Syda Productions // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Tellers
- Median annual wage: $41,570
- Median hourly wage: $19.98
- Total employment: 220 people (1.8 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lowest-paying jobs in Rochester, Minnesota
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 Rochester. 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-rated sushi restaurants in the Rochester, Minnesota area by diners
UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Sewing machine operators
- Median annual wage: $41,340
- Median hourly wage: $19.88
- Total employment: 30 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nomad_Soul // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Bakers
- Median annual wage: $40,120
- Median hourly wage: $19.29
- Total employment: 100 people (0.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Median annual wage: $39,730
- Median hourly wage: $19.10
- Total employment: 330 people (2.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Office and administrative support workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $39,450
- Median hourly wage: $18.97
- Total employment: 30 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How gas prices have changed in Rochester, Minnesota in the last week
Finist4 // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Median annual wage: $38,910
- Median hourly wage: $18.71
- Total employment: 140 people (1.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Median annual wage: $38,790
- Median hourly wage: Not available
- Total employment: 1,430 people (11.76 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
- Median annual wage: $38,700
- Median hourly wage: $18.60
- Total employment: 310 people (2.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
kanemme6 // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Tire repairers and changers
- Median annual wage: $38,640
- Median hourly wage: $18.58
- Total employment: 80 people (0.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Preschool teachers, except special education
- Median annual wage: $38,470
- Median hourly wage: $18.50
- Total employment: 480 people (3.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-paying computer and engineering jobs in Rochester, Minnesota
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Recreation workers
- Median annual wage: $38,070
- Median hourly wage: $18.31
- Total employment: 220 people (1.85 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Cooks, restaurant
- Median annual wage: $37,920
- Median hourly wage: $18.23
- Total employment: 1,130 people (9.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Pharmacy aides
- Median annual wage: $37,780
- Median hourly wage: $18.16
- Total employment: 30 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Median annual wage: $37,710
- Median hourly wage: $18.13
- Total employment: 190 people (1.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Martin Smith // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Parking attendants
- Median annual wage: $37,490
- Median hourly wage: $18.02
- Total employment: 60 people (0.5 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in the Rochester, Minnesota metro area
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Tutors
- Median annual wage: $37,440
- Median hourly wage: $18.00
- Total employment: 190 people (1.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Shakirov Albert // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Floral designers
- Median annual wage: $37,050
- Median hourly wage: $17.81
- Total employment: 30 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Median annual wage: $36,910
- Median hourly wage: $17.74
- Total employment: 340 people (2.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Home health and personal care aides
- Median annual wage: $36,880
- Median hourly wage: $17.73
- Total employment: 3,920 people (32.23 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Median annual wage: $36,830
- Median hourly wage: $17.71
- Total employment: 940 people (7.74 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: The most expensive homes sold in Rochester, Minnesota this year
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Animal caretakers
- Median annual wage: $36,470
- Median hourly wage: $17.53
- Total employment: 260 people (2.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Ground Picture // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Stockers and order fillers
- Median annual wage: $36,370
- Median hourly wage: $17.49
- Total employment: 1,420 people (11.67 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Flamingo Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Concierges
- Median annual wage: $36,320
- Median hourly wage: $17.46
- Total employment: 40 people (0.32 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
zhu difeng // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
- Median annual wage: $36,310
- Median hourly wage: $17.46
- Total employment: 70 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Demonstrators and product promoters
- Median annual wage: $36,200
- Median hourly wage: $17.40
- Total employment: 40 people (0.36 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Rochester, Minnesota area by diners
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Library technicians
- Median annual wage: $36,160
- Median hourly wage: $17.39
- Total employment: 120 people (0.97 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Blanscape // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Conveyor operators and tenders
- Median annual wage: $35,920
- Median hourly wage: $17.27
- Total employment: 30 people (0.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Median annual wage: $35,880
- Median hourly wage: $17.25
- Total employment: 310 people (2.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Nejron Photo // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
- Median annual wage: $35,810
- Median hourly wage: $17.22
- Total employment: 240 people (1.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Median annual wage: $35,750
- Median hourly wage: $17.19
- Total employment: 450 people (3.73 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: How much house does $500,000 buy you in Rochester, Minnesota?
New Africa // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Receptionists and information clerks
- Median annual wage: $35,490
- Median hourly wage: $17.06
- Total employment: 450 people (3.7 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Food preparation workers
- Median annual wage: $35,380
- Median hourly wage: $17.01
- Total employment: 760 people (6.27 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Retail salespersons
- Median annual wage: $35,210
- Median hourly wage: $16.93
- Total employment: 2,620 people (21.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Library assistants, clerical
- Median annual wage: $34,820
- Median hourly wage: $16.74
- Total employment: 100 people (0.81 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Dean Drobot // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Cashiers
- Median annual wage: $33,770
- Median hourly wage: $16.23
- Total employment: 2,670 people (21.92 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Rochester, Minnesota
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Driver/sales workers
- Median annual wage: $32,630
- Median hourly wage: $15.69
- Total employment: 190 people (1.55 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Virrage Images // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Motor vehicle operators, all other
- Median annual wage: $31,160
- Median hourly wage: $14.98
- Total employment: 30 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Lucky Business // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Sales and related workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $31,040
- Median hourly wage: $14.92
- Total employment: 90 people (0.71 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Dishwashers
- Median annual wage: $30,850
- Median hourly wage: $14.83
- Total employment: 360 people (2.96 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Fast food and counter workers
- Median annual wage: $30,720
- Median hourly wage: $14.77
- Total employment: 2,570 people (21.1 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: People from these metros are looking to buy homes in Rochester, Minnesota
SviatlanaLaza // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Packers and packagers, hand
- Median annual wage: $30,680
- Median hourly wage: $14.75
- Total employment: 200 people (1.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Childcare workers
- Median annual wage: $30,420
- Median hourly wage: $14.63
- Total employment: 630 people (5.14 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Andrei Zveaghintev // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Gambling service workers, all other
- Median annual wage: $30,310
- Median hourly wage: $14.57
- Total employment: 70 people (0.57 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Cooks, fast food
- Median annual wage: $29,990
- Median hourly wage: $14.42
- Total employment: 180 people (1.46 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: $29,880
- Median hourly wage: $14.36
- Total employment: 310 people (2.58 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Rochester, Minnesota's 2025 housing market year in review
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Median annual wage: $29,430
- Median hourly wage: $14.15
- Total employment: 180 people (1.45 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
aboutsung // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Median annual wage: $28,230
- Median hourly wage: $13.57
- Total employment: 270 people (2.2 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Median annual wage: $27,500
- Median hourly wage: $13.22
- Total employment: 50 people (0.43 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
santypan // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Bartenders
- Median annual wage: $25,890
- Median hourly wage: $12.45
- Total employment: 950 people (7.79 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Waiters and waitresses
- Median annual wage: $23,580
- Median hourly wage: $11.34
- Total employment: 1,700 people (13.97 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 ice cream shops in Rochester, Minnesota by diners
