Lowest-paying jobs in Waco

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

Lowest-paying jobs in Waco

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 Waco, TX, 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. Nursing assistants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $30,000
- #243 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 940

National
- Annual mean salary: $33,250
- Employment: 1,314,830
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,690)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,500)
--- Salinas, CA ($44,210)

#49. Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,960
- #296 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 310

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,750
- Employment: 358,640
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Battle Creek, MI ($60,150)
--- Albany, GA ($53,570)
--- Fort Collins, CO ($50,590)

#48. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,900
- #318 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 660

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,240
- Employment: 892,450
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($47,650)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,240)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($44,830)

#47. Couriers and messengers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,880
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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)

#46. Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,650
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

National
- Annual mean salary: $39,020
- Employment: 38,420
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,180)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($52,850)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,290)

#45. Retail salespersons

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,570
- #233 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,600

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)

#44. Food batchmakers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,220
- #220 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,190
- Employment: 155,240
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Battle Creek, MI ($65,310)
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($56,900)
--- Binghamton, NY ($50,910)

#43. Tire repairers and changers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $29,120
- #250 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

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)

#42. Receptionists and information clerks

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $28,660
- #299 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,910
- Employment: 983,150
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,080)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,680)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($41,290)

#41. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $28,640
- #297 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,990
- Employment: 285,980
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kalamazoo-Portage, MI ($53,630)
--- Lansing-East Lansing, MI ($53,470)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($52,630)

#40. Telemarketers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $28,370
- #83 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500

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)

#39. Machine feeders and offbearers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $28,130
- #131 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,660
- Employment: 60,880
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Cedar Rapids, IA ($60,610)
--- Lincoln, NE ($48,580)
--- Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN ($47,560)

#38. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $28,120
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

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)

#37. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,930
- #221 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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)

#36. Funeral attendants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,650
- #103 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,630
- Employment: 32,490
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,440)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,270)
--- Trenton, NJ ($43,730)

#35. Cooks, institution and cafeteria

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,290
- #292 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 370

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. Psychiatric aides

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,260
- #65 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)

#33. Food preparation workers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,130
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 660

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)

#32. Switchboard operators, including answering service

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $27,120
- #178 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

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)

#31. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $26,890
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)

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

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $26,630
- #299 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,970

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. Crossing guards and flaggers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $26,450
- #159 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $35,670
- Employment: 82,690
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($56,540)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($55,860)
--- Bellingham, WA ($54,870)

#28. Cooks, restaurant

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $26,400
- #322 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890

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)

#27. Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $26,280
- #145 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $40,050
- Employment: 56,570
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Roanoke, VA ($52,760)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($49,570)
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($49,260)

#26. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $26,130
- #303 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 400

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)

#25. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $25,800
- #210 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)

#24. Bakers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $25,750
- #309 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 230

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,300
- Employment: 181,800
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,850)
--- Chattanooga, TN-GA ($41,660)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,160)

#23. Animal caretakers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $25,450
- #279 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

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)

#22. Bartenders

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $25,310
- #261 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 330

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)

#21. Farmworkers, farm, ranch, and aquacultural animals

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $25,170
- #118 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $32,150
- Employment: 34,140
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,780)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,120)
--- Provo-Orem, UT ($41,660)

#20. Sewing machine operators

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $25,140
- #219 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

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)

#19. Library assistants, clerical

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $24,920
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

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)

#18. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $24,630
- #280 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 600

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. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $24,210
- #326 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,200

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)

#16. Cooks, fast food

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,940
- #153 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

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)

#15. Substitute teachers, short-term

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,870
- #269 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270

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)

#14. Dishwashers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,780
- #228 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300

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)

#13. Packers and packagers, hand

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,510
- #339 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 380

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)

#12. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,420
- #93 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)

#11. Cashiers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,380
- #271 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,260

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)

#10. Waiters and waitresses

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,260
- #287 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,340

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)

#9. School bus monitors

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $23,010
- #110 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

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)

#8. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $22,920
- #303 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

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)

#7. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $22,150
- #310 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)

#6. Cooks, short order

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $21,750
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90

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)

#5. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $21,730
- #307 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260

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)

#4. Fast food and counter workers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $21,570
- #307 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,050

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. Childcare workers

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $21,410
- #341 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 430

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)

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

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $21,010
- #306 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270

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)

#1. Amusement and recreation attendants

Waco, TX
- Annual mean salary: $20,560
- #314 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

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)

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