Lowest-paying jobs in Charlotte
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, 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.
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Charlotte that don't require a college degree
#50. Sewing machine operators
- Annual mean salary: $30,620
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
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)
#49. Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $30,560
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)

#48. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Annual mean salary: $30,450
- #273 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,920
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)
#46 (tie). Nursing assistants
- Annual mean salary: $30,400
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,440
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)
#46 (tie). Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $30,400
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,050
- Employment: 22,160
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($36,660)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($36,340)
--- Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC ($35,630)
You may also like: Highest-rated things to do in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor
#45. Crossing guards and flaggers
- Annual mean salary: $30,370
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380
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)
#44. Helpers--roofers
- Annual mean salary: $30,300
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,000
- Employment: 6,830
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,890)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,870)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($43,540)
#43. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $30,150
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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)
#42. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $30,040
- #208 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 33,210
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)
#41. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $29,920
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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)
You may also like: Zip codes with the most expensive homes in Charlotte metro area
#40. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $29,770
- #147 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
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)
#39. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $29,500
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,340
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. Food cooking machine operators and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $29,440
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,430
- Employment: 26,710
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madison, WI ($44,500)
--- Wausau, WI ($44,290)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($43,260)
#37. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $29,090
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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)
#36. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $29,030
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,380
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)
You may also like: How Charlotte feels about climate change
#35. Taxi drivers
- Annual mean salary: $28,940
- #14 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
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)
#34. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $28,920
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
#33. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $28,880
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,220
- Employment: 55,830
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($51,700)
--- New Haven, CT ($49,600)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($49,400)
#32. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $28,750
- #192 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,170
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)
#31. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Annual mean salary: $28,660
- #257 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,460
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)
You may also like: Highest-rated cheap eats in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor
#30. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Annual mean salary: $28,510
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
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)
#29. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,400
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,670
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)
#28. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $28,290
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
#27. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $27,780
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,390
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)
#26. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $27,720
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,740
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)
You may also like: Highest-rated brunch restaurants in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor
#25. Library assistants, clerical
- Annual mean salary: $27,600
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
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)
#23 (tie). Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $27,350
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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)

#23 (tie). Substitute teachers, short-term
- Annual mean salary: $27,350
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,170
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)

#22. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $27,320
- #239 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,670
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)
#21. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $26,800
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,500
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)
You may also like: Highest-rated Chinese restaurants in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor
#20. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $26,720
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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: $26,500
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,740
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)
#18. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $26,470
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 540
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)
#17. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $25,830
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,860
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)
#16. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $25,760
- #316 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,260
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)
You may also like: Highest-rated dessert shops in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor

#15. Legislators
- Annual mean salary: $25,650
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $57,110
- Employment: 44,590
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yakima, WA ($139,690)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($136,400)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($132,460)
#14. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $25,350
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,060
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)
#13. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $24,870
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
#12. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $24,530
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,400
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. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $24,510
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 29,110
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)
You may also like: Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor

#10. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $24,470
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,570
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. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $23,640
- #273 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,430
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)

#8. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,590
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 19,660
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)
#7. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $23,400
- #196 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 660
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)
#6. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $23,270
- #199 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,200
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)
You may also like: Where people in Charlotte are moving to most
#5. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $22,780
- #211 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 16,770
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)
#4. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $22,540
- #270 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,160
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)
#3. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $22,150
- #184 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310
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)
#2. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $21,930
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,320
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)
#1. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $21,750
- #106 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500
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)
You may also like: Highest-rated Asian restaurants in Charlotte, according to Tripadvisor