Money. You kind of need it to live.

While we all seem to be striving to make more of it, in this tough economic climate, it's a blessing sometimes to just have a job.

If you're an average wage-earner in Louisiana, you make $41,260 per year. But folks with the state's lowest-paying jobs make a lot less than that.

Below is the list of the 25 lowest-paying jobs in the state according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1) Waiter and waitress
Median annual pay:$17,920
Average annual pay: $18,390
Number in Louisiana: 38,810

2) Food preparation worker
Median annual pay: $18,110
Average annual pay: $18,260
Number in Louisiana: 33,090

3) Gaming dealer
Median annual pay: $18,110
Average annual pay: $18,710
Number in Louisiana: 3,220

4) Restaurant, lounge or coffee shop host and hostess
Median annual pay: $18,200
Average annual pay: $18,600
Number in Louisiana: 5,490

5) Dishwasher
Median annual pay: $18,280
Average annual pay: $18,380
Number in Louisiana: 5,380

6) Personal care aide
Median annual pay: $18,280
Average annual pay: $18,580
Number in Louisiana: 33,410

7) Lifeguard and recreational protective service worker
Median annual pay: $18,290
Average annual pay: $19,610
Number in Louisiana: 920

8) Dining room or cafeteria attendant, bartender helper
Median annual pay: $18,430
Average annual pay: $18,840
Number in Louisiana: 7,380

9) Cook at fast food restaurant
Median annual pay: $18,440
Average annual pay: $18,530
Number in Louisiana: 5,910

10) Cashier
Median annual pay: $18,450
Average annual pay: $19,010
Number in Louisiana: 71,140

11) Child care worker
Median annual pay: $18,520
Average annual pay: $19,270
Number in Louisiana: 8,210

12) Counter attendant at a cafeteria, coffee shop or food concession
Median annual pay: $18,560
Average annual pay: $19,180
Number in Louisiana: 4,900

13) Non-restaurant food server
Median annual pay: $18,590
Average annual pay: $19,430
Number in Louisiana: 3,870

14) Bartender
Median annual pay: $18,690
Average annual pay: $19,640
Number in Louisiana: 9,190

15) State and local legislators
Median annual pay: $18,730
Average annual pay: $25,290
Number in Louisiana: 750

16) Maid and housekeeping cleaner
Median annual pay: $18,770
Average annual pay: $19,500
Number in Louisiana: 15,100

17) Laundry and dry cleaning worker
Median annual pay: $18,860
Average annual pay: $19,810
Number in Louisiana: 3,280

18) Cafeteria cook
Median annual pay: $18,970
Average annual pay: $20,410
Number in Louisiana: 5,510

19) Home health aide
Median annual pay: $18,990
Average annual pay: $19,820
Number in Louisiana: 8,310

20) School bus driver
Median annual pay: $19,010
Average annual pay: $20,360
Number in Louisiana: 8,230

21) Shampooer
Median annual pay: $19,030
Average annual pay: $19,260
Number in Louisiana: 140

22) Usher, lobby attendant or ticket taker
Median annual pay: $19,030
Average annual pay: $19,860
Number in Louisiana: 2,080

23) Amusement and recreation attendant
Median annual pay: $19,060
Average annual pay: $20,440
Number in Louisiana: 1,860

24) Baggage porter and bellhop
Median annual pay: $19,090
Average annual pay: $21,190
Number in Louisiana: 480

25) Social sciences research assistant
Median annual pay: $19,090
Average annual pay: $37,790
Number in Louisiana: 90

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