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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Kansas for 2026
Reflecting on my high school years, I fondly remember working at the local movie theater, where I earned minimum wage plus free popcorn and movie tickets. Back then, making $5.86 per hour felt perfectly fine, but today, it’s hard to imagine surviving on such a low wage. This nostalgia has led me to wonder: who are the individuals earning the least in Kansas today?
Building upon our research into the highest paying jobs in Kansas, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to highlight the lowest paying occupations in the state. In our findings, we discovered that Hosts and Hostesses in restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops hold the title for the lowest pay in Kansas.
Here’s a quick look at the 10 lowest paying jobs in Kansas:
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Bartenders
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Dishwashers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
For a comprehensive overview of the current job landscape and salary expectations, continue reading, or explore more resources on Kansas job opportunities:
- These Are The 10 Best Places In Kansas To Get A Job
- These Are The 10 Best Jobs In Kansas For Recent College Grads
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Kansas
How We Determined the Lowest Paying Jobs in Kansas
We examined the BLS data set for all job classifications in Kansas to pinpoint those that offer the lowest pay. This data is updated annually as new information becomes available from the BLS. The figures presented here are reflective of the most recent data available as of May 2023.
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Kansas
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $18,610 |
| 2 | Bartenders | $19,160 |
| 3 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $19,300 |
| 4 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $19,560 |
| 5 | Dishwashers | $19,750 |
| 6 | Cooks, Fast Food | $19,760 |
| 7 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $19,910 |
| 8 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $20,130 |
| 9 | Waiters And Waitresses | $20,140 |
| 10 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $20,390 |
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.
