Lowest-paying jobs in Roanoke

Stacker
#50. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Median annual wage: $34,640
- Median hourly wage: $16.66
- Total employment: 130 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Couriers and messengers

- Median annual wage: $34,350
- Median hourly wage: $16.51
- Total employment: 70 people (0.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Stockers and order fillers

- Median annual wage: $34,260
- Median hourly wage: $16.47
- Total employment: 2,960 people (19.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

- Median annual wage: $34,120
- Median hourly wage: $16.40
- Total employment: 30 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $33,920
- Median hourly wage: $16.31
- Total employment: 410 people (2.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#45. Concierges

- Median annual wage: $33,730
- Median hourly wage: $16.22
- Total employment: 50 people (0.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $33,700
- Median hourly wage: $16.20
- Total employment: 30 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Cooks, restaurant

- Median annual wage: $33,670
- Median hourly wage: $16.19
- Total employment: 1,630 people (10.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

- Median annual wage: $33,480
- Median hourly wage: $16.10
- Total employment: 30 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $33,260
- Median hourly wage: $15.99
- Total employment: 220 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#40. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $32,710
- Median hourly wage: $15.73
- Total employment: 70 people (0.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $32,320
- Median hourly wage: $15.54
- Total employment: 30 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Receptionists and information clerks

- Median annual wage: $31,790
- Median hourly wage: $15.28
- Total employment: 980 people (6.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $31,640
- Median hourly wage: $15.21
- Total employment: 360 people (2.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#36. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $31,280
- Median hourly wage: $15.04
- Total employment: 470 people (3.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $31,020
- Median hourly wage: $14.92
- Total employment: 2,090 people (13.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#34. Driver/sales workers

- Median annual wage: $30,980
- Median hourly wage: $14.90
- Total employment: 450 people (2.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $30,950
- Median hourly wage: $14.88
- Total employment: 230 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $30,570
- Median hourly wage: $14.70
- Total employment: 140 people (0.9 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#31. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $30,530
- Median hourly wage: $14.68
- Total employment: 290 people (1.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Sewing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $30,400
- Median hourly wage: $14.62
- Total employment: 160 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Protective service workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $30,090
- Median hourly wage: $14.47
- Total employment: 160 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Funeral attendants

- Median annual wage: $30,060
- Median hourly wage: $14.45
- Total employment: 160 people (1.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $30,000
- Median hourly wage: $14.43
- Total employment: 220 people (1.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,990
- Median hourly wage: $14.42
- Total employment: 40 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $29,790
- Median hourly wage: $14.32
- Total employment: 4,380 people (28.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#24. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

- Median annual wage: $29,780
- Median hourly wage: $14.32
- Total employment: 130 people (0.82 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $29,760
- Median hourly wage: $14.31
- Total employment: 410 people (2.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $29,550
- Median hourly wage: $14.21
- Total employment: 340 people (2.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $29,350
- Median hourly wage: $14.11
- Total employment: 300 people (1.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#20. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $29,240
- Median hourly wage: $14.06
- Total employment: 450 people (2.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Bill and account collectors

- Median annual wage: $29,020
- Median hourly wage: $13.95
- Total employment: 160 people (1.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $29,000
- Median hourly wage: $13.94
- Total employment: 40 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $28,500
- Median hourly wage: $13.70
- Total employment: 900 people (5.94 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $28,360
- Median hourly wage: $13.63
- Total employment: 380 people (2.49 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#15. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $28,320
- Median hourly wage: $13.62
- Total employment: 3,310 people (21.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#14. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $28,270
- Median hourly wage: $13.59
- Total employment: 280 people (1.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#13. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $28,150
- Median hourly wage: $13.53
- Total employment: 90 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#12. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $28,030
- Median hourly wage: $13.48
- Total employment: 330 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#11. Coaches and scouts

- Median annual wage: $27,820
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 420 people (2.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#10. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $27,790
- Median hourly wage: $13.36
- Total employment: 510 people (3.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#9. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $27,770
- Median hourly wage: $13.35
- Total employment: 680 people (4.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#8. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $27,660
- Median hourly wage: $13.30
- Total employment: 2,160 people (14.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#7. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $27,490
- Median hourly wage: $13.22
- Total employment: 160 people (1.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

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

- Median annual wage: $27,330
- Median hourly wage: $13.14
- Total employment: 370 people (2.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#5. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $27,160
- Median hourly wage: $13.06
- Total employment: 80 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#4. Personal care and service workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $27,150
- Median hourly wage: $13.05
- Total employment: 40 people (0.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $27,000
- Median hourly wage: $12.98
- Total employment: 270 people (1.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $26,990
- Median hourly wage: $12.97
- Total employment: 3,430 people (22.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $26,250
- Median hourly wage: $12.62
- Total employment: 100 people (0.65 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