Lowest-paying jobs in Reno
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 Reno, NV, 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. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $32,060
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
#49. Sewing machine operators
- Annual mean salary: $31,670
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#48. Emergency medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $31,540
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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)
#47. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $31,490
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,000
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)
#46. Crossing guards and flaggers
- Annual mean salary: $31,480
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
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#45. Driver/sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $31,460
- #171 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
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)
#44. Skincare specialists
- Annual mean salary: $31,400
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,700
- Employment: 50,580
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($79,860)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($67,750)
--- Danbury, CT ($67,480)
#43. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $31,260
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,260
- Employment: 81,030
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($96,260)
--- Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($74,980)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($74,850)
#42. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $31,120
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,990
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)
#41. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $30,420
- #114 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)
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#40. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $30,250
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#39. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $30,180
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,740
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)
#38. Switchboard operators, including answering service
- Annual mean salary: $30,160
- #140 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,590
- Employment: 48,190
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($51,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,250)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,440)

#37. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Annual mean salary: $29,900
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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)
#36. Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $29,420
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,400
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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)
#34. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $29,200
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
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)
#33. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $29,140
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,300
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)
#32. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Annual mean salary: $29,070
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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)
#31. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $29,060
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
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#30. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $27,930
- #134 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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)
#29. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $27,770
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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)
#28. Recreation workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,660
- #292 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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. Telemarketers
- Annual mean salary: $27,540
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
#26. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,520
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,850
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)
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#25. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Annual mean salary: $27,400
- #64 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)
#24. Gambling cage workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,010
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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)
#23. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,000
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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)
#22. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $26,760
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
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. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $26,140
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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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#20. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $26,110
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,680
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)
#18 (tie). Gambling and sports book writers and runners
- Annual mean salary: $25,550
- #13 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)

#18 (tie). Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $25,550
- #138 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
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)
#17. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $25,220
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520
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)
#16. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $25,070
- #45 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
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#15. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $24,680
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,260
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. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $24,610
- #140 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
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)
#13. Gambling change persons and booth cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $24,420
- #24 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
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)

#12. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $24,130
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,950
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)
#11. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $24,120
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
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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#10. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $23,440
- #154 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
#9. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $23,240
- #327 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,400
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)
#8. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $22,380
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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)

#7. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $22,350
- #360 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 940
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)
#6. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $22,130
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $21,860
- #63 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)
#4. Bus drivers, school
- Annual mean salary: $21,830
- #327 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,750
- Employment: 361,420
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Elkhart-Goshen, IN ($55,400)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($55,150)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($53,770)
#3. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $21,570
- #314 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
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)

#2. Substitute teachers, short-term
- Annual mean salary: $21,340
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,410
- Employment: 374,620
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Prescott, AZ ($64,310)
--- Appleton, WI ($63,310)
--- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($58,770)
#1. Gambling dealers
- Annual mean salary: $20,780
- #27 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,960
- Employment: 64,700
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($50,000)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($45,790)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($45,250)
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