Careers with Declining Salaries (2019-2024)
These careers saw actual salary decreases over the last 5 years. Workers in these fields are earning less in 2024 than they were in 2019, before accounting for inflation.
10
Careers with Pay Cuts
-33.6%
Largest Decline
-13.7%
Average Decline
All 10 Careers with Declining Pay (2019-2024)
| Rank | Occupation | 2019 Median | 2024 Median | $ Lost | % Decline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $75,730 | $50,280 | -$25,450 | -33.6% |
| 2 | Farm Labor Contractors | $61,910 | $48,690 | -$13,220 | -21.4% |
| 3 | Patternmakers, Wood | $64,880 | $52,520 | -$12,360 | -19.1% |
| 4 | Model Makers and Patternmakers, Wood | $61,130 | $51,920 | -$9,210 | -15.1% |
| 5 | Model Makers, Wood | $59,260 | $51,850 | -$7,410 | -12.5% |
| 6 | Hoist and Winch Operators | $59,720 | $52,310 | -$7,410 | -12.4% |
| 7 | Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $54,150 | $49,800 | -$4,350 | -8.0% |
| 8 | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $60,140 | $56,530 | -$3,610 | -6.0% |
| 9 | Miscellaneous Rail Transportation Workers | $51,600 | $49,330 | -$2,270 | -4.4% |
| 10 | Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $51,600 | $49,330 | -$2,270 | -4.4% |
About This Data
Declining salaries are defined as careers with salary decreases greater than 1% over the 5-year period. This represents actual dollar-value decreases before accounting for inflation. When inflation is factored in, the real purchasing power loss is even greater.