Lowest-paying jobs in Springfield, Massachusetts

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 Springfield. 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.

Leika production // Shutterstock

1 / 50

#50. Couriers and messengers

- Median annual wage: $38,870
- Median hourly wage: $18.69
- Total employment: 120 people (0.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Africa Studio // Shutterstock

2 / 50

#49. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

- Median annual wage: $38,780
- Median hourly wage: $18.64
- Total employment: 1,520 people (7.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Standret // Shutterstock

3 / 50

#48. Counter and rental clerks

- Median annual wage: $38,640
- Median hourly wage: $18.58
- Total employment: 340 people (1.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock

4 / 50

#47. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

- Median annual wage: $38,510
- Median hourly wage: $18.51
- Total employment: 400 people (2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

giocalde // Shutterstock

5 / 50

#46. Print binding and finishing workers

- Median annual wage: $38,180
- Median hourly wage: $18.36
- Total employment: 120 people (0.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Best colleges in Springfield, Massachusetts

Peakstock // Shutterstock

6 / 50

#45. Ophthalmic medical technicians

- Median annual wage: $38,050
- Median hourly wage: $18.29
- Total employment: 220 people (1.11 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

DSBfoto // Shutterstock

7 / 50

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

- Median annual wage: $37,890
- Median hourly wage: $18.21
- Total employment: 2,960 people (14.89 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

MAVV // Shutterstock

8 / 50

#43. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse

- Median annual wage: $37,570
- Median hourly wage: $18.06
- Total employment: 80 people (0.39 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

9 / 50

#42. Childcare workers

- Median annual wage: $37,520
- Median hourly wage: $18.04
- Total employment: 600 people (3.03 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Paul.J.West // Shutterstock

10 / 50

#41. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $37,450
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 2,980 people (14.99 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

worradirek // Shutterstock

11 / 50

#40. Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers

- Median annual wage: $37,440
- Median hourly wage: $18.00
- Total employment: 90 people (0.44 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

12 / 50

#39. Sewing machine operators

- Median annual wage: $37,230
- Median hourly wage: $17.90
- Total employment: 70 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

13 / 50

#38. Parts salespersons

- Median annual wage: $37,020
- Median hourly wage: $17.80
- Total employment: 340 people (1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Nomad_Soul // Shutterstock

14 / 50

#37. Bakers

- Median annual wage: $36,920
- Median hourly wage: $17.75
- Total employment: 280 people (1.42 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

shocky // Shutterstock

15 / 50

#36. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

- Median annual wage: $36,860
- Median hourly wage: $17.72
- Total employment: 110 people (0.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

16 / 50

#35. Library assistants, clerical

- Median annual wage: $36,720
- Median hourly wage: $17.66
- Total employment: 140 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

17 / 50

#34. Stockers and order fillers

- Median annual wage: $36,490
- Median hourly wage: $17.55
- Total employment: 2,790 people (14.04 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Carlovis // Shutterstock

18 / 50

#33. Tour and travel guides

- Median annual wage: $36,410
- Median hourly wage: $17.51
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock

19 / 50

#32. Recreation workers

- Median annual wage: $36,350
- Median hourly wage: $17.47
- Total employment: 560 people (2.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Olena Yakobchuk // Shutterstock

20 / 50

#31. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

- Median annual wage: $36,280
- Median hourly wage: $17.44
- Total employment: 90 people (0.46 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: The highest-value homes in Springfield, Massachusetts

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

21 / 50

#30. Pharmacy aides

- Median annual wage: $36,210
- Median hourly wage: $17.41
- Total employment: 50 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Suteren // Shutterstock

22 / 50

#29. Dietetic technicians

- Median annual wage: $36,180
- Median hourly wage: $17.39
- Total employment: 50 people (0.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Anucha Cheechang // Shutterstock

23 / 50

#27. Switchboard operators, including answering service (tie)

- Median annual wage: $35,970
- Median hourly wage: $17.29
- Total employment: 60 people (0.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Nejron Photo // Shutterstock

24 / 50

#27. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment (tie)

- Median annual wage: $35,970
- Median hourly wage: $17.29
- Total employment: 270 people (1.34 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

25 / 50

#26. Food preparation workers

- Median annual wage: $35,960
- Median hourly wage: $17.29
- Total employment: 860 people (4.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

26 / 50

#25. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

- Median annual wage: $35,570
- Median hourly wage: $17.10
- Total employment: 760 people (3.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

27 / 50

#24. Dishwashers

- Median annual wage: $35,500
- Median hourly wage: $17.07
- Total employment: 600 people (3.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

28 / 50

#23. Production workers, all other

- Median annual wage: $35,460
- Median hourly wage: $17.05
- Total employment: Not available

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

29 / 50

#22. Animal caretakers

- Median annual wage: $35,410
- Median hourly wage: $17.03
- Total employment: 310 people (1.56 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

MS Mikel // Shutterstock

30 / 50

#21. Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders

- Median annual wage: $35,270
- Median hourly wage: $16.96
- Total employment: 40 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

31 / 50

#20. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers

- Median annual wage: $35,200
- Median hourly wage: $16.92
- Total employment: 70 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Roman Korotkov // Shutterstock

32 / 50

#19. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Median annual wage: $35,180
- Median hourly wage: $16.91
- Total employment: 230 people (1.16 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

aboutsung // Shutterstock

33 / 50

#18. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Median annual wage: $35,100
- Median hourly wage: $16.88
- Total employment: 610 people (3.06 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

34 / 50

#17. Retail salespersons

- Median annual wage: $34,980
- Median hourly wage: $16.82
- Total employment: 4,590 people (23.07 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock

35 / 50

#16. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

- Median annual wage: $34,830
- Median hourly wage: $16.75
- Total employment: 180 people (0.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Alena Veasey // Shutterstock

36 / 50

#15. Cooks, fast food

- Median annual wage: $34,800
- Median hourly wage: $16.73
- Total employment: 310 people (1.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

37 / 50

#14. Waiters and waitresses

- Median annual wage: $34,740
- Median hourly wage: $16.70
- Total employment: 2,450 people (12.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Atstock Productions // Shutterstock

38 / 50

#13. Telemarketers

- Median annual wage: $34,490
- Median hourly wage: $16.58
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

SviatlanaLaza // Shutterstock

39 / 50

#12. Packers and packagers, hand

- Median annual wage: $34,390
- Median hourly wage: $16.53
- Total employment: 720 people (3.61 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

kanemme6 // Shutterstock

40 / 50

#11. Tire repairers and changers

- Median annual wage: $34,350
- Median hourly wage: $16.52
- Total employment: 110 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

You may also like: Closest national parks to Springfield, Massachusetts

VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

41 / 50

#10. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Median annual wage: $34,220
- Median hourly wage: $16.45
- Total employment: 400 people (2.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Kitreel // Shutterstock

42 / 50

#9. Food batchmakers

- Median annual wage: $34,170
- Median hourly wage: $16.43
- Total employment: 230 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

santypan // Shutterstock

43 / 50

#8. Bartenders

- Median annual wage: $33,640
- Median hourly wage: $16.17
- Total employment: 1,150 people (5.78 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Dean Drobot // Shutterstock

44 / 50

#7. Cashiers

- Median annual wage: $33,610
- Median hourly wage: $16.16
- Total employment: 3,760 people (18.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Dragon Images // Shutterstock

45 / 50

#6. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

- Median annual wage: $33,590
- Median hourly wage: $16.15
- Total employment: 510 people (2.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock

46 / 50

#5. Fast food and counter workers

- Median annual wage: $33,580
- Median hourly wage: $16.15
- Total employment: 5,040 people (25.38 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Martin Smith // Shutterstock

47 / 50

#4. Parking attendants

- Median annual wage: $33,560
- Median hourly wage: $16.14
- Total employment: 270 people (1.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

DGLimages // Shutterstock

48 / 50

#3. Teaching assistants, postsecondary

- Median annual wage: $32,420
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 30 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock

49 / 50

#2. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Median annual wage: $31,510
- Median hourly wage: $15.15
- Total employment: 400 people (2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)

Finist4 // Shutterstock

50 / 50

#1. Manicurists and pedicurists

- Median annual wage: $31,200
- Median hourly wage: $15.00
- Total employment: 100 people (0.53 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.