Research Summary. Following extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest details on consultant salaries by state in the United States for 2026:
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New Jersey leads the nation with the highest consultant salary at $93,100.
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Arkansas has the lowest consultant salary at $55,786.
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The national average salary for consultants stands at $78,912.
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The national hourly wage for consultants is $37.94.
For more information on our specific methodology, please refer to our detailed analysis.
Background
In surveys across various demographics, salary consistently ranks as the most critical factor for job seekers, particularly for those asking, “How much do consultants earn in my area?”
While individual salaries can vary based on several factors, robust data is available for average consultant salaries by state, categorized by seniority level. Thus, while local figures may differ from state averages, these benchmarks provide a reliable estimate of what you can expect to earn.
The state with the highest salary for consultants remains New Jersey.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for consultant salaries:
Let’s explore how these rankings were established and review the complete list of state salaries.
Highest-Paid Consultants By State
| Rank | State | Average Consultant Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $93,100 | $69,000 | $125,000 |
| 2 | Maryland | $91,828 | $68,000 | $123,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $91,297 | $68,000 | $122,000 |
| 4 | Alaska | $90,651 | $74,000 | $109,000 |
| 5 | New York | $87,380 | $64,000 | $117,000 |
| 6 | Washington | $86,737 | $62,000 | $119,000 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $85,585 | $63,000 | $114,000 |
| 8 | California | $83,756 | $59,000 | $118,000 |
| 9 | Virginia | $83,736 | $62,000 | $112,000 |
| 10 | Colorado | $82,226 | $59,000 | $114,000 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $81,603 | $60,000 | $109,000 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $81,107 | $60,000 | $108,000 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $80,858 | $60,000 | $108,000 |
| 14 | Illinois | $80,510 | $59,000 | $108,000 |
| 15 | Oregon | $79,866 | $57,000 | $111,000 |
| 16 | Texas | $78,983 | $57,000 | $108,000 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $78,007 | $58,000 | $104,000 |
| 18 | Alabama | $77,398 | $57,000 | $104,000 |
| 19 | Michigan | $76,651 | $56,000 | $103,000 |
| 20 | Ohio | $76,344 | $56,000 | $103,000 |
| 21 | Delaware | $76,287 | $56,000 | $102,000 |
| 22 | Maine | $76,237 | $57,000 | $101,000 |
| 23 | Vermont | $76,121 | $56,000 | $102,000 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $75,871 | $56,000 | $102,000 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $75,853 | $60,000 | $94,000 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $75,241 | $55,000 | $101,000 |
| 27 | Georgia | $74,586 | $55,000 | $100,000 |
| 28 | Missouri | $74,221 | $54,000 | $100,000 |
| 29 | Arizona | $73,682 | $53,000 | $102,000 |
| 30 | Iowa | $72,420 | $53,000 | $97,000 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $72,227 | $52,000 | $98,000 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $72,093 | $53,000 | $97,000 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $69,797 | $50,000 | $95,000 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $69,330 | $51,000 | $93,000 |
| 35 | Nevada | $68,752 | $48,000 | $97,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $68,136 | $50,000 | $92,000 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $67,220 | $49,000 | $90,000 |
| 38 | Florida | $66,985 | $49,000 | $91,000 |
| 39 | Montana | $66,652 | $48,000 | $91,000 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $66,131 | $48,000 | $89,000 |
| 41 | North Dakota | $65,974 | $49,000 | $88,000 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $65,806 | $48,000 | $89,000 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $65,548 | $48,000 | $88,000 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $65,420 | $48,000 | $88,000 |
| 45 | Kansas | $65,375 | $47,000 | $89,000 |
| 46 | Idaho | $65,198 | $46,000 | $91,000 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $65,025 | $46,000 | $90,000 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $63,922 | $46,000 | $88,000 |
| 49 | Utah | $59,894 | $42,000 | $84,000 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $55,786 | $40,000 | $75,000 |
Methodology: Consultant Salary By State
To analyze consultant pay by state, Zippia compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We supplemented this information with actual salaries from job postings. Our data science team then calculated a weighted average to establish the average pay for consultants by state.
We ranked each state according to the average annual salary for consultants, identifying the state with the highest salary as the leader in consultant compensation.
Consultant Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for consultants?
The highest-paid state for consultants is New Jersey, with an average salary of $93,100 per year.
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What city pays consultants the most?
Washington, DC, offers the highest compensation for consultants, averaging $95,478 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for consultants?
The lowest-paying state for consultants is Arkansas, with an average salary of $55,786 per year.
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.
