The highest-paid job in every U.S. state

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the years, several occupations (Physicians, Surgeons, Dentists, Pharmacists, Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists, Computer and Information Systems Managers, Marketing and Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers) in the United States have consistently ranked among the highest-paying due to their specialized skill sets, educational requirements, and the demand for their expertise.

The jobs with the highest mean annual wages in 2017

According to Howmuch.net, in 2017 doctors earn the highest annual mean wages compared to other occupations. And among the different medical professions, anesthesiologists and surgeons seem to make money at their jobs – anesthesiologists have the highest average salaries in 17 states in the country, while surgeons claim 12.

The jobs with the highest mean annual wages in 2020

According to Howmuch.net, in 2020, numerous roles within the medical field emerged as the top-earning professions, encompassing anesthesiologists, dentists, and physicians. Across each state, the most handsomely compensated experts typically secured a minimum of $200,000, with merely four states or territories falling below this threshold.

Dentists practicing in Massachusetts, along with pediatricians practicing in Pennsylvania, lay claim to the highest median incomes nationwide, both commanding annual earnings of $208,000.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a project manager situated in the Virgin Islands should anticipate an annual income of only $172,200. Nevertheless, this still stands notably above the median wage for all laborers throughout the United States.

What about the highest-paid state employee?

Highest Paid State Employees

The salaries of the highest-paid state employees can vary significantly depending on the state, the nature of their work, and the budgetary allocation for their positions.

But according to the map below, the football coach was the highest-paid state job in most U.S. states in 2019.

Some of the highest-paid state employees are often medical professionals working in state-owned hospitals, medical schools, and healthcare facilities. Physicians, surgeons, and medical specialists like anesthesiologists and radiologists also may fall into this category.

If you liked these maps, you may also be interested in the following books:

• Power Ties: The International Student’s Guide to Finding a Job in the United States – Revised and Updated
• 50 Jobs in 50 States: One Man’s Journey of Discovery across America
• The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency