Lowest-paying jobs in Norfolk

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

Lowest-paying jobs in Norfolk

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 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC, 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. Physical therapist aides

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $30,220
- #74 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 270

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $30,000
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 190

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)

#48. Orderlies

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,970
- #66 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

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)

#47. Floral designers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,940
- #128 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

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)

#46. Recreation workers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,930
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,980

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)

#45. Receptionists and information clerks

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,920
- #245 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 5,490

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)

#44. Demonstrators and product promoters

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,900
- #101 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 220

National
- Annual mean salary: $36,990
- Employment: 40,680
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($64,820)
--- Boulder, CO ($51,470)
--- Prescott, AZ ($47,200)

#43. Medical transcriptionists

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,790
- #149 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 500

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,220
- Employment: 55,830
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($51,700)
--- New Haven, CT ($49,600)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($49,400)

#42. Nursing assistants

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,730
- #258 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,160

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,540
- #96 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640

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)

#40. Library assistants, clerical

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,360
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 460

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)

#39. Manicurists and pedicurists

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $29,320
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 650

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)

#38. Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,950
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390

National
- Annual mean salary: $34,390
- Employment: 69,400
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,730)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,390)

#37. Retail salespersons

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,720
- #282 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 20,470

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)

#36. Concierges

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,300
- #85 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 340

National
- Annual mean salary: $37,520
- Employment: 33,560
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($47,700)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($43,690)
--- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($42,870)

#35. Packers and packagers, hand

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,170
- #227 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960

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)

#34. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,090
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780

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)

#33. Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $28,020
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 780

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)

#32. Driver/sales workers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $27,740
- #286 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,230

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)

#31. Cooks, restaurant

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $27,190
- #284 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,460

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $27,100
- #283 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,720

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. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $27,090
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,560

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)

#28. Waiters and waitresses

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $27,080
- #168 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 10,910

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)

#27. Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,700
- #38 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

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)

#26. Animal caretakers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,520
- #223 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,480

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. Pharmacy aides

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,490
- #132 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available

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)

#24. Parking attendants

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,450
- #107 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 410

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,360
- #190 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,260
- #62 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

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)

#21. Automotive and watercraft service attendants

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,230
- #312 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350

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)

#20. Food preparation workers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $26,010
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,380

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)

#19. Food servers, nonrestaurant

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $25,780
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,140

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)

#18. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $25,750
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,330

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. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $25,430
- #196 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,500

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $25,200
- #44 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)

#15. Childcare workers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $25,170
- #193 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,130

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)

#14. Sewers, hand

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,860
- #12 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $31,350
- Employment: 4,170
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($38,150)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($35,820)
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($35,780)

#13. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,850
- #255 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 800

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)

#12. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,500
- #65 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)

#11. Cooks, short order

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,450
- #180 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,340
- #123 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 900

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)

#9. Dishwashers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,180
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,900

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)

#8. Cashiers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,140
- #238 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 19,030

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. School bus monitors

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,110
- #102 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210

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. Amusement and recreation attendants

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $24,070
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,970

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)

#5. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $23,930
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,990

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. Cooks, fast food

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $23,700
- #169 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,350

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)

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

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $23,650
- #180 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,050

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)

#2. Fast food and counter workers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $23,610
- #198 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 22,320

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)

#1. Taxi drivers

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
- Annual mean salary: $22,320
- #33 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

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)

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