Looking To Move? These States Have The Highest Salaries
America's economy is doing well now—unemployment is down, the cost of living has stabilized, and things are generally looking up! If you're looking to move states, perhaps to be closer to family members, or need a fresh start, you'll need to consider the median salary in your prospective state. Let's explore the median salary in each state to help you make your big move to a new part of the US.
Mississippi
In last place on our list is Mississippi, one of America's (unfortunately) poorest states. The average worker in Mississippi will earn just $37,502 per year. That wage is approximately $10,000 below the national average. As agriculture (a low-paying job) makes up the bulk of the state's workforce, at 17.4%, with 14.9% of the state failing to graduate high school, it's easy to see why Mississippians are the worst-paid in the country.
Arkansas
Like Mississippi, the bulk of Arkansas' workforce lies outside managerial positions, with a median salary of $39,062 annually. Just 7% of Arkansas workers are in high-paying managerial positions, and the state has a poverty rate of 15.9%, one of the highest in the country for 2025.
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West Virginia
West Virginia is one of America's least-equitable states in terms of wealth. The gap between rich and poor West Virginians is massive: the state ranks 47th in income equality. West Virginians are also the least educated in the country, with only 21.3% holding a Bachelor's Degree. Although West Virginia only has a median salary of $39,770 annually, it does have one of the lowest costs of living in the United States.
Louisiana
The Cajun state has a median salary of $41,330 annually, and while it doesn't have a state-mandated minimum wage, it does have a federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. According to studies from Class Central, Louisiana's three most in-demand jobs are welder, phlebotomist, and a flight attendant.
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Alabama
Alabamans enjoy the third-lowest living costs in the United States, with an unemployment rate sitting at 2.8%, but much of Alabamans' jobs are entry-level positions. 14.8% of Alabamans live below the poverty line, while the median annual salary in Alabama is just $41,350.
Oklahoma
Oklahomans enjoy the cheapness of living, as the state has the seventh-lowest cost of living in the United States. It also has a graduated income tax system, which begins at just 0.25%. Oklahoma's median annual salary is $41,475, but unfortunately Oklahomans don't have much choice for jobs, with scarce managerial positions available.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce puts the state's fastest-growing jobs as home healthcare support, data science, and cybersecurity. All of this puts South Carolina's trajectory on the up-and-up as a state, but their median annual salary sits at $42,224 annually.
South Dakota
The fourth most affordable state in America also boasts the lowest unemployment rate in the US, at just 2%, and a 9.7% poverty rate. It's minimum wage is also higher than the federal minimum of $7.25/hour at $11.50/hour, and workers don't have to pay any state income tax. However, their salaries are an annual median of just $43,580.
New Mexico
Unfortunately, New Mexico has the highest poverty rate in the country at 18.2%. Known as the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico has a median annual wage of $43,618. National rankings place NM at 43rd for economic opportunity and 36th in income equality.
Kentucky
Kentuckyians don't have much to show for economic indicators of success, unfortunately. Their life expectancy, poverty, income equality and unemployment are all sky-high. Although the median annual salary in the state is a meager $43,722, which isn't great when you're trying to attract talent.
Tennessee
Another state where workers don't exactly get a fair shake is Tennessee. Among the worst in the country for employment protections, unionization, and pay policies, Tennesseans have a median annual salary of $43,826, slightly higher than Kentucky.
Idaho
Idaho has a flat-rate income tax of 5.8% across the board, regardless of how much you earn, and such a policy favors high-income Idahoans. Although, given the modest median annual salary of just $44,424, even the high rollers aren't exactly raking it in.
Nevada
This desert state's occupants unfortunately have a double-whammy to deal with: their low pay (sitting at an annual median of $44,803) isn't abated by a low cost of living. Nevada sits at 28th nationwide in cost of living metrics, which is only slightly helped by the fact that there is no state income tax.
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Florida
The Sunshine State has one of the largest gaps between rich and poor in the country—despite having no state income tax. As a positive for minimum-wage Floridians, they're paid $12/hour, much higher than the federal minimum average of $7.25/hour. Like Nevada, Florida isn't the most affordable place in the US, ranking 38th on the affordability index, a fact compounded by its $45,074 median annual salary.
Missouri
Like Florida, Missouri has a median annual salary of $45,074, but places 26th nationwide in income equality. Minimum wage in Missouri is $12.30 an hour, with an income tax that ranges from 2% to 4.8%.
Kansas
If your profession is somewhere in the region of transportation, healthcare, or dental care, Kansas might be a great place to land. While it ranks 12th on the affordability list, the poverty rate is low at 9% and the median annual salary is just $45, 261. The Kansas Department of Labor lists the roles of transportation manager, dental hygienist, and medical sonographer among the state's most sought-after professions.
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North Carolina
Unlike its southern cousin, North Carolinians enjoy a much higher median annual salary, coming in at $45,488. This is due to the prevalence of high-paying jobs in the fields of aerospace, technology, scientific research, and higher education. But North Carolinians can enjoy a lower cost of living than their southern cousins.
Georgia
Georgians don't get paid a lot, regardless of whether they work at a minimum wage job—where the state minimum wage is just $5.15/hour. Fortunately, Georgians can earn a federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, and just 12.2% of Georgians don't graduate high school. Georgia's median annual salary is $45,469.
Indiana
Unfortunately for Indianans, the state has been shedding high-paying, high-skilled manufacturing jobs like there's no tomorrow. Although living costs are affordable and the poverty rate of 10.9% is below the national average of 11.5%, Indianans have to settle for a median annual salary of $45,469.
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Montana
Montana is currently undergoing a labor shortage, mostly due to the high cost of housing (despite the low cost of living). Despite this, Montana scores well across a variety of metrics, including job openings and educational attainment. The median annual salary in Big Sky Country is $45,698.
Texas
The Great State of Texas does not have an awesome annual salary for most workers, that's for sure. Coming in 31st nationwide, with a median annual salary of just $45,968, much of Texas' higher earnings come from the oil sector, while the poverty rate sits at 13.9% and the cost of living is relatively high.
Iowa
The 10th-best state for income equality in the US sees Iowans earn a median annual salary of $46,259. With a poverty rate that's below the national average and low unemployment, Iowans have a lot going for them—if only their annual salaries were a little higher.
Nebraska
Next door to Idaho in Nebraska, they're making slightly more money: with a median annual salary of $46,466 and featuring a lower unemployment rate at 2.7% and a lower poverty rate at 8.1%. There's an unfortunate severe labor shortage in the Cornhusker's State, despite the minimum wage of $12/hour and a low income tax rate of just 2.46%.
Ohio
Realtor.com puts Toledo, Ohio as the cheapest city in the United States to buy a home in 2025, while Bankrate lists Toledo among the best places to rent in the country. This low cost of housing works in Ohio's favor, while the relatively low state minimum wage of $10.25/hour just pips the federal minimum. On average, Ohioans earn $46,696 per year.
Michigan
Michiganders enjoy a low cost of living, while the poverty rate in the state exceeds the national average at 11.7%. Meanwhile, its unemployment rate is just 4.5%: on par with Rust Belt fellow, Ohio. The median annual salary in Michigan is $46,946.
Utah
Breaking the 47K club is Utah. With a median annual salary of $47,008, Utah has undergone a transformation in recent years, with technology and data management sectors opening up large amounts of business in the state. Utah also has the best numbers in the country for income equality and is joint-last in poverty, with a rate of just 7.1%.
Wyoming
Wyoming's job economy has an interesting mix of high-paying (energy sector) and low-paying (tourism sector) jobs, with the state ranking 5th in the country for income equality. Wyoming's median annual salary is $47,258, with a low poverty rate of 8.7% and no income taxes.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians make slightly more than those living in Wyoming, and with a median annual salary of $47,445, the state's poverty rate is just 10.8%, on-par with the national average. Additionally, Pennsylvanians are gainfully employed, with an unemployment rate below the national average.
Maine
The east coast state of Maine is a hearty state where rough-and-tumble jobs are plentiful. Logging, fishing, shipbuilding, and farming make up the state's main industries, with a median annual salary of $47,590 across these sectors. Maine also provides workers with a generous state minimum wage of $14.15 per hour and modest income tax rates of 5.8% to 7.15%.
Wisconsin
Equal to Maine, Wisconsin's median annual salary is also $47,590, but their industry make-up couldn't be more different. Swapping fishing, shipbuilding, and logging for cows and dairy farming, Wisconsin is the ninth-best state in the country for income equality.
Arizona
Mining, agriculture, and tourism are among Arizona's top industries, with the state paying a decent minimum wage of $14.35/hour and a flat-rate income tax of just 2.5%. Economically, Arizonans are doing pretty good. However, their median annual salary is still just below the national average of $48,000, sitting at $47,674 per year.
Illinois
Illinois might not be just Chicago, but the wealth that's centered around the Windy City makes a huge impact in the wealth equality scores in the state. Illinois ranks 42nd in the country for income equality, despite a (just) above-median annual salary of $48,734.
North Dakota
Breaking into the top 20 nationwide is North Dakota, mostly due to the high-earning jobs in ND's vast natural resource extraction fields. Oil and gas make up most of the state's employment, which has led North Dakota to be the sixth-cheapest state in the country for cost of living. Unemployment is just 2.3%, which is good because the median annual salary is $48,818.
Delaware
If you're into any of the STEM fields, then consider moving the wonderful state of Delaware, where there's an abundance of opportunity! The state minimum wage is $13.25/hour and it has a lower poverty rate than the national average. The median annual salary is $49,275.
Vermont
Almost everyone in Vermont has a job—as the state's unemployment rate sits at a fantastic low of just 2.2% and the narrow gap between rich and poor (VT ranks sixth for income equality) and a generous minimum wage and low poverty rate, if you wanted to escape to the mountains, Vermont is a great option. The median annual salary in Vermont is $49,629.
Virginia
Virginia benefits greatly from its proximity to Washington DC (though, don't tell Virginians that!). Its diverse economy and highly-educated workforce is a strong benefit to the state, although its cost of living is quite high. With a median annual salary of $49,920, Virginia also boasts a low unemployment rate of just 2.8% and a low poverty rate of 8.6%.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of America's best states to move to, by most metrics. It's ranked the highest in the country for economic opportunity, it's the seventh-best state for income equality, and has the joint-lowest poverty rate nationwide at 7.1%. NH also levies just a 3% income tax on dividends and income, while its median annual salary is $49,982.
Oregon
From east to west we go, as Oregon is the first state in our list to break $50,000 in median annual salary. With a state minimum wage that's double the federal one at $14.70/hour, and a poverty rate of 9.5%, lower than the national average, Oregon is a fantastic option if you love being outdoors and don't mind working for minimum wage. But, even if you land an above-minimum wage job, your starting salary will be high.
Hawaii
Venturing outside the contiguous United States for the first time, we come to Hawaii. Very high on the cost of living metrics due to its location, Hawaii makes up for it with a high median annual salary of $50,502, designed to both attract and keep talent. Unemployment is just 2.9% and Hawaiians live longer than anyone else in America, with a life expectancy of 80.2.
Minnesota
Minnesotans generally live a fairly good life. With an economy that's diversified between sectors like biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, food production, and finance, Minnesotans-to-be will have no problem finding a job. Poverty in Minnesota is the third-lowest in America, while the median annual salary is $50,877.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has instituted a $15/hour minimum wage as of this year and "Little Rhody", as it's known among its neighbors, boasts a better income equality than the national average and a low poverty rate. The median annual salary for Rhodys is $50,960.
California
Welcome to the costliest state in the country, where most of your paycheck will go toward housing, utilities, and groceries. Income equality sits well above the national average, while the poverty rate is on-par with the national average. Unfortunately, the outrageously high costs of living are borne out by a poor median annual salary of $54,038.
Colorado
On par with California in many ways, Colorado's median annual salary is also $54,038, but it does score better in income equality. Coloradoans also enjoy lower unemployment and less poverty than Californians, along with better economic opportunity scores and a higher education rate.
New Jersey
If you don't want to live in The Big Apple, consider the nearby state of New Jersey, across the river. From pharmaceuticals to healthcare to finance, New Jersey has a median annual salary of $54,870. This includes minimum wage workers, who earn some of the highest minimum wages in the country at $15.13/hour.
Maryland
If you're looking to live close to the national capital, but not too close and want to stick to a more southerly climate, consider Maryland. With a poverty rate of just 8.6, a $15/hour minimum wage, and a graduated income tax system, Marylanders earn an median annual salary of $55,806.
Connecticut
Connecticut's population is affluent and well-educated, with a high state minimum wage of $15.69/hour. Unfortunately, that minimum wage needs to be high to keep up with the ninth-highest cost of living in the US. The gap between the rich and poor in Connecticut is huge, with the state scoring the second-worst nationwide in income equality. But, the median annual salary is at least a respectable $56,118.
Alaska
Breaking the top five on our list of median annual salaries is Alaska. Another state outside of the contiguous United States, Alaska is the 15th most expensive state in America, with a state minimum wage of just $11.73/hour. The median annual salary is $56,139 and the state is the second most equitable state in the nation in terms of wealth disparity.
New York
The worst state in the country in terms of wealth disparity, nowhere embodies the "haves" and "have-nots" more than New York. NY's poverty rate is high at 12.4% and state taxes range from 4% to 10.9%. The median annual salary in New York is $56,846.
Washington
Washington's the west-coast equivalent of New York, in many ways. It's the third-worst state nationwide for income equality and the third costliest place to live in the country. While jobs in Washington that pay well are in the tech sector (in downtown Seattle), there is a high minimum wage of $16.28/hour and a median annual salary of $59,925.
Massachusetts
If you've got an interest in biology, technology, higher education (professorships and the like), or finance, you'll find plenty of opportunities in Massachusetts. With a bustling job market in each of those sectors, the highest education rate in the country, lower unemployment than average, and a minimum wage of $15/hour, you'll be employed in no time. Massachusetts has the second-highest median annual salary in country, sitting at $60,694.
Washington DC
Despite having the highest median salary in the United States at $84,448, Washington DC's wealth inequality rate is nearly 15%, with that amount living below the poverty line in the nation's capital. The unemployment rate in DC is incredibly high at 5.7%, even though the minimum wage is the highest in the land at $17.50/hour.
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