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In 2026, salary remains the most significant factor for job seekers across all demographics. As a scale operator, understanding how your compensation compares across states is crucial.
Numerous factors influence individual salaries, including experience and location. However, we’ve compiled comprehensive data on average salaries for scale operators by state, categorized by seniority level. While your city’s salary may vary slightly, these state averages provide valuable insights into what you can expect.
We analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding average pay for scale operators across the United States. Our analysis factors in the cost of living in each state, highlighting that a salary in North Carolina can have a different purchasing power compared to one in California.
So, which state offers the highest salary for scale operators when adjusted for cost of living? Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states:
Below, we delve deeper into how we arrived at these figures and present a complete ranking of all states.
For more insights on the job market, check out these articles:
How We Calculated Pay by State
We gathered the latest average annual salary data for scale operators from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2026 Occupational Employment Statistics.
To ensure a fair comparison between states, we factored in each state’s cost of living. This analysis involved creating an index by dividing the average wage for a state by its cost of living index. For instance, with a cost of living index of 135.9 in California and an average pay of $30,660, our adjusted salary calculation would be:
$30,660 * (100 / 135.9) = $22,560
We then ranked all states based on this index, with the state yielding the highest adjusted salary for scale operators at the top.
Detailed List of Scale Operator Salaries by State
| Rank | State | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | $42,298 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $40,919 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $39,708 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $39,028 |
| 5 | Tennessee | $38,087 |
| 6 | Michigan | $37,112 |
| 7 | Illinois | $36,987 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $36,476 |
| 9 | Kansas | $36,262 |
| 10 | Vermont | $35,499 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $35,277 |
| 12 | Indiana | $34,927 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $34,444 |
| 14 | Alaska | $34,241 |
| 15 | Ohio | $34,232 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $34,132 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $34,077 |
| 18 | Utah | $33,483 |
| 19 | Washington | $33,089 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $32,948 |
| 21 | Missouri | $32,743 |
| 22 | Iowa | $32,681 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $32,046 |
| 24 | Idaho | $31,270 |
| 25 | Florida | $31,261 |
| 26 | Texas | $31,069 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $30,723 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $30,660 |
| 29 | Connecticut | $30,626 |
| 30 | Virginia | $30,615 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $30,362 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $30,351 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $30,237 |
| 34 | Alabama | $30,230 |
| 35 | Georgia | $30,087 |
| 36 | Massachusetts | $29,827 |
| 37 | Montana | $29,285 |
| 38 | Colorado | $29,104 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $29,074 |
| 40 | Maryland | $29,059 |
| 41 | Arizona | $28,734 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $27,301 |
| 43 | Delaware | $26,873 |
| 44 | Oregon | $26,358 |
| 45 | Nevada | $26,176 |
| 46 | New York | $23,847 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | $23,703 |
| 48 | California | $22,560 |
| 49 | Maine | $21,353 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $14,443 |
In conclusion, understanding scale operator salaries across different states can significantly impact your career choices. By weighing both salary and cost of living, you can make informed decisions about where to work and live.
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.
