State Wage Atlas

Biggest pay gaps between states

For occupations with a published mean annual wage in at least 40 states (DC counted, but it is not a state), the table compares the highest and lowest figures. The ratio is highest divided by lowest.

OccupationHighestMean annual wage (high)LowestMean annual wage (low)Ratio
News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsNew York$251,110Wyoming$39,3906.37×
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc JockeysNew York$182,810Arkansas$35,3405.17×
Producers and DirectorsCalifornia$155,750Arkansas$44,4403.50×
BailiffsConnecticut$110,280North Dakota$32,4003.40×
Bus Drivers, SchoolWashington$62,940Alabama$19,1903.28×
Pediatricians, GeneralLouisiana$378,020District of Columbia (not a state)$116,2103.25×
Massage TherapistsHawaii$122,580Louisiana$38,1403.21×
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and MagistratesRhode Island$213,840Alabama$66,7403.20×
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsNew York$185,400Mississippi$59,1703.13×
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All OtherCalifornia$142,870Arkansas$45,7603.12×
Therapists, All OtherIllinois$129,120Nevada$41,4503.12×
Print Binding and Finishing WorkersDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$100,910New Mexico$32,8803.07×
Waiters and WaitressesHawaii$68,260Louisiana$22,3503.05×
BartendersHawaii$76,740Louisiana$25,2503.04×
PhotographersDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$104,630Arkansas$34,7003.02×
Legal Support Workers, All OtherVirginia$158,160Iowa$52,6003.01×
Broadcast TechniciansDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$99,760West Virginia$33,6602.96×
Atmospheric and Space ScientistsNew York$154,830New Hampshire$52,7902.93×
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersCalifornia$151,620Mississippi$51,7402.93×
Production Workers, All OtherDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$109,030Kansas$37,7602.89×
Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansUtah$140,290Mississippi$48,7902.88×
Substitute Teachers, Short-TermAlaska$73,070Mississippi$25,6102.85×
Prepress Technicians and WorkersDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$101,710Alabama$35,6802.85×
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All OtherDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$85,910Georgia$30,2602.84×
Emergency Management DirectorsDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$165,390Arkansas$58,4502.83×
Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHawaii$90,170West Virginia$32,1702.80×
Financial ExaminersDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$187,240West Virginia$67,4502.78×
Marriage and Family TherapistsHawaii$127,570Wisconsin$45,9602.78×
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsCalifornia$105,440Mississippi$38,2402.76×
Printing Press OperatorsDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$104,930Oklahoma$38,2002.75×
Economics Teachers, PostsecondaryNew Hampshire$236,510South Dakota$86,8902.72×
Surgical AssistantsDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$110,920Alabama$41,3102.69×
Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryArkansas$205,560West Virginia$77,4902.65×
Crane and Tower OperatorsHawaii$119,300Arkansas$45,1602.64×
Chief ExecutivesOregon$403,380New Mexico$152,7202.64×
Physicians, All OtherNorth Dakota$406,630District of Columbia (not a state)$154,0402.64×
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondaryCalifornia$150,800Kansas$58,0302.60×
FirefightersCalifornia$95,090Louisiana$36,6102.60×
RiggersNew York$103,440Kansas$40,0002.59×
Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansNew York$137,860West Virginia$53,5802.57×
History Teachers, PostsecondaryCalifornia$134,280Arkansas$52,6502.55×
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsDistrict of Columbia (not a state)$70,320Louisiana$27,6002.55×
Financial and Investment AnalystsWyoming$195,710West Virginia$76,8302.55×
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional OfficersCalifornia$132,640Arkansas$52,1602.54×
Carpet InstallersNew Jersey$97,430Arkansas$38,3702.54×
First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesCalifornia$163,210Mississippi$64,3302.54×
Film and Video EditorsNew York$107,850South Dakota$42,6302.53×
Special Education Teachers, PreschoolNew Jersey$96,730Arkansas$38,3402.52×
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All OtherNew York$111,500Mississippi$44,8502.49×
Communications Teachers, PostsecondaryCalifornia$148,200New Mexico$59,7602.48×