Uncertainty clouds the current job market. On one hand, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports unemployment rates at 4.2% as of May 2025—and that hasn't changed much in the past year, a typical indicator of a positive economy . At the same time, average weekly earnings have increased by 3.9% over the 12 months ending May 2025 to reach $1,243.03.

However, the American economy may soon shift. The Trump administration's federal budget cuts have eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, and constant changes in import tariffs leave companies unable to plan for their future employment needs.

With these factors in mind, minimum or low-wage jobs are increasingly unsustainable for most. In 2025, a full-time job at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour puts a worker under the poverty threshold , according to the Economic Policy Institute. While states can opt to have higher minimum wages, 20 states are at or below the federal minimum as of 2025.

Salaries can also vary by gender, race, and educational attainment. According to a March 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, women's earnings are about 85% of men's, and women also remain overrepresented in low-paying jobs . Meanwhile, April 2025 BLS data shows that Hispanic workers ' median earnings lag behind those of other race and ethnicity groups, and full-time workers without a high school diploma earned the least compared to their more educated counterparts.

#50. Food preparation and serving related workers, all other

#49. Tire repairers and changers

#48. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants

#47. Cleaners of vehicles and equipment

#46. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs

#45. Dietetic technicians

#44. Fish and game wardens

#43. Physical therapist aides

#42. Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

#41. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

#40. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

#39. Animal caretakers

#38. Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other

#37. Retail salespersons

#36. Woodworkers, all other

#35. Concierges

#34. Motor vehicle operators, all other

#33. Home health and personal care aides

#32. Educational instruction and library workers, all other

#31. Shoe and leather workers and repairers

#30. Childcare workers

#29. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors

#28. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers

#27. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary

#26. Manicurists and pedicurists

#25. Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

#24. Building cleaning workers, all other

#23. Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

#22. Food batchmakers

#21. Cooks, fast food

#20. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse

#19. Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

#18. Parking attendants

#16. Waiters and waitresses (tie)

#16. Bartenders (tie)

#15. Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials

#14. Amusement and recreation attendants

#13. Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers

#12. Cashiers

#11. Baggage porters and bellhops

#10. Graders and sorters, agricultural products

#9. Dishwashers

#8. Fast food and counter workers

#7. Sewing machine operators

#6. Gambling and sports book writers and runners

#5. Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders

#4. Taxi drivers

#3. Packers and packagers, hand

#2. Shampooers

#1. Personal care and service workers, all other

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.