Understanding income levels and employment opportunities is crucial for assessing economic well-being and career prospects across the United States. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the average income and highest-paying jobs in each state, factoring in state-specific inflation rates to give a clearer picture of economic conditions.
For this article the data has been compiled from various sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, state labor departments, and economic reports.
Average Income and Highest Paying Jobs by State
Alabama
- Average Income: $53,600
- Inflation Rate: 3.1%
- Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Alabama earn an average of $382,000 annually, significantly higher than other professions.
Alaska
- Average Income: $67,200
- Inflation Rate: 2.5%
- Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Alaska have an average salary of $368,000.
Arizona
- Average Income: $59,800
- Inflation Rate: 2.9%
- Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Arizona make approximately $340,000 per year.
Arkansas
- Average Income: $50,400
- Inflation Rate: 3.0%
- Highest Paying Job: Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists in Arkansas earn around $322,000 annually.
California
- Average Income: $80,200
- Inflation Rate: 4.0%
- Highest Paying Job: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
CEOs in California can earn upwards of $550,000.
Colorado
- Average Income: $65,500
- Inflation Rate: 3.2%
- Highest Paying Job: Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum Engineers in Colorado make about $310,000 annually.
Connecticut
- Average Income: $78,000
- Inflation Rate: 3.5%
- Highest Paying Job: Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers in Connecticut earn around $420,000 per year.
Delaware
- Average Income: $64,700
- Inflation Rate: 2.8%
- Highest Paying Job: Judge
Judges in Delaware have an average salary of $295,000.
Florida
- Average Income: $58,900
- Inflation Rate: 2.7%
- Highest Paying Job: Obstetrician/Gynecologist
Obstetricians/Gynecologists in Florida earn approximately $340,000 annually.
Georgia
- Average Income: $56,800
- Inflation Rate: 3.0%
- Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Georgia have an average salary of $375,000.
Hawaii
- Average Income: $72,000
- Inflation Rate: 3.3%
- Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Hawaii make about $358,000 annually.
Idaho
· Average Income: $53,300
· Inflation Rate: 2.6%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Idaho earn around $325,000 per year.
Illinois
· Average Income: $62,500
· Inflation Rate: 3.4%
· Highest Paying Job: Cardiologist
Cardiologists in Illinois make approximately $345,000 annually.
Indiana
· Average Income: $54,600
· Inflation Rate: 2.8%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Indiana earn about $330,000.
Iowa
· Average Income: $52,400
· Inflation Rate: 2.9%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Iowa have an average salary of $340,000.
Kansas
· Average Income: $55,900
· Inflation Rate: 3.0%
· Highest Paying Job: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
CEOs in Kansas earn approximately $315,000 annually.
Kentucky
· Average Income: $50,000
· Inflation Rate: 3.2%
· Highest Paying Job: Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists in Kentucky earn around $315,000 per year.
Louisiana
· Average Income: $54,200
· Inflation Rate: 3.1%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Louisiana have an average salary of $325,000.
Maine
· Average Income: $56,700
· Inflation Rate: 2.7%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Maine earn around $335,000 annually.
Maryland
· Average Income: $78,500
· Inflation Rate: 3.6%
· Highest Paying Job: Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers in Maryland make approximately $425,000 per year.
Massachusetts
· Average Income: $82,000
· Inflation Rate: 3.5%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Massachusetts earn about $355,000 annually.
Michigan
· Average Income: $59,200
· Inflation Rate: 3.3%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Michigan make around $330,000 per year.
Minnesota
· Average Income: $62,800
· Inflation Rate: 2.9%
· Highest Paying Job: Cardiologist
Cardiologists in Minnesota earn approximately $340,000 annually.
Mississippi
· Average Income: $49,800
· Inflation Rate: 3.2%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Mississippi earn about $320,000 per year.
Missouri
· Average Income: $55,100
· Inflation Rate: 3.1%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Missouri make around $325,000 annually.
Montana
· Average Income: $52,600
· Inflation Rate: 2.7%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Montana earn about $310,000 per year.
Nebraska
· Average Income: $54,500
· Inflation Rate: 2.9%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Nebraska have an average salary of $325,000.
Nevada
· Average Income: $60,400
· Inflation Rate: 3.3%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Nevada earn approximately $335,000 annually.
New Hampshire
· Average Income: $67,800
· Inflation Rate: 2.8%
· Highest Paying Job: Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers in New Hampshire make around $415,000 per year.
New Jersey
· Average Income: $82,500
· Inflation Rate: 3.4%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in New Jersey earn about $365,000 annually.
New Mexico
· Average Income: $54,700
· Inflation Rate: 2.9%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in New Mexico make approximately $325,000 per year.
New York
· Average Income: $88,000
· Inflation Rate: 3.7%
· Highest Paying Job: Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers in New York can earn up to $500,000 annually.
North Carolina
· Average Income: $56,300
· Inflation Rate: 2.9%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in North Carolina earn around $330,000 per year.
North Dakota
· Average Income: $55,500
· Inflation Rate: 2.6%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in North Dakota earn approximately $310,000 annually.
Ohio
· Average Income: $57,400
· Inflation Rate: 3.0%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Ohio make about $340,000 per year.
Oklahoma
· Average Income: $52,000
· Inflation Rate: 3.1%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Oklahoma earn approximately $320,000 annually.
Oregon
· Average Income: $62,600
· Inflation Rate: 3.2%
· Highest Paying Job: Cardiologist
Cardiologists in Oregon make about $335,000 per year.
Pennsylvania
· Average Income: $63,500
· Inflation Rate: 3.5%
· Highest Paying Job: Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers in Pennsylvania earn around $400,000 annually.
Rhode Island
· Average Income: $64,100
· Inflation Rate: 3.3%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Rhode Island earn approximately $330,000 per year.
South Carolina
· Average Income: $55,700
· Inflation Rate: 2.8%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in South Carolina make about $340,000 annually.
South Dakota
· Average Income: $50,800
· Inflation Rate: 2.7%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in South Dakota earn approximately $310,000 per year.
Tennessee
· Average Income: $55,300
· Inflation Rate: 3.0%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Tennessee earn around $325,000 annually.
Texas
· Average Income: $61,200
· Inflation Rate: 3.4%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in Texas earn approximately $340,000 per year.
Utah
· Average Income: $59,000
· Inflation Rate: 2.8%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Utah make about $320,000 annually.
Vermont
· Average Income: $64,500
· Inflation Rate: 2.7%
· Highest Paying Job: Corporate Lawyer
Corporate lawyers in Vermont earn around $375,000 per year.
Virginia
· Average Income: $62,000
· Inflation Rate: 3.0%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Virginia earn approximately $335,000 annually.
Washington
· Average Income: $70,800
· Inflation Rate: 3.3%
· Highest Paying Job: Orthodontist
Orthodontists in Washington make around $350,000 per year.
West Virginia
· Average Income: $49,200
· Inflation Rate: 3.2%
· Highest Paying Job: Surgeon
Surgeons in West Virginia earn about $320,000 annually.
Wisconsin
· Average Income: $59,500
· Inflation Rate: 2.9%
· Highest Paying Job: Anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologists in Wisconsin make around $330,000 per year.
Wyoming
· Average Income: $54,400
· Inflation Rate: 2.6%
· Highest Paying Job: Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum Engineers in Wyoming earn approximately $310,000 annually.
By navigating the average income and highest-paying jobs in each state, we can better understand regional economic disparities and identify productive career paths. While some states offer higher average incomes and top-paying jobs, the cost of living and inflation rates play a crucial role in determining the real value of these earnings. For those seeking career growth, this information can serve as a guide to navigating job markets and making informed decisions about relocation or career changes.
