Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Library technicians
- Median annual wage: $37,510
- Median hourly wage: $18.04
- Total employment: 60 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lowest-paying jobs in Bloomington
Uncertainty clouds the current job market. On one hand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports unemployment rates at 4.2% as of May 2025—and that hasn't changed much in the past year, a typical indicator of a positive economy. At the same time, average weekly earnings have increased by 3.9% over the 12 months ending May 2025 to reach $1,243.03.
However, the American economy may soon shift. The Trump administration's federal budget cuts have eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, and constant changes in import tariffs leave companies unable to plan for their future employment needs.
With these factors in mind, minimum or low-wage jobs are increasingly unsustainable for most. In 2025, a full-time job at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour puts a worker under the poverty threshold, according to the Economic Policy Institute. While states can opt to have higher minimum wages, 20 states are at or below the federal minimum as of 2025.
Salaries can also vary by gender, race, and educational attainment. According to a March 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, women's earnings are about 85% of men's, and women also remain overrepresented in low-paying jobs. Meanwhile, April 2025 BLS data shows that Hispanic workers' median earnings lag behind those of other race and ethnicity groups, and full-time workers without a high school diploma earned the least compared to their more educated counterparts.
It's important to note, though, that low pay doesn't always equal low job satisfaction. Some people feel drawn to a particular field, seek a certain work environment, or aim for work-life balance. No matter the reason, Stacker used BLS data to find the 50 lowest-paying jobs in Bloomington. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Bloomington that require a bachelor's degree
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Meeting, convention, and event planners
- Median annual wage: $37,430
- Median hourly wage: $17.99
- Total employment: 60 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DSBfoto // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Median annual wage: $36,820
- Median hourly wage: $17.70
- Total employment: 1,070 people (14.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators
- Median annual wage: $36,800
- Median hourly wage: $17.69
- Total employment: 2,740 people (37.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Tellers
- Median annual wage: $36,750
- Median hourly wage: $17.67
- Total employment: 190 people (2.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Car insurance rates in Bloomington October 2025
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Nursing assistants
- Median annual wage: $36,670
- Median hourly wage: $17.63
- Total employment: 580 people (7.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Occupational therapy aides
- Median annual wage: $36,530
- Median hourly wage: $17.56
- Total employment: Not available
Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
- Median annual wage: $36,490
- Median hourly wage: $17.54
- Total employment: 600 people (8.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
- Median annual wage: $36,380
- Median hourly wage: $17.49
- Total employment: 150 people (2.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Standret // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Counter and rental clerks
- Median annual wage: $36,190
- Median hourly wage: $17.40
- Total employment: 310 people (4.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated delis in Bloomington by diners
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Median annual wage: $36,160
- Median hourly wage: $17.38
- Total employment: 400 people (5.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Korotkov // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Crossing guards and flaggers
- Median annual wage: $36,120
- Median hourly wage: $17.36
- Total employment: 40 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Leika production // Shutterstock
13 / 50#37. Couriers and messengers (tie)
- Median annual wage: $35,980
- Median hourly wage: $17.30
- Total employment: 40 people (0.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DuxX // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Butchers and meat cutters (tie)
- Median annual wage: $35,980
- Median hourly wage: $17.30
- Total employment: 40 people (0.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
zhu difeng // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
- Median annual wage: $35,810
- Median hourly wage: $17.22
- Total employment: 60 people (0.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs for people with 2-year degrees in Bloomington
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Security guards
- Median annual wage: $35,640
- Median hourly wage: $17.13
- Total employment: 560 people (7.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Stokkete // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. File clerks
- Median annual wage: $35,590
- Median hourly wage: $17.11
- Total employment: 50 people (0.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Stockers and order fillers
- Median annual wage: $35,200
- Median hourly wage: $16.92
- Total employment: 1,070 people (14.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Parts salespersons
- Median annual wage: $34,950
- Median hourly wage: $16.81
- Total employment: 130 people (1.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Median annual wage: $34,810
- Median hourly wage: $16.74
- Total employment: 140 people (1.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated sushi restaurants in the Bloomington area by diners
ORION PRODUCTION // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
- Median annual wage: $34,570
- Median hourly wage: $16.62
- Total employment: 70 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Cooks, restaurant
- Median annual wage: $34,150
- Median hourly wage: $16.42
- Total employment: 960 people (13.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
New Africa // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Receptionists and information clerks
- Median annual wage: $33,900
- Median hourly wage: $16.30
- Total employment: 380 people (5.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nomad_Soul // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Bakers
- Median annual wage: $33,840
- Median hourly wage: $16.27
- Total employment: 60 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Median annual wage: $33,040
- Median hourly wage: $15.89
- Total employment: 130 people (1.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Bloomington in the last week
Martin Smith // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Parking attendants
- Median annual wage: $31,720
- Median hourly wage: $15.25
- Total employment: 40 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Median annual wage: $30,930
- Median hourly wage: $14.87
- Total employment: 170 people (2.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Median annual wage: $30,810
- Median hourly wage: $14.81
- Total employment: 70 people (1.02 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Recreation workers
- Median annual wage: $30,720
- Median hourly wage: $14.77
- Total employment: 170 people (2.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Food preparation workers
- Median annual wage: $30,700
- Median hourly wage: $14.76
- Total employment: 380 people (5.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated restaurants with outdoor seating in Bloomington by diners
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Home health and personal care aides
- Median annual wage: $30,480
- Median hourly wage: $14.65
- Total employment: 1,470 people (20.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Median annual wage: $29,960
- Median hourly wage: $14.41
- Total employment: 160 people (2.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Retail salespersons
- Median annual wage: $29,530
- Median hourly wage: $14.20
- Total employment: 1,930 people (26.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock
34 / 50#16. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary (tie)
- Median annual wage: $29,410
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 530 people (7.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (tie)
- Median annual wage: $29,410
- Median hourly wage: $14.14
- Total employment: 130 people (1.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Bloomington that require a graduate degree
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Median annual wage: $29,390
- Median hourly wage: $14.13
- Total employment: 390 people (5.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
aboutsung // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Median annual wage: $29,200
- Median hourly wage: $14.04
- Total employment: 380 people (5.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Cooks, fast food
- Median annual wage: $29,170
- Median hourly wage: $14.02
- Total employment: 160 people (2.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Dishwashers
- Median annual wage: $28,860
- Median hourly wage: $13.88
- Total employment: 220 people (2.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dean Drobot // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Cashiers
- Median annual wage: $28,730
- Median hourly wage: $13.81
- Total employment: 1,380 people (18.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Bloomington area by visitors
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Animal caretakers
- Median annual wage: $28,720
- Median hourly wage: $13.81
- Total employment: 150 people (2.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Median annual wage: $28,530
- Median hourly wage: $13.72
- Total employment: 30 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Childcare workers
- Median annual wage: $28,310
- Median hourly wage: $13.61
- Total employment: 230 people (3.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Fast food and counter workers
- Median annual wage: $27,760
- Median hourly wage: $13.34
- Total employment: 2,540 people (34.77 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Library assistants, clerical
- Median annual wage: $26,420
- Median hourly wage: $12.70
- Total employment: 70 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Cheapest gas stations in Bloomington
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Waiters and waitresses
- Median annual wage: $26,340
- Median hourly wage: $12.66
- Total employment: 1,630 people (22.3 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Median annual wage: $26,120
- Median hourly wage: $12.56
- Total employment: 320 people (4.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Driver/sales workers
- Median annual wage: $25,510
- Median hourly wage: $12.26
- Total employment: 310 people (4.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Median annual wage: $25,380
- Median hourly wage: $12.20
- Total employment: 110 people (1.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
santypan // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Bartenders
- Median annual wage: $22,260
- Median hourly wage: $10.70
- Total employment: 420 people (5.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
You may also like: Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Bloomington area by diners
