The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Michigan For 2026

Reflecting on my high school years, I remember working at the local movie theater, earning minimum wage while enjoying free popcorn and movies. Back then, making $5.86 an hour felt perfectly acceptable, but now it’s hard to fathom living on such a low wage.

This nostalgia makes me curious about who currently earns the least in Michigan.

Building on our previous analysis of the highest paying jobs in Michigan, we utilized the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to pinpoint the lowest paying jobs in the state.

According to our research, Hosts and Hostesses in Restaurants, Lounges, and Coffee Shops are the lowest paid workers in Michigan.

Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Michigan for 2026:

For more information on the compensation of the lowest paying jobs, continue reading or explore additional insights about the Michigan job market:

How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Michigan

We analyzed the BLS’s dataset for all job classifications in Michigan to identify those with the lowest wages. This data will be updated annually as new information becomes available from the BLS, with the most recent figures reflecting 2026.

For further reading, consider exploring:

Detailed List Of The Lowest Paying Jobs In Michigan

Rank	Job Title	Average Salary	Entry Level Salary	# Of People
1	Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop	$21,460	$19,260	14,380
2	Dishwashers	$21,700	$19,350	15,030
3	Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food	$22,020	$19,390	123,890
4	Gaming Dealers	$22,180	$19,320	2,960
5	Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers	$22,320	$19,320	10,670
6	Shampooers	$22,350	$19,510	110
7	Cooks, Fast Food	$22,580	$19,560	10,410
8	Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop	$22,870	$19,290	13,320
9	Pressers, Textile, Garment, And Related Materials	$22,990	$19,620	670
10	Cashiers	$23,190	$19,470	90,600

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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