Lowest-paying jobs in Memphis
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR, 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.
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#50. Psychiatric aides
- Annual mean salary: $28,740
- #54 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,640
- Employment: 39,140
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($54,830)
--- Stockton-Lodi, CA ($54,000)
--- Utica-Rome, NY ($51,960)
#49. Packers and packagers, hand
- Annual mean salary: $28,730
- #204 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,300
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)
#48. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
- Annual mean salary: $28,700
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
#47. Switchboard operators, including answering service
- Annual mean salary: $28,680
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,590
- Employment: 48,190
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($51,610)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($51,250)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,440)

#46. Tire repairers and changers
- Annual mean salary: $28,650
- #272 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,520
- Employment: 93,180
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($44,520)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,520)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,370)
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#45. Orderlies
- Annual mean salary: $28,620
- #82 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,440
- Employment: 45,160
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($55,820)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,370)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($49,740)
#44. Floral designers
- Annual mean salary: $28,330
- #162 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,100
- Employment: 36,000
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New Haven, CT ($44,600)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,780)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,120)
#43. Driver/sales workers
- Annual mean salary: $28,260
- #278 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,780
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,970
- Employment: 477,020
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bismarck, ND ($48,560)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,390)
--- Fargo, ND-MN ($46,360)
#42. Bus drivers, school
- Annual mean salary: $28,150
- #301 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 810
National
- Annual mean salary: $38,750
- Employment: 361,420
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Elkhart-Goshen, IN ($55,400)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($55,150)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($53,770)

#41. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
- Annual mean salary: $27,750
- #29 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,060
- Employment: 11,710
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Providence-Warwick, RI-MA ($42,590)
--- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA ($41,380)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,090)
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#40. Skincare specialists
- Annual mean salary: $27,680
- #165 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 240
National
- Annual mean salary: $41,700
- Employment: 50,580
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Olympia-Tumwater, WA ($79,860)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($67,750)
--- Danbury, CT ($67,480)
#39. Cooks, restaurant
- Annual mean salary: $27,660
- #263 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,540
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)
#38. Parking attendants
- Annual mean salary: $27,500
- #88 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,210
- Employment: 91,160
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,920)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($37,670)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($35,420)

#37. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
- Annual mean salary: $27,480
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,090
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,760
- Employment: 1,187,270
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($46,390)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,820)
#36. Sewing machine operators
- Annual mean salary: $27,320
- #192 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,880
- Employment: 116,220
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Appleton, WI ($43,060)
--- Glens Falls, NY ($42,270)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($40,660)
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#35. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Annual mean salary: $27,220
- #294 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,260
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,520
- Employment: 392,860
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($48,130)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,400)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($47,000)
#34. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
- Annual mean salary: $27,160
- #107 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,280
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)
#33. Physical therapist aides
- Annual mean salary: $26,950
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,370
- Employment: 42,390
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($45,060)
--- Jackson, MS ($42,210)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,510)
#32. Animal caretakers
- Annual mean salary: $26,870
- #195 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980
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)
#31. Bartenders
- Annual mean salary: $26,380
- #204 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,280
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)
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#30. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $26,330
- #310 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 8,110
National
- Annual mean salary: $31,860
- Employment: 2,036,680
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,030)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($41,240)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($41,150)
#29. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers
- Annual mean salary: $26,300
- #123 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 290
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)
#28. Gambling dealers
- Annual mean salary: $26,250
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 750
National
- Annual mean salary: $28,960
- Employment: 64,700
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($50,000)
--- Killeen-Temple, TX ($45,790)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($45,250)
#27. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Annual mean salary: $25,930
- #121 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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)
#26. Slaughterers and meat packers
- Annual mean salary: $25,840
- #59 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,010
- Employment: 86,450
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI ($40,850)
--- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO ($39,300)
--- Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA ($39,050)
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#24 (tie). Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
- Annual mean salary: $25,590
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170
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)
#24 (tie). Cooks, short order
- Annual mean salary: $25,590
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#23. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
- Annual mean salary: $25,070
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,260
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)
#22. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Annual mean salary: $24,570
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
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. Gambling and sports book writers and runners
- Annual mean salary: $24,480
- #15 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,110
- Employment: 7,340
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($37,370)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($35,950)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($34,330)
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#20. Telemarketers
- Annual mean salary: $24,470
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,670
- Employment: 115,130
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($63,030)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($49,120)
--- New Haven, CT ($48,680)

#19. Dishwashers
- Annual mean salary: $24,230
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
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)
#18. Pharmacy aides
- Annual mean salary: $24,210
- #147 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340
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)
#17. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
- Annual mean salary: $24,020
- #251 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,060
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)
#16. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Annual mean salary: $23,910
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
National
- Annual mean salary: $30,220
- Employment: 9,670
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,160)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($40,250)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($39,710)
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#15. Food servers, nonrestaurant
- Annual mean salary: $23,810
- #279 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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)
#14. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,710
- #298 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 700
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)
#13. Food preparation workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,660
- #341 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,810
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)
#12. Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders
- Annual mean salary: $23,520
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
#11. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
- Annual mean salary: $23,370
- #80 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
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)
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#10. Cashiers
- Annual mean salary: $23,350
- #276 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 12,750
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)
#9. Childcare workers
- Annual mean salary: $23,230
- #287 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,000
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)
#8. Amusement and recreation attendants
- Annual mean salary: $22,950
- #215 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430
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)
#7. School bus monitors
- Annual mean salary: $22,860
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140
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)
#6. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Annual mean salary: $22,540
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,490
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)
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#5. Cooks, fast food
- Annual mean salary: $21,770
- #244 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,900
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)

#4. Fast food and counter workers
- Annual mean salary: $21,740
- #294 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,040
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)
#3. Waiters and waitresses
- Annual mean salary: $20,650
- #358 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,170
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)
#2. Dietetic technicians
- Annual mean salary: $20,590
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,160
- Employment: 21,610
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,700)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,370)
#1. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Annual mean salary: $19,210
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
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