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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Arizona for 2026
Reflecting on my high school job at the local movie theater, where I earned minimum wage plus free popcorn and movie tickets, it’s hard to fathom surviving on the $5.86 an hour I once made. Today, many workers in Arizona find themselves in similarly low-paying positions. This raises the question: who are the individuals earning the least in Arizona?
Building on our analysis of the highest paying jobs in Arizona, we have utilized current data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to identify the lowest paying jobs in the state as of 2026. The landscape of work has evolved significantly, and understanding these roles can provide insight into the current labor market.
Our research indicates that Crossing Guards continue to hold the position as the lowest paid workers in Arizona.
Here’s a snapshot of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Arizona:
- Crossing Guards
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
- Gaming Dealers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Dishwashers
- Personal Care Aides
- Parking Lot Attendants
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
For comprehensive details on the compensation of these low-paying jobs, keep reading or explore more about the Arizona job market:
- Best Companies to Work For in Phoenix, AZ
- Top Jobs in Arizona for Recent College Graduates
- Fastest Growing Jobs in Arizona for 2026
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Arizona
We analyzed the BLS’s dataset for all job classifications in Arizona to pinpoint those with the lowest average salaries. This data is current as of May 2026, and we will continue to update this information annually as new data becomes available.
For further reading, check out:
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Phoenix
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Arizona
- The 100 Largest Companies in Arizona
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Arizona
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crossing Guards | $23,300 |
| 2 | Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $23,540 |
| 3 | Gaming Dealers | $23,600 |
| 4 | Cooks, Fast Food | $23,620 |
| 5 | Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $24,040 |
| 6 | Dishwashers | $24,190 |
| 7 | Personal Care Aides | $24,440 |
| 8 | Parking Lot Attendants | $24,610 |
| 9 | Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $24,610 |
| 10 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,770 |
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.
