Ian Bronson
Wages and job opportunities can vary a lot across the U.S., reflecting local industries and economic shifts. This overview explores 20 states where income levels link closely with local job markets, revealing how retail, tech, education, and more shape paychecks in real ways.
Utah: Teen Wages In Retail
In Utah’s booming retail sector, teens can earn $12.45 to $16.83 per hour, well above the $7.25 minimum wage in other states. Utah’s supportive education system, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.1, helps students balance school and work. Finding work is uncomplicated, with major retail employers like Nike and Zurchers offering satisfactory wages.
Texas: College Student Wages
Retail roles in cities like Austin and Dallas offer college students pay rates that range from around $13 to $15 per hour. With a student population of over 1.6 million and big retailers such as Walmart and Target, Texas provides ample flexible job opportunities that mesh well with academic demands.
Washington: Entry-Level Salary Growth
Washington’s entry-level salaries are boosted by thriving tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, where starting pay can reach $35,000 to $86,000 annually at the entry-level. Manufacturing roles also offer competitive wages ($27,000–$47,000), supported by the state’s high federal minimum wage of $16.66 per hour.
Massachusetts: Startup Investment Impact
Boston and Cambridge’s biopharma startups alone attracted nearly $7.67 billion in venture capital funding in 2023. This financial influx pushes entry-level software engineers’ salaries to around $84,000–$102,000, making the state a magnet for young tech talent.
Georgia: Mid-Career Teacher Salaries
Teachers with experience in Georgia can expect an average salary increase of 3.6%, resulting in a salary of approximately $64,461 for the 2023–24 year. Districts like Gwinnett County sweeten the deal with $4,000 raises and $1,000 signing bonuses, encouraging teacher retention and rewarding longevity.
Illinois: Nurse Wages And Experience
Registered nurses in Illinois earn an average of $87,650, and the state ranks in the top 25% for RN employment, with 139,910 nurses working statewide. In Chicago, experienced or specialized RNs often earn over $100,000, driven by ongoing staffing shortages in major hospitals.
California: Software Engineer Salary Growth
In California, software engineers typically start with an average annual salary of approximately $135,000, which is around 30% higher than the national average. Engineers at FAANG companies (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) in California often exceed $200,000, even at mid-career levels.
Nevada: Hospitality Industry Salaries
Las Vegas’s hospitality sector employs over 300,000 workers, with base wages varying between $27,000 and $32,000. High-end restaurant servers earn more at top-tier venues that offer $50,000+ annually, including tips, while management and event coordinators earn $50,000 to $80,000.
Missouri: Marketing Sector Salary Growth
Entry-level marketing managers in Missouri earn about $63,520, and top professionals can reach $191,790. The digital marketing industry is expanding in Missouri, particularly in Kansas City and St. Louis, where agencies offer competitive rates, and salaries continue to rise in line with growing demand.
Colorado: Energy Sector Salaries
Colorado’s energy sector, encompassing oil, gas, and renewable energy, offers competitive pay. Entry-level jobs in renewables start near $80,000, while mid-career oil and gas workers earn between $90,000 and $130,000 for varying specializations, driven by the state’s push for clean energy innovation.
Ohio: Middle Management Grows In Healthcare And Finance
Mid-career professionals in Ohio typically see salary growth until their mid-50s. Ohio’s middle managers earn a median salary of approximately $94,000. The shift from manufacturing to healthcare and finance is currently reshaping career paths. Coupled with a 6% lower cost of living, salaries stretch further, but growth slows amid economic transitions.
Florida: Sales Salaries Swing With Seasons
Sales salaries in Florida fluctuate alongside the state’s tourism cycles. Retail workers average $36,689 annually, while real estate agents make around $98,000, riding boom-and-bust waves linked to weather and migration trends. Miami’s luxury market inflates paychecks, but the hospitality sector’s seasonality breeds income unpredictability.
Kansas: Engineers Benefit From Aerospace Stability
Engineers in Kansas enjoy a stable median income of nearly $80,000–84,000, with senior engineers in Kansas earning between $100,000 and $130,000, depending on specialization. Anchored by aerospace giants like Spirit AeroSystems, the aerospace and manufacturing sectors employ around 65,000 workers.
Indiana: Auto Worker Wages Level Off
Wage growth for Indiana’s auto workers tends to slow after 20 years or more, but some specialized roles continue to increase. The median pay is approximately $45,000, with unions playing a role in securing overtime. However, automation slows further wage increases, leading many workers to shift into maintenance or supervisory positions to improve their pay.
Oregon: Tech Boom Highlights Persistent Gender Pay Gap
In the heart of “Silicon Forest,” tech is transforming careers for middle managers. Yet, pay equity isn’t keeping pace—women still earn just 85.8% of what men make. By their 50s, that gap deepens, with median salaries at $55,240 for women and $66,790 for men, despite Oregon’s progressive reputation.
Tennessee: Logistics Wages Stabilize Early
Logistics workers in Tennessee earn approximately $33.29 per hour. Experienced logistics managers in Tennessee earn between $82,100 and $105,737, depending on role and company. Memphis logistics workers benefit from economic incentives, including tax credits for job creation and retention.
New York: Wall Street Executive Pay Grows Till Midlife
Senior executive pay in New York City sees salary growth until their mid-50s, depending on industry trends, with a median range of $150,000 to $250,000. Many executives in NYC receive substantial bonuses, pushing some salaries over $500,000. Interestingly, Wall Street’s ruthless pace rewards strategic career moves but punishes mistakes sharply.
Alaska: Reeling In Salaries From The Sea
In Alaska’s rugged fishing industry, pay swings with the seasons. Median annual salaries for commercial fishermen sit around $41,765. Roles can vary, with deckhands earning up to $20,000 a month, while crabbers can reel in over $30,000 when in season. It’s all about timing and the tides.
Vermont: Handmade Hustles Fuel Local Livelihoods
From woodworkers to specialty food makers, Vermont’s artisanal scene pays a median annual salary of $28,351. Entry-level gigs range from $13.63 to $14.50 per hour, while seasoned pros and shop owners can hit $41,500–$46,000 per year. In tourism hubs like Burlington, demand for local craftsmanship provides a welcome boost to wages.
Arizona: Modest Caregiving Pay Among Rising Demand
As Arizona’s population ages, the demand for caregiving services is booming. Home health aides earn about $34,000 a year, with Certified Nursing Assistants reaching up to $36,400 or more. Entry-level pay begins at around $14 per hour. Overall, pay remains modest despite the industry’s critical role.
