Lowest-paying jobs in Pittsburgh
Lowest-paying jobs in Pittsburgh
Stacker collected information on the lowest-paying jobs in Pittsburgh, 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 2020. Job descriptions are from O*NET.
In Pittsburgh, the annual mean wage is $54,300 or 3.6% lower than national mean of $56,310, while the lowest-paying occupation makes $19,650. Read on to see which jobs make the list.
#50. Substitute teachers, short-term
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,580
- #124 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,090
- Employment: 512,030
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($17,360)
--- Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($17,470)
--- Huntsville, AL ($17,470)
- Job description: Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.
#49. Tire repairers and changers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,510
- #102 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 620
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,790
- Employment: 98,560
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Monroe, LA ($20,890)
--- Terre Haute, IN ($21,540)
--- Champaign-Urbana, IL ($22,830)
- Job description: Repair and replace tires.
#48. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,340
- #239 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,390
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,630
- Employment: 1,272,840
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Alexandria, LA ($17,810)
--- Gadsden, AL ($18,110)
--- Hammond, LA ($18,740)
- Job description: Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
#47. Retail salespersons
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,260
- #182 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 24,540
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,940
- Employment: 3,659,670
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Albany, GA ($22,740)
--- Hinesville, GA ($23,640)
--- Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($23,660)
- Job description: Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
#46. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,220
- #25 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,700
- Employment: 14,120
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Beckley, WV ($21,610)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($22,080)
--- Florence, SC ($22,100)
- Job description: Drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. Assist in lifting patients.
#45. Crossing guards and flaggers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,990
- #63 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,690
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,220
- Employment: 85,050
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($20,210)
--- Jackson, MS ($20,610)
--- El Paso, TX ($21,020)
- Job description: Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
#44. Receptionists and information clerks
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,880
- #134 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,410
- Employment: 968,420
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Gadsden, AL ($22,570)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($22,770)
--- Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($22,880)
- Job description: Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
#43. Sewing machine operators
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,740
- #100 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 510
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,420
- Employment: 116,520
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- El Paso, TX ($18,940)
--- McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($21,950)
--- Wichita Falls, TX ($22,070)
- Job description: Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
#42. Parking attendants
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,660
- #133 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,310
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,910
- Employment: 123,790
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Lake Charles, LA ($19,840)
--- Huntsville, AL ($19,910)
--- Auburn-Opelika, AL ($20,000)
- Job description: Park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage. May park or tend vehicles in environments such as a car dealership or rental car facility. May collect fee.
#41. Packers and packagers, hand
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,640
- #201 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,290
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,270
- Employment: 599,270
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Wichita Falls, TX ($18,740)
--- Casper, WY ($19,850)
--- Johnstown, PA ($19,920)
- Job description: Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.
#40. Concierges
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,280
- #17 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,310
- Employment: 36,800
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Billings, MT ($22,350)
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($24,580)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($25,250)
- Job description: Assist patrons at hotel, apartment, or office building with personal services. May take messages; arrange or give advice on transportation, business services, or entertainment; or monitor guest requests for housekeeping and maintenance.
#39. Waiters and waitresses
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,190
- #286 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,470
- Employment: 1,944,240
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($17,980)
--- Decatur, AL ($17,980)
--- Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ($18,060)
- Job description: Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
#38. Bakers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,050
- #107 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,490
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,060
- Employment: 168,890
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Sherman-Denison, TX ($21,310)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($21,560)
--- St. George, UT ($22,110)
- Job description: Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
#37. Stockers and order fillers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,870
- #103 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 13,030
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,010
- Employment: 2,210,960
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Fond du Lac, WI ($23,990)
--- Monroe, LA ($24,240)
--- Florence, SC ($24,420)
- Job description: Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.
#36. Bicycle repairers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,550
- #3 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,530
- Employment: 11,290
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Austin-Round Rock, TX ($21,210)
--- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($26,030)
--- Pittsburgh, PA ($27,550)
- Job description: Repair and service bicycles.
#35. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,360
- #109 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,740
- Employment: 302,410
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- San Angelo, TX ($18,370)
--- Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($19,280)
--- Bowling Green, KY ($19,460)
- Job description: Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.
#34. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,340
- #136 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,150
- Employment: 112,750
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Valdosta, GA ($21,570)
--- Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA ($21,740)
--- La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN ($21,950)
- Job description: Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
#33. Cooks, restaurant
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,120
- #179 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,530
- Employment: 1,109,650
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ($20,590)
--- Laredo, TX ($21,000)
--- Gadsden, AL ($21,540)
- Job description: Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
#32. Cooks, short order
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,050
- #139 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,030
- Employment: 123,350
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Laredo, TX ($18,660)
--- Gainesville, GA ($18,740)
--- Mobile, AL ($18,820)
- Job description: Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
#31. Baggage porters and bellhops
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,030
- #51 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,060
- Employment: 28,440
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Greensboro-High Point, NC ($19,580)
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($19,920)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($19,940)
- Job description: Handle baggage for travelers at transportation terminals or for guests at hotels or similar establishments.
#30. Bartenders
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,830
- #225 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,330
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,910
- Employment: 486,720
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Gadsden, AL ($17,930)
--- Decatur, AL ($17,950)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($18,150)
- Job description: Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
#29. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,620
- #21 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,800
- Employment: 147,760
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($20,270)
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($20,500)
--- New Bern, NC ($21,670)
- Job description: Use hands or hand tools to perform routine cutting and trimming of meat, poultry, and seafood.
#28. Telemarketers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,510
- #34 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,930
- Employment: 117,610
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Charleston-North Charleston, SC ($19,280)
--- Erie, PA ($19,760)
--- Logan, UT-ID ($21,130)
- Job description: Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
#27. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,500
- #247 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,010
- Employment: 795,590
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Monroe, LA ($18,460)
--- Valdosta, GA ($18,730)
--- Alexandria, LA ($19,070)
- Job description: Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.
#25 (tie). Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,260
- #17 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,060
- Employment: 36,820
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Goldsboro, NC ($20,690)
--- Lynchburg, VA ($22,130)
--- Tulsa, OK ($22,450)
- Job description: Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.
#25 (tie). Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,260
- #246 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,010
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,900
- Employment: 222,550
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Decatur, AL ($18,020)
--- Dalton, GA ($18,450)
--- Monroe, LA ($18,500)
- Job description: Accommodate hotel, motel, and resort patrons by registering and assigning rooms to guests, issuing room keys or cards, transmitting and receiving messages, keeping records of occupied rooms and guests' accounts, making and confirming reservations, and presenting statements to and collecting payments from departing guests.
#24. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,230
- #222 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,030
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,600
- Employment: 179,890
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Hattiesburg, MS ($18,060)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($18,580)
--- Rome, GA ($19,050)
- Job description: Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
#23. Food servers, nonrestaurant
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,120
- #212 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,860
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,460
- Employment: 254,650
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Decatur, AL ($18,460)
--- Enid, OK ($18,780)
--- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX ($18,960)
- Job description: Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
#22. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,070
- #117 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,900
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,400
- Employment: 341,660
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ($20,280)
--- Albany, GA ($20,850)
--- Dalton, GA ($20,890)
- Job description: Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
#21. Animal trainers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,050
- #5 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $37,950
- Employment: 14,880
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Jacksonville, FL ($22,540)
--- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN ($24,690)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($25,380)
- Job description: Train animals for riding, harness, security, performance, or obedience, or for assisting persons with disabilities. Accustom animals to human voice and contact, and condition animals to respond to commands. Train animals according to prescribed standards for show or competition. May train animals to carry pack loads or work as part of pack team.
#20. Cutters and trimmers, hand
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $25,660
- #3 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,190
- Employment: 7,980
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Provo-Orem, UT ($24,110)
--- Tulsa, OK ($25,530)
--- Pittsburgh, PA ($25,660)
- Job description: Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
#19. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $25,460
- #90 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,390
- Employment: 95,600
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Tulsa, OK ($18,650)
--- Appleton, WI ($18,760)
--- Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC ($18,930)
- Job description: Assist patrons at entertainment events by performing duties, such as collecting admission tickets and passes from patrons, assisting in finding seats, searching for lost articles, and helping patrons locate such facilities as restrooms and telephones.
#18. Recreation workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,880
- #56 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,190
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,960
- Employment: 325,640
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Rocky Mount, NC ($20,040)
--- Lake Charles, LA ($20,300)
--- Monroe, LA ($21,000)
- Job description: Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.
#17. Animal caretakers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,790
- #121 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,610
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,380
- Employment: 193,660
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Morristown, TN ($18,810)
--- Greenville, NC ($20,320)
--- Twin Falls, ID ($20,580)
- Job description: Feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, or otherwise provide care to promote and maintain the well-being of pets and other animals that are not raised for consumption, such as dogs, cats, race horses, ornamental fish or birds, zoo animals, and mice. Work in settings such as kennels, animal shelters, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. May keep records of feedings, treatments, and animals received or discharged. May clean, disinfect, and repair cages, pens, or fish tanks.
#16. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,670
- #15 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,320
- Employment: 11,530
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Oklahoma City, OK ($20,510)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($21,040)
--- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ ($21,080)
- Job description: Provide personal items to patrons or customers in locker rooms, dressing rooms, or coatrooms.
#15. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,450
- #45 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,050
- Employment: 31,980
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Raleigh, NC ($18,320)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($19,670)
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($19,930)
- Job description: Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
#14. Childcare workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,340
- #193 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,680
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,790
- Employment: 494,360
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Rome, GA ($17,330)
--- Dothan, AL ($18,370)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($18,440)
- Job description: Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
#13. Library assistants, clerical
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,230
- #35 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,110
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,740
- Employment: 84,560
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Rocky Mount, NC ($20,080)
--- Corpus Christi, TX ($20,520)
--- Akron, OH ($20,530)
- Job description: Compile records, and sort, shelve, issue, and receive library materials such as books, electronic media, pictures, cards, slides and microfilm. Locate library materials for loan and replace material in shelving area, stacks, or files according to identification number and title. Register patrons to permit them to borrow books, periodicals, and other library materials.
#12. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,150
- #215 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,300
- Employment: 374,940
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Monroe, LA ($18,090)
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($18,100)
--- McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX ($18,240)
- Job description: Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.
#11. Dishwashers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $23,940
- #232 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,270
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,600
- Employment: 395,660
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($17,490)
--- Fond du Lac, WI ($18,400)
--- Muncie, IN ($18,550)
- Job description: Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
#10. Driver/sales workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $23,610
- #22 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,700
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,870
- Employment: 420,890
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY ($19,230)
--- Sumter, SC ($19,740)
--- Dalton, GA ($21,020)
- Job description: Drive truck or other vehicle over established routes or within an established territory and sell or deliver goods, such as food products, including restaurant take-out items, or pick up or deliver items such as commercial laundry. May also take orders, collect payment, or stock merchandise at point of delivery.
#9. Food preparation workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $23,390
- #104 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,460
National
- Annual mean salary: $26,820
- Employment: 793,590
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Hammond, LA ($18,290)
--- Morristown, TN ($18,550)
--- Monroe, LA ($19,010)
- Job description: Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
#8. Cashiers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $22,930
- #110 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 24,640
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,710
- Employment: 3,333,100
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Hattiesburg, MS ($19,530)
--- Monroe, LA ($19,780)
--- Albany, GA ($20,320)
- Job description: Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
#7. Fast food and counter workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $22,650
- #200 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 29,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $24,540
- Employment: 3,450,120
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($18,690)
--- Mobile, AL ($18,750)
--- Montgomery, AL ($18,780)
- Job description: Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.
#6. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $21,130
- #43 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,060
National
- Annual mean salary: $27,050
- Employment: 113,150
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Montgomery, AL ($17,440)
--- Athens-Clarke County, GA ($17,790)
--- Sheboygan, WI ($17,940)
- Job description: Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
#5. Amusement and recreation attendants
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $20,820
- #66 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,430
National
- Annual mean salary: $25,610
- Employment: 248,190
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($18,040)
--- Lynchburg, VA ($18,600)
--- Auburn-Opelika, AL ($18,650)
- Job description: Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
#4. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $20,650
- #83 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,440
National
- Annual mean salary: $24,800
- Employment: 316,700
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Decatur, AL ($17,940)
--- Gadsden, AL ($18,150)
--- New Bern, NC ($18,190)
- Job description: Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
#3. Cooks, fast food
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $20,060
- #64 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,510
National
- Annual mean salary: $24,300
- Employment: 544,420
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Altoona, PA ($17,660)
--- Johnson City, TN ($17,700)
--- Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL ($17,900)
- Job description: Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
#2. Manicurists and pedicurists
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $19,780
- #4 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,010
- Employment: 73,010
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- York-Hanover, PA ($18,440)
--- Fort Wayne, IN ($18,880)
--- Akron, OH ($19,540)
- Job description: Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.
#1. Shampooers
Pittsburgh, PA
- Annual mean salary: $19,650
- #2 lowest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
National
- Annual mean salary: $24,320
- Employment: 8,310
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with lowest average pay:
--- Reading, PA ($18,650)
--- Pittsburgh, PA ($19,650)
--- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL ($19,650)
- Job description: Shampoo and rinse customers' hair.