You've heard the clichés: Money doesn't buy happiness, you should do what you love, blah, blah, blah. But survey after survey show that pay is the No. 1 motivating factor for work.
Source: careerbuilder
It's a fact of life that not all jobs are going to pay six figures and have a million benefits. Like teachers and firefighters, many jobs that are essential to our day-to-day lifestyles don't pay a hefty salary.
We've identified the 25 lowest-paying jobs in America, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The pros: Most of the jobs in this list offer on-the-job training, need no experience and have little to no educational requirements. The cons: Did we mention the pay?
A lower-paying, entry-level job can help you to build up your résumé, test-drive different industries and carve a path for success. Consider Janice L. Fields. Fields started her career with McDonald's in 1978 as a crew member; today she's executive vice president and chief operations officer for McDonald's USA.
Yes, the road to the top is often a long one and it takes hard work, but it is possible to achieve large amounts of success with a very simple start. Consider one of these jobs that could be your ticket to professional glory.
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food
Average hourly earnings: $7.66
Average annual earnings: $15,930
Average hourly earnings: $7.66
Average annual earnings: $15,930
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Average hourly earnings: $7.84
Average annual earnings: $16,320
Average hourly earnings: $7.84
Average annual earnings: $16,320
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge and coffee shop
Average hourly earnings: $8.10
Average annual earnings: $16,860
Average hourly earnings: $8.10
Average annual earnings: $16,860
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession and coffee shop
Average hourly earnings: $8.15
Average annual earnings: $16,950
Average hourly earnings: $8.15
Average annual earnings: $16,950
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
Average hourly earnings: $8.41
Average annual earnings: $17,500
Average hourly earnings: $8.41
Average annual earnings: $17,500
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse
Average hourly earnings: $8.48
Average annual earnings: $17,630
Average hourly earnings: $8.48
Average annual earnings: $17,630
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
Average hourly earnings: $8.85
Average annual earnings: $18,410
Average hourly earnings: $8.85
Average annual earnings: $18,410
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
Average hourly earnings: $8.88
Average annual earnings: $18,470
Average hourly earnings: $8.88
Average annual earnings: $18,470
Graders and sorters, agricultural productsAverage hourly earnings: $8.95
Average annual earnings: $18,610
Average annual earnings: $18,610
Source: careerbuilder
