Lowest-paying jobs in Waco

Stacker
#50. Helpers--production workers

- Median annual wage: $33,120
- Median hourly wage: $15.92
- Total employment: 630 people (4.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Median annual wage: $32,950
- Median hourly wage: $15.84
- Total employment: 30 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Switchboard operators, including answering service

- Median annual wage: $32,690
- Median hourly wage: $15.72
- Total employment: 50 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $32,670
- Median hourly wage: $15.71
- Total employment: 120 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $32,670
- Median hourly wage: $15.71
- Total employment: 120 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $32,260
- Median hourly wage: $15.51
- Total employment: 40 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $32,130
- Median hourly wage: $15.45
- Total employment: 130 people (1.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $32,040
- Median hourly wage: $15.41
- Total employment: 80 people (0.6 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $32,020
- Median hourly wage: $15.40
- Total employment: 350 people (2.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $31,850
- Median hourly wage: $15.31
- Total employment: 760 people (5.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Tutors

- Median annual wage: $31,570
- Median hourly wage: $15.18
- Total employment: 180 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $31,310
- Median hourly wage: $15.06
- Total employment: 510 people (3.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $30,900
- Median hourly wage: $14.86
- Total employment: 690 people (5.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Opticians, dispensing

- Median annual wage: $30,720
- Median hourly wage: $14.77
- Total employment: 70 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $30,400
- Median hourly wage: $14.62
- Total employment: 1,870 people (14.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Security guards

- Median annual wage: $30,350
- Median hourly wage: $14.59
- Total employment: 600 people (4.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $29,940
- Median hourly wage: $14.39
- Total employment: 1,100 people (8.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Cooks, all other

- Median annual wage: $29,870
- Median hourly wage: $14.36
- Total employment: 70 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Emergency medical technicians

- Median annual wage: $29,750
- Median hourly wage: $14.31
- Total employment: 120 people (0.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $29,550
- Median hourly wage: $14.21
- Total employment: 150 people (1.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Self-enrichment teachers

- Median annual wage: $29,480
- Median hourly wage: $14.17
- Total employment: 130 people (0.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,300
- Median hourly wage: $14.09
- Total employment: 80 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $29,250
- Median hourly wage: $14.06
- Total employment: 230 people (1.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $29,180
- Median hourly wage: $14.03
- Total employment: 200 people (1.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#26. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $29,080
- Median hourly wage: $13.98
- Total employment: 3,050 people (23.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $29,050
- Median hourly wage: $13.97
- Total employment: 40 people (0.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $28,800
- Median hourly wage: $13.85
- Total employment: 40 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $28,540
- Median hourly wage: $13.72
- Total employment: 160 people (1.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $28,390
- Median hourly wage: $13.65
- Total employment: 170 people (1.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $28,340
- Median hourly wage: $13.63
- Total employment: 100 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $28,220
- Median hourly wage: $13.57
- Total employment: 280 people (2.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $28,120
- Median hourly wage: $13.52
- Total employment: 1,610 people (12.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $27,840
- Median hourly wage: $13.39
- Total employment: 1,330 people (10.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $27,730
- Median hourly wage: $13.33
- Total employment: 300 people (2.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $27,520
- Median hourly wage: $13.23
- Total employment: 730 people (5.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Sales and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $27,490
- Median hourly wage: $13.21
- Total employment: 140 people (1.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $27,270
- Median hourly wage: $13.11
- Total employment: 4,620 people (35.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $27,220
- Median hourly wage: $13.09
- Total employment: 340 people (2.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $27,160
- Median hourly wage: $13.06
- Total employment: 40 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $27,070
- Median hourly wage: $13.02
- Total employment: 2,570 people (19.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $26,770
- Median hourly wage: $12.87
- Total employment: 430 people (3.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $26,620
- Median hourly wage: $12.80
- Total employment: 510 people (3.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $26,490
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,360 people (10.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $25,860
- Median hourly wage: $12.43
- Total employment: 60 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $25,760
- Median hourly wage: $12.38
- Total employment: 320 people (2.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Sewing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $25,240
- Median hourly wage: $12.13
- Total employment: 100 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $24,500
- Median hourly wage: $11.78
- Total employment: 470 people (3.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $23,650
- Median hourly wage: $11.37
- Total employment: 2,100 people (16.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Median annual wage: $22,860
- Median hourly wage: $10.99
- Total employment: 180 people (1.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $22,800
- Median hourly wage: $10.96
- Total employment: 210 people (1.61 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