What does it mean to be paid in the lower percent of a salary?

The 10th percentile ranking tells you, out of all the people working in that particular job, w/ all levels of experience, and all locations, that a particular salary is exceeded by 90% of the workers. Put another way, that salary is almost at the bottom of the pay range for that job; you'd be making more than only 10% of the workers.

Why is it so low? As you suggested, it's people w/ minimum experience, living in low wage locations, and working for small employers who cannot afford to pay as much as larger companies. It is however a statistical calculation intend to be used as a guide, not an absolute pay rate that you can expect.

The lower range are normally for entry level employees who have just graduated from college and have no significant experience yet to ask for a higher rate.

You can also see this lower to upper salary ranging through the site PayScale, see http://bitly.com/Y115CQ .

If the salary is in a band, you are getting nearer to the lower limit than the higher one.

minimum wage in a few years the president will be on it