Working hard but earning little money: 7 jobs that pay shockingly little
Do you want to switch jobs a bit but don't know where to start? Well, definitely don't apply for one of these jobs if you care about your salary. Because these jobs pay quite poorly. Very little, in fact.
And you can barely get out of bed, right?
In the Netherlands, there are certain professions that pay remarkably low despite heavy working conditions, long hours, and high work pressure.
1. Cashiers and store employees
Salary: The average hourly wage of a cashier is around €10-€12, which amounts to a monthly salary of about €1,600-€1,800. These positions often require little formal education, but the work pressure and physical labor can be high, especially during busy periods like holidays.
2. Home care workers
Salary: Home care workers usually earn (especially when starting) between €1,800 and €2,100 gross per month. Despite the work being heavy and requiring a lot of empathy and patience, these positions often have a low collective labor agreement salary scale. As a result, home care workers often receive little appreciation in terms of pay, despite the important work they do for the elderly and vulnerable people.
3. Hairdressers and beauticians
Salary: The starting salary is around €1,500-€1,700 gross per month (unless it's your own salon). Hairdressers and beauticians often work in small salons where the margins are low. Moreover, this profession is still seen as “low-skilled”, which translates into a lower salary, despite the physical demands of the job.
4. Delivery workers
Salary: On average €9-€12 per hour. With the rise of meal and package delivery services, wages have not increased with demand. Additionally, many delivery workers are registered as self-employed, which means they have to take care of their own insurance, without a fixed salary or hours.
5. Teaching assistants
Salary: About €1,800 to €2,300 gross per month. Teaching assistants support teachers and often work with small groups of children. Although they are essential to the educational process, they earn significantly less than teachers and face limited opportunities for advancement.
6. Customer service representatives
Salary: €1,700-€2,100 gross per month. Customer service positions are often underpaid, despite the emotional pressure of the work. Additionally, there are limited opportunities for advancement and the work is seen as repetitive and ‘low-skilled’.
7. Cleaners
Salary: Between €11 and €13 per hour, but not often much more than €15 per hour. The profession of cleaner is often considered low-skilled work and has relatively few labor conditions, despite the intensive nature of the work and the physical demands.
Image: Instagram @Kourtney Kardashian Barker
