Highest Paying Jobs by State 2024

Although there are 50 states, there are only eight jobs that are the highest paying profession in each state. All of these jobs are in the field of health care: anesthesiologists, cardiologists, dermatologists, emergency medicine physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, ophthalmologists, orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, and surgeons.

Maine is the only state that has ophthalmologists as the highest-paid job. Ophthalmologists in the state make an average of $349,870 annually. The rest of the states can be split between the other seven professions

Anesthesiologists

In six states— Florida, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Montana, West Virginia, and Vermont— the highest-paid job in the state. Anesthesiologists in these states make an average of about $346,200.

Cardiologists

Cardiologists are the workers with the highest average salary in eight states. In Maryland, Texas, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Washington, Virginia, Iowa, and Tennessee, those who want the biggest paycheck should pursue the field of cardiology. The average salary for these eight states is $356,505.

Dermatologists

Minnesota, Hawaii, and New York are the states where dermatologists make the highest average salary. Dermatologists in these states will make an average of almost $350,000 a year.

Emergency Medicine Physicians

Emergency medical physicians are the doctors who make sure that those with unexpected, energy medical concerns are taken care of. As a result, these positions are very well-paid. In fact, in six states, they are the highest-paid profession. Emergency medical physicians in Mississippi, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas can expect to make about $350,000 per year.

Obstetricians and Gynecologists

OBGYNs have a variety of jobs, the largest being helping to deliver babies safely. This important job is another that pays well. Illinois, Utah, Nebraska, Connecticut, South Dakota, and Wyoming are the states where it is the highest-paying job. The average OBGYN salary in these states is $345,901.

Orthopedic Surgeons

Orthopedic surgeons are not only the highest-paying profession in seven states, but it is also the profession with the highest average salary of all the high-paying professions. Delaware, Georgia, North Dakota, Louisiana, Oregon, Arizona, and New Jersey have an average salary for orthopedic surgeons of $357,064. Georgia alone has an average orthopedic surgeon salary of almost $382,000 annually.

Radiologists

There are five states where radiologists have the highest average annual salaries. In Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, and Colorado, radiologists can expect to make from $336,000 to $351,000 on average.

Surgeon

When people think of high-paying jobs, many think of surgeons. This specialty requires skill and training, which is why the salary is so high. In Alabama, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Carolina, California, Alaska, Nevada, and Idaho, surgeons are the workers with the highest average yearly pay. Ranging from about $320,000 in Idaho to almost $377,000 in Alabama, the average salary for surgeons in these states is $350,731.