20 Surprisingly Low-Paying Jobs

In a perfect world, the amount of education or effort a particular job requires should be reflected in the compensation. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Take for instance the job of an emergency medical technician. EMTs respond to emergency calls, perform medical services and transport patients to hospitals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, their work can involve life-or-death situations and be physically demanding and stressful. However, the annual median pay for this job is only $35,400.

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GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to identify 20 jobs that are surprisingly low-paying – -and ranked them from highest to lowest pay. All jobs featured require some form of postsecondary education and yet typically pay less than $80,000 per year.

GOBankingRates also looked at each job’s typical on-the-job training required, projected growth between 2019-2029 and the 2019 median annual wage.

After you check out the pay for these jobs, you may reconsider your career goals.

Last updated: Feb. 19, 2021

20. Clinical, Counseling and School Psychologists

Entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency
Projected growth (2019-2029): 3%
Annual median Wage: $78,200

19. Audiologists

Entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 13%
Annual median wage: $77,600

Dean Mitchell / Getty Images/iStockphoto

18. Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 9%
Annual median wage: $74,600

17. Chiropractors

Entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 4%
Annual median wage: $70,300

16. Historians

Entry-level education: Master’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 3%
Annual median wage: $63,680

15. Forensic Science Technicians

Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
On-the-job training: Moderate
Projected growth (2019-2029): 14%
Annual median wage: $59,150

14. Property Appraisers and Assessors

Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
On-the-job training: Long term
Projected growth (2019-2029): 3%
Annual median wage: $57,010

13. Curators

Entry-level education: Master’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 11%
Median wage: $54,570

Pattanaphong Khuankaew / Getty Images/iStockphoto

12. Judicial Law Clerks

Entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth: 3%
Annual median wage: $54,010

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11. Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
On-the-job training: Long term
Projected growth (2019-2029): 61%
Annual median wage: $52,910

10. Music Directors and Composers

Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 2%
Median wage: $51,670

9. Marriage and Family Therapist

Entry-level education: Master’s degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency
Projected growth (2019-2020): 22%
Annual median wage: $49,610

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8. Surgical Technologists

Entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth: 7%
Annual median wage: $48,300

7. Mental Health Substance Abuse Social Workers

Entry-level education: Master’s degree
On-the-job training: Internship/residency
Projected growth (2019-2029): 13%
Annual median wage: $46,650

6. News Analysts, Reporters and Journalists

Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth: -11%
Annual median wage: $46,270

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5. Museum Technicians and Conservators

Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 11%
Annual median wage: $44,430

4. Rehabilitation Counselors

Entry-level education: Master’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 10%
Annual median wage: $35,950

3. Phlebotomists

Entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 17%
Annual median wage: $35,510

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2. Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics

Entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 6%
Annual median wage: $35,400

1. Legislators

Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
On-the-job training: None
Projected growth (2019-2029): 6%
Annual median wage: $29,270

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: GOBankingRates used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to identify 20 jobs that are surprisingly low-paying. All jobs featured require some form of postsecondary education and yet typically pay less than $80,000 per year. GOBankingRates provided information on each job’s (1) minimum entry-level education requirement, (2) typical amount of on-the-job training required, (3) projected growth between 2019 and 2029, and (4) 2019 median annual wage. All data was collected on and up to date as of Nov. 5, 2020.