Find a Job You Really Want In
The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Massachusetts For 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I fondly remember working at a local movie theater, earning minimum wage while enjoying free popcorn and films. Back then, making $5.86 an hour felt sufficient, but today, it’s challenging to imagine living on such a wage.
This nostalgia sparked my curiosity about which professions currently offer the lowest salaries in Massachusetts.
To build on our earlier analysis of the highest paying jobs in Massachusetts, we turned to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to uncover the lowest paying jobs in the state.
Our research indicates that Shampooers are still ranked as the lowest paid workers in Massachusetts.
Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Massachusetts for 2026:
- Shampooers
- Cashiers
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Manicurists and Pedicurists
- Food Processing Workers, All Other
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants
- Dishwashers
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
For more insights into the compensation for the lowest paying jobs, continue reading or explore additional resources about Massachusetts’ job market:
- 10 Best Startups to Work For in Boston
- These Are The 10 Best Jobs In Massachusetts For Recent College Grads
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Massachusetts
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Massachusetts
We analyzed the BLS’s comprehensive data set covering numerous job classifications across Massachusetts to pinpoint those with the lowest wages.
The data will be updated annually as new information becomes available from the BLS. The latest figures reflect the state of the job market as of May 2023.
For further reading, check out:
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Boston. Where Do You Rank?
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Massachusetts
- These Are The 100 Largest Companies In Massachusetts
Detailed List Of The Lowest Paying Jobs In Massachusetts
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shampooers | $25,680 |
| 2 | Cashiers | $26,310 |
| 3 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $26,760 |
| 4 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $26,780 |
| 5 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $26,840 |
| 6 | Manicurists And Pedicurists | $27,570 |
| 7 | Food Processing Workers, All Other | $27,690 |
| 8 | Locker Room, Coatroom, And Dressing Room Attendants | $27,700 |
| 9 | Dishwashers | $27,730 |
| 10 | Automotive And Watercraft Service Attendants | $27,810 |
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.
