Specialist Salary By State: Highest-Paid Specialists by State [2026]
Research Summary. In-depth analysis by the Zippia data science team has revealed the following insights into specialist salaries across the United States for 2026:
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New Jersey leads with the highest average specialist salary at $73,913.
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Maine continues to have the lowest average specialist salary at $38,829.
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The national average salary for specialists is $58,013.
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The national hourly wage for specialists is $27.89.
For more insights, you can check the specific methodology.
Background
When evaluating job opportunities, salary consistently ranks as the most crucial factor for professionals across various demographics. Many individuals wonder, “How much do specialists earn in my area?”
While individual earnings can vary based on experience and location, comprehensive data on average state salaries for specialists, categorized by seniority, provides valuable benchmarks. Although city-specific salaries may differ from state averages, these figures offer a general guide for salary expectations.
As of 2026, New Jersey remains the top state for specialist salaries.
Here’s an overview of the top ten states offering the highest specialist salaries:
Now, let’s delve into the specifics and examine the full rankings of all states.
Highest-Paid Specialists By State
| Rank | State | Average Specialist Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $73,913 | $40,000 | $133,000 |
| 2 | New York | $71,852 | $39,000 | $129,000 |
| 3 | Delaware | $70,439 | $38,000 | $128,000 |
| 4 | California | $66,682 | $35,000 | $125,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $65,192 | $36,000 | $116,000 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $65,019 | $35,000 | $118,000 |
| 7 | Texas | $63,714 | $34,000 | $118,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $62,747 | $35,000 | $110,000 |
| 9 | Virginia | $62,248 | $33,000 | $115,000 |
| 10 | Illinois | $59,163 | $32,000 | $106,000 |
| 11 | North Carolina | $56,880 | $31,000 | $103,000 |
| 12 | Michigan | $56,047 | $30,000 | $102,000 |
| 13 | Maryland | $55,047 | $29,000 | $101,000 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $54,650 | $29,000 | $100,000 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $53,246 | $37,000 | $76,000 |
| 16 | Georgia | $51,834 | $28,000 | $93,000 |
| 17 | Nevada | $50,000 | $26,000 | $93,000 |
| 18 | Ohio | $49,864 | $27,000 | $91,000 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $49,649 | $26,000 | $91,000 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $49,320 | $27,000 | $87,000 |
| 21 | Arizona | $49,064 | $26,000 | $91,000 |
| 22 | Washington | $48,267 | $27,000 | $84,000 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $47,763 | $26,000 | $85,000 |
| 24 | Louisiana | $47,655 | $25,000 | $88,000 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $47,467 | $27,000 | $82,000 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $47,466 | $26,000 | $86,000 |
| 27 | Alabama | $46,539 | $25,000 | $84,000 |
| 28 | Indiana | $46,242 | $25,000 | $83,000 |
| 29 | Florida | $44,652 | $24,000 | $80,000 |
| 30 | Oregon | $44,265 | $24,000 | $78,000 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $43,592 | $24,000 | $78,000 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $43,561 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $43,519 | $26,000 | $72,000 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $43,469 | $24,000 | $78,000 |
| 35 | Alaska | $43,100 | $28,000 | $66,000 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $42,650 | $23,000 | $76,000 |
| 37 | Missouri | $42,565 | $23,000 | $76,000 |
| 38 | Colorado | $42,406 | $24,000 | $74,000 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $42,400 | $23,000 | $76,000 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $42,203 | $23,000 | $75,000 |
| 41 | Vermont | $41,900 | $24,000 | $72,000 |
| 42 | Iowa | $41,281 | $23,000 | $73,000 |
| 43 | Utah | $41,092 | $23,000 | $72,000 |
| 44 | Kansas | $41,039 | $22,000 | $73,000 |
| 45 | Idaho | $40,604 | $23,000 | $70,000 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $40,044 | $22,000 | $70,000 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $39,933 | $23,000 | $68,000 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $39,757 | $23,000 | $68,000 |
| 49 | Montana | $38,852 | $23,000 | $65,000 |
| 50 | Maine | $38,829 | $22,000 | $65,000 |
Methodology: Specialist Salary By State
To accurately assess specialist salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reputable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This information is complemented by real-time salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average to determine the average salaries for specialists by state.
We ranked every state based on the average annual salary data for specialists, with the highest salary indicating the leading state for specialist compensation.
Specialist Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for specialists?
The highest-paid state for specialists is New Jersey, with an average salary of $73,913 per year.
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What city pays specialists the most?
Jersey City, NJ tops the list, offering specialists an average salary of $73,692 per year.
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What is the worst state for specialists?
The lowest-paying state for specialists is Maine, with an average salary of $38,829 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.
