Top 10+ of the lowest-paying jobs in the US revealed

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Unfortunately, not everyone gets to be a millionaire, sailing through life without thinking twice about money. In contrast, careful budgeting and financial planning are daily challenges a lot of people face, especially those earning low, or minimum wages. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor released an employment survey revealing the lowest-paying jobs in the US, along with the average annual income of each. While many of these job roles require skill, empathy, and good communication, the reality is that the industries they belong to aren't made of money, therefore can't provide workers the wages these long - and sometimes gruelling - hours deserve (Picture: Getty Images)

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Interested to know what some of these positions are? We've listed 10 of them below - a couple of which are pretty niche - in no particular order. Sidenote: this list only includes fixed annual jobs, not ad-hoc/seasonal/freelance occupations. They are also typically paid by the hour, and the majority require nothing more than a high-school diploma and an enthusiastic attitude towards on-the-job training (Picture: Getty Images)

Childcare workers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

This is a job that often gets overlooked, despite the fact that these people are literally in charge of - and responsible for - little human beings. Their roles include plenty of important aspects, like feeding, bathing, and playing with children. For those looking after older kids, it might even entail helping out with homework. There are a variety of ways a childcare worker might be employed, be it through a school, at childcare centres, or privately. For a full-time worker, you can expect to receive an annual average wage of $32,070.12 (Picture: Getty Images)

Shampooers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Raise your hand, how many of you thought that qualified hairdressers were the ones to wash your hair at the salon? While in many cases they do, in some establishments there are dedicated people hired to do this job before your stylist steps in. Additionally, many 'shampooers' are either in training already to become hairstylists or cosmetologists, or they end up training later on. But the wage of a shampooer without the extra credentials, you ask? They typically earn $22,260 on average per year (Picture: Getty Images)

Fast-food and counter workers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Even though there's way more to this job than meets the eye, workers only tend to earn an average annual wage of $30,110. From prepping food to taking orders to serving meals - both in the restaurant and at drive-thrus - this is such a fast-paced, high-pressure job that deserves way more credit than it gets. Seriously, the fact that you, plus dozens of other people can order your food and drink and hold it in your hands within five to 10 minutes takes some skill. Never underestimate these employees! (Picture: Getty Images)

Amusement and recreation attendants

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

This job role is quite varied, as it could apply to those working anywhere from an amusement park to a ski resort, community centre or sports complex. So the actual tasks required depend on what establishment you work in/for. To generalise though, workers are expected to operate amusement rides or concession stands or provide/account for equipment given out to customers. Again, depending on where the actual job is, pay differs. But according to the survey, it's usually around $30,240 per year (Picture: Getty Images)

Cashiers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Cashiers usually work in retail or supermarket chains, with their primary role being to assist customers with their purchases. From scanning and bagging items/produce to processing payments and issuing receipts, cashiers are also required to have excellent customer service for the entirety of the customers' shopping experience. Other notable roles include keeping the checkout area clean and tidy, balancing the till at the end of the day, reporting any discrepancies, and being on-hand to help out in other areas of the store throughout the shift. Despite encompassing multiple duties, a full-time cashier earns an average annual income of $30,710 (Picture: Getty Images)

Dishwashers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Or 'KP-ing', as it's known in the UK. Whatever you call the role, it's basically what it says on the tin: being responsible for cleaning crockery, cutlery, utensils, and food prep equipment. This job requires both precision and speed, especially in busy establishments like restaurants, coffee shops, and cafeterias. So, how much can you earn for this kind of hard graft? As per the report, dishwashers take home an average annual salary of $31,650 (Picture: Getty Images)

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers have the potential to earn $31,880 per year. Their responsibilities include operating and tending to washing and dry-cleaning machines, as well as helping out customers if the role is in a customer-facing environment. This includes places like laundromats or dry-cleaning stores. The role can also be applied to industrial washing sites that offer laundry services to bigger institutions like hospitals or hotels (Picture: Getty Images)

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Make no mistake, this role is nothing like Stevie Budd portrayed it to be in the sitcom Schitt's Creek. Instead of reading magazines and clocking off early just because you feel like it, there's some serious order required to make a successful hotel, motel, or resort desk clerk. Firstly, workers need to be friendly and have great customer service - they are the first person guests often meet when representing the brand, after all. Secondly, the role requires a swift and helpful check-in service, whereby the clerk will register and assign rooms, and deal with any requests/complains guests may have. Additionally, there's also transaction responsibilities, like collecting payments, balancing accounts and organising bills. On average, they earn $32,570 annually (Picture: Getty Images)

Waiters and waitresses

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

This job requires taking orders and serving food to customers, be it in a bar, restaurant, hotel, or any other establishment that serves food. Like the above, perfect customer service is a non-negotiable. Besides, being friendly to guests will almost always go in your favour, as it's customary to tip in the US. So, the more helpful you are, and the more you make the diners' experience a positive one, the more you'll likely boost your annual wage. Which, if you were wondering, is an average $33,840 per year (Picture: Getty Images)

Maids and housekeepers

Childcare workers, Shampooers, Fast-food and counter workers, Amusement and recreation attendants, Cashiers, Dishwashers, Laundry and dry-cleaning workers, Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks, Waiters and waitresses, Maids and housekeepers

Last but by no means least is another job within the service industry. Maids/housekeepers/cleaners have one task: to keep the surroundings they are responsible for clean and tidy. But of course, it's made up of plenty of tasks, like making beds, vacuuming, dusting, ironing clothes, emptying trash, etc. Those in a full-time role - whether that be in a nursing home, hotel, or working privately - can expect a yearly pay packet of $34,650 (Picture: Getty Images)

Post Related