100 least popular jobs in America
“Erickson Stock // Shutterstock”
100 least popular jobs in America
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
#100. Archivists
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
#99. Helpers–extraction workers
Heavy machinery workers in a discussion.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,910
– Median hourly wage: $20.73
– Median annual wage: $43,110
Glen Jones // Shutterstock
#98. Layout workers, metal and plastic
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
#97. Signal and track switch repairers
Railroad workers check the track for repairs.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,880
– Median hourly wage: $39.09
– Median annual wage: $81,300
Golubovy // Shutterstock
#96. Statistical assistants
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
#95. Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders
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
#94. Exercise physiologists
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
#93. Desktop publishers
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
#92. Fish and game wardens
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
#91. Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
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
#89. Architecture teachers, postsecondary
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
#89. Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders
A technician works on a furnace blower fan.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,420
– Median hourly wage: $20.62
– Median annual wage: $42,890
Canva
#88. Musical instrument repairers and tuners
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
#87. Orthodontists
A patient waits for a dental procedure.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,310
– Median hourly wage: $83.83
– Median annual wage: $174,360
LaKirr // Shutterstock
#86. Extraction workers, all other
Workers at an oil drilling site.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,290
– Median hourly wage: $24.81
– Median annual wage: $51,600
Patrizio Martorana // Shutterstock
#85. Hydrologists
A hydrologist takes a water sample.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,270
– Median hourly wage: $41.34
– Median annual wage: $85,990
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#84. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
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
#83. Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
Researchers examine a tide pool.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,240
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Median annual wage: $83,040
Canva
#82. Agricultural workers, all other
An agricultural worker in a wheat field.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,100
– Median hourly wage: $17.17
– Median annual wage: $35,720
Canva
#81. Forest and conservation workers
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
#80. Pourers and casters, metal
Molten metal being poured into a casting.
– Total nationwide employment: 6,070
– Median hourly wage: $21.67
– Median annual wage: $45,070
Krysja // Shutterstock
#79. Nuclear technicians
A worker getting gear checked for radioactivity.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,880
– Median hourly wage: $48.28
– Median annual wage: $100,420
Canva
#78. Helpers–roofers
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
#77. Costume attendants
Colorful costumes on hangars.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,730
– Median hourly wage: $23.30
– Median annual wage: $48,470
Desizned // Shutterstock
#76. Political scientists
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
#75. Disc jockeys, except radio
A DJ uses a digital turntable.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,640
– Median hourly wage: $21.34
– Median annual wage: Not available
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
#74. Nuclear power reactor operators
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
#73. Choreographers
A ballet instructor works with students.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,400
– Median hourly wage: $24.52
– Median annual wage: $50,990
Canva
#72. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators
Photography equipment on a wood table.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,380
– Median hourly wage: $17.44
– Median annual wage: $36,280
Canva
#71. Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners
A woman sharpens a tool.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,320
– Median hourly wage: $20.16
– Median annual wage: $41,940
Canva
#70. Dentists, all other specialists
A patient in a chair getting dental work.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,250
– Median hourly wage: $102.28
– Median annual wage: $212,740
Canva
#69. Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining
A wheel loader works in a mine.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,210
– Median hourly wage: $30.73
– Median annual wage: $63,920
Canva
#68. Proofreaders and copy markers
A proofreader works on documents.
– Total nationwide employment: 5,120
– Median hourly wage: $21.83
– Median annual wage: $45,410
Canva
#67. Correspondence clerks
A woman writes in a notebook.
– Total nationwide employment: 4,970
– Median hourly wage: $18.61
– Median annual wage: $38,700
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
#65. Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary
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
#65. Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other
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
#64. Gambling managers
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
#63. Craft artists
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
#62. Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters
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
#61. Fallers
A logging worker cuts up a tree.
– Total nationwide employment: 4,530
– Median hourly wage: $23.64
– Median annual wage: $49,160
Canva
#60. Library science teachers, postsecondary
A librarian helps a customer.
– Total nationwide employment: 4,330
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Median annual wage: $76,370
Canva
#59. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
An oral surgeon works on a patient.
– Total nationwide employment: 4,290
– Median hourly wage: #
– Median annual wage: #
Canva
#58. Floor sanders and finishers
A sander being used on a wood floor.
– Total nationwide employment: 4,270
– Median hourly wage: $22.14
– Median annual wage: $46,060
Canva
#57. Telephone operators
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
#55. Embalmers
A casket sits with flowers on it.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,950
– Median hourly wage: $23.99
– Median annual wage: $49,910
TFoxFoto // Shutterstock
#55. Log graders and scalers
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
#54. Rock splitters, quarry
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
#53. Commercial divers
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
#52. Mathematical science occupations, all other
A woman works on a math problem.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,840
– Median hourly wage: $34.47
– Median annual wage: $71,700
Canva
#51. Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators
A gas compressor operator checks the system.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,740
– Median hourly wage: $28.84
– Median annual wage: $59,990
Canva
#50. Occupational therapy aides
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
#49. Bridge and lock tenders
A marine worker looks through binoculars.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,690
– Median hourly wage: $22.73
– Median annual wage: $47,280
indykb // Shutterstock
#48. Manufactured building and mobile home installers
A flat bed hauler carries a manufactured home.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,630
– Median hourly wage: $17.70
– Median annual wage: $36,820
Canva
#47. Logging workers, all other
A pile of logs await processing.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,490
– Median hourly wage: $22.65
– Median annual wage: $47,110
Canva
#46. Sewers, hand
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
#45. Transit and railroad police
A parked transit police vehicle.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,370
– Median hourly wage: $33.25
– Median annual wage: $69,150
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
#44. Model makers, metal and plastic
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
#43. Geography teachers, postsecondary
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
#42. Pile driver operators
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
#41. Genetic counselors
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
#40. Medical dosimetrists
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
#39. Historians
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
#38. Motorboat operators
A motorboat operator steers his watercraft.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,110
– Median hourly wage: $19.92
– Median annual wage: $41,430
Sergii Kovalov // Shutterstock
#37. Fabric and apparel patternmakers
An apparel patternmaker measures some fabric.
– Total nationwide employment: 3,070
– Median hourly wage: $29.00
– Median annual wage: $60,320
Canva
#36. Sociologists
An overhead view of a professional meeting.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,980
– Median hourly wage: $47.40
– Median annual wage: $98,590
Kokulina // Shutterstock
#35. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
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
#34. Shoe machine operators and tenders
A worker repairs a shoe.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,960
– Median hourly wage: $15.89
– Median annual wage: $33,060
SimonTheSorcerer // Shutterstock
#33. Crematory operators
Decorative urns sit on display.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,930
– Median hourly wage: $19.40
– Median annual wage: $40,360
Photodiem // Shutterstock
#32. Hydrologic technicians
A hydrologic technician writes in a notebook.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,920
– Median hourly wage: $28.06
– Median annual wage: $58,360
APChanel // Shutterstock
#31. Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers
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
#30. Animal scientists
Farmers in a conversation near some cows.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,520
– Median hourly wage: $33.36
– Median annual wage: $69,390
Canva
#29. Hoist and winch operators
A worker guides a hoist and winch operator.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,440
– Median hourly wage: $28.34
– Median annual wage: $58,950
Canva
#28. Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
A man teaches a class with students.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,420
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Median annual wage: $76,440
NancyS // Shutterstock
#27. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
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
#26. Underground mining machine operators, all other
Workers operate heavy machinery in a mine.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,270
– Median hourly wage: $30.86
– Median annual wage: $64,180
Canva
#25. Rail transportation workers, all other
A worker fixes a stretch of rail.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,240
– Median hourly wage: $20.33
– Median annual wage: $42,280
Funtay // Shutterstock
#24. Patternmakers, metal and plastic
A worker pours molten metal into a cast.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,230
– Median hourly wage: $26.43
– Median annual wage: $54,970
Canva
#23. Paperhangers
Two men hanging wallpaper.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,220
– Median hourly wage: $21.60
– Median annual wage: $44,930
abriendomundo // Shutterstock
#22. Astronomers
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
#21. Camera and photographic equipment repairers
A worker repairs a digital camera.
– Total nationwide employment: 2,120
– Median hourly wage: $21.18
– Median annual wage: $44,060
Kenishirotie //Shutterstock
#19. Mathematicians
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
#19. Models
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
#18. Motion picture projectionists
A projectionist at work in a theater.
– Total nationwide employment: 1,900
– Median hourly wage: $16.04
– Median annual wage: $33,360
Canva
#17. Watch and clock repairers
A wristwatch being fixed.
– Total nationwide employment: 1,880
– Median hourly wage: $23.25
– Median annual wage: $48,370
Causeway // Shutterstock
#16. Roof bolters, mining
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
#15. Agricultural engineers
An agricultural worker checks soil makeup.
– Total nationwide employment: 1,500
– Median hourly wage: $40.03
– Median annual wage: $83,260
Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock
#14. Terrazzo workers and finishers
Workers polish a floor.
– Total nationwide employment: 1,460
– Median hourly wage: $25.16
– Median annual wage: $52,330
Adwo // Shutterstock
#13. Geographers
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
#12. Industrial-organizational psychologists
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
#10. Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
Students examine soil and plant life.
– Total nationwide employment: 1,270
– Median hourly wage: Not available
– Median annual wage: $96,500
goodluz // Shutterstock
#10. Animal breeders
A worker feeds milk to a baby goat.
– Total nationwide employment: 1,270
– Median hourly wage: $21.79
– Median annual wage: $45,320
Canva
#9. Communications equipment operators, all other
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
#8. Dredge operators
Heavy machinery doing dredging work in a river.
– Total nationwide employment: 940
– Median hourly wage: $22.64
– Median annual wage: $47,090
beerkoff // Shutterstock
#7. Pediatric surgeons
A pediatric surgeon at work.
– Total nationwide employment: 780
– Median hourly wage: #
– Median annual wage: #
Canva
#6. Model makers, wood
A worker makes a model out of wood.
– Total nationwide employment: 720
– Median hourly wage: $22.57
– Median annual wage: $46,940
carlesmiro // Shutterstock
#5. Cooks, private household
A chef prepares a dish to serve.
– Total nationwide employment: 610
– Median hourly wage: $18.54
– Median annual wage: $38,570
Canva
#4. Refractory materials repairers, except brick masons
Heated refractory material at foundry.
– Total nationwide employment: 580
– Median hourly wage: $24.30
– Median annual wage: $50,550
Canva
#3. Farm labor contractors
Farm laborers working in a field.
– Total nationwide employment: 550
– Median hourly wage: $23.72
– Median annual wage: $49,330
PRESSLAB // Shutterstock
#2. Timing device assemblers and adjusters
A man assembles a timing device.
– Total nationwide employment: 370
– Median hourly wage: $20.33
– Median annual wage: $42,290
Dusan Petkovic // Shutterstock
#1. Patternmakers, wood
A worker makes a measurement on a piece of wood.
– Total nationwide employment: 330
– Median hourly wage: $21.29
– Median annual wage: $44,290
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Data reporting by Paxtyn Merten. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire.Â
