Find a Job You Really Want In
The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs in Oregon for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember my first job at a local movie theater, where I earned minimum wage and enjoyed free popcorn and films. Back then, making $5.86 an hour felt sufficient, but today, I can’t imagine living on such a low wage.
This nostalgia led me to explore the current job landscape in Oregon. Who are the individuals earning the least in this state today?
Building on our previous research into the highest paying jobs in Oregon, we analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to uncover the lowest paying jobs in 2026.
After a thorough examination, we found that Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers occupy the bottom tier of the pay scale in Oregon.
Here’s a current look at the 10 lowest paying jobs in Oregon:
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Dishwashers
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants
For more information on salaries for these positions, continue reading or explore other insights about Oregon’s job market:
- Best Companies to Work For in Portland, OR
- Explore the Best Places in Oregon to Get a Job
- Check Out the Fastest Growing Jobs in Oregon
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Oregon
We analyzed the latest BLS data set covering all job classifications in Oregon to identify the lowest paying roles.
We will continue to update this information annually as new data from the BLS becomes available. The most recent data is as of May 2023.
For further insights, consider checking out:
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Portland
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Oregon
- The 100 Largest Companies in Oregon
Detailed List of the Lowest Paying Jobs in Oregon
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,510 |
| 2 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $24,520 |
| 3 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $24,780 |
| 4 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $25,010 |
| 5 | Dishwashers | $25,010 |
| 6 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $25,130 |
| 7 | Food Preparation And Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,420 |
| 8 | Automotive And Watercraft Service Attendants | $25,570 |
| 9 | Baggage Porters And Bellhops | $25,800 |
| 10 | Amusement And Recreation Attendants | $25,990 |
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.
