Find a Job You Really Want In
Crew members continue to be one of the predominant job categories in the United States. You’ll find crew members working across all states, not just clustered in places like California or the Southern states.
Given the consistent demand for crew members, Zippia has analyzed current data to identify the states where crew members thrive most — focusing on job availability, compensation, and opportunities for advancement throughout their careers.
Utilizing the latest findings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we’ve compiled a list of the top states for crew members in 2026:
This list showcases the states where combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food personnel, can find the best overall conditions for their careers.
Curious about how we arrived at these rankings? Continue reading to understand our methodology for determining the best states for crew members and discover more about the top ten states.
If you’re interested in further insights about the job market, check out these articles:
- Best Companies To Work For In Seattle, WA
- These Are The 10 Companies That Are Hiring The Most In Seattle
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Seattle
How We Determined the Best States for Crew Members
At Zippia, we engage with a diverse array of job seekers and have identified two key priorities for individuals seeking employment:
- Job availability
- Competitive pay
To determine the best states for crew members in 2026, we evaluated job availability and compensation levels. Our analysis was based on the following criteria from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics for 2024:
- Location quotient: A measure of how prevalent a job is in a given state.
- Average annual salary.
- Average annual salary for entry-level positions.
- Average annual salary for experienced professionals.
To ensure a fair comparison of salary data across states, we adjusted the salary figures relative to the respective state’s cost of living. This adjustment reflects the fact that living expenses can vary significantly from one state to another. For instance, while the average salary for crew members may be higher in states like California, the purchasing power in states like Illinois may provide more value for everyday essentials.
We ranked each state based on the criteria from 1 to 50, with 1 being the best. The overall Job Score for each state was calculated by averaging the rankings across all criteria, identifying the state with the lowest score as the optimal destination for crew members in the U.S.
1. Washington
Total Jobs: 80,590
Average Annual Salary: $27,410
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,170
Average Experienced Salary: $34,370
Location Quotient: 0.97
2. Michigan
Total Jobs: 123,890
Average Annual Salary: $22,020
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,390
Average Experienced Salary: $25,820
Location Quotient: 1.13
3. Nebraska
Total Jobs: 25,280
Average Annual Salary: $22,850
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,760
Average Experienced Salary: $27,190
Location Quotient: 1.02
4. Missouri
Total Jobs: 77,770
Average Annual Salary: $21,110
Average Entry Level Salary: $17,350
Average Experienced Salary: $27,500
Location Quotient: 1.09
5. Texas
Total Jobs: 389,740
Average Annual Salary: $20,880
Average Entry Level Salary: $16,570
Average Experienced Salary: $26,520
Location Quotient: 1.27
6. Minnesota
Total Jobs: 66,060
Average Annual Salary: $24,540
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,850
Average Experienced Salary: $30,770
Location Quotient: 0.91
7. Arkansas
Total Jobs: 38,540
Average Annual Salary: $19,960
Average Entry Level Salary: $18,330
Average Experienced Salary: $23,230
Location Quotient: 1.25
8. Arizona
Total Jobs: 64,570
Average Annual Salary: $24,040
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,850
Average Experienced Salary: $28,050
Location Quotient: 0.91
9. Illinois
Total Jobs: 144,260
Average Annual Salary: $22,240
Average Entry Level Salary: $18,430
Average Experienced Salary: $27,700
Location Quotient: 0.95
10. Colorado
Total Jobs: 65,670
Average Annual Salary: $24,290
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,230
Average Experienced Salary: $29,490
Location Quotient: 0.99
There You Have It – The Best States to Be a Crew Member
If you’re starting your career as a crew member, these states should be at the top of your list. They offer high pay, ample job opportunities, and pathways for career advancement.
For a broader view, here are the states that rank lower for crew member positions:
For additional information, consider these articles:
- These Are The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Washington
- These Are The 100 Largest Companies In Washington
Detailed List Of The Best States For Crew Members
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $27,410 |
| 2 | Michigan | $22,020 |
| 3 | Nebraska | $22,850 |
| 4 | Missouri | $21,110 |
| 5 | Texas | $20,880 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $24,540 |
| 7 | Arkansas | $19,960 |
| 8 | Arizona | $24,040 |
| 9 | Illinois | $22,240 |
| 10 | Colorado | $24,290 |
| 11 | Iowa | $21,290 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $24,990 |
| 13 | Indiana | $19,570 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $20,600 |
| 15 | Montana | $22,380 |
| 16 | Tennessee | $19,870 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $19,930 |
| 18 | Ohio | $20,490 |
| 19 | Utah | $20,440 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $19,150 |
| 21 | Kansas | $19,910 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $19,730 |
| 23 | Florida | $21,120 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $20,640 |
| 25 | Georgia | $19,180 |
| 26 | Vermont | $26,620 |
| 27 | Idaho | $20,410 |
| 28 | Oregon | $24,780 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $20,290 |
| 30 | Alabama | $18,680 |
| 31 | Virginia | $20,860 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $18,980 |
| 33 | Nevada | $21,320 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $19,880 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $20,790 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $21,910 |
| 37 | Delaware | $20,830 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $18,910 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $24,830 |
| 40 | Maine | $22,430 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $19,260 |
| 42 | Massachusetts | $26,840 |
| 43 | California | $26,080 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $25,650 |
| 45 | Alaska | $26,180 |
| 46 | New York | $25,470 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | $21,900 |
| 48 | Maryland | $23,700 |
| 49 | New Jersey | $23,150 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $24,820 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
