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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Wisconsin for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember having a fantastic job at the local movie theater. Earning minimum wage plus free popcorn and movies felt more than adequate back then. However, with the current economic landscape, it’s hard to imagine surviving on those earlier rates.
This nostalgia sparked a question: who currently earns the least in Wisconsin? In line with our analysis of the highest paying jobs in Wisconsin, we utilized the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to uncover the lowest paying positions in the state.
Our research indicates that Gaming Dealers hold the title for the lowest paid workers in Wisconsin.
Here’s a look at the 10 lowest paying jobs in Wisconsin:
- Gaming Dealers
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
- Dishwashers
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
For additional insights on the pay scales for these low-wage jobs, continue reading, or explore our other articles on the Wisconsin job market:
- The 10 Best Places to Get a Job in Wisconsin
- The 10 Best Jobs in Wisconsin for Recent College Grads
- The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs in Wisconsin
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Wisconsin
We analyzed the BLS data set for all job classifications in Wisconsin to pinpoint the lowest paying roles.
This information will be updated annually as new data becomes available from the BLS, with the most recent statistics reflecting 2022 figures.
For further exploration, check out:
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Milwaukee
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Wisconsin
- The 100 Largest Companies in Wisconsin
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Wisconsin
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaming Dealers | $17,890 |
| 2 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $19,890 |
| 3 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $20,060 |
| 4 | Locker Room, Coatroom, And Dressing Room Attendants | $20,120 |
| 5 | Dishwashers | $20,220 |
| 6 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $20,250 |
| 7 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $20,290 |
| 8 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $20,360 |
| 9 | Baggage Porters And Bellhops | $20,510 |
| 10 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $20,810 |
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.
