Which US State Has the Best Paying Jobs? 2025 Rankings by Median Salary and Per Capita Income
Coastal states lead the pack for highest median full-time salaries, with many topping $70,000 a year. Colorado stands out as a landlocked exception at $72,028. Washington, D.C., leads per capita income at $108,233--nearly double Mississippi's $52,017. The national median sits at $61,702, creating gaps over $50,000 between top and bottom states (Visual Capitalist 2025; Visual Capitalist 2025).
Job seekers, career changers, and relocators looking for higher earnings can use these rankings to compare salary data against living costs and job availability. This may not help if you're focused on entry-level roles, specific professions, or low-cost living over raw pay. Check BLS.gov for the latest figures.
US States Ranked by Highest Paying Jobs and Salaries (2024-2025 Data)
Top states for median full-time salaries cluster above $70,000, led by coastal hubs and Colorado. Per capita figures show D.C. and Northeast leaders out front, reflecting high-skill job concentrations. National median full-time salary for year-round civilian workers aged 16+ is $61,702. Top states run $10,000+ higher while bottom ones fall $50,000+ below (Visual Capitalist 2025).
These rankings pull from recent analyses but don't include a complete 50-state BLS list--check BLS.gov for current data. Coastal states dominate thanks to tech, finance, and professional services, while the gaps show deep regional economic divides. High-pay states offer $10k+ advantages for workers with aligned skills, but verify via BLS.gov OEWS.
Top States for Median Full-Time Salaries
Mostly coastal states top median full-time salaries above $70,000, with Colorado at $72,028 as the main landlocked outlier. This covers full-time, year-round civilian workers aged 16+, per 2025 data (Visual Capitalist 2025).
Northeast and West Coast states like Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey lead because of high-skill sectors. The $50,000+ spread from highest to lowest means chasing top pay could boost your earnings significantly--but only if your skills match. Target coastal hubs or Colorado for median gains.
States Leading in Average Income and Per Capita Earnings
D.C. tops per capita personal income at $108,233, followed by Northeast states like New York ($85,733), New Jersey ($84,071), and New Hampshire ($82,878)--nearly twice Mississippi's $52,017 (Visual Capitalist 2025). Massachusetts averages $82,475, tied to high educational attainment (Census.gov Income Data).
Per capita metrics favor high-skill hubs more than medians because they amplify outliers like D.C.'s government, legal, and consulting roles. Medians better reflect typical workers, while averages skew toward top earners--use both for a complete picture. D.C. and the Northeast lead because of specialized sectors.
Why Coastal and Landlocked Exceptions Stand Out
Coastal states excel thanks to specialized industries like tech and finance, while Colorado's $72,028 median shows tech growth and energy sectors driving pay as a landlocked exception. Data covers full-time civilians only, excluding part-timers or military.
These patterns show high-pay states cluster where education and skills match demand, though full methodology details aren't available here.
Highest-Paying Jobs Vary Widely by State
Medical professionals dominate top jobs--surgeons earn $382,000 in Georgia and Alabama, anesthesiologists make $346,200 in multiple states, and OB/GYNs pull in $340,000 in Florida (World Population Review 2026; ithps.medium 2024). Physicians average $474,977 nationally, highest in New Mexico, Montana, and Texas because of rural needs and booming healthcare (Weatherby Healthcare 2024).
Only eight professions top state lists, mostly healthcare--relevant for specialists, less so for average workers. State variations reflect local demands, like petroleum engineers in Wyoming.
Entry-Level and Hourly Pay Considerations
South Dakota leads entry-level jobs with 76.1% above median wage, while Hawaii lags at 66.1% below (historical data, 2023--markets may have shifted) (Resume.io 2023). Hourly tops often mean health roles in 37 states, like New York aides at +63.9% national average. Avoid tourism-heavy states like Hawaii (Homebase, date unknown).
Entry-level favors Midwest outliers over high-salary coasts. Keep in mind the 2023 data is older--check current listings for your role.
Job Market Strength Beyond Just Pay
Strong job markets pair high pay with training and growth, like Texas (70%+ high schoolers in career tracks) and Northeast clusters (Vermont, Massachusetts) (CNBC 2025; MyPerfectResume, date unknown). Over 82% see post-training employment in top states.
Beyond pay, look at workforce programs--high-pay states often bring high competition. No full BLS wages-by-state table here. Top states blend pay with opportunity pipelines.
State-by-State Salary Comparison: Key Tradeoffs
Massachusetts leads salaries but has 46% higher cost of living (COL) vs. national average. Mississippi trails in salaries but COL runs 13% lower (Empower, date unknown). Top states promise raw gains, but COL eats into them--staying local might make sense if adjusted pay matches.
| Factor | High-Pay Example (MA) | Low-Pay Example (MS) |
|---|---|---|
| Salary Edge | Tops lists | Below MA |
| COL Adjustment | +46% national | -13% national |
| Net Impact | Lower purchasing power | Better affordability |
When it's simpler: Local jobs with similar COL-adjusted pay beat relocation.
Evidence Pack
| State/D.C. | Median Full-Time Salary (2025, Visual Capitalist) | Per Capita Income (2025, Visual Capitalist) | Key Drivers/Limitations | COL Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.C. | Top cluster (~$70k+) | $108,233 | Gov/legal jobs; full-time civilians only | High |
| MA | ~$70k+ cluster | $82,475 (2026 WPR) | Education/high-skill | +46% |
| CO | $72,028 | No data | Landlocked exception; tech/energy | Med |
| NY | ~$70k+ | $85,733 | Northeast industry | High |
| NJ | ~$70k+ | $84,071 | High-skill sectors | High |
| NH | ~$70k+ | $82,878 | Regional hubs | High |
| MS (low) | ~$50k cluster | $52,017 | High poverty (19.6%) | Low |
Focus on recent data. High pay plus low COL is ideal, but no state perfectly matches both. See BLS.gov State Wages.
How to Choose the Best State for Your Career
- Check occupation-specific pay (e.g., physicians high in NM/TX).
- Adjust for COL using tools like Empower data.
- Review job growth via state labor sites.
No full BLS wages-by-state table here--visit BLS.gov. For a high-pay chase, target skill-matched states. Otherwise, local stability wins.
Apply This to Your Situation
Consider:
- Medical/tech field? Favor coasts/D.C.
- Entry-level? Try SD/MT over high-COL areas.
- Accept high COL for raw pay? Northeast yes; affordability no.
FAQ
What state has the highest median salary?
Coastal states and D.C. exceed $70k, with Colorado at $72,028 for full-time workers (Visual Capitalist 2025). Gaps top $50k nationally.
Which states top per capita income?
D.C. at $108,233, then NY ($85,733), NJ ($84,071), NH ($82,878)--nearly 2x MS (Visual Capitalist 2025).
Are high salaries always best?
No--MA tops pay but +46% COL vs. MS lower salary and -13% COL, netting less purchasing power (Empower).
What are common highest-paying jobs by state?
Medical: surgeons $382k GA/AL, anesthesiologists $346k multiple states, OB/GYN $340k FL (World Population Review 2026; ithps.medium 2024).
How do entry-level pay rankings differ?
SD 76.1% above median; HI worst at 66.1% below (historical 2023, Resume.io--verify current).
Next steps: Visit BLS.gov for your occupation's state data, then calculate COL-adjusted pay on a site like Empower.