
Lowest-paying jobs in Bakersfield
The U.S. may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world but there’s a growing trend of financial inequality, with middle-class households feeling the most impact. In fact, the number of adults who live in middle-class households dropped from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021, according to an April 2022 analysis from Pew Research Center. On the other hand, the upper-income level rose from 14% to 21%. The declining middle class in the U.S. can be attributed to various factors including a decrease in unions and manufacturing jobs and an increased need for college-educated, tech-savvy employees.
The COVID-19 pandemic also played a major role in exposing the harsh financial gap as those who fell under the middle- and upper-income brackets were able to keep their jobs and/or work remotely. At the start of the pandemic in the U.S., workers who fell under the lower-income tier found themselves unemployed or having to be out of work, even if temporarily, as their place of employment was closed.
Those who worked in the leisure and hospitality industries were hit the hardest financially. In December 2020, employment in the hospitality industry was down by 23% compared to pre-pandemic levels in February 2020, an unemployment rate that surpassed other industries. Service employees such as housekeepers, food preparation workers, kitchen cooks, automobile glass installers, and animal caretakers were some of the lowest-paying jobs in the nation.
Stacker compiled a list of the lowest-paying jobs in Bakersfield, CA, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by average annual salary with information up to date as of May 2021.
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#50. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $35,700
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,860
- Employment: 2,036,680
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,030)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($41,240)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($41,150)
#49. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
- Annual mean salary: $35,640
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,520
- Employment: 159,790
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,950)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($45,550)
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($44,840)
#48. Sewing machine operators
- Annual mean salary: $35,560
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,880
- Employment: 116,220
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Appleton, WI ($43,060)
--- Glens Falls, NY ($42,270)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($40,660)
#47. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $35,500
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,340
- Employment: 485,330
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($50,180)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,820)
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($47,440)
#46. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Annual mean salary: $35,400
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,990
- Employment: 285,980
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($53,630)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($53,470)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($52,630)
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#45. Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
- Annual mean salary: $35,330
- #16 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,270
- Employment: 8,940
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($46,870)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,610)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($43,320)
#44. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $35,260
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,500
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,630
- Employment: 1,193,860
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($43,900)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,380)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($41,690)
#43. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Annual mean salary: $35,250
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,520
- Employment: 392,860
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($48,130)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,400)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($47,000)
#42. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service
- Annual mean salary: $35,200
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,390
- Employment: 69,400
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,730)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,390)

#41. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $35,050
- #68 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,960
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,760
- Employment: 1,187,270
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($46,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,820)
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#40. Stockers and order fillers
- Annual mean salary: $34,900
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,020
- Employment: 2,451,430
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,960)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($40,620)
#39. Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $34,820
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,250
- Employment: 1,314,830
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,690)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,500)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,210)
#38. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $34,740
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,220
- Employment: 55,310
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($49,850)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($48,610)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,750)
#37. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $34,720
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,320
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,010
- Employment: 1,804,030
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Glens Falls, NY ($47,570)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,080)
--- Ithaca, NY ($44,970)
#35 (tie). Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $34,690
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,100
- Employment: 36,000
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($44,600)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,780)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,120)
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#35 (tie). Security guards
- Annual mean salary: $34,690
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,550
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,830
- Employment: 1,057,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($70,350)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($58,440)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($55,500)
#34. Bakers
- Annual mean salary: $34,680
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,300
- Employment: 181,800
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,850)
--- Chattanooga, TN-GA ($41,660)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,160)
#33. Agricultural equipment operators
- Annual mean salary: $34,400
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,280
- Employment: 26,180
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dubuque, IA ($45,450)
--- Wichita, KS ($45,340)
--- Kansas City, MO-KS ($45,240)
#32. Telemarketers
- Annual mean salary: $34,330
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,670
- Employment: 115,130
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($63,030)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($49,120)
--- New Haven, CT ($48,680)
#31. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $34,150
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,960
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,920
- Employment: 3,693,490
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,150)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($38,790)
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#30. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Annual mean salary: $33,770
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,430
- Employment: 17,270
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($52,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,410)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($46,480)
#29. Recreation workers
- Annual mean salary: $33,720
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,020
- Employment: 264,020
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($50,710)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($44,200)
#28. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $33,510
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,160
- Employment: 21,610
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,700)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,370)
#27. Receptionists and information clerks
- Annual mean salary: $33,290
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,280
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,910
- Employment: 983,150
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,680)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($41,290)
#26. Helpers--production workers
- Annual mean salary: $33,100
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,910
- Employment: 202,860
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN ($48,190)
--- Pittsfield, MA ($43,910)
--- Reno, NV ($41,940)
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#25. Bicycle repairers
- Annual mean salary: $33,070
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,360
- Employment: 14,760
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,650)
--- Boulder, CO ($40,810)
#24. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $32,800
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,580
- Employment: 723,430
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,430)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($44,940)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,580)
#22 (tie). Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $32,600
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,960
- Employment: 111,480
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($50,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($41,840)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,120)
#22 (tie). Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $32,600
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,400
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,550
- Employment: 351,960
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($40,840)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,980)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,780)
#21. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $32,570
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,680
- Employment: 438,520
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,390)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,120)
--- Napa, CA ($36,850)
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#20. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $32,400
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,570
- Employment: 175,660
- Entry level education requirements: not available
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,740)
--- Napa, CA ($42,730)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($42,000)

#19. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $32,250
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,500
- Employment: 243,030
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($46,270)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,400)
#18. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $32,090
- #60 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,810
- Employment: 783,350
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,230)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($38,340)
#17. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $32,060
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,110
- Employment: 124,800
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,670)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,060)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($37,940)
#16. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $31,850
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,520
- Employment: 225,680
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($40,460)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,720)
--- Salinas, CA ($37,420)
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#15. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $31,710
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,050
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,950
- Employment: 585,270
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,960)
--- Rome, GA ($38,830)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,460)
#14. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $31,530
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,320
- Employment: 114,320
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($43,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($37,930)
#13. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $31,270
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,210
- Employment: 91,160
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,920)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,670)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,420)
#12. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $31,190
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,690
- Employment: 336,970
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($38,490)
--- Ithaca, NY ($38,170)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($37,910)
#11. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $30,870
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,780
- Employment: 3,335,170
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,860)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,910)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,400)
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#10. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $30,830
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,000
- Employment: 324,690
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,560)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,060)
--- Madera, CA ($36,490)
#9. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $30,700
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,110
- Employment: 26,910
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,040)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($37,370)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($36,530)
#8. Graders and sorters, agricultural products
- Annual mean salary: $30,660
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,400
- Employment: 25,560
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA ($39,950)
--- New Orleans-Metairie, LA ($39,780)
--- Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($38,850)
#7. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $30,580
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,370
- Employment: 42,390
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($45,060)
--- Jackson, MS ($42,210)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,510)
#5 (tie). Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,560
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,830
- Employment: 157,400
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,290)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($35,690)
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#5 (tie). Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,560
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,060
- Employment: 3,095,120
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,360)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($34,240)
#4. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $30,200
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,110
- Employment: 262,170
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,560)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($36,800)
--- Anchorage, AK ($36,020)

#3. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $30,170
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,350
- Employment: 377,040
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($37,560)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,200)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,440)
#2. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $30,050
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 42,880
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,440
- Employment: 277,200
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,490)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,560)
--- Ithaca, NY ($39,570)
#1. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $30,000
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,490
- Employment: 768,130
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($36,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($36,640)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,040)
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