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BLS OEWS May 2025

Best-Paying State by Occupation 2026

Name: Best-paying state by occupation, May 2025, with and without an employment floor
Creator: PayCrunch
Published: 2026-10-12
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Ask which state pays best for a job and you get one answer from the raw federal wage table and a different answer once you require the state to actually employ people in that job. The two disagree for 47% of occupations. This page publishes both, for all of them.

For 389 of the 824 occupations the US Bureau of Labor Statistics measures — 47% of them — the best-paying state is not the state that tops the raw table. It changes once you set aside states reporting fewer than 500 people employed in that occupation. The median difference between the two answers is $18,000 a year, and in 15 occupations it is more than $100,000.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Computed over all 824 detailed occupations; figures are annual and not adjusted for cost of living.

389

of 824 occupations change answer

$18,000

median overstatement

200

median workforce of the displaced state

occupations off by more than $100k

Every figure computed from the open dataset

CC BY 4.0

Free to quote

The ten findings

The best-paying state changes for 389 of 824 occupations (47.2%) once states with fewer than 500 people employed are set aside.PayCrunch calculation over the full OEWS May 2025 release
In 334 of those the floor swaps one state for another. In the remaining 55 no state at all clears the floor, so there is no defensible state answer and the national figure is the honest one.same
The median overstatement from using the raw answer is $18,000 a year; the mean is $30,193, pulled up by a long tail.state-swap cases only
133 occupations are overstated by $25,000 or more, 60 by $50,000 or more, and 15 by more than $100,000.state-swap cases only
The displaced state employed a median of 200 people in the occupation. 69 of them employed fewer than 100.303 cases where BLS publishes the figure
The largest single distortion is Dentists, All Other Specialists: New Jersey posts $784,410 on 290 people employed, while Texas pays $407,960 with 730 — a gap of $376,450.OEWS May 2025
District of Columbia is the state most often displaced by the floor, in 42 occupations, followed by Washington (21) and Alaska (20).state-swap cases only
With the floor applied, California is the best-paying state for 193 occupations, New York for 95 and Washington for 60.OEWS May 2025
48 different states are the best payer for at least one occupation, so the concentration at the top does not mean only a handful of states ever win.OEWS May 2025
Both answers are published side by side in the open dataset, which is what makes the comparison checkable rather than a claim.paycrunch.co/data/open/best-paying-states.json

Where the raw answer is most wrong

The fifteen occupations with the widest gap between the raw best-paying state and the best-paying state among those employing at least 500 people.

Occupation	Raw answer	People employed	Floored answer	People employed	Difference
Dentists, All Other Specialists	New Jersey — $784,410	290	Texas — $407,960	730	$376,450
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	West Virginia — $894,940	120	Ohio — $641,190	500	$253,750
Dermatologists	Wisconsin — $757,250	160	Texas — $534,030	780	$223,220
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians	Alaska — $303,850	70	Texas — $104,420	2,190	$199,430
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators	California — $317,680	not published	New York — $129,520	1,050	$188,160
Pediatricians, General	Louisiana — $555,290	40	Arizona — $408,620	1,230	$146,670
Surgeons, All Other	Tennessee — $946,560	490	Wisconsin — $802,110	550	$144,450
Craft Artists	California — $204,390	170	Texas — $71,990	870	$132,400
Radiologists	Georgia — $813,360	not published	Colorado — $684,280	500	$129,080
History Teachers, Postsecondary	Arizona — $342,950	150	California — $217,700	1,450	$125,250
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	New York — $300,530	370	California — $175,900	510	$124,630
Soil and Plant Scientists	Colorado — $288,300	460	Iowa — $170,820	960	$117,480
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other	New York — $264,510	70	Illinois — $147,070	1,320	$117,440
Financial and Investment Analysts	Wyoming — $347,540	190	South Dakota — $239,700	820	$107,840
Production Workers, All Other	District of Columbia — $179,600	70	Washington — $79,580	1,550	$100,020

Why this matters for a readerSomebody deciding where to move for work is being told to look at a state where, in several of these cases, fewer than a hundred people hold the job. The pay figure is real, but it describes a few employers, not a labour market they can reliably enter.

Which states win, and which only look like winners

Best-paying state for the most occupations

State	Occupations
California	193
New York	95
Washington	60
District of Columbia	42
Massachusetts	35
Texas	33
New Jersey	33
Hawaii	21
Illinois	17
Nevada	16

Most often displaced by the floor

State	Occupations
District of Columbia	42
Washington	21
Alaska	20
New York	16
New Jersey	15
Massachusetts	15
Hawaii	13
Wyoming	12
Connecticut	10
Louisiana	9

District of Columbia appears in both tables, and that is the point. It is genuinely the best payer for 42 occupations and it is also the state most often knocked out for thin samples, in 42. A ranking that does not separate the two tells a reader the same thing in both cases.

All 334 occupations where the floor changes the state

Sortable and searchable. Click a column to sort. The national-fallback cases, where no state clears the floor, are in the open dataset with scope set to national.

Occupation▲	Raw answer▲	Raw top-end pay▲	People employed▲	Answer with a 500 floor▲	Top-end pay▲	People employed▲	Difference▲
Dentists, All Other Specialists	New Jersey	$784,410	290	Texas	$407,960	730	$376,450
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	West Virginia	$894,940	120	Ohio	$641,190	500	$253,750
Dermatologists	Wisconsin	$757,250	160	Texas	$534,030	780	$223,220
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians	Alaska	$303,850	70	Texas	$104,420	2,190	$199,430
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators	California	$317,680	not published	New York	$129,520	1,050	$188,160
Pediatricians, General	Louisiana	$555,290	40	Arizona	$408,620	1,230	$146,670
Surgeons, All Other	Tennessee	$946,560	490	Wisconsin	$802,110	550	$144,450
Craft Artists	California	$204,390	170	Texas	$71,990	870	$132,400
Radiologists	Georgia	$813,360	not published	Colorado	$684,280	500	$129,080
History Teachers, Postsecondary	Arizona	$342,950	150	California	$217,700	1,450	$125,250
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	New York	$300,530	370	California	$175,900	510	$124,630
Soil and Plant Scientists	Colorado	$288,300	460	Iowa	$170,820	960	$117,480
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other	New York	$264,510	70	Illinois	$147,070	1,320	$117,440
Financial and Investment Analysts	Wyoming	$347,540	190	South Dakota	$239,700	820	$107,840
Production Workers, All Other	District of Columbia	$179,600	70	Washington	$79,580	1,550	$100,020
Neurologists	Alaska	$547,200	100	Texas	$449,840	660	$97,360
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	New Hampshire	$310,170	90	Massachusetts	$219,420	920	$90,750
Physicists	Hawaii	$383,510	40	California	$296,740	5,930	$86,770
Audiologists	Oregon	$242,080	140	California	$158,640	1,740	$83,440
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	Washington	$162,100	60	New York	$79,280	850	$82,820
Models	New York	$213,740	not published	California	$131,470	990	$82,270
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other	Utah	$338,220	310	Texas	$259,320	1,250	$78,900
Compensation and Benefits Managers	Connecticut	$367,460	480	Georgia	$290,070	1,010	$77,390
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	North Carolina	$252,100	250	California	$174,810	1,650	$77,290
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary	Iowa	$289,920	40	California	$213,200	630	$76,720
Artists and Related Workers, All Other	Connecticut	$186,000	not published	California	$109,390	740	$76,610
Psychiatrists	Missouri	$644,800	240	Florida	$568,460	1,930	$76,340
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	Maryland	$180,030	370	New Jersey	$103,920	590	$76,110
Counselors, All Other	Massachusetts	$185,160	140	Georgia	$111,750	760	$73,410
Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other	Alaska	$158,240	70	Minnesota	$85,010	930	$73,230
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	Idaho	$288,280	380	Kansas	$219,100	1,070	$69,180
Sociologists	Illinois	$229,480	not published	California	$161,710	590	$67,770
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood	Maryland	$131,980	130	Arkansas	$64,850	1,240	$67,130
Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other	Iowa	$124,320	80	California	$58,480	590	$65,840
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	District of Columbia	$324,950	220	Florida	$259,990	3,040	$64,960
Optometrists	Puerto Rico	$300,250	280	Virginia	$235,980	1,110	$64,270
Directors, Religious Activities and Education	Kentucky	$179,990	250	California	$118,710	3,200	$61,280
Printing Press Operators	District of Columbia	$138,590	350	New Jersey	$77,550	4,180	$61,040
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders	New York	$108,140	120	South Carolina	$47,500	770	$60,640
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	Puerto Rico	$197,080	70	Michigan	$136,990	610	$60,090
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	Ohio	$229,130	60	Texas	$169,420	1,170	$59,710
Chemical Engineers	Minnesota	$269,800	210	Texas	$210,460	2,610	$59,340
Biochemists and Biophysicists	Florida	$279,970	370	Texas	$222,850	520	$57,120
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	Connecticut	$402,560	300	Massachusetts	$346,200	750	$56,360
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators	Georgia	$139,830	50	California	$84,430	740	$55,400
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	Louisiana	$141,650	310	Illinois	$86,860	690	$54,790
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic	California	$153,640	260	Michigan	$99,010	710	$54,630
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	Maryland	$228,470	220	New York	$174,100	610	$54,370
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	Delaware	$331,850	360	New York	$278,010	7,280	$53,840
Life Scientists, All Other	District of Columbia	$241,300	50	California	$187,550	860	$53,750
Acupuncturists	Tennessee	$251,420	not published	Florida	$198,010	900	$53,410
Physicians, Pathologists	Illinois	$546,740	not published	New York	$493,460	1,220	$53,280
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	District of Columbia	$115,420	200	Maryland	$62,730	560	$52,690
Private Detectives and Investigators	District of Columbia	$156,670	not published	Washington	$104,220	750	$52,450
Physical Scientists, All Other	Connecticut	$278,160	370	Colorado	$225,810	710	$52,350
Agricultural Technicians	New Jersey	$139,440	not published	Minnesota	$87,550	530	$51,890
Web and Digital Interface Designers	West Virginia	$271,340	200	California	$219,750	27,090	$51,590
Therapists, All Other	Virginia	$245,320	420	Illinois	$193,760	1,060	$51,560
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers	Missouri	$113,810	not published	California	$62,830	560	$50,980
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	Connecticut	$130,460	170	California	$79,960	1,630	$50,500
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	Louisiana	$177,310	270	Georgia	$128,540	560	$48,770
Religious Workers, All Other	New York	$146,070	not published	California	$97,430	1,390	$48,640
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners	New York	$97,670	100	California	$50,970	1,480	$46,700
Etchers and Engravers	New Jersey	$120,690	60	California	$74,510	1,040	$46,180
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators	Indiana	$111,990	380	Pennsylvania	$65,870	570	$46,120
Survey Researchers	District of Columbia	$217,080	150	California	$171,640	1,180	$45,440
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other	New York	$97,210	250	South Carolina	$51,960	760	$45,250
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	Louisiana	$212,740	460	New York	$168,280	5,430	$44,460
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	Florida	$213,850	250	California	$169,590	830	$44,260
Tutors	Puerto Rico	$148,920	250	Maryland	$105,040	4,300	$43,880
Locomotive Engineers	Mississippi	$211,440	300	Massachusetts	$168,600	640	$42,840
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	Alabama	$104,180	140	Ohio	$62,830	1,010	$41,350
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers	Washington	$96,600	90	Florida	$55,590	720	$41,010
Transportation Workers, All Other	Massachusetts	$119,020	30	California	$78,260	1,870	$40,760
Financial Examiners	District of Columbia	$256,820	470	New York	$216,090	13,480	$40,730
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	Wyoming	$115,270	50	Alabama	$74,710	1,090	$40,560
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators	Alaska	$134,860	60	Texas	$94,740	1,350	$40,120
Foundry Mold and Coremakers	Connecticut	$104,080	110	Ohio	$64,080	980	$40,000
Motorcycle Mechanics	Oregon	$115,910	160	California	$76,070	1,730	$39,840
Riggers	North Dakota	$169,480	140	New York	$129,780	650	$39,700
Hearing Aid Specialists	New York	$136,580	380	California	$97,010	990	$39,570
Conservation Scientists	Rhode Island	$173,650	60	Colorado	$134,350	1,230	$39,300
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	Alaska	$167,880	370	California	$128,840	3,360	$39,040
Anthropologists and Archeologists	Hawaii	$143,840	210	Arizona	$105,060	500	$38,780
Prepress Technicians and Workers	District of Columbia	$116,630	180	New Jersey	$77,860	880	$38,770
Personal Service Managers, All Other	Colorado	$174,720	30	California	$136,000	2,010	$38,720
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers	New York	$137,890	220	Illinois	$99,430	1,210	$38,460
Insurance Sales Agents	District of Columbia	$222,460	not published	Alabama	$184,800	7,430	$37,660
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers	Florida	$213,310	50	California	$175,940	520	$37,370
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Missouri	$102,870	80	California	$66,250	690	$36,620
Transportation Inspectors	District of Columbia	$185,220	150	Texas	$149,430	2,290	$35,790
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers	Washington	$90,210	100	Massachusetts	$54,980	500	$35,230
Surgical Assistants	New Hampshire	$165,110	130	Florida	$130,030	1,260	$35,080
Signal and Track Switch Repairers	Massachusetts	$160,180	160	Illinois	$125,340	720	$34,840
Computer and Information Research Scientists	Arizona	$386,290	360	Oregon	$351,690	730	$34,600
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	Rhode Island	$139,100	40	Minnesota	$104,770	500	$34,330
Sales Engineers	Idaho	$260,510	360	Arizona	$226,940	1,000	$33,570
Forest and Conservation Workers	Georgia	$79,070	160	California	$45,760	2,270	$33,310
Logging Workers, All Other	Louisiana	$98,750	30	Oregon	$65,510	590	$33,240
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other	Washington	$110,420	360	Oregon	$77,320	570	$33,100
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders	Maryland	$125,490	110	Texas	$93,070	1,620	$32,420
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	Alaska	$133,500	100	Hawaii	$101,190	970	$32,310
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	New Jersey	$128,740	400	New York	$96,910	670	$31,830
Technical Writers	Vermont	$223,650	60	Missouri	$192,040	500	$31,610
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	Rhode Island	$271,090	120	Washington	$239,740	1,040	$31,350
Nurse Midwives	Arizona	$258,680	80	California	$227,590	870	$31,090
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary	Massachusetts	$209,940	430	California	$178,950	530	$30,990
Athletic Trainers	District of Columbia	$143,050	100	New Jersey	$112,330	890	$30,720
Material Moving Workers, All Other	Maine	$104,780	40	Colorado	$74,350	580	$30,430
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	Washington	$108,720	410	Texas	$78,620	530	$30,100
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	Oregon	$151,570	160	California	$122,590	1,480	$28,980
Helpers--Extraction Workers	Wyoming	$91,020	110	California	$62,060	1,170	$28,960
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	Kentucky	$123,410	360	Massachusetts	$94,500	890	$28,910
Credit Counselors	Utah	$133,970	190	Tennessee	$105,140	950	$28,830
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining	Wyoming	$120,400	30	Nevada	$91,880	880	$28,520
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Washington	$104,660	140	Texas	$76,160	1,450	$28,500
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Wyoming	$117,600	410	New Jersey	$89,340	930	$28,260
Embalmers	Kansas	$108,350	120	California	$80,590	520	$27,760
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians	Connecticut	$79,650	280	New York	$51,930	610	$27,720
Farm and Home Management Educators	Maryland	$124,850	150	Virginia	$97,140	520	$27,710
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	Alaska	$142,430	300	Washington	$115,240	12,010	$27,190
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Washington	$105,440	350	Alabama	$78,370	1,710	$27,070
Advertising and Promotions Managers	New Jersey	$370,440	470	New York	$343,540	3,550	$26,900
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Wyoming	$110,270	170	Nevada	$83,390	660	$26,880
Fence Erectors	Nebraska	$108,000	190	Illinois	$81,310	690	$26,690
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers	Ohio	$74,660	50	Texas	$48,240	700	$26,420
Rehabilitation Counselors	Louisiana	$128,130	280	Massachusetts	$101,760	5,760	$26,370
Concierges	Indiana	$97,520	250	Hawaii	$71,360	510	$26,160
Gambling Cage Workers	New York	$84,230	290	Florida	$58,140	540	$26,090
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand	Georgia	$87,150	290	California	$61,190	770	$25,960
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer	Alaska	$96,390	70	California	$70,540	2,320	$25,850
Roof Bolters, Mining	Wyoming	$116,570	100	West Virginia	$90,720	970	$25,850
Medical Records Specialists	District of Columbia	$128,010	270	California	$102,470	18,700	$25,540
Food Science Technicians	Illinois	$104,280	290	Washington	$79,850	660	$24,430
Building Cleaning Workers, All Other	Massachusetts	$104,830	160	Pennsylvania	$80,540	750	$24,290
Plant and System Operators, All Other	Nevada	$137,130	150	California	$112,860	1,560	$24,270
Social Workers, All Other	Nevada	$158,720	370	Texas	$134,450	2,880	$24,270
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	District of Columbia	$101,790	140	Delaware	$78,030	950	$23,760
Continuous Mining Machine Operators	Wyoming	$114,540	330	Nevada	$91,210	1,110	$23,330
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	Illinois	$71,750	not published	New Jersey	$48,430	870	$23,320
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	Hawaii	$101,640	110	Minnesota	$78,660	1,720	$22,980
Photographers	District of Columbia	$148,360	260	California	$125,490	7,980	$22,870
Barbers	Oregon	$103,800	not published	Missouri	$80,950	580	$22,850
Carpet Installers	Washington	$138,980	470	Illinois	$116,300	580	$22,680
Political Scientists	Massachusetts	$217,820	170	District of Columbia	$195,190	3,070	$22,630
Museum Technicians and Conservators	Maryland	$140,670	450	District of Columbia	$118,290	520	$22,380
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	Hawaii	$80,380	410	Nevada	$58,020	1,140	$22,360
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders	California	$70,620	30	Maine	$48,740	530	$21,880
Proofreaders and Copy Markers	Florida	$119,150	200	New York	$97,300	1,030	$21,850
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	Alabama	$111,710	90	New York	$89,980	1,160	$21,730
Stonemasons	Massachusetts	$121,330	not published	California	$99,680	1,250	$21,650
Conveyor Operators and Tenders	North Dakota	$121,540	80	Indiana	$99,970	610	$21,570
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers	Alaska	$114,440	80	California	$93,030	2,060	$21,410
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	District of Columbia	$224,380	230	New York	$203,590	1,520	$20,790
Hydrologists	Colorado	$201,630	360	California	$181,360	540	$20,270
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	Massachusetts	$158,370	160	Texas	$138,390	1,780	$19,980
Industrial Engineers	Alaska	$218,900	220	Oregon	$198,960	5,810	$19,940
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	Iowa	$82,790	290	Texas	$62,920	510	$19,870
Personal Financial Advisors	Massachusetts	$478,850	not published	Oregon	$459,050	3,070	$19,800
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Arizona	$96,720	280	New York	$77,140	740	$19,580
Pourers and Casters, Metal	Massachusetts	$91,100	not published	Texas	$71,540	500	$19,560
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	District of Columbia	$100,850	400	Massachusetts	$81,640	1,680	$19,210
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	Washington	$104,010	320	Texas	$84,850	790	$19,160
Manicurists and Pedicurists	Nebraska	$100,610	310	Mississippi	$82,040	520	$18,570
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products	Maryland	$63,970	430	Idaho	$45,590	600	$18,380
Fashion Designers	North Carolina	$195,590	460	New York	$177,430	5,760	$18,160
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	Tennessee	$130,050	240	California	$112,050	2,330	$18,000
Medical Appliance Technicians	Indiana	$101,300	130	California	$83,300	1,300	$18,000
Travel Agents	Kentucky	$113,740	220	New York	$95,780	3,180	$17,960
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	District of Columbia	$131,140	300	California	$113,240	14,040	$17,900
Plasterers and Stucco Masons	New York	$120,210	not published	Nevada	$102,570	1,150	$17,640
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	New York	$82,160	440	California	$64,710	1,850	$17,450
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Hawaii	$96,350	140	Minnesota	$79,200	2,230	$17,150
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	New York	$72,210	170	North Carolina	$55,290	840	$16,920
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	Louisiana	$224,240	140	Florida	$207,480	570	$16,760
Boilermakers	Wyoming	$153,230	30	California	$136,900	720	$16,330
Tour and Travel Guides	Virgin Islands	$102,030	50	New York	$85,740	2,870	$16,290
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	Massachusetts	$82,350	not published	Colorado	$66,250	960	$16,100
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other	Massachusetts	$86,000	not published	California	$69,930	3,710	$16,070
Millwrights	New Jersey	$145,320	340	Washington	$129,370	1,020	$15,950
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	Kansas	$64,300	490	Washington	$48,410	4,070	$15,890
Food Scientists and Technologists	Massachusetts	$183,260	420	New Jersey	$167,470	630	$15,790
Law Teachers, Postsecondary	North Carolina	$341,680	450	New York	$326,080	2,190	$15,600
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	Rhode Island	$187,550	410	District of Columbia	$172,040	1,050	$15,510
Lighting Technicians	Washington	$175,010	80	California	$159,610	2,950	$15,400
Commercial and Industrial Designers	Arizona	$183,880	170	California	$168,490	5,300	$15,390
Airfield Operations Specialists	Kentucky	$163,350	290	Texas	$148,060	1,310	$15,290
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	District of Columbia	$97,570	110	Connecticut	$82,480	1,050	$15,090
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	Nevada	$93,670	170	Massachusetts	$78,720	800	$14,950
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	Rhode Island	$615,380	140	North Carolina	$600,460	590	$14,920
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	Oregon	$233,790	490	California	$218,880	3,140	$14,910
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	Hawaii	$87,360	40	Massachusetts	$72,520	1,200	$14,840
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians	Maryland	$144,060	90	California	$129,380	1,850	$14,680
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	New Jersey	$78,590	410	New York	$64,070	1,250	$14,520
Aerospace Engineers	Hawaii	$247,260	40	Maryland	$232,930	3,180	$14,330
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	Idaho	$140,150	200	New Mexico	$125,840	500	$14,310
Correspondence Clerks	California	$81,070	240	New York	$66,800	540	$14,270
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other	Alaska	$130,960	80	California	$116,730	1,460	$14,230
Upholsterers	Oklahoma	$88,700	150	North Carolina	$74,490	4,050	$14,210
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	District of Columbia	$144,680	360	Rhode Island	$130,480	1,150	$14,200
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	Alaska	$121,770	140	New Jersey	$107,570	2,250	$14,200
Tile and Stone Setters	Maine	$131,890	60	Nevada	$117,690	1,450	$14,200
Furniture Finishers	New Jersey	$84,450	260	California	$70,280	1,010	$14,170
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	Washington	$116,020	290	New York	$102,040	4,300	$13,980
Wind Turbine Service Technicians	California	$114,270	400	Iowa	$100,410	900	$13,860
Funeral Attendants	New Hampshire	$88,200	120	New Jersey	$74,370	540	$13,830
Bicycle Repairers	New Jersey	$72,790	240	Arizona	$59,180	610	$13,610
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	District of Columbia	$112,800	440	Washington	$99,340	4,800	$13,460
Calibration Technologists and Technicians	Maryland	$130,290	200	California	$117,040	1,250	$13,250
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers	Michigan	$118,810	40	Texas	$105,620	2,110	$13,190
Curators	District of Columbia	$161,380	140	New York	$148,580	1,330	$12,800
Dental Laboratory Technicians	Maine	$111,940	120	New Jersey	$99,240	780	$12,700
Word Processors and Typists	Delaware	$83,230	50	New Jersey	$70,650	3,560	$12,580
Gambling Service Workers, All Other	Washington	$110,540	240	Texas	$98,010	780	$12,530
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	Washington	$107,770	370	North Carolina	$95,660	2,750	$12,110
Mechanical Door Repairers	Alaska	$105,080	not published	Florida	$93,080	1,770	$12,000
Cost Estimators	Alaska	$163,740	220	Massachusetts	$151,780	4,520	$11,960
Procurement Clerks	District of Columbia	$88,850	220	Maryland	$76,900	1,230	$11,950
Cooks, All Other	Massachusetts	$69,600	not published	New York	$57,760	1,090	$11,840
Chemical Plant and System Operators	Florida	$135,880	60	Texas	$124,220	2,360	$11,660
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	Rhode Island	$172,660	300	Massachusetts	$161,120	3,390	$11,540
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians	Washington	$122,320	270	California	$111,110	2,060	$11,210
Slaughterers and Meat Packers	North Dakota	$70,660	160	Colorado	$59,520	1,590	$11,140
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks	Illinois	$89,110	140	Texas	$78,120	1,180	$10,990
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles	Georgia	$99,310	300	California	$88,330	960	$10,980
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	Maine	$193,910	70	Washington	$183,100	630	$10,810
Traffic Technicians	Massachusetts	$116,500	90	New York	$105,720	950	$10,780
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Florida	$92,490	80	California	$81,730	750	$10,760
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Colorado	$91,160	150	Massachusetts	$80,440	690	$10,720
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders	Washington	$92,050	330	New York	$81,650	760	$10,400
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	Minnesota	$108,700	230	Georgia	$98,560	770	$10,140
Woodworkers, All Other	Hawaii	$79,750	50	California	$69,620	540	$10,130
Legal Support Workers, All Other	Virginia	$195,190	not published	Pennsylvania	$185,100	970	$10,090
Bill and Account Collectors	District of Columbia	$91,480	240	California	$81,440	13,880	$10,040
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	Wyoming	$95,760	60	Washington	$85,800	1,050	$9,960
Agricultural Equipment Operators	Kentucky	$84,880	190	Missouri	$74,990	900	$9,890
Library Assistants, Clerical	District of Columbia	$78,570	100	California	$68,810	11,170	$9,760
Nuclear Technicians	New York	$171,470	260	Virginia	$161,720	680	$9,750
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	District of Columbia	$72,840	240	Massachusetts	$63,130	2,130	$9,710
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	Colorado	$111,480	190	California	$102,150	1,490	$9,330
Designers, All Other	South Carolina	$172,320	60	New York	$162,990	1,050	$9,330
Animal Control Workers	Washington	$88,180	180	California	$78,880	1,210	$9,300
Sewing Machine Operators	Alaska	$64,850	40	Nevada	$55,550	910	$9,300
Podiatrists	Kentucky	$404,130	80	Texas	$394,970	500	$9,160
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	District of Columbia	$173,600	110	California	$164,450	5,610	$9,150
New Accounts Clerks	New Jersey	$81,030	230	California	$72,690	950	$8,340
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons	Michigan	$68,060	not published	California	$59,730	1,990	$8,330
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	Alaska	$62,400	120	Ohio	$54,100	1,990	$8,300
Agricultural Workers, All Other	North Carolina	$90,790	not published	California	$82,540	960	$8,250
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	Arkansas	$140,540	330	Washington	$132,290	1,050	$8,250
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	Maine	$132,720	50	Massachusetts	$124,640	680	$8,080
Sailors and Marine Oilers	Rhode Island	$110,290	210	Indiana	$102,210	570	$8,080
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Mississippi	$66,720	80	Virginia	$58,660	1,530	$8,060
Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other	Michigan	$164,670	50	Maryland	$156,750	760	$7,920
Veterinarians	District of Columbia	$294,160	190	California	$286,330	9,170	$7,830
Music Directors and Composers	Connecticut	$207,250	120	New York	$199,430	2,370	$7,820
Sales and Related Workers, All Other	Montana	$152,010	390	Utah	$144,420	810	$7,590
Emergency Management Directors	Nevada	$206,420	60	California	$199,020	1,170	$7,400
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers	California	$77,690	330	Alabama	$70,340	930	$7,350
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	Delaware	$225,300	100	Virginia	$218,040	3,380	$7,260
Landscape Architects	District of Columbia	$194,450	170	California	$187,270	2,310	$7,180
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	District of Columbia	$108,140	80	Connecticut	$101,120	1,860	$7,020
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	District of Columbia	$72,230	310	Massachusetts	$65,420	1,050	$6,810
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	District of Columbia	$98,760	270	California	$92,080	20,590	$6,680
Chemical Technicians	Hawaii	$118,610	40	Louisiana	$111,950	960	$6,660
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	Virginia	$84,520	270	North Carolina	$77,980	1,510	$6,540
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators	New Jersey	$107,830	230	Massachusetts	$101,350	570	$6,480
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	Pennsylvania	$108,970	270	Washington	$102,550	1,100	$6,420
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	New Jersey	$90,210	220	Washington	$83,830	1,600	$6,380
Cargo and Freight Agents	North Dakota	$98,960	380	Utah	$92,670	590	$6,290
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Idaho	$89,760	480	Oregon	$83,640	680	$6,120
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Wisconsin	$68,970	150	Pennsylvania	$62,870	510	$6,100
Passenger Attendants	Wisconsin	$64,180	330	California	$58,100	2,810	$6,080
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	Virginia	$200,800	330	Massachusetts	$194,760	4,740	$6,040
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers	New Jersey	$86,980	not published	Washington	$81,060	770	$5,920
Machinists	Hawaii	$106,970	260	Washington	$101,110	6,880	$5,860
Architectural and Civil Drafters	District of Columbia	$120,190	370	California	$114,600	11,400	$5,590
Materials Engineers	New Mexico	$204,400	450	Washington	$199,250	1,000	$5,150
Sound Engineering Technicians	New Jersey	$163,030	290	Tennessee	$158,160	510	$4,870
Agricultural Inspectors	Minnesota	$97,860	180	California	$93,100	2,340	$4,760
Interior Designers	Wyoming	$145,600	90	District of Columbia	$140,870	620	$4,730
Mechanical Drafters	Louisiana	$142,240	420	Washington	$137,690	1,690	$4,550
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals	Mississippi	$84,390	290	Minnesota	$79,990	580	$4,400
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	Washington	$107,610	150	New York	$103,210	890	$4,400
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	California	$115,040	not published	Oregon	$110,660	640	$4,380
Insurance Underwriters	District of Columbia	$173,060	not published	New York	$168,790	6,900	$4,270
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Vermont	$74,770	100	Washington	$70,510	760	$4,260
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	Alaska	$141,270	30	California	$137,030	4,310	$4,240
Pipelayers	New York	$112,860	250	California	$108,790	1,420	$4,070
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Washington	$110,800	240	Texas	$106,740	510	$4,060
Urban and Regional Planners	District of Columbia	$170,980	120	California	$166,950	7,460	$4,030
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	Florida	$126,940	350	California	$122,930	800	$4,010
Gambling Managers	Mississippi	$189,610	160	California	$185,670	620	$3,940
Transportation Security Screeners	New Hampshire	$87,650	80	Massachusetts	$83,740	1,380	$3,910
Marriage and Family Therapists	Connecticut	$168,750	260	Oregon	$165,190	850	$3,560
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	Virgin Islands	$71,660	not published	Hawaii	$68,170	880	$3,490
Drafters, All Other	New Jersey	$119,240	350	New York	$115,840	610	$3,400
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	District of Columbia	$81,990	120	New York	$78,760	5,350	$3,230
Film and Video Editors	Vermont	$175,460	100	New York	$172,280	3,710	$3,180
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	Mississippi	$137,590	440	Illinois	$134,440	2,790	$3,150
Solar Photovoltaic Installers	Hawaii	$105,200	420	New Jersey	$102,050	1,880	$3,150
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	Missouri	$128,950	430	California	$126,010	2,990	$2,940
Home Appliance Repairers	Connecticut	$108,470	380	New Jersey	$105,620	1,200	$2,850
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Vermont	$83,040	110	Kentucky	$80,330	5,510	$2,710
School Bus Monitors	New Mexico	$64,750	330	Ohio	$62,070	1,000	$2,680
Tire Repairers and Changers	Hawaii	$66,350	220	Nevada	$63,730	930	$2,620
Cooks, Fast Food	Hawaii	$53,580	not published	District of Columbia	$51,260	2,760	$2,320
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	District of Columbia	$140,670	240	California	$138,400	13,450	$2,270
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	District of Columbia	$57,980	320	Hawaii	$55,730	1,730	$2,250
Subway and Streetcar Operators	Washington	$93,010	320	California	$90,810	900	$2,200
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants	Montana	$62,970	30	California	$60,840	2,620	$2,130
Butchers and Meat Cutters	Alaska	$71,460	230	Hawaii	$69,530	500	$1,930
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	New Hampshire	$209,630	110	Maryland	$207,700	640	$1,930
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	Rhode Island	$221,010	140	California	$219,230	2,760	$1,780
Helpers--Production Workers	Wyoming	$63,840	280	California	$62,130	16,730	$1,710
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	Colorado	$209,790	480	Massachusetts	$208,240	1,790	$1,550
Exercise Physiologists	New York	$107,800	360	California	$106,290	640	$1,510
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	Puerto Rico	$66,250	not published	Maryland	$64,890	1,060	$1,360
Data Entry Keyers	District of Columbia	$73,090	200	Minnesota	$71,820	1,360	$1,270
Set and Exhibit Designers	Washington	$164,070	170	California	$162,820	2,690	$1,250
Environmental Engineers	Louisiana	$201,300	340	New Mexico	$200,170	500	$1,130
Tapers	Illinois	$116,500	320	Massachusetts	$115,390	510	$1,110
Opticians, Dispensing	District of Columbia	$86,110	80	Connecticut	$85,070	610	$1,040
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	Alaska	$166,400	80	California	$165,540	1,680	$860
Chemists	New Mexico	$212,940	280	Massachusetts	$212,210	3,430	$730
Forensic Science Technicians	Illinois	$148,790	370	California	$148,090	2,800	$700
Epidemiologists	Wisconsin	$213,570	90	Massachusetts	$212,890	660	$680
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners	Maine	$99,670	90	Texas	$99,060	580	$610
Recreation Workers	District of Columbia	$66,750	470	Alaska	$66,140	630	$610
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	Oklahoma	$145,270	460	Georgia	$144,730	2,230	$540
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians	Alaska	$135,420	140	New Mexico	$135,200	790	$220
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	District of Columbia	$76,460	400	New Jersey	$76,360	3,660	$100
Lodging Managers	Washington	$190,480	450	Colorado	$190,420	1,100	$60
Postal Service Clerks	Virgin Islands	$76,360	60	New Jersey	$76,360	2,230	$0

Method, and how to cite this

How the two answers are produced

best_state is the state with the highest annual 90th-percentile wage among states reporting at least 500 people employed in that occupation. Where no state clears the floor, the national 90th percentile is used and scope is "national". The unfiltered_* columns show what the answer would be with no floor, for comparison.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/. Dataset version 2026-08-26, 824 records. Top-end pay is the annual 90th-percentile wage as BLS publishes it. Figures are annual, nominal, and not adjusted for cost of living, so a high-paying state is not automatically the state where the money goes furthest. Where BLS suppresses a state employment count the cell reads not published and that case is excluded from the workforce-size figures above, which is why those are reported over 303 of 334 cases.

PayCrunch analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. "Best-Paying State by Occupation 2026", paycrunch.co, 2026-10-12. https://paycrunch.co/stats/best-paying-state-by-occupation-statistics.html

The data behind every number here is free to download and reuse under CC BY 4.0: JSON, CSV, or query it through the free API. Reporters are welcome to the underlying calculation; get in touch and we will send the working.

Questions

What is the best-paying state for a given job?▼

It depends on whether you require the state to have a real workforce in that job. Across the 824 occupations in the BLS OEWS May 2025 release, 389 of them (47%) name one state when every state is eligible and a different state once you require at least 500 people employed there.

Why does a sample size change the answer?▼

Because a state where 200 people do a job can post a very high top-end wage off a handful of well-paid employers, and that estimate carries a wide margin of error. In 303 of the affected occupations the displaced state had fewer than 500 people employed, with a median of 200, and 69 had fewer than 100.

Which state pays best for the most occupations?▼

California, for 193 of the 824 occupations, followed by New York (95) and Washington (60). 48 different states appear as the best payer for at least one occupation.

Can I reuse these figures?▼

Yes. The underlying data is published as JSON and CSV under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence, and the source is the public BLS OEWS May 2025 release.

Best-paying job in every statethe same data cut the other way Salary by statemedians and top-end pay The open datasetdownload or browse

Best-Paying State by Occupation 2026

The ten findings

Where the raw answer is most wrong

Which states win, and which only look like winners

Best-paying state for the most occupations

Most often displaced by the floor

All 334 occupations where the floor changes the state

Method, and how to cite this

Questions

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