These Are The 10 States With The Highest Labour Salaries For 2026

Top 10 States with the Highest Labor Salaries in 2026

When considering job opportunities, salary remains the top priority for many individuals across various demographics. Understanding how labor salaries compare in different states can be crucial when evaluating your career options in 2026.

While your specific salary may vary based on your city and role, comprehensive data on average salaries for labor across the United States, segmented by seniority level, provides valuable insights. This analysis helps set realistic salary expectations as you navigate your career path.

To provide clarity on how salaries vary nationwide, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on average pay for labor by state. Additionally, we factored in the cost of living in each state, as a higher salary in one area might not stretch as far as it would in another. For instance, your salary in North Carolina has a different purchasing power than that in California.

So, which state offers the best adjusted salary for labor in 2026? According to our findings, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers lead the way.

Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for labor salaries:

Let’s delve into how these rankings were established and review our comprehensive state-by-state salary analysis.

If you’re interested in exploring further, check out these insights into the job market:

How We Determined Pay by State

As mentioned earlier, we utilized the most recent annual salary data for labor from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we took into account the cost of living in each area. Our approach involved creating an index by dividing the average wage for a state by its cost of living relative to the national average. For example, in California, with a cost of living index of 135.9 and an average pay of $31,440, our index value is calculated as follows:

$31,440 * (100 / 135.9) = $23,134

Using this methodology, we ranked every state based on their adjusted salary for labor, with the highest salary index ranking representing the best average pay.

Detailed List of Labor Salaries by State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost Of Living
1	Wyoming	$33,387	$30,650	91.8
2	Idaho	$32,866	$30,270	92.1
3	Washington	$32,395	$34,080	105.2
4	Minnesota	$32,013	$32,270	100.8
5	Illinois	$31,923	$30,200	94.6
6	Nebraska	$31,102	$28,490	91.6
7	Michigan	$30,876	$27,480	89.0
8	Missouri	$30,497	$27,570	90.4
9	Kansas	$30,222	$27,170	89.9
10	Georgia	$29,967	$27,390	91.4
11	North Dakota	$29,678	$29,500	99.4
12	Iowa	$29,582	$26,920	91.0
13	Texas	$29,547	$26,800	90.7
14	Tennessee	$29,451	$26,330	89.4
15	Colorado	$29,075	$30,180	103.8
16	Wisconsin	$29,070	$28,140	96.8
17	Delaware	$28,984	$29,390	101.4
18	Indiana	$28,837	$25,810	89.5
19	Maine	$28,727	$31,830	110.8
20	Utah	$28,698	$26,690	93.0
21	Ohio	$28,283	$26,530	93.8
22	North Carolina	$28,157	$26,440	93.9
23	Mississippi	$27,939	$24,000	85.9
24	Kentucky	$27,889	$25,240	90.5
25	Oklahoma	$27,746	$24,750	89.2
26	Pennsylvania	$27,731	$28,120	101.4
27	Alabama	$27,708	$25,270	91.2
28	Connecticut	$27,674	$35,340	127.7
29	Arkansas	$27,485	$23,940	87.1
30	Virginia	$27,430	$27,650	100.8
31	Montana	$27,132	$27,350	100.8
32	Oregon	$26,816	$31,000	115.6
33	New Hampshire	$26,803	$31,360	117.0
34	Nevada	$26,495	$27,370	103.3
35	Massachusetts	$26,379	$35,190	133.4
36	Arizona	$26,377	$25,850	98.0
37	Vermont	$26,259	$31,800	121.1
38	New Mexico	$26,207	$25,290	96.5
39	Louisiana	$25,991	$24,640	94.8
40	Alaska	$25,896	$33,950	131.1
41	Florida	$25,656	$25,220	98.3
42	Rhode Island	$25,526	$30,810	120.7
43	South Dakota	$24,850	$25,770	103.7
44	West Virginia	$24,828	$23,190	93.4
45	New York	$24,687	$32,340	131.0
46	South Carolina	$24,546	$24,350	99.2
47	New Jersey	$24,044	$29,310	121.9
48	California	$23,134	$31,440	135.9
49	Maryland	$23,011	$28,880	125.5
50	Hawaii	$18,248	$30,640	167.9

In conclusion, understanding labor salaries by state is crucial for informed career decisions in today’s dynamic job market. As you evaluate job opportunities, consider both salary and the cost of living to find the best fit for your professional and personal needs.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.

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