Erin Bamer
Omaha World-Herald
Nebraskans earning the lowest wages in the state will start the new year with a pay raise.
On Jan. 1, the state's minimum wage will rise from $9 per hour to $10.50 per hour. It's the first increase in a series of gradual raises that will take the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 in line with a ballot initiative that passed in November.
Initiative 433, which was passed by 58.6% of Nebraska voters, will raise the state's minimum wage to $12 an hour in 2024, then $13.50 an hour in 2025 before reaching $15 an hour in 2026. A report from the National Employment Law Project said more than 147,000 Nebraska workers make less than $15 an hour.
A $1.50 raise per year may not seem like much, but for employees who regularly work 40 hours a week, that difference will add more than $3,000 to their annual income.
The raises can't come soon enough for Karen Anthony, who has worked in health care for more than 40 years and has never made more than $12 an hour, which she referred to as "peanuts."
Anthony currently works between 25 and 30 hours per week in Lincoln, but previously, she said, she used to work 70-90 hours a week in order to make a steady paycheck. She works with patients one-on-one in their homes, providing basic care, including cooking, cleaning and bathing, among other duties, she said.
The low pay prevents her from affording her own health care, utilities, a vehicle or even food, she said. Without aid from an outside organization, Anthony said she'd likely be homeless, and she knows many other workers are in similar positions.
A $15 per hour wage is the bare minimum to make ends meet for most people, she said. Though she said she understands why it will take time for Nebraska to get there, for her, it will be a long wait.
"In the meantime, we're still struggling," Anthony said.
Opponents of Initiative 433 largely argued that raising the minimum wage would hurt small businesses, and lead to rising costs amid record-breaking inflation. Though supporters, including several small-business owners, have argued that raising wages is key to offsetting the effects of inflation.
Dave Titterington, who owns two Wild Bird Habitat Stores in Lincoln, already pays his employees above minimum wage. The minimum he pays his 10-12 employees is $12 an hour, with a few workers getting between $13 and $15 an hour. He said he expects their standard pay will rise to $15 an hour before 2026.
"We've already jumped on the bandwagon," Titterington said.
Titterington said while many employers see their workers as a liability, to him his employees are an asset. Providing his workers what he considers a fair wage has a noticeable impact on the success of his business, he said.
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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of struggling, his business grew, largely because of the work his employees put in expanding phone and online ordering. Much of the federal financial aid his business received during that time he used to support employees' wages and bonuses, he said.
Staffing shortages have challenged multiple businesses across Nebraska for more than a year, including Titterington's, but he said offering competitive wages has been a major factor in its continued operation.
"I don't see how you can go wrong," he said.
However, Laura Ebke, a senior fellow at the Platte Institute and a former state senator, previously told the Omaha World-Herald that the minimum wage hikes will likely do more to damage businesses in rural Nebraska, rather than more populous areas where higher wages are more common.
“That’s the demographic in Nebraska that gets hurt the most,” Ebke said.
But low-wage workers in rural Nebraska are also struggling despite the lower cost of living. Joyce Dave, who works as a manager of a chain store in Scottsbluff for $11 per hour, said in an email that she's lucky when she gets a big enough paycheck to afford food.
It's also impossible for her to build savings for emergencies, she said. Often, her pay isn't enough for her to pay her bills or rent on time, which forces her to pay late fees, and Dave said those added payments continue piling on. She said her wages would need to rise to at least $12 to $13 an hour before it made a difference in her quality of living.
"This is no way to live," Dave said in the email. "It’s bleeding us dry. Our towns can’t stay alive if all the workers are dead, sick, or stuck."
ABC News’ Kaylee Hartung visits destinations and small businesses in the Cornhusker State as it celebrates reopening.
Lowest-paying jobs in Lincoln
Lowest-paying jobs in Lincoln
The U.S. may be one of the but there’s a growing trend of financial inequality, with middle-class households feeling the most impact. In fact, the number of 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, 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 .
compiled a list of the lowest-paying jobs in Lincoln, NE, 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.
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Ryan Everton // Unsplash
#50. Nursing assistants
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $32,350
- #165 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,290
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)
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
#49. Cooks, restaurant
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $32,140
- #108 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 640
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)
Jorge Royan // Wikimedia Commons
#48. Funeral attendants
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $31,900
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
Don LaVange // Flickr
#47. Social and human service assistants
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $31,750
- #341 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 320
National
- Annual mean salary: $40,460
- Employment: 398,380
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($56,140)
--- Danbury, CT ($54,870)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($54,590)
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
#46. Receptionists and information clerks
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $31,670
- #151 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,050
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)
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New Africa // Shutterstock
#45. Bakers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $31,590
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
Canva
#44. Automotive and watercraft service attendants
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $31,440
- #81 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
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)
Canva
#43. Cooks, institution and cafeteria
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $30,900
- #174 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390
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)
Canva
#42. Switchboard operators, including answering service
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $30,580
- #130 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
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)
ESB Basic // Shutterstock
#41. Demonstrators and product promoters
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $30,540
- #98 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
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)
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#40. Floral designers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $30,390
- #114 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
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)
Unsplash
#39. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $30,320
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
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)
Nejron Photo // Shutterstock
#38. Tire repairers and changers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,670
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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)
Canva
#37. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,650
- #202 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,440
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)
Unsplash
#36. Dietetic technicians
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,490
- #76 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,160
- Employment: 21,610
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,550)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,700)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($48,370)
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#35. Stockers and order fillers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,390
- #283 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,100
National
- Annual mean salary: $33,020
- Employment: 2,451,430
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,960)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($40,620)
The Boston Globe // Getty Images
#33 (tie). Sewing machine operators
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,280
- #157 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock
#33 (tie). Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,280
- #158 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130
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)
Canva
#32. Animal caretakers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,210
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
#31. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $29,200
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 210
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)
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Africa Studio // Shutterstock
#30. Retail salespersons
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,970
- #270 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,020
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)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#29. Food preparation workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,820
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,080
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)
Canva
#28. Maids and housekeeping cleaners
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,460
- #132 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 860
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)
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
#27. Cooks, short order
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,380
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300
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)
Jason Person // Shutterstock
#26. Counter and rental clerks
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,250
- #360 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,170
- Employment: 371,620
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($48,760)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($47,080)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($45,760)
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#25. Packers and packagers, hand
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,110
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 560
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)
viviandnguyen_ // Flickr
#24. Recreation workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $28,070
- #274 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
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)
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock
#22 (tie). Food servers, nonrestaurant
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $27,500
- #150 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 960
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)
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
#22 (tie). Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $27,500
- #140 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200
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)
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
#21. Couriers and messengers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $27,020
- #200 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
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)
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ProfDEH // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $26,990
- #136 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280
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)
Gabriel Georgescu // Shutterstock
#19. Driver/sales workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $26,930
- #308 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 850
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)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#18. Choreographers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $26,500
- #19 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $49,630
- Employment: 3,990
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($94,910)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($79,760)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($63,250)
Unsplash
#17. Pharmacy aides
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,850
- #138 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40
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)
Canva
#16. Physical therapist aides
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,830
- #142 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
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#15. Childcare workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,750
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,600
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)
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
#14. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,730
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
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)
Pexels
#13. Cashiers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,720
- #147 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,220
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)
Dean Drobot // Shutterstock
#12. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,640
- #141 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
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)
aboutsung // Shutterstock
#11. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $25,290
- #76 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)
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#10. Fast food and counter workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $24,920
- #134 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,930
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)
Pxhere
#9. Parking attendants
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $24,720
- #130 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120
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)
Martin Smith // Shutterstock
#8. Cooks, fast food
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $24,660
- #130 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 760
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)
Daniel Lee // Flickr
#7. Bartenders
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $24,530
- #285 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 670
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)
Crew // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Telemarketers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $24,140
- #112 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 440
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)
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Atstock Productions // Shutterstock
#5. Dishwashers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $23,920
- #214 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 350
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)
Ryan Everton // Unsplash
#4. Amusement and recreation attendants
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $23,770
- #177 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,030
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)
Unsplash
#3. Waiters and waitresses
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $23,140
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,980
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)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#2. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $23,070
- #156 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
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)
Pixabay
#1. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
Lincoln, NE
- Annual mean salary: $22,640
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 300
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)
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Dragon Images // Shutterstock
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