
Lowest-paying jobs in Chambersburg
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 Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA, 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. Data entry keyers
- Annual mean salary: $34,400
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,940
- Employment: 147,170
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($48,170)
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($46,500)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,530)
#49. Butchers and meat cutters
- Annual mean salary: $34,280
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,670
- Employment: 145,930
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($50,570)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($50,510)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($48,490)
#48. Bakers
- Annual mean salary: $34,270
- #67 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
#47. Parts salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $34,090
- #243 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,920
- Employment: 265,130
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($48,330)
--- Danville, IL ($48,080)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($47,620)
#46. Pharmacy technicians
- Annual mean salary: $33,900
- #282 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,970
- Employment: 436,630
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($59,340)
--- Napa, CA ($58,620)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($58,390)
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#45. Crossing guards and flaggers
- Annual mean salary: $33,520
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Annual mean salary: $33,510
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
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)
#43. Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping
- Annual mean salary: $33,350
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $39,540
- Employment: 54,760
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($70,360)
--- Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI ($54,750)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($52,300)
#42. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $33,280
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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)
#41. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $32,790
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
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#40. Self-enrichment teachers
- Annual mean salary: $32,750
- #314 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,230
- Employment: 216,910
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($70,350)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($66,650)
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($63,470)
#38 (tie). Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $32,590
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
#38 (tie). Tellers
- Annual mean salary: $32,590
- #243 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,930
- Employment: 364,210
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,040)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,490)
--- Napa, CA ($42,000)

#37. Substitute teachers, short-term
- Annual mean salary: $32,560
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
#36. Counter and rental clerks
- Annual mean salary: $32,360
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,170
- Employment: 371,620
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,760)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($47,080)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,760)
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#35. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
- Annual mean salary: $32,140
- #226 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,240
- Employment: 892,450
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,650)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,240)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($44,830)
#34. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Annual mean salary: $32,060
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $51,310
- Employment: 145,720
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($69,940)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($69,310)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($67,370)
#33. Rehabilitation counselors
- Annual mean salary: $32,050
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $44,740
- Employment: 90,310
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($94,340)
--- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ ($73,140)
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($59,970)
#32. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Annual mean salary: $32,020
- #137 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
#31. Bus drivers, school
- Annual mean salary: $31,360
- #270 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300
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)
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#30. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
- Annual mean salary: $31,020
- #321 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $45,870
- Employment: 221,600
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($69,160)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($68,140)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($64,980)
#29. Receptionists and information clerks
- Annual mean salary: $30,750
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,910
- Employment: 983,150
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,680)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($41,290)
#28. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $30,710
- #104 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
#27. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $30,550
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,400
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)
#26. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,580
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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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#25. Residential advisors
- Annual mean salary: $29,430
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,950
- Employment: 92,500
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Trenton, NJ ($50,560)
--- Napa, CA ($48,390)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($46,210)
#24. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $29,210
- #215 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,060
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)
#23. Recreation workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,530
- #256 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
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)
#22. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $28,420
- #133 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
#21. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $27,920
- #238 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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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#20. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $27,910
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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)

#19. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Annual mean salary: $27,850
- #336 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
#18. Emergency medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $27,750
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
#17. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $27,620
- #266 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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)
#16. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $26,840
- #199 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
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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#15. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $26,560
- #258 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
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)
#14. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $26,550
- #185 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
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)
#13. Driver/sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $25,960
- #334 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#12. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $25,790
- #232 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
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)
#11. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $25,770
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 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)
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#10. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $25,390
- #154 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
#9. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $24,410
- #234 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
#8. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $23,960
- #255 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)

#7. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,220
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,450
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. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $23,190
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,670
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)
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#5. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $23,060
- #274 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $23,010
- #210 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
#3. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $22,760
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $22,700
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
#1. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $21,500
- #283 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
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)
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