Kzenon // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Self-enrichment teachers
- Median annual wage: $36,280
- Median hourly wage: $17.44
- Total employment: 950 people (2.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lowest-paying jobs in Allentown
Uncertainty clouds the current job market. On one hand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports unemployment rates at 4.2% as of May 2025—and that hasn't changed much in the past year, a typical indicator of a positive economy. At the same time, average weekly earnings have increased by 3.9% over the 12 months ending May 2025 to reach $1,243.03.
However, the American economy may soon shift. The Trump administration's federal budget cuts have eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, and constant changes in import tariffs leave companies unable to plan for their future employment needs.
With these factors in mind, minimum or low-wage jobs are increasingly unsustainable for most. In 2025, a full-time job at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour puts a worker under the poverty threshold, according to the Economic Policy Institute. While states can opt to have higher minimum wages, 20 states are at or below the federal minimum as of 2025.
Salaries can also vary by gender, race, and educational attainment. According to a March 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, women's earnings are about 85% of men's, and women also remain overrepresented in low-paying jobs. Meanwhile, April 2025 BLS data shows that Hispanic workers' median earnings lag behind those of other race and ethnicity groups, and full-time workers without a high school diploma earned the least compared to their more educated counterparts.
It's important to note, though, that low pay doesn't always equal low job satisfaction. Some people feel drawn to a particular field, seek a certain work environment, or aim for work-life balance. No matter the reason, Stacker used BLS data to find the 50 lowest-paying jobs in Allentown. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.
You may also like: Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Allentown area by diners
MAVV // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Median annual wage: $36,260
- Median hourly wage: $17.43
- Total employment: 250 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Security guards
- Median annual wage: $36,210
- Median hourly wage: $17.41
- Total employment: 2,750 people (7.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Cooks, all other
- Median annual wage: $36,200
- Median hourly wage: $17.40
- Total employment: 50 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Sales and related workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $36,190
- Median hourly wage: $17.40
- Total employment: 180 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated Italian restaurants in Allentown by diners
Shakirov Albert // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Floral designers
- Median annual wage: $35,780
- Median hourly wage: $17.20
- Total employment: 100 people (0.26 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Suteren // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Dietetic technicians
- Median annual wage: $35,620
- Median hourly wage: $17.13
- Total employment: 250 people (0.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Median annual wage: $35,250
- Median hourly wage: $16.95
- Total employment: 1,680 people (4.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Indypendenz // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service
- Median annual wage: $35,210
- Median hourly wage: $16.93
- Total employment: 330 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Driver/sales workers
- Median annual wage: $35,200
- Median hourly wage: $16.92
- Total employment: 1,310 people (3.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: People from these metros are looking to buy homes in Allentown
worradirek // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers
- Median annual wage: $34,590
- Median hourly wage: $16.63
- Total employment: 110 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $34,520
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 3,670 people (9.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Median annual wage: $34,440
- Median hourly wage: $16.56
- Total employment: 1,470 people (3.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Demonstrators and product promoters
- Median annual wage: $34,310
- Median hourly wage: $16.50
- Total employment: 50 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nejron Photo // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Median annual wage: $34,270
- Median hourly wage: $16.48
- Total employment: 840 people (2.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs for people with 2-year degrees in Allentown
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Median annual wage: $34,080
- Median hourly wage: $16.39
- Total employment: 660 people (1.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
- Median annual wage: $33,920
- Median hourly wage: $16.31
- Total employment: 70 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Median annual wage: $33,850
- Median hourly wage: $16.28
- Total employment: 450 people (1.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Recreation workers
- Median annual wage: $33,440
- Median hourly wage: $16.08
- Total employment: 680 people (1.83 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Cineberg // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Helpers, construction trades, all other
- Median annual wage: $33,330
- Median hourly wage: $16.02
- Total employment: 50 people (0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Allentown in the last week
encierro // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
- Median annual wage: $33,280
- Median hourly wage: $16.00
- Total employment: 40 people (0.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Median annual wage: $33,020
- Median hourly wage: $15.87
- Total employment: 1,200 people (3.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Martin Smith // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Parking attendants
- Median annual wage: $32,660
- Median hourly wage: $15.70
- Total employment: 240 people (0.66 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Median annual wage: $32,330
- Median hourly wage: $15.54
- Total employment: 500 people (1.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Retail salespersons
- Median annual wage: $32,250
- Median hourly wage: $15.51
- Total employment: 8,790 people (23.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated dessert shops in the Allentown area by diners
Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Median annual wage: $31,810
- Median hourly wage: $15.29
- Total employment: 1,430 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Richard Thornton // Shutterstock
27 / 50#18. School bus monitors (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 120 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Carlovis // Shutterstock
28 / 50#18. Tour and travel guides (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 150 people (0.41 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
29 / 50#18. Food preparation workers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 1,420 people (3.84 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
30 / 50#18. Waiters and waitresses (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 5,290 people (14.29 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated comfort food restaurants in Allentown by diners
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
31 / 50#18. Library assistants, clerical (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 210 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock
32 / 50#18. Automotive and watercraft service attendants (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 260 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Animal caretakers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $31,470
- Median hourly wage: $15.13
- Total employment: 700 people (1.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Atstock Productions // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Telemarketers
- Median annual wage: $31,300
- Median hourly wage: $15.05
- Total employment: 60 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Childcare workers
- Median annual wage: $31,020
- Median hourly wage: $14.92
- Total employment: 1,140 people (3.08 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Allentown by diners
santypan // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Bartenders
- Median annual wage: $30,630
- Median hourly wage: $14.73
- Total employment: 1,840 people (4.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dean Drobot // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Cashiers
- Median annual wage: $30,110
- Median hourly wage: $14.48
- Total employment: 7,050 people (19.05 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Dishwashers
- Median annual wage: $30,020
- Median hourly wage: $14.43
- Total employment: 1,280 people (3.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Median annual wage: $29,950
- Median hourly wage: $14.40
- Total employment: 210 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Median annual wage: $29,880
- Median hourly wage: $14.37
- Total employment: 1,090 people (2.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Allentown
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Home health and personal care aides
- Median annual wage: $29,870
- Median hourly wage: $14.36
- Total employment: 11,120 people (30.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
aboutsung // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Median annual wage: $29,610
- Median hourly wage: $14.23
- Total employment: 1,290 people (3.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Fast food and counter workers
- Median annual wage: $29,230
- Median hourly wage: $14.05
- Total employment: 8,120 people (21.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Finist4 // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Median annual wage: $28,130
- Median hourly wage: $13.52
- Total employment: 500 people (1.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Median annual wage: $28,120
- Median hourly wage: $13.52
- Total employment: 1,390 people (3.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated cafes in the Allentown area by diners
Virrage Images // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Motor vehicle operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $27,800
- Median hourly wage: $13.37
- Total employment: 50 people (0.13 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Median annual wage: $27,700
- Median hourly wage: $13.32
- Total employment: 250 people (0.68 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Motortion Films // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Personal care and service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $23,260
- Median hourly wage: $11.18
- Total employment: 140 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
hedgehog94 // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Shampooers
- Median annual wage: $22,880
- Median hourly wage: $11.00
- Total employment: Not available
Jason Person // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Cooks, short order
- Median annual wage: $22,330
- Median hourly wage: $10.73
- Total employment: 170 people (0.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
You may also like: Highest-paying management jobs for people in Allentown
