Lowest-paying jobs in Williamsport

Written by:
June 20, 2022
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Williamsport

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 Williamsport, 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.

#50. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $34,490
- #164 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,950
- Employment: 2,729,010
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,210)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,230)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($42,590)

#49. Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $34,260
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,750
- Employment: 358,640
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Battle Creek, MI ($60,150)
--- Albany, GA ($53,570)
--- Fort Collins, CO ($50,590)

#48. Residential advisors

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $34,240
- #122 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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)

#47. Medical assistants

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $34,190
- #246 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,190
- Employment: 727,760
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($58,670)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($54,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,870)

#46. Loan interviewers and clerks

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $34,150
- #329 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $44,910
- Employment: 238,610
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($59,060)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($56,710)

#45. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $33,710
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $42,780
- Employment: 126,050
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($70,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,470)
--- Napa, CA ($60,830)

#44. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,840
- #107 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,390
- Employment: 69,400
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,730)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,390)

#43. Counter and rental clerks

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,750
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

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)

#42. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,260
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250

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)

#41. Orderlies

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,180
- #37 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,440
- Employment: 45,160
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,370)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,740)

#40. Butchers and meat cutters

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,170
- #254 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)

#39. Helpers--production workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,150
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,910
- Employment: 202,860
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN ($48,190)
--- Pittsfield, MA ($43,910)
--- Reno, NV ($41,940)

#38. Preschool teachers, except special education

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,080
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

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)

#37. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $32,030
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

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)

#36. Packers and packagers, hand

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $31,670
- #111 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

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)

#35. Nursing assistants

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $31,630
- #193 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740

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)

#34. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $31,260
- #313 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,520
- Employment: 159,790
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,950)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($45,550)
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($44,840)

#33. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $31,210
- #165 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160

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)

#32. Funeral attendants

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $31,190
- #51 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,630
- Employment: 32,490
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,440)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,270)
--- Trenton, NJ ($43,730)

#31. Driver/sales workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $31,110
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)

#30. Tellers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $30,590
- #336 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)

#29. Self-enrichment teachers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $30,520
- #333 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

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)

#28. Recreation workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $30,120
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)

#27. Receptionists and information clerks

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,850
- #248 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

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)

#26. Pharmacy technicians

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,830
- #388 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

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)

#25. Stockers and order fillers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,350
- #287 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,020
- Employment: 2,451,430
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,960)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($40,620)

#24. Retail salespersons

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $29,090
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,220

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)

#23. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,810
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680

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)

#22. Bakers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,660
- #241 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)

#21. Security guards

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,310
- #348 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,830
- Employment: 1,057,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($70,350)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($58,440)
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($55,500)

#20. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $28,180
- #333 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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)

#19. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,940
- #219 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

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)

#18. Cooks, restaurant

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,390
- #276 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)

#17. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,290
- #252 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

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)

#16. Telemarketers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $27,280
- #97 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)

#15. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,510
- #260 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410

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

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $26,100
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550

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. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $25,850
- #208 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

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)

#12. Sewing machine operators

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $25,050
- #220 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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)

#11. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,790
- #258 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150

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)

#10. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,620
- #281 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

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)

#9. Food preparation workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,550
- #301 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)

#8. Childcare workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $24,290
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

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)

#7. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $23,710
- #268 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)

#6. Bartenders

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $23,460
- #317 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320

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)

#5. Cooks, fast food

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $22,410
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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. Dishwashers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $22,220
- #322 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

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)

#3. Cashiers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $22,160
- #348 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,350

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)

#2. Fast food and counter workers

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $22,150
- #277 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180

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)

#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

Williamsport, PA
- Annual mean salary: $19,200
- #337 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

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)

Trending Now