Top 10 Highest Paying States for Jobs (2026)
We analyzed average salaries for 202+ careers across all 50 states to find where workers earn the most. But raw salary doesn't tell the full story — we also rank by purchasing power after adjusting for cost of living.
Key Takeaways
- • Hawaii has the highest raw average salary at $144,006
- • New York has the highest cost-of-living-adjusted salary at $87,047
- • High-cost states like California rank lower when adjusting for COL
- • The gap between #1 and #10 is $50,191 in raw salary
Top 10 States by Raw Average Salary
| Rank | State | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $144,006 |
| #2 | California | $119,816 |
| #3 | Massachusetts | $117,105 |
| #4 | New York | $106,197 |
| #5 | Alaska | $105,195 |
| #6 | New Jersey | $99,297 |
| #7 | Washington | $99,286 |
| #8 | Connecticut | $96,167 |
| #9 | Maryland | $94,580 |
| #10 | Oregon | $93,815 |
Based on average median salary across 202+ careers tracked by StateSalaryData.
Top 10 States by Purchasing Power (COL-Adjusted)
This ranking adjusts salaries for each state's cost of living index. A state with lower raw salary but very low COL can offer more purchasing power than a high-salary, high-cost state.
| Rank | State | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York | $87,047 |
| #2 | California | $86,823 |
| #3 | Massachusetts | $86,744 |
| #4 | New Jersey | $86,345 |
| #5 | Washington | $86,336 |
| #6 | Virginia | $86,021 |
| #7 | Maryland | $85,982 |
| #8 | Illinois | $85,876 |
| #9 | Connecticut | $85,863 |
| #10 | Texas | $85,586 |
What This Means for Job Seekers
If you're evaluating a job offer or considering relocation, raw salary alone can be misleading. A $144,006 salary in Hawaii (COL: 170%) may actually provide less purchasing power than a lower salary in a state with a COL under 100%.
The best strategy is to compare your specific career's salary in your target state against both the national average and the local cost of living. Use our state comparison tool to see exactly what your career pays in each state.
Explore State Salary Data
See detailed salary breakdowns for your career in any state, with city-level data and cost of living adjustments.