Lowest-paying jobs in Miami
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 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, 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. Teaching assistants, postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $30,440
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
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)
#49. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $30,410
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 85,870
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)
#48. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $30,120
- #134 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,890
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)
#47. Helpers--production workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,090
- #257 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,630
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)
#46. Taxi drivers
- Annual mean salary: $30,080
- #9 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,050
- Employment: 13,950
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($35,820)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($34,830)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($33,650)
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#44 (tie). Gambling cage workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,060
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,770
- Employment: 11,140
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($36,530)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,930)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($35,230)
#44 (tie). Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Annual mean salary: $30,060
- #210 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,950
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 (tie). Gambling and sports book writers and runners
- Annual mean salary: $30,000
- #7 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,110
- Employment: 7,340
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($37,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($35,950)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($34,330)
#42 (tie). Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $30,000
- #243 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,390
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)
#41. Agricultural equipment operators
- Annual mean salary: $29,880
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
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)
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#40. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $29,750
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
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)
#39. Floor sanders and finishers
- Annual mean salary: $29,510
- #10 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,380
- Employment: 4,340
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($60,750)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($59,120)
--- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ($51,190)
#38. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $29,420
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
#37. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,380
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,450
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)
#35 (tie). Funeral attendants
- Annual mean salary: $29,350
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,630
- Employment: 32,490
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,440)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,270)
--- Trenton, NJ ($43,730)
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#35 (tie). Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $29,350
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,710
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)
#34. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $29,340
- #180 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,150
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)
#33. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $29,200
- #77 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
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)
#32. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $29,120
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40,790
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)
#31. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $28,720
- #79 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
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)
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#30. Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons
- Annual mean salary: $28,710
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
#29. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $28,420
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,750
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. Driver/sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,400
- #271 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,910
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,970
- Employment: 477,020
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bismarck, ND ($48,560)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,390)
--- Fargo, ND-MN ($46,360)
#27. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $28,060
- #64 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830
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)

#26. Fish and game wardens
- Annual mean salary: $28,000
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,190
- Employment: 6,730
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($78,280)
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($74,670)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($73,680)
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#25. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,720
- #113 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,980
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)
#24. Food batchmakers
- Annual mean salary: $27,600
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,530
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,190
- Employment: 155,240
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Battle Creek, MI ($65,310)
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($56,900)
--- Binghamton, NY ($50,910)
#23. Slaughterers and meat packers
- Annual mean salary: $27,270
- #56 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,010
- Employment: 86,450
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($40,850)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($39,300)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($39,050)
#22. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $27,180
- #280 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 38,710
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)
#20 (tie). Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $27,170
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,110
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)
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#20 (tie). Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $27,170
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,080
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)

#19. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $26,610
- #179 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,430
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. Sewing machine operators
- Annual mean salary: $26,510
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,330
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)
#17. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $26,500
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
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)
#16. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $26,200
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,880
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)
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#15. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $25,930
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,100
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)
#14. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $25,850
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,540
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)
#13. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $25,680
- #293 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,710
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)

#12. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $25,590
- #135 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,950
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)
#11. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $25,540
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,850
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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#10. Shampooers
- Annual mean salary: $25,530
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,160
- Employment: 9,560
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($30,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($29,800)
--- Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($28,700)
#9. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $25,380
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,610
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)
#8. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $25,210
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,660
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)
#7. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $25,050
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 56,930
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)
#6. Sewers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $24,840
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
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#5. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $24,620
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,050
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)
#4. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $24,120
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,280
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)
#3. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $24,070
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,500
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)

#2. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,710
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 43,170
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)
#1. Graders and sorters, agricultural products
- Annual mean salary: $22,740
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
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