Find a Job You Really Want In
The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Louisiana for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember the joy of working at the local movie theater for minimum wage, alongside free popcorn and movie access. Back then, I was content earning $5.86 an hour, but it’s hard to fathom living on that wage today.
This nostalgia sparked my curiosity about the lowest-paid professions in Louisiana in 2026.
In our effort to shed light on the job market, we’ve analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify the positions that offer the least compensation in the state.
Our research indicates that Counter Attendants in Cafeterias, Food Concessions, and Coffee Shops are currently the lowest earners in Louisiana.
Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Louisiana:
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Food Preparation Workers
- Dishwashers
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Personal Care Aides
- Bartenders
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
For more insights into the earnings of the lowest paying jobs, continue reading or check out the following articles on the Louisiana job market:
- These Are The 10 Best Places In Louisiana To Get A Job
- These Are The 10 Best Jobs In Louisiana For Recent College Grads
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Louisiana
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Louisiana
We analyzed the Bureau of Labor Statistics data for all job classifications in Louisiana to pinpoint those that offer the lowest salaries.
This data will be updated regularly as new information becomes available from the BLS, with the most recent dataset reflecting figures from May 2025.
For additional reading, explore:
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Los Angeles
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Louisiana
- These Are The 100 Largest Companies In Louisiana
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Louisiana
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $18,420 |
| 2 | Waiters And Waitresses | $18,630 |
| 3 | Food Preparation Workers | $18,820 |
| 4 | Dishwashers | $18,860 |
| 5 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $19,180 |
| 6 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $19,260 |
| 7 | Personal Care Aides | $19,300 |
| 8 | Bartenders | $19,350 |
| 9 | Cooks, Fast Food | $19,440 |
| 10 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $19,670 |
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.
