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America might be the home of the brave, but when it comes to jobs and income, it isn’t exactly the most equal place in the world. Browsing the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ website, the career guide Zippia compiled a map of the highest and lowest paying jobs in all 50 states. Using stats from 2015, the maps paint an interesting portrait of who earns the most and barely scrapes by in this country.
The largest takeaway from the project: Go to medical school, if you can afford it. Across all 50 states, medical professionals with a high degree of training earn far and away the most money. Anesthesiologists and surgeons dominate much of the map, while OB/GYNs, internists, dentists and orthodontists round out the remaining top spots. The ultimate earners here are anesthesiologists in North Dakota. That cohort earns $283,200 a year — which seems pretty great, given the relatively low cost of living in the state.
Take a look at the highest paying jobs in list form below:
- Alaska: $235,600, Family And General Practitioners
- Alabama: $250,340, Internists
- Arkansas: $265,360, Internists
- Alaska: $235,600, Family And General Practitioners
- Alabama: $250,340, Internists
- Arkansas: $265,360, Internists
- Arizona: $256,760, Surgeons
- California: $264,040, Anesthesiologists
- Colorado: $281,470, Orthodontists
- Connecticut: $257,710, Anesthesiologists
- Delaware: $247,540Ob/Gyn
- Florida: $250,880, Surgeons
- Georgia: $271,420, Surgeons
- Hawaii: $268,140, Podiatrists
- Iowa: $280,020, Anesthesiologists
- Idaho: $256,950, Dentists
- Illinois: $248,420, Surgeons
- Indiana: $261,750Anesthesiologists
- Kansas: $240,600, Surgeons
- Kentucky: $265,520, Surgeons
- Louisiana: $263,740, Anesthesiologists
- Massachusetts: $268,670, Oral Surgeons
- Maryland: $272,420, Anesthesiologists
- Maine: $279,390Ob/Gyn
- Michigan: $245,150Surgeons
- Minnesota: $272,660Orthodontists
- Missouri: $277,690, Oral Surgeons
- Mississippi: $272,010, Orthodontists
- Montana: 246,120, Ob/Gyn
- North Carolina: $269,760, Surgeons
- North Dakota: $283,200, Anesthesiologists
- Nebraska: $280,830, Surgeons
- New Hampshire: $260,230Ob/Gyn
- New Jersey: 270,790, Surgeons
- New Mexico: $233,710, Internists
- Nevada: $278,550, Surgeons
- New York: $257,040 Anesthesiologists
- Ohio: $258,960, Anesthesiologists
- Oklahoma: $251,350, Orthodontists
- Oregon: $238,260, Dentists
- Pennsylvania: $258,610, Anesthesiologists
- Rhode Island: $215,280, Chief Executives
- South Carolina: $259,920, Surgeons
- South Dakota: $279,300, Anesthesiologists
- Tennessee: $239,620, Surgeons
- Texas: $265,460, Orthodontists
- Utah: $244,500, Ob/Gyn
- Virginia: $247,800, Surgeons
- Vermont: $232,110, Surgeons
- Washington: $256,100, Anesthesiologists
- Wisconsin: $245,940, Surgeons
- West Virginia: $262,830, Anesthesiologists
- Wyoming: $241,800, Physicians And Surgeons
People also ask
- Which US state has the highest-paying jobs?
- California often ranks among the highest-paying states, especially in industries like technology, healthcare, and entertainment. Anesthesiologists in California, for example, earn an average salary of around $264,040. States like North Dakota, Alaska, and Colorado also offer high-paying jobs, particularly in healthcare and specialized medical fields.
- What is the lowest paying job in the USA?
- The lowest-paying jobs in the USA are typically in the service and retail industries. Jobs like fast food workers or tipped food service employees can earn as little as $2.13 per hour in states where tips are expected to make up the rest of the income. Additionally, minimum wage workers in certain states (e.g., Alabama, Louisiana) earn the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which is still considered among the lowest paying.
- Which job has the highest salary and low work?
- Jobs that offer a high salary with relatively low day-to-day labor intensity are often those in high-level executive positions or specialized consulting roles. For instance, CEO positions, especially in large companies, tend to offer very high pay but often come with significant oversight responsibilities rather than day-to-day operational tasks. Other examples could be airline pilots, particularly for large international airlines, and certain real estate agents or investment bankers, depending on commission structures.
- What is the #1 best paying job?
- The best paying job in terms of salary in the USA is generally that of a neurosurgeon or other specialized surgeon, earning upwards of $400,000 annually, depending on experience and location. Other high-paying roles include anesthesiologists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons, who can also earn extremely high salaries in various states.
These roles can vary based on the region, level of expertise, and demand within the industry.
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Highest and Lowest Paying Jobs in All 50 States Updated 2025
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