Comparing Each State’s Highest-Paying Job to the National Average

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If you’re fortunate enough to have a clear career path, you may wonder where to pursue it.

Many people feel that moving to an industry hotspot like Silicon Valley is the only way to succeed in their field. However, this can result in becoming a small fish in a large pond. It may be more beneficial to work in a town that you enjoy or to make a difference in a lesser-known, emerging industry hub. This is especially true in today’s world, where professional networks are widely dispersed.

It is worth considering regional differences in salaries when looking for a job. For instance, Bozeman, Montana, offers the highest-paying entry-level jobs, and states that increase their minimum wage slow the flow of poorer employees to neighboring markets. Moreover, salary rates can also vary for the same occupation depending on which state or metropolitan area you are in. The Career.io team has gathered data on occupational salaries from every U.S. state and major metropolitan area to help you make informed decisions.

Key findings

• In New York, Crane and Tower Operators are paid 109.03% more than the national average for the role.
• Craft Artists in California earn 89.06% more than the national average.
• Wisconsin’s Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners have the highest local wage premium, earning 216.19% more than the national average.
• Models in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area earn 144.02% more than the national average.

The Jobs That Offer Higher Salaries in Each State Compared to the Rest of the U.S.

Every U.S. state boasts at least one occupation that pays at least 25% more than the national average for that role. The Career.io team mapped out the first and second most disproportionately well-paid jobs in each state, revealing that some positions pay double or even triple the national average.

In Wisconsin, Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners earn a staggering +216.19% above the national average for their role — the largest disparity of any job in the U.S. The Oneida Casino in Green Bay stands as Wisconsin’s sole legal sports betting venue, employing just 40 individuals in this role statewide.

The analysis identified five of the ten states with the highest pay disparity also having the second-most disproportionately paid jobs. These states include New York, Connecticut, Alaska, New Jersey, and Louisiana. In Connecticut, Construction Helpers (+90.48%) and Bailiffs (+81.46%) enjoy the most significant wage benefits, given the state’s housing costs are around 45% higher than the national average, with only D.C., Washington, and parts of New York having a higher minimum wage.

Certain U.S. states offer a significant economic advantage for professionals in industries for which they are renowned. For instance, New York’s choreographers average $113,380, which is 93.02% above the national average, reflecting New York City’s renowned theater scene. Similarly, Colorado, boasting America’s second-largest aerospace economy, offers a +57.09% higher pay for space and planetary science-related work compared to the national average, attracting top talent with firms like Sierra Nevada Corporation and Maxar Lockheed Martin.

America’s Highest-paying Jobs in Business & Finance

The research also delved into the top-paying business and finance occupations in each U.S. state compared to the national average. Three states stand out with roles paid at a premium of more than 50% of the national average: Alaska, Nebraska, and New York. Particularly, Alaska’s personal financial advisors earn +66.79% over the average for their profession, with just 160 advisors in the state.

In New York, Credit Analysts exhibit the highest wage disparity (+50.98%). Given New York’s high concentration of extreme wealth, entities have access to higher credit, resulting in higher risks — and consequently, higher pay for credit analysts.

The Highest-paying Jobs in Metropolitan Areas

In the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area, Crane and Tower Operators earn +111.24% over the national average, mirroring the state-wide premium of +109.03% for the same job.

Similarly, in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro, Models make +144.02% above the national average, reflecting the region’s high demand for models in TV, film, and advertising.

In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro, insurance sales agents can earn more than twice (+109.20%) the national average, reflecting Chicago’s status as a major finance and insurance hub.

In the Dallas–Fort Worth-Arlington metro, a variety of professionals enjoy higher salaries, including Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners (+76.51% over the national average) and Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders (+51.74% over the national average).

Should You be Looking for a Higher Salary?

For those at the start of their career, moving to a state with consistently higher wages in their industry could significantly impact their economic outlook. However, it’s crucial to consider that high pay often corresponds with a higher cost of living. Quality of life is interconnected with various factors beyond salary, such as environment, social connections, and the well-being of your family.

If you’re not ready to relocate for a pay increase, our national guide offers insights into the top-paying jobs with varying levels of competition, helping you find a role that suits you closer to home.

Methodology

The analysis used the latest wage estimates per occupation from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine which job pays the highest average salary relative (%) to the national average salary for that job in each U.S. state and the top 10 most populated metro areas.

• May 2022 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
• May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
• May 2022 OEWS Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Definition
• May 2022 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

The Career.io team analyzed the 830 most detailed occupations, excluding any occupation that did not provide an estimate for employment numbers.