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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:
- Motion Picture Projectionists
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
- Gaming Dealers
- Dishwashers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants
For more insights into Iowa’s job market, explore the following articles:
- Discover the 10 Best Cities in Iowa for Jobs
- Explore the 10 Best Small Companies to Work for in Davenport
- Learn about the 10 Best Jobs in Iowa for Recent College Graduates
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:
- The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs in Iowa
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Iowa
- The 100 Largest Companies in Iowa
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Iowa
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motion Picture Projectionists | $18,390 |
| 2 | Locker Room, Coatroom, And Dressing Room Attendants | $18,640 |
| 3 | Gaming Dealers | $19,040 |
| 4 | Dishwashers | $19,900 |
| 5 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $20,000 |
| 6 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $20,010 |
| 7 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $20,110 |
| 8 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $20,330 |
| 9 | Cooks, Fast Food | $20,500 |
| 10 | Amusement And Recreation Attendants | $20,880 |
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.
