Lowest-paying jobs in Providence
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA, 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. Massage therapists
- Annual mean salary: $34,700
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,260
- Employment: 81,030
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($96,260)
--- Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($74,980)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($74,850)
#49. Retail salespersons
- Annual mean salary: $34,670
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 15,900
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)
#48. Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $34,610
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,820
- Employment: 13,580
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Albany, OR ($50,430)
--- Pittsburgh, PA ($49,010)
--- Richmond, VA ($46,530)
#47. Bakers
- Annual mean salary: $34,560
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,380
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)
#46. Machine feeders and offbearers
- Annual mean salary: $34,380
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,660
- Employment: 60,880
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($60,610)
--- Lincoln, NE ($48,580)
--- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN ($47,560)
#45. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $33,880
- #47 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
#44. Library assistants, clerical
- Annual mean salary: $33,850
- #63 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 470
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)
#43. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $33,840
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,080
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)
#42. Food cooking machine operators and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $33,610
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $35,430
- Employment: 26,710
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Madison, WI ($44,500)
--- Wausau, WI ($44,290)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($43,260)
#41. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Annual mean salary: $33,580
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
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)
#40. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Annual mean salary: $33,540
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,300
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)
#39. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $33,490
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,790
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)
#38. Bicycle repairers
- Annual mean salary: $33,430
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,360
- Employment: 14,760
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,650)
--- Boulder, CO ($40,810)
#37. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Annual mean salary: $33,420
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220
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)
#36. Helpers--production workers
- Annual mean salary: $33,370
- #156 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 660
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)
#35. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $33,320
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,390
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,220
- Employment: 55,310
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($49,850)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($48,610)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($47,750)
#34. Helpers--electricians
- Annual mean salary: $33,280
- #108 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,720
- Employment: 72,150
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,560)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,530)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,690)
#33. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
- Annual mean salary: $33,170
- #46 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270
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. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $33,020
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,480
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)
#31. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $33,000
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,210
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)
#30. Plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Annual mean salary: $32,940
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 450
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,580
- Employment: 32,310
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH ($57,520)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($56,150)
--- Reading, PA ($53,660)
#29. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $32,650
- #49 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,120
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)
#28. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $32,610
- #8 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#27. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $32,480
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 570
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)
#26. Food batchmakers
- Annual mean salary: $32,410
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,190
- Employment: 155,240
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Battle Creek, MI ($65,310)
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($56,900)
--- Binghamton, NY ($50,910)
#25. Parking enforcement workers
- Annual mean salary: $32,320
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,050
- Employment: 7,450
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($90,360)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($70,670)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($57,200)
#24. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $32,280
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
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)
#23. Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $32,150
- #48 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
#22. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $31,870
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#21. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $31,600
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,160
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)
#20. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Annual mean salary: $31,560
- #94 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
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. Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $31,100
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,640
- Employment: 16,330
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Appleton, WI ($51,100)
--- Reading, PA ($46,430)
--- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX ($41,140)
#18. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals
- Annual mean salary: $30,740
- #83 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
#17. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $30,650
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,950
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)
#16. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $30,510
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,950
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)
#15. Cutters and trimmers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $30,380
- #26 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,330
- Employment: 7,920
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ($44,360)
--- Salt Lake City, UT ($44,160)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($41,880)
#14. Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $30,350
- #20 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,050
- Employment: 22,160
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($36,660)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($36,340)
--- Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC ($35,630)
#13. Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $30,060
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#12. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $29,670
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,110
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)
#11. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $29,620
- #95 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,410
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. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $29,540
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770
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)
#9. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $29,530
- #25 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
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)
#8. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $29,160
- #126 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,570
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)
#7. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,990
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,980
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. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $28,690
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 490
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)
#5. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $28,640
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560
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)
#4. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $28,320
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 14,160
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)
#3. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $28,250
- #34 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
#2. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $27,920
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,460
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. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $26,550
- #115 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,990
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)