Lowest-paying jobs in Cleveland
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 Cleveland-Elyria, OH, 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. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $31,290
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,790
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)
#49. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $31,260
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,100
- Employment: 11,970
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($45,730)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($41,860)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,810)
#48. Crossing guards and flaggers
- Annual mean salary: $31,180
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 720
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)
#47. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $31,140
- #103 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330
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)
#46. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $30,830
- #86 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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)
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#45. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $30,790
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,000
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)
#44. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $30,610
- #179 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,470
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)
#43. Sewing machine operators
- Annual mean salary: $30,420
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 660
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)
#42. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $30,300
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
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)
#41. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $29,970
- #134 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
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. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $29,900
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,410
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)
#39. Bakers
- Annual mean salary: $29,890
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,580
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)
#38. Driver/sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,880
- #216 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,640
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)
#37. Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $29,810
- #132 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
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)
#35 (tie). Recreation workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,680
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,820
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)
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#35 (tie). Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
- Annual mean salary: $29,680
- #90 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
#34. Library assistants, clerical
- Annual mean salary: $29,570
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
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)
#33. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
- Annual mean salary: $29,540
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,680
- Employment: 132,100
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($40,580)
--- Anchorage, AK ($40,540)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,730)
#32. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $28,490
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,590
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)
#31. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,100
- #140 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,330
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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#30. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $27,980
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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)
#28 (tie). Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $27,820
- #31 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)

#28 (tie). Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $27,820
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,470
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)
#27. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $27,810
- #169 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,020
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)
#26. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $27,750
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,430
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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#25. Helpers--carpenters
- Annual mean salary: $27,560
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,340
- Employment: 27,540
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,070)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($47,550)
--- Altoona, PA ($47,110)
#24. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $27,540
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870
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)
#23. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $27,360
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,130
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)

#22. Teaching assistants, postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $27,310
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,170
- Employment: 121,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($59,560)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($59,380)
--- Reno, NV ($57,420)
#21. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $27,100
- #156 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
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)
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#20. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $26,890
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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)
#19. Telemarketers
- Annual mean salary: $26,880
- #100 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,760
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)
#17 (tie). Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $26,780
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,070
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)
#17 (tie). Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $26,780
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
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. Medical transcriptionists
- Annual mean salary: $26,640
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 590
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)
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#15. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $26,500
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
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)
#14. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $26,370
- #143 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,370
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)
#13. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $25,180
- #152 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,840
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)
#12. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $25,140
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 19,990
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)
#11. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $25,120
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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)
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#10. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $25,100
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,010
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)

#9. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $24,750
- #170 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,410
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)
#8. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $24,490
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
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)

#7. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $24,270
- #163 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 21,100
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)
#6. Shampooers
- Annual mean salary: $24,060
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,160
- Employment: 9,560
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($30,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($29,800)
--- Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($28,700)
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#5. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,610
- #139 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 990
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)
#4. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $23,590
- #175 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,400
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,490
- Employment: 768,130
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($36,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($36,640)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,040)
#3. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $23,440
- #281 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 11,790
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,010
- Employment: 1,804,030
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Glens Falls, NY ($47,570)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,080)
--- Ithaca, NY ($44,970)
#2. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $23,110
- #209 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)
#1. Taxi drivers
- Annual mean salary: $22,510
- #32 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,050
- Employment: 13,950
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($35,820)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($34,830)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($33,650)
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