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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Washington for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember my first job at the local movie theater, earning minimum wage with the perks of free popcorn and movie tickets. Back then, making $5.86 an hour felt sufficient, but today, it’s hard to imagine living on such a low wage.
This nostalgia sparked my curiosity about the current lowest-paying jobs in Washington.
In conjunction with our research on the highest paying jobs in Washington, we utilized the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to pinpoint the jobs that offer the least financial reward.
Our findings reveal that Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other, currently hold the title for the lowest-paid workers in Washington.
Here’s a snapshot of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Washington:
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Dishwashers
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Forest and Conservation Workers
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Gaming Cage Workers
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
For more insights into the earnings of the lowest-paying jobs, keep reading or explore additional resources on the Washington job market:
- Best Companies to Work For in Seattle, WA
- These Are The 10 Best Cities in Washington to Get a Job
- These Are The 10 Companies That Are Hiring The Most in Seattle
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Washington
We analyzed the latest data set from the Bureau of Labor Statistics covering all job classifications in Washington to identify the roles that pay the least.
This data will be updated annually as new information from the BLS becomes available. The most recent data is as of May 2025.
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Washington
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food Preparation And Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,550 |
| 2 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,040 |
| 3 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $27,410 |
| 4 | Dishwashers | $27,610 |
| 5 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $27,720 |
| 6 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $27,810 |
| 7 | Forest And Conservation Workers | $28,070 |
| 8 | Maids And Housekeeping Cleaners | $28,180 |
| 9 | Gaming Cage Workers | $28,350 |
| 10 | Hotel, Motel, And Resort Desk Clerks | $28,400 |
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.
