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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Minnesota for 2026
In high school, I had the ideal job: working at the local movie theater, earning minimum wage along with free popcorn and movie tickets. While I appreciated that $5.86 per hour back then, I can’t fathom living on such a salary today.
This nostalgia sparked my curiosity about who currently earns the least in Minnesota.
Building on our previous research into the highest paying jobs in Minnesota, we utilized data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to pinpoint the lowest paying jobs in the state.
Our findings reveal that the lowest-paid positions in Minnesota are predominantly in service and hospitality roles. Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Minnesota as of 2026:
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Bartenders
- Gaming Dealers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Gaming Service Workers, All Other
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Cashiers
For more insights into the earnings of the lowest paying jobs, continue reading or explore additional resources about the Minnesota job market:
- The 10 Best Places in Minnesota to Get a Job
- The 10 Best Small Companies to Work For in Minneapolis
- The 10 Best Jobs in Minnesota for Recent College Graduates
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Minnesota
We analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, examining all job classifications to identify those earning the least. This information is updated annually as new data becomes available, with the most recent insights drawn from 2025.
For further reading, consider:
- The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs in Minnesota
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Minneapolis
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Minnesota
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Minnesota
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $23,290 |
| 2 | Bartenders | $23,560 |
| 3 | Gaming Dealers | $23,600 |
| 4 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $24,140 |
| 5 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $24,320 |
| 6 | Cooks, Fast Food | $24,370 |
| 7 | Gaming Service Workers, All Other | $24,420 |
| 8 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $24,450 |
| 9 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $24,540 |
| 10 | Cashiers | $24,820 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
