
Lowest-paying jobs in Detroit
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, 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. Passenger attendants
- Annual mean salary: $32,430
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
#49. Bicycle repairers
- Annual mean salary: $32,310
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
#48. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $32,270
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,410
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)
#47. Lighting technicians
- Annual mean salary: $32,200
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,020
- Employment: 4,280
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($90,210)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($86,450)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($81,010)
#46. Bakers
- Annual mean salary: $32,000
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,420
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: $31,750
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870
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. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $31,610
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
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)
#42 (tie). Driver/sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $31,490
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,160
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)
#42 (tie). Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers
- Annual mean salary: $31,490
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,090
- Employment: 88,480
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Pittsfield, MA ($58,590)
--- Reno, NV ($50,700)
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($50,600)
#41. Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $31,450
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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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#40. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Annual mean salary: $31,300
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#39. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $31,090
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,820
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)
#38. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $31,070
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 25,510
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)
#37. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $31,040
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,570
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)
#36. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $31,010
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,100
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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#35. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials
- Annual mean salary: $30,960
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,710
- Employment: 9,620
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($73,600)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($63,500)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($62,260)

#34. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $30,950
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,710
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)
#33. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $30,750
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,570
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)
#32. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,640
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,250
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)
#31. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $30,520
- #22 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
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#30. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $30,350
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
#29. Telemarketers
- Annual mean salary: $30,340
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 700
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)
#28. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $30,010
- #100 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,530
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)
#27. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $29,880
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,040
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)
#26. Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $29,740
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,640
- Employment: 16,330
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Appleton, WI ($51,100)
--- Reading, PA ($46,430)
--- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX ($41,140)
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#25. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $29,710
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
#24. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $29,690
- #163 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,350
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)
#23. Helpers--electricians
- Annual mean salary: $29,540
- #185 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,720
- Employment: 72,150
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,530)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,690)

#22. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $29,490
- #100 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,880
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)
#21. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $29,290
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,050
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. Crossing guards and flaggers
- Annual mean salary: $29,240
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,670
- Employment: 82,690
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($56,540)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($55,860)
--- Bellingham, WA ($54,870)
#19. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $29,020
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420
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)
#18. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,980
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,150
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. Funeral attendants
- Annual mean salary: $28,680
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 580
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)
#16. Library assistants, clerical
- Annual mean salary: $28,510
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 910
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)
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#15. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $28,450
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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)
#14. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $27,750
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
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)
#13. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $27,710
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#12. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,690
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,580
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)

#11. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $27,420
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,060
- Employment: 11,710
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ($42,590)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($41,380)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,090)
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#10. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,280
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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)
#8 (tie). Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $27,250
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,600
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)
#8 (tie). Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $27,250
- #108 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40,580
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)
#7. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $27,100
- #108 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,570
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)
#6. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $26,390
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
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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#5. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $26,160
- #123 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,210
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)
#4. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $26,010
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
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)
#3. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $25,700
- #103 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,400
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)

#2. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $25,660
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 43,610
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. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $25,080
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,420
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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