Lowest-paying jobs in Nashville

Written by:
June 20, 2022
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock

Lowest-paying jobs in Nashville

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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, 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.

#50. Animal trainers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,490
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,230
- Employment: 15,840
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($67,060)
--- Ocala, FL ($55,180)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,660)

#49. Library assistants, clerical

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,450
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,490
- Employment: 78,470
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,770)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($52,500)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($49,030)

#48. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,410
- #132 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

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)

#47. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,390
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,410

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)

#46. Retail salespersons

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,090
- #201 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 26,190

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,920
- Employment: 3,693,490
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,150)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,150)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($38,790)

#45. Driver/sales workers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,070
- #209 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,780

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)

#44. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $30,060
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,780
- Employment: 98,970
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ames, IA ($44,000)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,680)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,920)

#43. Tire repairers and changers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,870
- #219 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870

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)

#41 (tie). Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,830
- #144 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980

National
- Annual mean salary: $29,960
- Employment: 111,480
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($50,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($41,840)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($39,120)

#41 (tie). Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,830
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,570
- Employment: 175,660
- Entry level education requirements: not available
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,740)
--- Napa, CA ($42,730)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($42,000)

#40. Psychiatric aides

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,510
- #50 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 770

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)

#39. Cooks, short order

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,490
- #78 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040

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)

#38. Orderlies

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,470
- #75 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

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)

#37. Packers and packagers, hand

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,430
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,250

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)

#36. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,210
- #278 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830

National
- Annual mean salary: $42,780
- Employment: 126,050
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($70,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($69,470)
--- Napa, CA ($60,830)

#35. Couriers and messengers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,150
- #162 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,270
- Employment: 68,310
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($43,430)
--- Modesto, CA ($42,550)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,220)

#34. Recreation workers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,080
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,020
- Employment: 264,020
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($50,710)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,730)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($44,200)

#33. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $29,010
- #189 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,640

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,550
- Employment: 351,960
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($40,840)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($38,980)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,780)

#32. Shampooers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,700
- #3 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

National
- Annual mean salary: $25,160
- Employment: 9,560
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($30,620)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($29,800)
--- Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($28,700)

#31. Manicurists and pedicurists

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $28,520
- #91 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)

#30. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,890
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,880

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)

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

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,820
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,240

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)

#28. Telephone operators

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,770
- #18 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,370
- Employment: 3,870
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($50,770)
--- Trenton, NJ ($50,640)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($50,140)

#27. Physical therapist aides

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,350
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

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)

#26. Animal caretakers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $27,230
- #183 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560

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)

#25. Parking attendants

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,820
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 980

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)

#24. Pharmacy aides

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,590
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 520

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)

#23. Sewing machine operators

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,510
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 880

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)

#21 (tie). Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,420
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

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)

#21 (tie). Telemarketers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,420
- #103 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 830

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)

#20. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,150
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,770

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)

#19. Baggage porters and bellhops

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $26,120
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

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)

#18. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,760
- #236 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,790

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)

#17. Food preparation workers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,450
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,740

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)

#16. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,440
- #55 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

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)

#15. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,350
- #235 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950

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. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,310
- #148 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,200

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)

#13. Childcare workers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,070
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,010

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)

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

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $25,010
- #105 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780

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)

#11. Dishwashers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,940
- #164 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,850

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)

#10. Cooks, fast food

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,740
- #125 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 9,670

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)

#9. Taxi drivers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,630
- #28 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $30,050
- Employment: 13,950
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($35,820)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($34,830)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($33,650)

#8. Cashiers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,610
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 17,030

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)

#7. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $24,130
- #282 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 920

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)

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

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,870
- #173 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,940

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)

#5. Amusement and recreation attendants

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,860
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 740

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)

#4. Bartenders

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $23,440
- #318 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,820

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)

#3. Fast food and counter workers

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $22,300
- #271 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 16,200

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)

#2. Waiters and waitresses

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $21,410
- #341 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 14,150

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)

#1. Substitute teachers, short-term

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
- Annual mean salary: $20,750
- #292 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,450

National
- Annual mean salary: $38,410
- Employment: 374,620
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Prescott, AZ ($64,310)
--- Appleton, WI ($63,310)
--- Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL ($58,770)

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