100 least popular jobs in America

Jul 09, 2023

"Erickson Stock // Shutterstock"

A woman works on a math problem.

Pinpointing which jobs are the country's least popular can tell you something about the direction an economy is going.

That's because industries that once thrived might have lost ground to technological or other advances and have few job openings. Others with many opportunities for employment might be growing.

Of course, jobs can be unpopular or uncommon for many reasons. On the TV show "Dirty Jobs," host Mike Rowe is seen farming deer for urine and relocating beavers—clearly, employment that's not for everyone.

Other jobs might require years of education or training or be limited to certain geographical areas.

Stacker ranked the 100 least popular jobs in America, based on their total employment and using May 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Only detailed job categories were included in the analysis. Every position's number of total workers in the United States is listed alongside its average annual wage and average hourly wage.

Read on to see if you hold one of the least popular jobs in the country.

Stokkete // Shutterstock

A woman pulls out documents in a file cabinet.

– Total nationwide employment: 7,230– Median hourly wage: $28.19– Median annual wage: $58,640

Kzenon // Shutterstock

Heavy machinery workers in a discussion.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,910– Median hourly wage: $20.73– Median annual wage: $43,110

Glen Jones // Shutterstock

A worker uses a welding torch on a piece of metal.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,890– Median hourly wage: $28.01– Median annual wage: $58,260

APChanel // Shutterstock

Railroad workers check the track for repairs.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,880– Median hourly wage: $39.09– Median annual wage: $81,300

Golubovy // Shutterstock

Two colleagues look at a statistical analysis.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,710– Median hourly wage: $23.50– Median annual wage: $48,880

Brian Goodman // Shutterstock

A worker dyes some fabric blue.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,640– Median hourly wage: $15.71– Median annual wage: $32,680

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

A man on a treadmill is monitored by a doctor.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,580– Median hourly wage: $24.69– Median annual wage: $51,350

GOLFX // Shutterstock

A woman at a desk works on a computer.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,560– Median hourly wage: $23.04– Median annual wage: $47,910

ZikG // Shutterstock

A California Fish & Wildlife badge on the side of a car.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,530– Median hourly wage: $28.61– Median annual wage: $59,500

Pixel B // Shutterstock

Workers bore a hole in a metal piece.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,470– Median hourly wage: $20.41– Median annual wage: $42,450

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

Two men work on an architectural model of a house.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,420– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $93,220

Canva

A technician works on a furnace blower fan.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,420– Median hourly wage: $20.62– Median annual wage: $42,890

Canva

A man uses a tool to tune a piano.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,330– Median hourly wage: $18.34– Median annual wage: $38,150

Canva

A patient waits for a dental procedure.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,310– Median hourly wage: $83.83– Median annual wage: $174,360

LaKirr // Shutterstock

Workers at an oil drilling site.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,290– Median hourly wage: $24.81– Median annual wage: $51,600

Patrizio Martorana // Shutterstock

A hydrologist takes a water sample.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,270– Median hourly wage: $41.34– Median annual wage: $85,990

Syda Productions // Shutterstock

A farm worker checks on cows eating food.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,250– Median hourly wage: $36.42– Median annual wage: $75,760

I. Noyan Yilmaz // // Shutterstock

Researchers examine a tide pool.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,240– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $83,040

Canva

An agricultural worker in a wheat field.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,100– Median hourly wage: $17.17– Median annual wage: $35,720

Canva

A forest worker looks at a tree while holding a chainsaw.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,080– Median hourly wage: $15.51– Median annual wage: $32,270

Max Mark Agnor // Shutterstock

Molten metal being poured into a casting.

– Total nationwide employment: 6,070– Median hourly wage: $21.67– Median annual wage: $45,070

Krysja // Shutterstock

A worker getting gear checked for radioactivity.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,880– Median hourly wage: $48.28– Median annual wage: $100,420

Canva

Workers installing clay tiles on a roof.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,790– Median hourly wage: $17.80– Median annual wage: $37,020

Linda Zupanc // Shutterstock

Colorful costumes on hangars.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,730– Median hourly wage: $23.30– Median annual wage: $48,470

Desizned // Shutterstock

Three people on large stairway outside a building.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,660– Median hourly wage: $61.55– Median annual wage: $128,020

viktoriia varvashchenko // Shutterstock

A DJ uses a digital turntable.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,640– Median hourly wage: $21.34– Median annual wage: Not available

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

A woman with a headset in front of a computer.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,450– Median hourly wage: $55.71– Median annual wage: $115,870

Canva

A ballet instructor works with students.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,400– Median hourly wage: $24.52– Median annual wage: $50,990

Canva

Photography equipment on a wood table.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,380– Median hourly wage: $17.44– Median annual wage: $36,280

Canva

A woman sharpens a tool.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,320– Median hourly wage: $20.16– Median annual wage: $41,940

Canva

A patient in a chair getting dental work.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,250– Median hourly wage: $102.28– Median annual wage: $212,740

Canva

A wheel loader works in a mine.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,210– Median hourly wage: $30.73– Median annual wage: $63,920

Canva

A proofreader works on documents.

– Total nationwide employment: 5,120– Median hourly wage: $21.83– Median annual wage: $45,410

Canva

A woman writes in a notebook.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,970– Median hourly wage: $18.61– Median annual wage: $38,700

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

A teacher helps a student with a laptop.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,930– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $85,000

ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

A man gives a ticket to an entertainment attendant.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,930– Median hourly wage: $13.11– Median annual wage: $27,260

HannaTor // Shutterstock

A view of the casino floor at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,800– Median hourly wage: $38.80– Median annual wage: $80,710

Robilad Co // Shutterstock

A craft artist works on a piece of jewelry.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,760– Median hourly wage: $18.34– Median annual wage: $38,150

Fortish // Shutterstock

Part of a building is imploded by explosives.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,710– Median hourly wage: $27.24– Median annual wage: $56,670

Yulyazolotko // Shutterstock

A logging worker cuts up a tree.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,530– Median hourly wage: $23.64– Median annual wage: $49,160

Canva

A librarian helps a customer.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,330– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $76,370

Canva

An oral surgeon works on a patient.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,290– Median hourly wage: #– Median annual wage: #

Canva

A sander being used on a wood floor.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,270– Median hourly wage: $22.14– Median annual wage: $46,060

Canva

A woman on a headset talking with a customer.

– Total nationwide employment: 4,030– Median hourly wage: $18.43– Median annual wage: $38,330

NKM999 // Shutterstock

A casket sits with flowers on it.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,950– Median hourly wage: $23.99– Median annual wage: $49,910

TFoxFoto // Shutterstock

A log grader at work in a log yard.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,950– Median hourly wage: $20.37– Median annual wage: $42,370

Canva

A rock splitter works at a quarry.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,910– Median hourly wage: $22.12– Median annual wage: $46,010

Aniwat phromrungsee // Shutterstock

A commercial diver works on a project.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,860– Median hourly wage: $32.84– Median annual wage: $68,300

Erickson Stock // Shutterstock

A woman works on a math problem.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,840– Median hourly wage: $34.47– Median annual wage: $71,700

Canva

A gas compressor operator checks the system.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,740– Median hourly wage: $28.84– Median annual wage: $59,990

Canva

A therapy aid works with a child.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,710– Median hourly wage: $17.82– Median annual wage: $37,060

Denys Yelmanov // Shutterstock

A marine worker looks through binoculars.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,690– Median hourly wage: $22.73– Median annual wage: $47,280

indykb // Shutterstock

A flat bed hauler carries a manufactured home.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,630– Median hourly wage: $17.70– Median annual wage: $36,820

Canva

A pile of logs await processing.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,490– Median hourly wage: $22.65– Median annual wage: $47,110

Canva

A piece of fabric being sewed by hand.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,440– Median hourly wage: $15.16– Median annual wage: $31,530

JL IMAGES // Shutterstock

A parked transit police vehicle.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,370– Median hourly wage: $33.25– Median annual wage: $69,150

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

Two people discuss a model of a car.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,350– Median hourly wage: $27.70– Median annual wage: $57,620

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

A geography teacher points to Africa on a map.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,340– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $81,920

Canva

A heavy machine drives a pile at a construction site.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,290– Median hourly wage: $30.92– Median annual wage: $64,310

Canva

A fertility doctor consults with a couple.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,220– Median hourly wage: $43.26– Median annual wage: $89,990

Mark_Kostich // Shutterstock

A dosimetrist gives radiation treatment to a patient.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,190– Median hourly wage: $62.01– Median annual wage: $128,970

Agenturfotografin // Shutterstock

A woman with a laptop sits in front of a bookcase.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,120– Median hourly wage: $31.03– Median annual wage: $64,540

Dmitry Dven // Shutterstock

A motorboat operator steers his watercraft.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,110– Median hourly wage: $19.92– Median annual wage: $41,430

Sergii Kovalov // Shutterstock

An apparel patternmaker measures some fabric.

– Total nationwide employment: 3,070– Median hourly wage: $29.00– Median annual wage: $60,320

Canva

An overhead view of a professional meeting.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,980– Median hourly wage: $47.40– Median annual wage: $98,590

Kokulina // Shutterstock

A makeup artist gets a performer ready.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,970– Median hourly wage: $46.33– Median annual wage: $96,370

Olaf Speier // Shutterstock

A worker repairs a shoe.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,960– Median hourly wage: $15.89– Median annual wage: $33,060

SimonTheSorcerer // Shutterstock

Decorative urns sit on display.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,930– Median hourly wage: $19.40– Median annual wage: $40,360

Photodiem // Shutterstock

A hydrologic technician writes in a notebook.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,920– Median hourly wage: $28.06– Median annual wage: $58,360

APChanel // Shutterstock

A rail worker walks on rail station platform.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,680– Median hourly wage: $27.09– Median annual wage: $56,340

Pressmaster // Shutterstock

Farmers in a conversation near some cows.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,520– Median hourly wage: $33.36– Median annual wage: $69,390

Canva

A worker guides a hoist and winch operator.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,440– Median hourly wage: $28.34– Median annual wage: $58,950

Canva

A man teaches a class with students.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,420– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $76,440

NancyS // Shutterstock

Workers clear limbs and debris in the forest.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,290– Median hourly wage: $23.13– Median annual wage: $48,110

Peruphotart // Shutterstock

Workers operate heavy machinery in a mine.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,270– Median hourly wage: $30.86– Median annual wage: $64,180

Canva

A worker fixes a stretch of rail.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,240– Median hourly wage: $20.33– Median annual wage: $42,280

Funtay // Shutterstock

A worker pours molten metal into a cast.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,230– Median hourly wage: $26.43– Median annual wage: $54,970

Canva

Two men hanging wallpaper.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,220– Median hourly wage: $21.60– Median annual wage: $44,930

abriendomundo // Shutterstock

A man sets up a high-powered telescope.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,160– Median hourly wage: $61.70– Median annual wage: $128,330

Sergey Ryzhov // Shutterstock

A worker repairs a digital camera.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,120– Median hourly wage: $21.18– Median annual wage: $44,060

Kenishirotie //Shutterstock

Parts of a math problem appear on a piece of paper.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,070– Median hourly wage: $53.90– Median annual wage: $112,110

Canva

A model with a hat poses for a photo.

– Total nationwide employment: 2,070– Median hourly wage: $20.73– Median annual wage: $43,130

Canva

A projectionist at work in a theater.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,900– Median hourly wage: $16.04– Median annual wage: $33,360

Canva

A wristwatch being fixed.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,880– Median hourly wage: $23.25– Median annual wage: $48,370

Causeway // Shutterstock

A heavy machine attaches large bolts the ceiling of a mine.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,700– Median hourly wage: $28.95– Median annual wage: $60,210

Budimir Jevtic // Shutterstock

An agricultural worker checks soil makeup.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,500– Median hourly wage: $40.03– Median annual wage: $83,260

Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock

Workers polish a floor.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,460– Median hourly wage: $25.16– Median annual wage: $52,330

Adwo // Shutterstock

A man looks at a rock in a desolate landscape.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,360– Median hourly wage: $42.74– Median annual wage: $88,900

fizkes // Shutterstock

Workers listen to a coworker at a meeting.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,280– Median hourly wage: $66.96– Median annual wage: $139,280

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

Students examine soil and plant life.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,270– Median hourly wage: Not available– Median annual wage: $96,500

goodluz // Shutterstock

A worker feeds milk to a baby goat.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,270– Median hourly wage: $21.79– Median annual wage: $45,320

Canva

A woman with a headset sits in front of a computer.

– Total nationwide employment: 1,240– Median hourly wage: $22.20– Median annual wage: $46,180

motodan // Shutterstock

Heavy machinery doing dredging work in a river.

– Total nationwide employment: 940– Median hourly wage: $22.64– Median annual wage: $47,090

beerkoff // Shutterstock

A pediatric surgeon at work.

– Total nationwide employment: 780– Median hourly wage: #– Median annual wage: #

Canva

A worker makes a model out of wood.

– Total nationwide employment: 720– Median hourly wage: $22.57– Median annual wage: $46,940

carlesmiro // Shutterstock

A chef prepares a dish to serve.

– Total nationwide employment: 610– Median hourly wage: $18.54– Median annual wage: $38,570

Canva

Heated refractory material at foundry.

– Total nationwide employment: 580– Median hourly wage: $24.30– Median annual wage: $50,550

Canva

Farm laborers working in a field.

– Total nationwide employment: 550– Median hourly wage: $23.72– Median annual wage: $49,330

PRESSLAB // Shutterstock

A man assembles a timing device.

– Total nationwide employment: 370– Median hourly wage: $20.33– Median annual wage: $42,290

Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock

A worker makes a measurement on a piece of wood.

– Total nationwide employment: 330– Median hourly wage: $21.29– Median annual wage: $44,290

Data reporting by Paxtyn Merten. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire.

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