stories
stories
HomeMoneyLifestyleNewsSportsEntertainmentTravelScienceLocal

Lowest-paying jobs in Davenport

·Stacker

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
Add Stacker as Preferred Source

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 Davenport. 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: Davenport's 2025 housing market year in review

#50. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

1 / 50

#50. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

- Median annual wage: $34,310
- Median hourly wage: $16.50
- Total employment: 870 people (4.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#49. Packers and packagers, hand

SviatlanaLaza // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $34,080
- Median hourly wage: $16.39
- Total employment: 660 people (3.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#48. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians

Arsenii Palivoda // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians

- Median annual wage: $33,600
- Median hourly wage: $16.15
- Total employment: 40 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#47. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Anucha Cheechang // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Switchboard operators, including answering service

- Median annual wage: $33,530
- Median hourly wage: $16.12
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#46. Home health and personal care aides

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Home health and personal care aides

- Median annual wage: $33,490
- Median hourly wage: $16.10
- Total employment: 2,180 people (12.09 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Closest national parks to Davenport

#45. Bakers

Nomad_Soul // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $33,230
- Median hourly wage: $15.98
- Total employment: 270 people (1.48 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#44. Sales and related workers, all other

Lucky Business // Shutterstock

7 / 50

#44. Sales and related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $33,070
- Median hourly wage: $15.90
- Total employment: 80 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#43. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $32,960
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,030 people (11.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#42. Barbers

Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Barbers

- Median annual wage: $32,510
- Median hourly wage: $15.63
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#41. Gambling cage workers

Yevgen Belich // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Gambling cage workers

- Median annual wage: $32,290
- Median hourly wage: $15.52
- Total employment: 30 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: The highest-value homes in Davenport

#40. Cooks, short order

Jason Person // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Cooks, short order

- Median annual wage: $32,280
- Median hourly wage: $15.52
- Total employment: 160 people (0.88 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#39. Library assistants, clerical

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $32,220
- Median hourly wage: $15.49
- Total employment: 160 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#38. Gambling change persons and booth cashiers

grivet // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Gambling change persons and booth cashiers

- Median annual wage: $32,000
- Median hourly wage: $15.39
- Total employment: 40 people (0.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#37. School bus monitors

Richard Thornton // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. School bus monitors

- Median annual wage: $31,880
- Median hourly wage: $15.33
- Total employment: 130 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#35. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $31,400
- Median hourly wage: $15.10
- Total employment: 270 people (1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs (tie)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#33. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,370
- Median hourly wage: $15.08
- Total employment: 280 people (1.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#33. Food servers, nonrestaurant (tie)

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Food servers, nonrestaurant (tie)

- Median annual wage: $31,370
- Median hourly wage: $15.08
- Total employment: 570 people (3.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#32. Floral designers

Shakirov Albert // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Floral designers

- Median annual wage: $31,260
- Median hourly wage: $15.03
- Total employment: 70 people (0.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#30. Manicurists and pedicurists

Finist4 // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. Manicurists and pedicurists

- Median annual wage: $31,000
- Median hourly wage: $14.90
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#29. Childcare workers

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $30,850
- Median hourly wage: $14.83
- Total employment: 710 people (3.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#28. Recreation workers

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#28. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,750
- Median hourly wage: $14.79
- Total employment: 390 people (2.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#27. Bailiffs

ITisha // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Bailiffs

- Median annual wage: $30,570
- Median hourly wage: $14.70
- Total employment: 50 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#25. Special education teachers, preschool

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Special education teachers, preschool

- Median annual wage: $30,460
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: Not available

#24. Tutors

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Tutors

- Median annual wage: $30,430
- Median hourly wage: $14.63
- Total employment: 130 people (0.75 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#23. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

- Median annual wage: $30,410
- Median hourly wage: $14.62
- Total employment: 290 people (1.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#22. Food preparation workers

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $30,210
- Median hourly wage: $14.52
- Total employment: 680 people (3.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#21. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

ORION PRODUCTION // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $30,140
- Median hourly wage: $14.49
- Total employment: 110 people (0.59 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Highest-paying computer and engineering jobs in Davenport

#20. Tour and travel guides

Carlovis // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $30,110
- Median hourly wage: $14.48
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#19. Food preparation and serving related workers, all other

Nature's Charm // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. Food preparation and serving related workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $30,050
- Median hourly wage: $14.45
- Total employment: 40 people (0.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#18. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

- Median annual wage: $29,650
- Median hourly wage: $14.26
- Total employment: 560 people (3.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#17. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $29,640
- Median hourly wage: $14.25
- Total employment: 90 people (0.53 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#16. Cashiers

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $29,520
- Median hourly wage: $14.19
- Total employment: 4,340 people (24.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Davenport

#15. Animal caretakers

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $29,200
- Median hourly wage: $14.04
- Total employment: 280 people (1.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Waiters and waitresses (tie)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#3. Waiters and waitresses (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 2,700 people (14.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Gambling dealers (tie)

antoniodiaz // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#3. Gambling dealers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 160 people (0.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (tie)

Lucky Business // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#3. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 370 people (2.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Fast food and counter workers (tie)

BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#3. Fast food and counter workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 5,020 people (27.91 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (tie)

aboutsung // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#3. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 340 people (1.87 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop (tie)

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#3. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 400 people (2.24 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (tie)

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#3. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 140 people (0.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Dishwashers (tie)

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#3. Dishwashers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 400 people (2.22 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Cooks, fast food (tie)

Alena Veasey // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#3. Cooks, fast food (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 580 people (3.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#3. Telemarketers (tie)

Atstock Productions // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#3. Telemarketers (tie)

- Median annual wage: $29,120
- Median hourly wage: $14.00
- Total employment: 180 people (1.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#2. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#2. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

- Median annual wage: $28,530
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 40 people (0.21 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock

50 / 50

#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $28,280
- Median hourly wage: $13.60
- Total employment: 440 people (2.45 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: The 30 most popular homes for sale in Davenport

Trending stories