15 Low-Paying Jobs Americans Don’t Want To Work Anymore

Not all jobs are created equal. Some career paths do not pay well, making it difficult to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck. Other jobs involve high stress levels or are simply uninspiring.

Then there are jobs that combine the worst of both worlds: They don't pay well, and they can make people miserable.

Here are 15 low-paying jobs that nobody wants anymore. All salary figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Median annual salary: $46,880
Projected growth through 2031: 1%

Mechanics keep our cars happy and running, but the career has stalled for some people.

Mechanics frequently find themselves handling greasy components and tools. Most work full-time, with overtime being common. Due to the nature of the job — dealing with heavy parts and tools — mechanics are prone to workplace injuries.

Median annual salary: $37,540
Projected growth through 2031: 12%

Driving buses for a living offers an unfortunate combination of low pay and high stress.

Making your way through heavy traffic or bad weather while dealing with unruly passengers can be headache-inducing. City bus drivers, particularly, have high injury and illness rates, primarily due to traffic accidents.

Median annual salary: $36,050
Projected growth through 2031: -3%

Butchers prepare meat for retail sale, often in grocery stores and specialty shops.

The job is physically demanding, involving repetitive motions, dangerous equipment, and cold environments. High injury and illness rates are associated with using slicing tools and walking on slippery floors.

Median annual salary: $27,260
Projected growth through 2031: -10%

Cashiers make up a massive part of the American workforce: They held about 3.4 million jobs in 2021. But automation is a major threat to these jobs.

The tasks of a cashier are repetitive, and they spend most of their shifts standing at counters or checkout stands. They also often encounter cranky customers, which can lead to loads of stress.

Median annual salary: $37,520
Projected growth through 2031: 4%

Every building we live and work in needs to be built first. That is where construction laborers come in.

It is a physically demanding career. Some laborers work at tremendous heights or outdoors in adverse weather conditions.

Loud and heavy equipment means workers need earplugs and safety gear. The job also has high rates of injury and illness.

Median annual salary: $47,920
Projected growth through 2031: -10%

Correctional officers guard individuals in penal institutions and during transport. These roles can be stressful and dangerous.

Correctional officers work various shifts, including weekends and holidays. Due to confrontations with detainees, correctional officers and jailers have high injury and illness rates.

Median annual salary: $30,320
Projected growth through 2031: 6%

Hand laborers and material movers make little pay for demanding work. The job combines long hours of strenuous labor (shifts longer than eight hours are common) moving cargo. High rates of injury are common.

Median annual salary: $26,000
Projected growth through 2031: 10%

Working in food service is many Americans’ first taste of a career. It is a massive employment field: 1.9 million people work as waiters and waitresses.

The job can be hectic and harried. During busy periods, food servers can find themselves under intense pressure to get food to customers quickly. Many rely on tips to make ends meet.

Median annual salary: $46,330
Projected growth through 2031: -4%

Loggers work in physically demanding and dangerous conditions, harvesting forests for raw materials. They face hazards such as falling branches, rough terrain, and handling heavy logs.

The use of machinery has improved safety, but risks remain. Chainsaws and power equipment require careful handling. Logging workers still experience injuries and fatalities.

Pro tip: If you work in a low-paying job, it might be time to consider a new career. Or you might want to develop a side hustle that allows you to make extra money.

Median annual salary: $45,590
Projected growth through 2031: 1%

Painters work indoors and outdoors, engaging in physically demanding tasks that involve frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing.

Those who paint bridges or buildings may often work at extreme heights or in uncomfortable positions. Hazards include falls from ladders, muscle strains from lifting, and exposure to drywall dust and other irritants.

Median annual salary: $37,540
Projected growth through 2031: 7%

Pest control is a rough profession that has nothing to do with the bugs.

Pest control workers tackle indoor and outdoor problems in all types of weather. They often kneel, bend, and crawl in tight spaces to inspect sites.

There are health risks associated with pesticide use — workers in this field have high rates of injury and illnesses.

Median annual salary: $47,110
Projected growth through 2031: 1%

You stay cozy and dry inside your home thanks to the workers who replace, repair, and install roofs on buildings. But it is a tough field.

Roofing requires substantial physical effort. Roofers climb, bend, kneel, and do heavy lifting. They also often have to put in overtime to complete specific projects, including during the hot summer season.

Median annual salary: $31,470
Projected growth through 2031: 3%

Security guards work in diverse settings. Due to round-the-clock operations, they frequently work overnight and early shifts.

Guards may patrol on foot or remain stationed at a post — such as a guardhouse or a vehicle — to monitor entrances and grounds. They may need to stand or sit for extended periods.

Median annual salary: $37,540
Projected growth through 2031: 12%

Taxi drivers don't know where they might have to go next or how much money they will take home. And they work at all hours of the day.

They sometimes handle heavy luggage and packages, which can lead to strains. Taxi drivers may own or lease their cabs, and ride-hailing drivers use their own vehicles. Both bear expenses like fuel and maintenance.

The ever-present threat of vehicle crashes is the leading cause of injury.

Median annual salary: $47,010
Projected growth through 2031: 2%

Welding is a profession focused on using equipment to melt and fuse pieces of metal to form a permanent bond.

Welders have to endure all kinds of weather outdoors. Working in confined indoor spaces can be tricky too. Working on elevated scaffolds or platforms is not uncommon, further adding to the job's complexity.

The job is also physically demanding, and the hazards — fumes, intense light — are numerous.

A job that pays well can help you get ahead financially. Other jobs offer modest pay but provide workers with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

However, many jobs on this list have few redeeming qualities. Maybe that is why few people want them anymore.