Average Salary in the US by State
Salary benchmarks can help job seekers compare locations, prepare for negotiations and assess an offer. However, “average salary” is not one universal statistic. A source may report a mean or median, include only full-time workers, cover private employers or combine occupations with very different pay levels.
The state comparison below uses a consistent official measure: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average weekly earnings for all employees in the total private sector. It provides a current geographic comparison, but it is not a promise of what a person in a particular job will earn.
What is the average salary in the United States?
Different BLS programs answer different questions. The May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics reported a national annual mean wage of $69,770 across all occupations. This estimate covers wage and salary employment included in the OEWS program and does not include the self-employed.
Another measure, the Current Population Survey, reported that the nation's full-time wage and salary workers had median weekly earnings of $1,251 in the second quarter of 2026. Annualizing that weekly median by multiplying it by 52 produces approximately $65,052, but this calculation assumes 52 paid weeks and does not convert the median into a mean.
These two figures are not contradictory. They use different surveys, populations and statistical measures. The mean adds all wages and divides by the number of workers or jobs, so high earners can pull it upward. The median is the midpoint of the distribution and often better describes a typical worker.
Average salary in the US by state
The table uses the BLS Total Private Average Hourly Earnings and Weekly Earnings by State, with data for June 2026, not seasonally adjusted. The BLS measure covers employees on private nonfarm payrolls and reflects both hourly pay and average hours worked.
The annualized column multiplies average weekly earnings by 52 and rounds to the nearest dollar. It is a comparison tool, not a separate BLS estimate. Actual annual earnings may differ because of unpaid leave, seasonal work, bonuses, overtime, commissions or changes in weekly hours.
| State or district | Average weekly earnings | Approximate annualized earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,154.90 | $60,055 |
| Alaska | $1,376.28 | $71,567 |
| Arizona | $1,224.02 | $63,649 |
| Arkansas | $1,035.94 | $53,869 |
| California | $1,391.34 | $72,350 |
| Colorado | $1,317.56 | $68,513 |
| Connecticut | $1,328.65 | $69,090 |
| Delaware | $1,074.24 | $55,860 |
| District of Columbia | $2,038.61 | $106,008 |
| Florida | $1,227.94 | $63,853 |
| Georgia | $1,224.64 | $63,681 |
| Hawaii | $1,283.04 | $66,718 |
| Idaho | $1,233.40 | $64,137 |
| Illinois | $1,214.71 | $63,165 |
| Indiana | $1,121.07 | $58,296 |
| Iowa | $1,038.31 | $53,992 |
| Kansas | $1,108.93 | $57,664 |
| Kentucky | $1,076.72 | $55,989 |
| Louisiana | $1,116.17 | $58,041 |
| Maine | $1,104.18 | $57,417 |
| Maryland | $1,245.75 | $64,779 |
| Massachusetts | $1,422.96 | $73,994 |
| Michigan | $1,156.34 | $60,130 |
| Minnesota | $1,268.05 | $65,939 |
| Mississippi | $1,029.00 | $53,508 |
| Missouri | $1,117.23 | $58,096 |
| Montana | $1,102.24 | $57,316 |
| Nebraska | $1,097.68 | $57,079 |
| Nevada | $1,151.69 | $59,888 |
| New Hampshire | $1,192.59 | $62,015 |
| New Jersey | $1,319.55 | $68,617 |
| New Mexico | $1,073.54 | $55,824 |
| New York | $1,301.79 | $67,693 |
| North Carolina | $1,180.26 | $61,374 |
| North Dakota | $1,278.78 | $66,497 |
| Ohio | $1,154.93 | $60,056 |
| Oklahoma | $1,125.00 | $58,500 |
| Oregon | $1,264.56 | $65,757 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,149.39 | $59,768 |
| Rhode Island | $1,252.23 | $65,116 |
| South Carolina | $1,119.02 | $58,189 |
| South Dakota | $1,070.16 | $55,648 |
| Tennessee | $1,110.17 | $57,729 |
| Texas | $1,283.36 | $66,735 |
| Utah | $1,191.46 | $61,956 |
| Vermont | $1,187.15 | $61,732 |
| Virginia | $1,279.82 | $66,551 |
| Washington | $1,512.14 | $78,631 |
| West Virginia | $1,064.12 | $55,334 |
| Wisconsin | $1,127.15 | $58,612 |
| Wyoming | $1,181.40 | $61,433 |
The District of Columbia had the highest average weekly earnings in this dataset, but it is not a state. Among the 50 states, Washington had the highest figure, followed by Massachusetts, California and Alaska. Mississippi had the lowest state figure in the table, followed by Arkansas and Iowa.
Rankings can change from month to month because the data are not seasonally adjusted and because employment composition and hours change. Differences do not mean that every occupation pays more in a higher-ranking state.
What the state salary figures measure
Average weekly earnings combine two components:
Average weekly earnings = average hourly earnings × average weekly hours
A state can therefore record higher weekly earnings because hourly wages are higher, employees work more hours or both. The measure also reflects the mix of jobs. A state with a larger share of high-paying professional and technical employment may have a higher overall average even when a specific occupation pays similarly elsewhere.
The data cover private nonfarm payroll employees and exclude government workers, proprietors, the self-employed, unpaid family workers, farm workers and private household employees. They are gross earnings before taxes and do not include the full value of benefits.
Average versus median salary
The mean, often called the average, adds all observations and divides by the number of observations. A small group of very highly paid workers can raise it.
The median is the value at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is less affected by extreme values and can provide a more intuitive benchmark for an individual worker.
When comparing an offer, use occupation-specific median and percentile data when available. A statewide average across every private-sector job is useful for broad context, but it cannot replace a benchmark for the same role, experience level and labor market.
Factors that affect average salary by state
Industry mix
States specialize in different industries. Technology, finance, energy, health care, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing have different occupational structures and pay levels. The mix affects the statewide average.
Cost of living
Employers in expensive markets may pay more to compete for workers, but a higher nominal salary does not automatically create greater purchasing power. Housing, taxes, transportation, child care, health care and insurance can change what remains after essential expenses.
Occupation and specialization
Job family is often more important than the state average. A software developer and a restaurant worker in the same city operate in different labor markets. Specialized skills, licenses and scarce experience may also produce pay premiums.
Experience and responsibility
Entry-level, experienced and managerial positions have different compensation. Scope matters as well: team size, budget, risk, travel and decision authority can influence pay even when job titles match.
Education and credentials
Some occupations require degrees, licenses or certifications. Education can expand access to certain roles, but its effect varies by field and does not guarantee a particular salary.
Employer size and compensation strategy
Large employers may offer structured salary bands and broad benefits, while smaller organizations may provide more flexibility, equity or responsibility. Public, nonprofit and private employers can use different compensation systems.
Work arrangement
Remote, hybrid, part-time, seasonal and contract roles may be priced differently. Some remote employers adjust pay by employee location, while others use national bands. Independent contractors must account for taxes, insurance, unpaid time and business expenses.
Labor supply and demand
Rapid hiring, skill shortages, unemployment and local competition affect wages. These conditions change over time, so an old benchmark may not reflect the current market.
How to compare salaries between states
Use a structured comparison instead of selecting the highest headline number:
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Match the occupation. Compare the same role, specialization and level.
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Check the data date. Salary information can become stale, especially during inflation or rapid hiring changes.
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Review the measure. Determine whether the figure is a mean, median, posted salary, reported salary or payroll estimate.
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Adjust for living costs. Build a location-specific budget using housing, taxes, transportation and other recurring expenses.
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Compare total compensation. Include health coverage, retirement contributions, paid leave, bonuses, equity and relocation support.
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Consider working time. Compare expected hours, overtime rules, commute and schedule predictability.
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Evaluate career value. Training, mentorship, portfolio value and advancement can affect long-term earnings.
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Test the result after taxes. Use current federal, state and local tax assumptions appropriate to your situation.
How to evaluate a job offer
Begin with the employer's stated base salary or hourly rate. Clarify whether a bonus is guaranteed or variable, how it is calculated and when it is paid. Ask for benefit summaries and calculate the value of employer contributions separately from base pay.
Then compare the offer with several sources: official occupation data, current job postings with disclosed ranges, professional association surveys and recruiter information. Use the employer's location and the position's actual scope. National or statewide averages should support the analysis, not dictate a single “correct” salary.
If the offer is below a relevant range, explain the evidence and connect your request to experience, credentials and responsibilities. A professional negotiation might ask whether the employer has flexibility in base pay or, if not, in a signing bonus, review timing, paid leave, schedule or development support.
Limitations of salary data
Every dataset has boundaries. Survey estimates may be revised and can contain sampling or reporting error. Averages hide variation within states and do not show the full distribution. Annualized weekly figures assume consistent paid weeks, while actual compensation may include periods without work.
Salary alone also omits job stability, safety, benefits, schedule control and career progression. Use the table as a broad geographic reference and confirm current occupation-specific information before making a financial or relocation decision.
Dokie can help job seekers turn salary research into a clear negotiation presentation. Users can organize a deck around the target role, location benchmarks, relevant experience, total compensation, cost considerations and a concise evidence-based request.
Dokie can also help teams present compensation research across locations in a consistent visual format. Before sharing, users should verify the data date and definitions, label annualized calculations, protect confidential employee information and avoid presenting a broad statewide average as a guaranteed individual salary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average annual salary in the United States?
BLS May 2025 OEWS data reported an annual mean wage of $69,770 across all occupations. A different BLS survey reported median weekly earnings of $1,251 for full-time wage and salary workers in the second quarter of 2026. The appropriate figure depends on whether you need a mean or median and which worker population you are studying.
Which state has the highest average salary?
In the BLS June 2026 total private average weekly earnings data, Washington ranked highest among states at $1,512.14 per week. The District of Columbia was higher at $2,038.61 but is not a state.
Which state has the lowest average salary?
Mississippi had the lowest average weekly earnings in this dataset at $1,029.00. This statewide average does not mean every occupation pays less there than in other states.
Does a higher average salary mean a state is more affordable?
No. Higher earnings may accompany higher housing, tax, transportation and service costs. Compare after-tax income with a realistic household budget rather than salary alone.
How do I convert weekly earnings into annual salary?
Multiply weekly earnings by the number of paid weeks. Using 52 weeks gives a simple annualized estimate. Adjust the calculation if the work is seasonal, unpaid leave is expected or weekly hours vary.
Is mean or median salary more useful?
The median often describes a typical worker better because extreme salaries have less influence on it. The mean is useful for understanding total payroll or comparing consistent official averages. Review both when possible.