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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Iowa For 2026

By Chris Kolmar
May. 17, 2019
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Iowa for 2026

Reflecting on my high school days, I remember working at the local movie theater for minimum wage, which was a delightful experience back then. However, I can’t fathom making just $5.86 an hour today. This got me curious: who are the lowest earners in Iowa today?

To answer this, we analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the current lowest paying jobs in the state, following our previous research into the highest paying jobs in Iowa.

Our findings indicate that Motion Picture Projectionists remain the lowest paid profession in Iowa.

Here’s a summary of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Iowa:

  1. Motion Picture Projectionists
  2. Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
  3. Gaming Dealers
  4. Dishwashers
  5. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
  6. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
  7. Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
  8. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
  9. Cooks, Fast Food
  10. Amusement and Recreation Attendants

For more insights into Iowa’s job market, explore the following articles:

How We Identified the Lowest Paid Jobs in Iowa

We examined the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data set for all job classifications in Iowa to pinpoint the positions with the lowest average salaries. This data is regularly updated to reflect the most current job market trends.

For additional reading, check out:

Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Iowa

Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 Motion Picture Projectionists $18,390 $16,080 100
2 Locker Room, Coatroom, And Dressing Room Attendants $18,640 $15,960 220
3 Gaming Dealers $19,040 $16,280 1,340
4 Dishwashers $19,900 $16,400 3,460
5 Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers $20,000 $16,460 3,000
6 Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop $20,010 $16,510 3,890
7 Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers $20,110 $16,540 940
8 Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $20,330 $16,640 1,850
9 Cooks, Fast Food $20,500 $16,310 3,680
10 Amusement And Recreation Attendants $20,880 $16,310 2,470
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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