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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in New York for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember how fortunate I felt working at a local movie theater, earning minimum wage along with complimentary popcorn and movie tickets. Back then, earning $5.86 an hour seemed acceptable, but today, it’s hard to imagine living on such a wage.
This nostalgia has prompted me to explore: who currently earns the least in New York?
Building on our previous research into the highest paying jobs in New York, we analyzed recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to identify the lowest paying jobs as of 2026.
Our research indicates that Shampooers remain the lowest paid workers in New York.
Below is a quick look at the 10 lowest paying jobs in New York:
- Shampooers
- Manicurists and Pedicurists
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Cashiers
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Parking Lot Attendants
- Home Health Aides
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
For an in-depth look at the salaries for these low-paying jobs, read on, or explore other articles related to the New York job market:
- Best Companies to Work For in Buffalo
- These Are The 20 Best Small Companies To Work For In New York
- These Are The 10 Best Jobs In New York For Recent College Grads
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in New York
We analyzed the BLS’s dataset for all job classifications in New York to pinpoint those that earn the least. This data is sourced from the most recent BLS release as of May 2022.
We will continue to update these figures annually as new data becomes available.
For more insights, check out:
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In New York
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Nassau County
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In New York
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in New York
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shampooers | $23,380 |
| 2 | Manicurists And Pedicurists | $24,970 |
| 3 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $25,470 |
| 4 | Cashiers | $25,540 |
| 5 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $25,680 |
| 6 | Automotive And Watercraft Service Attendants | $25,840 |
| 7 | Cooks, Fast Food | $26,210 |
| 8 | Parking Lot Attendants | $26,220 |
| 9 | Home Health Aides | $26,240 |
| 10 | Shoe Machine Operators And Tenders | $26,240 |
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.
