Lowest-paying jobs in Indianapolis
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN, 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. Counter and rental clerks
- Annual mean salary: $31,360
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,960
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,170
- Employment: 371,620
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,760)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($47,080)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,760)

#49. Library technicians
- Annual mean salary: $31,270
- #216 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,070
- Employment: 73,000
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($61,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($59,950)
--- Napa, CA ($57,890)

#48. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Annual mean salary: $31,220
- #248 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,470
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,460
- Employment: 391,670
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,990)
--- Ocean City, NJ ($49,720)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($49,560)

#47. Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $31,160
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,580
- Employment: 12,510
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($54,190)
--- Dayton, OH ($46,860)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($46,480)
#46. Bakers
- Annual mean salary: $31,070
- #152 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 730
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)
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#45. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $30,910
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#44. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
- Annual mean salary: $30,880
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,150
- Employment: 34,140
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,780)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,120)
--- Provo-Orem, UT ($41,660)
#43. Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation
- Annual mean salary: $30,410
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,500
- Employment: 25,820
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($59,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,710)
--- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX ($53,920)

#42. Tire repairers and changers
- Annual mean salary: $30,380
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,520
- Employment: 93,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($44,520)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,370)
#41. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $30,070
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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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#40. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $30,050
- #207 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,830
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)
#39. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $29,790
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,480
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)
#38. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $29,780
- #166 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,120
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)
#37. Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $29,280
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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)
#36. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $29,220
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
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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#35. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $29,110
- #186 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,650
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)
#34. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $29,090
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650
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)
#33. Funeral attendants
- Annual mean salary: $28,870
- #84 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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)

#32. Concierges
- Annual mean salary: $28,820
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,520
- Employment: 33,560
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($47,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,690)
--- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($42,870)
#30 (tie). Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $28,710
- #87 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
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#30 (tie). Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $28,710
- #199 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,530
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)
#29. Animal trainers
- Annual mean salary: $28,570
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,230
- Employment: 15,840
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($67,060)
--- Ocala, FL ($55,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,660)
#28. Recreation workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,320
- #267 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770
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)
#27. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $28,210
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
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)
#26. Couriers and messengers
- Annual mean salary: $28,070
- #185 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,270
- Employment: 68,310
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,430)
--- Modesto, CA ($42,550)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,220)
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#25. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $27,880
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
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)
#24. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,750
- #154 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,450
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)
#23. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $27,500
- #252 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,710
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)
#22. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $27,050
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
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)
#21. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $26,790
- #201 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,830
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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#20. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $26,780
- #130 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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)
#19. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $26,720
- #196 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,350
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)
#18. Library assistants, clerical
- Annual mean salary: $26,500
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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)
#17. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $26,180
- #192 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 940
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)
#16. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $26,150
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,540
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)
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#15. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $25,470
- #211 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,840
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)

#14. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $25,420
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,120
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)
#13. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $25,400
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#12. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $25,030
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
#11. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $24,670
- #208 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 17,770
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. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $24,340
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,340
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)

#9. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,920
- #179 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 27,790
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)
#8. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,640
- #271 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,410
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)
#7. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,050
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
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)
#6. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $23,000
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,660
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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#5. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $22,970
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,030
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. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $22,580
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,710
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. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $22,520
- #239 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,750
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)
#2. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $22,380
- #276 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,000
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)
#1. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $19,470
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
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)
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