“Minimum wage is so low it no longer broadly lifts wages.”
What are the 10 lowest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that looks at annual median wage, the lowest-paid jobs in the commonwealth typically don’t require advanced education. Here’s a snapshot of the 10 lowest median annual wage jobs across the state:
- Animal breeders: $20,960
- Amusement and recreation attendants: $21,050
- Waiters and waitresses: $21,060
- Physical therapist aides: $21,310
- Textile machine workers: $21,720
- Fast food cooks: $21,970
- Ushers, lobby attendants and ticket takers: $22,240
- Motor vehicle operators: $22,340
- School bus monitors: $22,390
- Bailiff (a legal officer, often in a courtroom): $22,500
KY’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour results in annual fulltime income of $15,080. About two percent of the state’s workers earn the minimum wage or below. The minimum wage and typical pay rates for low-wage workers fall below the cost of living for many workers and families.
Here are snap shots of the living wage for different family types in Oldham Co., near Louisville, which is one of the state’s wealthiest, and Bell Co., in Appalachia, one of its poorest (source: MIT living wage calculator). Raising the state minimum wage would have greater impact in local economies where wages and living costs are lower than places where they are higher. See: