Research Summary. In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Zippia data science team, we present the latest findings on mentor salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Virginia offers the highest average salary for mentors at $54,416.
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Alaska has the lowest average salary for mentors at $25,598.
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The national average salary for mentors is $35,581.
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The national hourly wage for mentors stands at $17.11.
For further details on our research methodology, click here.
Understanding Mentor Salaries
Surveys consistently reveal that salary remains the top priority for job seekers across various demographics. Many individuals ask, “How much do mentors earn in my area?”
While individual salaries can vary based on numerous factors, we provide solid data on average mentor salaries by state, segmented by experience level. Although regional differences may exist, these average figures offer a useful benchmark for salary expectations.
Virginia ranks as the state with the highest average salary for mentors, reflecting its demand for skilled mentorship.
Top Ten States for Mentor Salaries
Highest-Paid Mentors By State
| Rank | State | Average Mentor Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $54,416 | $28,000 | $104,000 |
| 2 | New York | $52,139 | $29,000 | $92,000 |
| 3 | Maryland | $50,039 | $26,000 | $93,000 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $48,730 | $26,000 | $90,000 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $48,618 | $28,000 | $81,000 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $48,599 | $27,000 | $87,000 |
| 7 | Delaware | $46,880 | $25,000 | $86,000 |
| 8 | Ohio | $45,451 | $25,000 | $82,000 |
| 9 | Vermont | $44,898 | $27,000 | $72,000 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $43,482 | $24,000 | $75,000 |
| 11 | Illinois | $42,509 | $24,000 | $73,000 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $42,227 | $21,000 | $81,000 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $41,944 | $25,000 | $69,000 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $41,454 | $22,000 | $75,000 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $40,578 | $23,000 | $69,000 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $40,238 | $29,000 | $54,000 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $39,837 | $23,000 | $67,000 |
| 18 | Michigan | $39,272 | $22,000 | $69,000 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $39,047 | $21,000 | $70,000 |
| 20 | Missouri | $38,995 | $23,000 | $65,000 |
| 21 | Indiana | $38,740 | $21,000 | $69,000 |
| 22 | California | $37,933 | $22,000 | $65,000 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $37,531 | $23,000 | $60,000 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $36,312 | $20,000 | $65,000 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $34,288 | $17,000 | $65,000 |
| 26 | Georgia | $34,142 | $18,000 | $63,000 |
| 27 | Alabama | $33,634 | $18,000 | $61,000 |
| 28 | Oregon | $33,501 | $22,000 | $50,000 |
| 29 | Maine | $32,797 | $20,000 | $52,000 |
| 30 | Iowa | $32,555 | $19,000 | $53,000 |
| 31 | Nevada | $31,921 | $19,000 | $52,000 |
| 32 | Washington | $31,507 | $21,000 | $45,000 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $31,372 | $21,000 | $46,000 |
| 34 | Arizona | $30,971 | $18,000 | $52,000 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $30,855 | $19,000 | $48,000 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $30,626 | $17,000 | $52,000 |
| 37 | Texas | $30,608 | $17,000 | $54,000 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $30,348 | $16,000 | $54,000 |
| 39 | Florida | $29,953 | $15,000 | $57,000 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $29,791 | $16,000 | $54,000 |
| 41 | Kansas | $29,210 | $17,000 | $47,000 |
| 42 | Utah | $29,168 | $19,000 | $44,000 |
| 43 | Colorado | $29,053 | $19,000 | $44,000 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $28,608 | $17,000 | $48,000 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $28,342 | $17,000 | $47,000 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $28,341 | $18,000 | $43,000 |
| 47 | Idaho | $28,321 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 48 | Montana | $28,151 | $20,000 | $39,000 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $26,663 | $18,000 | $38,000 |
| 50 | Alaska | $25,598 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
Methodology: Mentor Salary By State
To gain insights into mentor salaries across states, Zippia aggregates data from a variety of sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This data is complemented by salaries listed in job postings. Our data science team computes a weighted average to derive the average pay for mentors by state.
We rank each state based on the average annual salary data, identifying the state with the highest average salary for mentors.
Mentor Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for mentors?
The highest-paid state for mentors is Virginia, with an average salary of $54,416 per year.
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What city pays mentors the most?
Reston, VA, offers the highest pay for mentors, averaging $55,154 per year.
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What is the worst state for mentors?
The state with the lowest average salary for mentors is Alaska, with an average salary of $25,598 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.
