The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Indiana For 2026

Reflecting on my high school years, I remember my first job at the local movie theater, earning minimum wage and enjoying free popcorn and movies. Back then, making $5.86 an hour felt great, but today, it’s hard to fathom living on that amount.

This nostalgia sparked my curiosity: who currently earns the least in Indiana?

Building on our previous research into the highest paying jobs in Indiana, we analyzed updated data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to pinpoint the lowest paying jobs as of 2026.

Our findings reveal that Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers rank as the lowest paid positions in Indiana.

Here’s a snapshot of the 10 lowest paying jobs in the state:

To delve deeper into the earnings of these low-paying jobs, continue reading or check out additional insights on Indiana’s job market:

How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Indiana

We analyzed the BLS data set for all job classifications in Indiana to identify those with the lowest average salaries. This data is regularly updated to reflect current trends and statistics.

For further reading, check out:

Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Indiana

Rank	Job Title	Average Salary	Entry Level Salary	# Of People
1	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers	$19,150	$16,320	2,420
2	Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food	$19,570	$16,380	94,470
3	Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop	$19,600	$16,300	7,160
4	Dishwashers	$19,740	$16,460	7,520
5	Amusement And Recreation Attendants	$19,820	$16,390	5,770
6	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	$19,900	$16,360	2,970
7	Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers	$19,980	$16,430	6,470
8	Cooks, Fast Food	$20,000	$16,540	8,810
9	Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop	$20,050	$16,330	8,740
10	Cashiers	$21,130	$16,580	70,150

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.

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