100 least popular jobs in America
Spend enough time watching the Discovery Channel and you’ll eventually run into Mike Rowe doing one stomach-churning task after the other on the hit TV show “Dirty Jobs.” The Baltimore-born host is also known for his CNN series “Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” whose title underscores the fact that some jobs are so menial and unsavory that practically nobody does them (though somebody does have to, one way or another).
The reasons a certain field might not contain very many many professionals vary widely. Certain positions are only held by a small number due to their unpleasant nature, but the fact that the 100 least popular jobs in America are collectively held by only 6,360 individuals means that some careers are only attainable in particular geographic locations, with an extensive education or with a set of unteachable interpersonal skills.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Stacker listed the 100 least popular jobs in America by total engagement. Every position’s number of total workers in the United States is listed alongside its average annual wage and average hourly wage, where each of those figures is available.
Read on to see if you hold one of the least popular jobs in the nation.
RELATED: 100 most popular jobs in America
#100. Materials Scientists
Total workers in 2017: 7,470
Average annual wage: $101,910
Average hourly wage: $48.99
#99. Hearing Aid Specialists
Total workers in 2017: 7,380
Average annual wage: $57,030
Average hourly wage: $27.42
#98. Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 7,280
Average annual wage: $91,000
Average hourly wage: Not available
#97. Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Total workers in 2017: 7,180
Average annual wage: $27,550
Average hourly wage: $13.25
#96. Life Scientists, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 7,120
Average annual wage: $82,270
Average hourly wage: $39.55
#95. Forest and Conservation Workers
Total workers in 2017: 7,080
Average annual wage: $31,320
Average hourly wage: $15.06
#94. Artists and Related Workers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 7,010
Average annual wage: $66,590
Average hourly wage: $32.01
#93. Traffic Technicians
Total workers in 2017: 6,980
Average annual wage: $49,290
Average hourly wage: $23.70
#92. Epidemiologists
Total workers in 2017: 6,870
Average annual wage: $76,230
Average hourly wage: $36.65
#91. Nuclear Technicians
Total workers in 2017: 6,850
Average annual wage: $80,000
Average hourly wage: $38.46
#90. Nurse Midwives
Total workers in 2017: 6,530
Average annual wage: $103,640
Average hourly wage: $49.83
#89. Woodworkers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 6,490
Average annual wage: $33,650
Average hourly wage: $16.18
#88. Costume Attendants
Total workers in 2017: 6,430
Average annual wage: $47,700
Average hourly wage: $22.93
#87. Correspondence Clerks
Total workers in 2017: 6,370
Average annual wage: $38,100
Average hourly wage: $18.32
#86. Hydrologists
Total workers in 2017: 6,350
Average annual wage: $84,290
Average hourly wage: $40.53
#85. Political Scientists
Total workers in 2017: 6,320
Average annual wage: $112,030
Average hourly wage: $53.86
#84. Telephone Operators
Total workers in 2017: 6,310
Average annual wage: $38,410
Average hourly wage: $18.47
#83. Exercise Physiologists
Total workers in 2017: 6,300
Average annual wage: $54,730
Average hourly wage: $26.31
#82. Sewers, Hand
Total workers in 2017: 6,190
Average annual wage: $27,540
Average hourly wage: $13.24
#81. Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Total workers in 2017: 6,150
Average annual wage: $103,710
Average hourly wage: $49.86
#80. Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Total workers in 2017: 6,140
Average annual wage: $51,930
Average hourly wage: $24.97
#79. Anthropologists and Archeologists
Total workers in 2017: 6,120
Average annual wage: $66,330
Average hourly wage: $31.89
#78. Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Total workers in 2017: 6,110
Average annual wage: $73,020
Average hourly wage: $35.11
#77. Archivists
Total workers in 2017: 6,080
Average annual wage: $55,470
Average hourly wage: $26.67
#76. Fish and Game Wardens
Total workers in 2017: 6,020
Average annual wage: $58,570
Average hourly wage: $28.16
#75. Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Total workers in 2017: 6,010
Average annual wage: $94,350
Average hourly wage: $45.36
#74. Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 5,990
Average annual wage: $87,660
Average hourly wage: Not available
#73. Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Total workers in 2017: 5,850
Average annual wage: $52,790
Average hourly wage: $25.38
#72. Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
Total workers in 2017: 5,820
Average annual wage: $54,820
Average hourly wage: $26.35
#71. Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 5,770
Average annual wage: $93,500
Average hourly wage: Not available
#70. Broadcast News Analysts
Total workers in 2017: 5,700
Average annual wage: $88,250
Average hourly wage: $42.43
#69. Motion Picture Projectionists
Total workers in 2017: 5,700
Average annual wage: $24,790
Average hourly wage: $11.92
#68. Transit and Railroad Police
Total workers in 2017: 5,520
Average annual wage: $71,280
Average hourly wage: $34.27
#67. Fallers
Total workers in 2017: 5,420
Average annual wage: $46,930
Average hourly wage: $22.56
#66. Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators
Total workers in 2017: 5,400
Average annual wage: $52,360
Average hourly wage: $25.17
#65. Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 5,390
Average annual wage: $29,010
Average hourly wage: $13.95
#64. Choreographers
Total workers in 2017: 5,310
Average annual wage: $52,970
Average hourly wage: $25.47
#63. Agricultural Workers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 5,210
Average annual wage: $35,910
Average hourly wage: $17.27
#62. Orthodontists
Total workers in 2017: 5,080
Average annual wage: $229,380
Average hourly wage: $110.28
#61. Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 5,010
Average annual wage: $73,680
Average hourly wage: Not available
#60. Extraction Workers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 4,970
Average annual wage: $50,690
Average hourly wage: $24.37
#59. Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Total workers in 2017: 4,810
Average annual wage: $49,690
Average hourly wage: $23.89
#58. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Total workers in 2017: 4,800
Average annual wage: $242,740
Average hourly wage: $116.70
#57. Craft Artists
Total workers in 2017: 4,730
Average annual wage: $41,180
Average hourly wage: $19.80
#56. Rail Transportation Workers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 4,690
Average annual wage: $59,950
Average hourly wage: $28.82
#55. Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
Total workers in 2017: 4,610
Average annual wage: $80,320
Average hourly wage: $38.62
#54. Dentists, All Other Specialists
Total workers in 2017: 4,590
Average annual wage: $199,980
Average hourly wage: $96.15
#53. Gaming Managers
Total workers in 2017: 4,420
Average annual wage: $83,460
Average hourly wage: $40.12
#52. Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Total workers in 2017: 4,390
Average annual wage: $56,680
Average hourly wage: $27.25
#51. Floor Sanders and Finishers
Total workers in 2017: 4,320
Average annual wage: $39,260
Average hourly wage: $18.87
#50. Rock Splitters, Quarry
Total workers in 2017: 4,310
Average annual wage: $36,050
Average hourly wage: $17.33
#49. Embalmers
Total workers in 2017: 4,200
Average annual wage: $45,040
Average hourly wage: $21.65
#48. Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 3,980
Average annual wage: $87,810
Average hourly wage: Not available
#47. Pile-Driver Operators
Total workers in 2017: 3,710
Average annual wage: $63,770
Average hourly wage: $30.66
#46. Models
Total workers in 2017: 3,710
Average annual wage: $31,870
Average hourly wage: $15.32
#45. Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
Total workers in 2017: 3,650
Average annual wage: $42,510
Average hourly wage: $20.44
#44. Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
Total workers in 2017: 3,560
Average annual wage: $61,960
Average hourly wage: $29.79
#43. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Total workers in 2017: 3,540
Average annual wage: $69,310
Average hourly wage: $33.32
#42. Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Total workers in 2017: 3,500
Average annual wage: $27,530
Average hourly wage: $13.23
#41. Roof Bolters, Mining
Total workers in 2017: 3,410
Average annual wage: $59,310
Average hourly wage: $28.52
#40. Logging Workers, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 3,290
Average annual wage: $40,730
Average hourly wage: $19.58
#39. Commercial Divers
Total workers in 2017: 3,280
Average annual wage: $55,270
Average hourly wage: $26.57
#38. Bridge and Lock Tenders
Total workers in 2017: 3,240
Average annual wage: $47,280
Average hourly wage: $22.73
#37. Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Total workers in 2017: 3,200
Average annual wage: $45,880
Average hourly wage: $22.06
#36. Hoist and Winch Operators
Total workers in 2017: 3,080
Average annual wage: $54,910
Average hourly wage: $26.40
#35. Historians
Total workers in 2017: 3,060
Average annual wage: $64,220
Average hourly wage: $30.88
#34. Log Graders and Scalers
Total workers in 2017: 3,010
Average annual wage: $38,710
Average hourly wage: $18.61
#33. Mining Machine Operators, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 2,840
Average annual wage: $50,670
Average hourly wage: $24.36
#32. Sociologists
Total workers in 2017: 2,770
Average annual wage: $86,130
Average hourly wage: $41.41
#31. Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
Total workers in 2017: 2,750
Average annual wage: $31,810
Average hourly wage: $15.29
#30. Mathematicians
Total workers in 2017: 2,730
Average annual wage: $104,700
Average hourly wage: $50.33
#29. Paperhangers
Total workers in 2017: 2,710
Average annual wage: $40,930
Average hourly wage: $19.68
#28. Genetic Counselors
Total workers in 2017: 2,660
Average annual wage: $78,130
Average hourly wage: $37.56
#27. Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Total workers in 2017: 2,630
Average annual wage: $45,520
Average hourly wage: $21.89
#26. Home Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 2,580
Average annual wage: $77,220
Average hourly wage: Not available
#25. Animal Scientists
Total workers in 2017: 2,550
Average annual wage: $68,840
Average hourly wage: $33.10
#24. Motorboat Operators
Total workers in 2017: 2,510
Average annual wage: $45,870
Average hourly wage: $22.05
#23. Loading Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Total workers in 2017: 2,340
Average annual wage: $51,780
Average hourly wage: $24.89
#22. Watch Repairers
Total workers in 2017: 2,130
Average annual wage: $39,530
Average hourly wage: $19.01
#21. Astronomers
Total workers in 2017: 2,020
Average annual wage: $109,560
Average hourly wage: $52.67
#20. Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Total workers in 2017: 2,000
Average annual wage: $93,200
Average hourly wage: Not available
#19. Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
Total workers in 2017: 1,980
Average annual wage: $42,910
Average hourly wage: $20.63
#18. Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Total workers in 2017: 1,960
Average annual wage: $45,990
Average hourly wage: $22.11
#17. Animal Breeders
Total workers in 2017: 1,800
Average annual wage: $43,450
Average hourly wage: $20.89
#16. Agricultural Engineers
Total workers in 2017: 1,770
Average annual wage: $77,970
Average hourly wage: $37.49
#15. Mine Shuttle Car Operators
Total workers in 2017: 1,550
Average annual wage: $56,510
Average hourly wage: $27.17
#14. Dredge Operators
Total workers in 2017: 1,410
Average annual wage: $46,340
Average hourly wage: $22.28
#13. Geographers
Total workers in 2017: 1,400
Average annual wage: $76,790
Average hourly wage: $36.92
#12. Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
Total workers in 2017: 1,310
Average annual wage: $50,080
Average hourly wage: $24.08
#11. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Total workers in 2017: 920
Average annual wage: $102,530
Average hourly wage: $49.29
#10. Model Makers, Wood
Total workers in 2017: 850
Average annual wage: $52,000
Average hourly wage: $25.00
#9. Farm Labor Contractors
Total workers in 2017: 780
Average annual wage: $48,890
Average hourly wage: $23.50
#8. Patternmakers, Wood
Total workers in 2017: 770
Average annual wage: $51,760
Average hourly wage: $24.88
#7. Radio Operators
Total workers in 2017: 770
Average annual wage: $44,490
Average hourly wage: $21.39
#6. Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Total workers in 2017: 680
Average annual wage: $37,310
Average hourly wage: $17.94
#5. Locomotive Firers
Total workers in 2017: 670
Average annual wage: $62,220
Average hourly wage: $29.91
#4. Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
Total workers in 2017: 520
Average annual wage: $31,190
Average hourly wage: $15.00
#3. Cooks, Private Household
Total workers in 2017: 500
Average annual wage: $42,990
Average hourly wage: $20.67
#2. Prosthodontists
Total workers in 2017: 430
Average annual wage: $196,960
Average hourly wage: $94.69
#1. Fabric Menders, Except Garment
Total workers in 2017: 390
Average annual wage: $29,530
Average hourly wage: $14.20
