Lowest-paying jobs in Denver
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 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO, 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. Recreation workers
- Annual mean salary: $35,480
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,860
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)
#49. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $35,410
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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)
#48. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $35,400
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,150
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,480
- Employment: 120,540
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Provo-Orem, UT ($45,320)
--- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($42,170)
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($40,030)

#47. Stockers and order fillers
- Annual mean salary: $35,240
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,660
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)
#46. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Annual mean salary: $35,050
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,530
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)
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#45. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $35,030
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,480
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)
#44. Grinding and polishing workers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $35,020
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,990
- Employment: 15,680
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($52,840)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($46,560)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($45,620)
#42 (tie). Emergency medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $35,010
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,370
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,690
- Employment: 161,400
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($63,500)
--- Coeur d'Alene, ID ($59,020)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($58,770)

#42 (tie). Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $35,010
- #70 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,170
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)

#41. Teaching assistants, postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $34,940
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 121,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($59,560)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($59,380)
--- Reno, NV ($57,420)
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#40. Telemarketers
- Annual mean salary: $34,660
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
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)
#39. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
- Annual mean salary: $34,640
- #149 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,970
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)
#37 (tie). Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $34,590
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770
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)
#37 (tie). Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $34,590
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,420
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)
#36. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $34,510
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,550
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)
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#35. Machine feeders and offbearers
- Annual mean salary: $34,490
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,660
- Employment: 60,880
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($60,610)
--- Lincoln, NE ($48,580)
--- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN ($47,560)
#34. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $34,190
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,060
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)
#33. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $34,180
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,290
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)
#32. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $34,070
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 18,620
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)
#31. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $33,950
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,780
- Employment: 98,970
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ames, IA ($44,000)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,920)
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#30. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $33,910
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,040
- Employment: 220,380
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($52,150)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,900)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,910)
#29. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $33,850
- #73 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,270
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)
#28. Sewers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $33,740
- #6 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,350
- Employment: 4,170
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($38,150)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($35,820)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($35,780)
#27. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $33,610
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,560
- Employment: 43,560
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($59,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($57,630)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($56,450)
#26. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $33,400
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,350
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)
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#25. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $33,360
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,960
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)

#24. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $33,140
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,530
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)

#23. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $33,120
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,210
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)
#22. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $33,040
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,820
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)
#21. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $32,620
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,820
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)
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#20. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $32,290
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,740
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)
#19. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $32,200
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,440
- Employment: 45,160
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,370)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,740)
#18. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $32,150
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,360
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)
#17. Library assistants, clerical
- Annual mean salary: $31,960
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,490
- Employment: 78,470
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($52,500)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($49,030)
#16. Cutters and trimmers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $31,910
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,330
- Employment: 7,920
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($44,360)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($44,160)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($41,880)
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#15. Helpers--production workers
- Annual mean salary: $31,660
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,370
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)
#14. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $31,450
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 840
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)
#13. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $31,270
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 25,630
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)
#12. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $31,220
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,220
- Employment: 9,670
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,160)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,250)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($39,710)
#11. Passenger attendants
- Annual mean salary: $31,100
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,380
- Employment: 21,240
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($47,240)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($43,430)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($40,730)
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#10. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $31,050
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
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)
#9. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $30,730
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,040
- Employment: 20,530
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($42,310)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,760)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,160)
#8. Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $30,640
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,820
- Employment: 13,580
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Albany, OR ($50,430)
--- Pittsburgh, PA ($49,010)
--- Richmond, VA ($46,530)

#7. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,510
- #40 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 36,120
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)
#6. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,490
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)
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#5. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $30,420
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,390
- Employment: 54,970
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Charlottesville, VA ($48,540)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($39,670)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($37,140)
#4. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $30,280
- #42 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,340
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. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $30,260
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,090
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)
#2. Gambling change persons and booth cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $29,850
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,130
- Employment: 17,150
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($45,770)
--- Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY ($42,910)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($42,740)
#1. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,550
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
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)
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