No. 1 Combined Food-Preparation and Serving workers, Including Fast Food
Average Annual Pay: $17,400
One-Year Change: +4.2%
Employees in Field: 2,708,840
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Perform duties that combine both food preparation and food service.
No. 2 Cooks, Fast Food
Average Annual Pay: $17,620
One-Year Change: +4.5%
Employees in Field: 559,160
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Prepare and cook food in a fast-food restaurant with a limited menu.
No. 3 Dishwashers
Average Annual Pay: $17,750
One-Year Change: +4.0%
Employees in Field: 521,150
Best-Paying State: Nevada
The Job: Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment or utensils.
No. 4 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants, Bartender Helpers
Average Annual Pay: $18,140
One-Year Change: +4.4%
Employees in Field: 416,410
Best-Paying State: Hawaii
The Job: Facilitate food service, set and bus tables, supply service bar with food, and serve water, butter and coffee.
No. 5 Shampooers
Average Annual Pay: $18,300
One-Year Change: +4.6%
Employees in Field: 15,570
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Shampoo and rinse customers' hair.
No. 6 Counter Attendants--Cafeteria, Food Concession and Coffee Shop
Average Annual Pay: $18,520
One-Year Change: +3.9%
Employees in Field: 527,530
Best-Paying State: Delaware
The Job: Serve food to diners at a counter or from a steam table.
No. 7 Hosts and Hostesses--Restaurant, Lounge and Coffee Shop
Average Annual Pay: $18,570
One-Year Change: +4.5%
Employees in Field: 349,990
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in a lounge, and help ensure the quality of facilities and service.
No. 8 Cashiers
Average Annual Pay: $18,880
One-Year Change: +2.7%
Employees in Field: 3,545,610
Best-Paying State: Alaska
The Job: Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions.
No. 9 Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Average Annual Pay: $18,930
One-Year Change: +3.9%
Employees in Field: 258,820
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Perform a variety of attending duties at an amusement or recreation facility.
No. 10 Ushers, Lobby Attendants and Ticket Takers
Average Annual Pay: $19,100
One-Year Change: +6.8%
Employees in Field: 106,570
Best-Paying State: New York
The Job: Assist patrons at entertainment events by performing duties such as collecting admission tickets and finding seats.
No. 11 Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery and Greenhouse
Average Annual Pay: $19,280
One-Year Change: +5.1%
Employees in Field: 242,390
Best-Paying State: Nevada
The Job: Manually plant, cultivate and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties and field crops.
No. 12 Waiters and Waitresses
Average Annual Pay: $19,580
One-Year Change: +5.4%
Employees in Field: 2,371,750
Best-Paying State: Washington
The Job: Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishments.
No. 13 Personal and Home Care Aides
Average Annual Pay: $19,690
One-Year Change: +4.0%
Employees in Field: 614,190
Best-Paying State: Alaska
The Job: Assist elderly or disabled adults with daily living activities at the persons' homes or in daytime non-residential facilities.
No. 14 Food Preparation Workers
Average Annual Pay: $19,850
One-Year Change: +2.6%
Employees in Field: 880,480
Best-Paying State: Alaska
The Job: Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking.
15. Pressers, Textile, Garment and Related materials
Average Annual Pay: $19,860
One-Year Change: +3.0%
Employees in Field: 67,500
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
16. Gaming Dealers
Average Annual Pay: $19,890
One-Year Change: +9.8%
Employees in Field: 91,130
Best-Paying State: Washington
The Job: Operate table games of chance.
17. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Average Annual Pay: $19,930
One-Year Change: +2.6%
Employees in Field: 111,560
Best-Paying State: Hawaii
The Job: Monitor recreational areas such as pools, beaches or ski slopes to provide assistance and protection to participants.
18. Parking Lot Attendants
Average Annual Pay: $20,120
One-Year Change: +4.1%
Employees in Field: 136,470
Best-Paying State: Vermont
The Job: Park automobiles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage.
19. Food Preparation and Serving-Related Occupations
Average Annual Pay: $20,220
One-Year Change: +4.0%
Employees in Field: 11,438,550
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Take orders and prepare and serve food directly to customers.
20. Cooks, Short Order
Average Annual Pay: $20,230
One-Year Change: +3.3%
Employees in Field: 168,770
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time.
21. Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Average Annual Pay: $20,230
One-Year Change: +3.4%
Employees in Field: 221,230
Best-Paying State: Hawaii
The Job: Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles.
22. Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Average Annual Pay: $20,290
One-Year Change: +3.8%
Employees in Field: 917,120
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants and hospitals.
23. Service Station Attendants
Average Annual Pay: $20,340
One-Year Change: +3.1%
Employees in Field: 84,480
Best-Paying State: Alaska
The Job: Service automobiles and other vehicles with fuel and lubricants. Collect payment for services and supplies. May install accessories and repair or replace tires.
24. Child Care Workers
Average Annual Pay: $20,350
One-Year Change: +3.5%
Employees in Field: 581,670
Best-Paying State: District of Columbia
The Job: Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households and child-care institutions.
25. Bartenders
Average Annual Pay: $20,460
One-Year Change: +3.6%
Employees in Field: 503,420
Best-Paying State: Hawaii
The Job: Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through wait staff.
