Britain's lowest paying jobs
Low wage and entry-level jobs can be important for those trying to enter or re-enter the labour market. However, it becomes problematic when low paying jobs stop being a stepping stone and workers get stuck at the bottom of the labour market. But this is more often the case than widely known.
According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 271,000 jobs below the national minimum wage in the UK last year. As the economy is still weak, risks are high that this number will worsen as well -- despite the fact that the national minimum wage will increase by 15p to £6.08 per hour in October. But, labour is in demand for these low-paying jobs.
Start low to move up
However, many low-paying jobs are perfect fits for students who want to earn a little cash or for anyone who wants a second job. Often, these jobs have flexible or unconventional hours, so you're not stuck in a cubicle from 8 to 5 every day. Perhaps more importantly, these jobs allow you to get a taste of a company or industry so that you can begin building your career.
Earnings can vary widely for the same job in different industries, at different companies and in different geographical locations. London cabbies can earn about £30,000 to £40,000 a year, almost one-third more than the average for the occupation across the UK. And thanks to the tipping etiquette, waitpersons and bar staff can often improve their paycheques.
So with this in mind, take a look 20 of the lowest paying jobs in Britain and see how they might factor into your professional goals. *
Earning from £20,000 to £10,000 per annum:
- Personal assistants or other secretaries: £19,140
- Elementary Construction Occupations: £19,004
- Van drivers: £17,706
- Packers, (bottlers, canners, fillers): £15,973
- Call centre agents/ operators: £15,154
- Housekeeping occupations: £14,412
- Caring personal service occupations: £12,908
- Receptionists: £12,183
- Fitness Instructors: £11,236
- Hairdressers : £10,046
Earning less than £10,000 per annum:
- Sales and retail assistants: £9,836
- Floral arrangers, florists: £9,597
- Retail cashiers and check-out operators: £8,673
- Cleaners, domestics: £8,113
- Market research interviewers: £8,108
- Kitchen and catering assistants: £7,718
- Bar staff: £7,386
- Travel and tour guides: £7,487
- Playgroup leaders/assistants: £6,838
- Waiters, waitresses: £6,379
The list above is by no means a comprehensive one and there are a number of other occupations that pay the same as a waiter or receptionist, for instance.
* Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2010, Office for National Statistics.
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