Ideally you should choose a career because you love it, but in today's world money certainly has an important role. Thinking about becoming a short-order cook? How about starting your own daycare? You might want to think again, as according to this article they're both on the list of worst paying jobs:Short-Order Cooks
Annual Ave: $20,230
Bartenders
Annual Ave $20,460
Child Care Workers
Annual Ave: $20,350
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol,
& Recreational Protective Services
Annual Ave: $19,930
Gaming Dealers
Annual Ave: $19,890
See more of the country's worst-paying jobs (like fast food workers, dishwashers, and salon shampooers) here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Rudloff says: (12:08PM on Jun 3rd 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport3/3
The thing about Bartenders is I bet they're making a killing in cash only tips. I certainly don't condone anyone in not reporting income, but it's probably safe to assume they're making considerably higher on average.
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Mary Ann McDaniel says: (6:38PM on Jun 4th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2.5/3
I agree with Alex Rudloff, Bartenders make excellent money;it is cash tips. What is wrong with that? I have waited tables for many years. Actually, I quit an hourly job to wait tables because of the excellent cash tips.
Also, gaming dealer? They are making a killing off of cash tips. The IRS knows this and they don't like it.
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Rigel says: (4:07AM on Jun 5th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
Although many bartenders and gaming dealers DO make a killing on cash tips the truly lucrative shifts are often very limited (i.e. on weekends) so if that's all you're doing for a living your "hourly average" gets dragged down by all the down time, slow shifts, etc. And this is based on an industry average, not the select few who are lucky to have a really great gig.
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Stephen says: (11:41AM on Jun 9th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2.5/3
I would definitely agree that these are based on averages and also, most importantly, reported income. A typical unspoken rule of thumb in the hospitality industry is to claim at least 10% of your sales as your tips earned to avoid IRS auditing. Generally a normal tip is now 20% (dont get me started on the 15% tip game)... so you have to assume that they could potentially be making double what is reported. This loop hole, along with illegal employees, is a reason why so many people think the idea of Tax Reform and implementing a VAT or Single Sales Tax on all products would be a good idea.... (sorry thats the Political Science degree coming out)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/26/AR2009052602909.html
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Weekendwarrior says: (2:33AM on Aug 23rd 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
I work a REAL job and bartend on Saturday nights. While I generally make more per hour bartending, weighing in the lack of benefits, insurance, & guarantee of income....I'll keep my day job Thank you! It's fun and a good mix with my not so exciting OfficeManager job, but I would not recomment it as a career. These bartending schools are ridiculous!
mike says: (10:25PM on Aug 24th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5
WoW. I laughed my ass off when I read this article. I've been bartending full and part time over the past five years and they say the industry average is 20,013. I believe over the year that would come out to 3.13 an hour for full time. I think everybody knows thats not true, my tax returns were 72,313, last year just from bartending. Not including all the great people I've met. I heartily disagree with it being the worst job in the world.
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