Average Salary in the US by State
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Updated June 15, 2026

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Learning about the average salary in the US can be useful in identifying the right opportunities that align with your short-term and long-term career goals.
- Understanding the factors influencing the average salary and compensation can be valuable when making important decisions about your career.
- Geographic location and cost of living often determine individual compensation and wages, with each state having its own average salary.
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What is the average salary in the US?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 120.3 million full-time workers in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2024. During this period, the median average weekly earnings of full-time workers was $1,192. Among full-time workers, those in management, professional and related occupations earned the highest median weekly salaries—$1,880 for men and $1,396 for women.Related: 12 Steps for Getting Into Management (With Benefits)Looking for up-to-date salary information? Search for recent salary data for your professionor our high-paying jobs hub, which has salaries updated daily.
What is the average salary in the US by state?
Geographic location and cost of living often determine individual compensation and wages, with each state having its own average salary. As of February 2025, the five states with the highest average salaries were the District of Columbia, Washington, Massachusetts, California and Colorado. Here's an overview of the average weekly salary in each state, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:| State | Weekly Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,110 |
| Alaska | $1,290 |
| Arizona | $1,215 |
| Arkansas | $1,037 |
| California | $1,376 |
| Colorado | $1,346 |
| Connecticut | $1,303 |
| Delaware | $1,047 |
| District of Columbia | $1,991 |
| Florida | $1,186 |
| Georgia | $1,183 |
| Hawaii | $1,280 |
| Idaho | $1,147 |
| Illinois | $1,176 |
| Indiana | $1,112 |
| Iowa | $1,026 |
| Kansas | $1,052 |
| Kentucky | $1,037 |
| Louisiana | $1,083 |
| Maine | $1,083 |
| Maryland | $1,184 |
| Massachusetts | $1,420 |
| Michigan | $1,124 |
| Minnesota | $1,287 |
| Mississippi | $999 |
| Missouri | $1,091 |
| Montana | $1,082 |
| Nebraska | $1,092 |
| Nevada | $1,087 |
| New Hampshire | $1,171 |
| New Jersey | $1,277 |
| New Mexico | $974 |
| New York | $1,267 |
| North Carolina | $1,132 |
| North Dakota | $1,166 |
| Ohio | $1,144 |
| Oklahoma | $1,082 |
| Oregon | $1,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,104 |
| Rhode Island | $1,191 |
| South Carolina | $1,073 |
| South Dakota | $1,020 |
| Tennessee | $1,073 |
| Texas | $1,254 |
| Utah | $1,177 |
| Vermont | $1,193 |
| Virginia | $1,214 |
| Washington | $1,471 |
| West Virginia | $1,016 |
| Wisconsin | $1,126 |
| Wyoming | $1,099 |
Factors that affect average salary in the US
Here are some key factors affecting the average salary in the US:1. Geographic region
Highly populated metropolitan cities often serve as industry hubs, offering high-earning job opportunities. Below is a list of 10 cities in the United States along with their annual mean wage as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:- Houston, Texas: $63,510 per year
- Atlanta, Georgia: $66,910 per year
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $67,880 per year
- Chicago, Illinois: $69,490 per year
- Portland, Oregon: $72,350 per year
- New York, New York: $82,050 per year
- Boston, Massachusetts: $84,490 per year
- Seattle, Washington: $86,520 per year
- District of Columbia: $88,370 per year
- San Francisco, California: $97,460 per year
2. Level of education
The level of education a person completes can contribute to differences in national average salary amounts. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, people with a high school diploma who have not attended college earned an average weekly salary of $977, while those holding at least a bachelor's degree earned an average of $1,705 per week. Those with advanced degrees have the highest earnings, with male workers making $4,761 or more per week and female workers making $3,440 or more. Related: Top 5 College Majors for a Rewarding Career3. Industry or sector
The industry or sector a person works in can also affect their earnings. Careers requiring an advanced degree, such as those in engineering or in medicine, for example, often yield annual salaries that are three to six times higher than that of the national average. Careers in teaching or skilled trades offer wages that compete with the average national annual salary. Entry-level jobs in retail or recreation regularly can yield wages that are 50% lower. Here's a list of the 2023 median pay per year of six careers across different industries:- Retail sales associate ($33,900 per year): Retail sales associates, also known as retail clerks, offer face-to-face customer service and assist people in selecting purchases. They organize goods for sale, conduct inventory, replenish stock and use point-of-sale machines.
- Carpenter ($56,350 per year): Carpentry is a skilled trade involving the construction or installation of buildings or structures. To become a carpenter, people regularly complete courses, certificate programs or apprenticeship programs.
- High school teacher ($65,220 per year): A high school teacher is a licensed professional who regularly holds a four-year college degree in the subject that they teach. They prepare lessons, design units of study, deliver lectures and interact with students and parents.
- Mechanical engineer ($99,510 per year): A medical engineer is a professional who designs machines using principles in mathematics and physics. Typically, this career requires a bachelor's degree or master's degree in mechanical engineering (technology).
- Software architect ($130,160 per year): Software architects are professionals who design and create computer software. They typically hold a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or computer engineering. They routinely write and review code to implement software systems.
- Physician ($239,200 per year): Physicians are licensed medical professionals who diagnose, treat and manage illness, injury and disease. To prepare for their career, they undergo eight to 12 years of post-secondary education, including a four-year medical residency.
Projected in-demand occupations with average salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the following 20 occupations will see the highest projected percent change of employment between 2023-33. Here, we provide the projected growth rate along with the 2023 median pay:- Wind turbine service technicians (60%): $61,770 per year
- Solar photovoltaic installers (48%): $48,880 per year
- Nurse practitioners (46%): $126,260 per year
- Data scientists (36%): $108,020 per year
- Information security analysts (33%): $120,360 per year
- Medical and health services managers (29%): $110,680 per year
- Physician assistants (28%): $130,020 per year
- Computer and information research scientists (26%): $145,080 per year
- Physical therapist assistants (25%): $64,080 per year
- Operations research analysts (23%): $83,640 per year
- Occupational therapy assistants (22%): $67,010 per year
- Actuaries (22%): $120,000 per year
- Financial examiners (21%): $84,300 per year
- Home health and personal care aides (21%): $33,530 per year
- Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers (19%): $36,440 per year
- Veterinary technologists and technicians (19%): $43,740 per year
- Logisticians (19%): $79,400 per year
- Veterinarians (19%): $119,100 per year
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors (19%): $53,710 per year
- Epidemiologists (19%): $81,390 per year
The information on this site is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers.
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