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The 10 Best States for Assistant Managers in 2026
In 2026, the role of Assistant Manager remains one of the most prevalent jobs across the United States. This position offers diverse opportunities in various sectors, and it’s not limited to specific regions like California or the South. Assistant Managers can be found in every state, contributing significantly to the workforce.
Given the importance of this role, we at Zippia examined which states provide the best conditions for Assistant Managers—where job availability is high and salaries reflect the value of their work throughout all career stages.
Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we analyzed various metrics to identify the states where Assistant Managers thrive the most.
After thorough analysis, here are the top states for Assistant Managers in 2026:
These states represent the best opportunities for Assistant Managers in 2026. But how did we arrive at this ranking? Let’s explore our methodology for determining the best states for Assistant Managers and dive deeper into our findings.
How We Determined the Best States to Be an Assistant Manager
At Zippia, we regularly engage with job seekers from diverse backgrounds. Our research indicates that the primary factors people consider when looking for a job are:
- Job Availability
- Competitive Salaries
To identify the best states for Assistant Managers, we evaluated where job opportunities are abundant and how competitive the salaries are. Our analysis was based on the following criteria from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Location Quotient: A metric indicating how common a job is in a particular state.
- Average Annual Salary.
- Average Annual Salary for Entry-Level Positions.
- Average Annual Salary for Experienced Professionals.
We adjusted salary data to account for the cost of living variations across states. This standardization allows for a fair comparison, acknowledging that a higher salary in a state with a high cost of living does not necessarily equate to better purchasing power.
To rank the states, we assigned scores from 1 to 50 for each criterion, with 1 representing the best performance. The overall Job Score was calculated by averaging these rankings, determining the best state for Assistant Managers based on the lowest score.
1. Delaware
Total Jobs: 3,250
Average Annual Salary: $41,830
Average Entry-Level Salary: $27,230
Average Experienced Salary: $59,340
Location Quotient: 1.09
2. Texas
Total Jobs: 84,060
Average Annual Salary: $39,420
Average Entry-Level Salary: $21,870
Average Experienced Salary: $61,710
Location Quotient: 1.04
3. Michigan
Total Jobs: 30,200
Average Annual Salary: $35,140
Average Entry-Level Salary: $22,080
Average Experienced Salary: $52,020
Location Quotient: 1.05
4. Colorado
Total Jobs: 18,180
Average Annual Salary: $40,650
Average Entry-Level Salary: $25,080
Average Experienced Salary: $62,070
Location Quotient: 1.04
5. Florida
Total Jobs: 67,690
Average Annual Salary: $38,540
Average Entry-Level Salary: $21,610
Average Experienced Salary: $60,980
Location Quotient: 1.18
6. Washington
Total Jobs: 21,740
Average Annual Salary: $41,430
Average Entry-Level Salary: $25,880
Average Experienced Salary: $62,800
Location Quotient: 1.0
7. Wyoming
Total Jobs: 2,280
Average Annual Salary: $34,250
Average Entry-Level Salary: $19,740
Average Experienced Salary: $57,180
Location Quotient: 1.27
8. North Carolina
Total Jobs: 36,160
Average Annual Salary: $34,360
Average Entry-Level Salary: $21,090
Average Experienced Salary: $52,070
Location Quotient: 1.24
9. Indiana
Total Jobs: 22,540
Average Annual Salary: $32,420
Average Entry-Level Salary: $21,220
Average Experienced Salary: $49,550
Location Quotient: 1.11
10. Arizona
Total Jobs: 21,470
Average Annual Salary: $35,030
Average Entry-Level Salary: $22,770
Average Experienced Salary: $55,640
Location Quotient: 1.16
There You Have It – The Best States to Be an Assistant Manager
If you’re kicking off your career as an Assistant Manager, these states should top your list. They offer competitive salaries, plentiful job opportunities, and excellent prospects for career advancement.
For those curious about the less favorable states for Assistant Managers, here’s a quick rundown:
Detailed List of the Best States for Assistant Managers
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $41,830 |
| 2 | Texas | $39,420 |
| 3 | Michigan | $35,140 |
| 4 | Colorado | $40,650 |
| 5 | Florida | $38,540 |
| 6 | Washington | $41,430 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $34,250 |
| 8 | North Carolina | $34,360 |
| 9 | Indiana | $32,420 |
| 10 | Arizona | $35,030 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $38,290 |
| 12 | Tennessee | $32,420 |
| 13 | Missouri | $34,010 |
| 14 | Kansas | $31,750 |
| 15 | Alabama | $31,600 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $30,180 |
| 17 | Nevada | $36,850 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $29,470 |
| 19 | Virginia | $37,070 |
| 20 | Iowa | $32,480 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $38,570 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $35,680 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $32,360 |
| 24 | Ohio | $33,050 |
| 25 | Kentucky | $31,130 |
| 26 | Rhode Island | $42,590 |
| 27 | Montana | $35,090 |
| 28 | New Jersey | $44,120 |
| 29 | Vermont | $43,460 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $29,190 |
| 31 | Maine | $38,740 |
| 32 | Utah | $32,230 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $30,140 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $30,690 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $32,550 |
| 36 | Illinois | $32,490 |
| 37 | Georgia | $29,940 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $30,030 |
| 39 | New Hampshire | $39,730 |
| 40 | Idaho | $31,090 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $34,380 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $31,830 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $42,330 |
| 44 | Connecticut | $42,050 |
| 45 | Maryland | $38,510 |
| 46 | Oregon | $34,760 |
| 47 | New York | $41,510 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $42,270 |
| 49 | Alaska | $37,240 |
| 50 | California | $37,230 |
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.
