600 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers

- Median annual wage: $30,490
- Median hourly wage: $14.66
- Total employment: Not available

#45. Graders and sorters, agricultural products

- Median annual wage: $30,440
- Median hourly wage: $14.63
- Total employment: 90 people (0.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $30,360
- Median hourly wage: $14.59
- Total employment: 47,130 people (14.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $30,330
- Median hourly wage: $14.58
- Total employment: 10,830 people (3.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $30,260
- Median hourly wage: $14.55
- Total employment: 75,920 people (23.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Tutors

- Median annual wage: $30,230
- Median hourly wage: $14.54
- Total employment: 2,790 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $30,190
- Median hourly wage: $14.51
- Total employment: 2,200 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $30,010
- Median hourly wage: $14.43
- Total employment: 13,940 people (4.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Funeral attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,910
- Median hourly wage: $14.38
- Total employment: 400 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $29,880
- Median hourly wage: $14.37
- Total employment: 3,910 people (1.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Cooks, all other

- Median annual wage: $29,830
- Median hourly wage: $14.34
- Total employment: 820 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $29,810
- Median hourly wage: $14.33
- Total employment: 9,270 people (2.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,800
- Median hourly wage: $14.33
- Total employment: 2,800 people (0.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $29,770
- Median hourly wage: $14.31
- Total employment: 22,840 people (7.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $29,700
- Median hourly wage: $14.28
- Total employment: 1,500 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $29,650
- Median hourly wage: $14.26
- Total employment: 160 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $29,560
- Median hourly wage: $14.21
- Total employment: 5,070 people (1.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,400
- Median hourly wage: $14.13
- Total employment: 840 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Baggage porters and bellhops

- Median annual wage: $29,300
- Median hourly wage: $14.09
- Total employment: 310 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Driver/sales workers

- Median annual wage: $29,290
- Median hourly wage: $14.08
- Total employment: 9,180 people (2.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $29,220
- Median hourly wage: $14.05
- Total employment: 5,260 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $29,130
- Median hourly wage: $14.01
- Total employment: 3,510 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $28,930
- Median hourly wage: $13.91
- Total employment: 5,470 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $28,890
- Median hourly wage: $13.89
- Total employment: 11,040 people (3.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,650
- Median hourly wage: $13.77
- Total employment: 2,030 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,570
- Median hourly wage: $13.74
- Total employment: 1,180 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $28,490
- Median hourly wage: $13.70
- Total employment: 13,060 people (4.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $28,460
- Median hourly wage: $13.68
- Total employment: 61,310 people (18.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Dietetic technicians

- Median annual wage: $28,280
- Median hourly wage: $13.59
- Total employment: 330 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Painting, coating, and decorating workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $27,740
- Median hourly wage: $13.34
- Total employment: 320 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders (tie)

- Median annual wage: $27,740
- Median hourly wage: $13.34
- Total employment: 170 people (0.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $27,700
- Median hourly wage: $13.32
- Total employment: 470 people (0.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles

- Median annual wage: $27,680
- Median hourly wage: $13.31
- Total employment: 420 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $27,540
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 24,160 people (7.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

- Median annual wage: $27,500
- Median hourly wage: $13.22
- Total employment: 3,040 people (0.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $27,440
- Median hourly wage: $13.19
- Total employment: 8,680 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $27,000
- Median hourly wage: $12.98
- Total employment: 5,250 people (1.62 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $26,990
- Median hourly wage: $12.98
- Total employment: 13,980 people (4.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $26,960
- Median hourly wage: $12.96
- Total employment: 89,540 people (27.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $26,830
- Median hourly wage: $12.90
- Total employment: 52,610 people (16.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#6. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $26,370
- Median hourly wage: $12.68
- Total employment: 15,990 people (4.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $25,160
- Median hourly wage: $12.10
- Total employment: 310 people (0.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $22,820
- Median hourly wage: $10.97
- Total employment: 60,390 people (18.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $22,710
- Median hourly wage: $10.92
- Total employment: 9,630 people (2.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Rail transportation workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $21,290
- Median hourly wage: $10.24
- Total employment: 50 people (0.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $17,880
- Median hourly wage: $8.60
- 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