Research Summary. After thorough research conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest data on student worker salaries by state across the United States for 2026:
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Connecticut offers the highest average student worker salary at $34,106
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Mississippi has the lowest average student worker salary at $18,008
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The national average salary for student workers is $25,735
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The national hourly wage for student workers stands at $12.37
You can explore our methodology details for further insights.
Background
In various surveys, the most critical aspect of a job for many individuals remains salary—specifically, how much do student workers earn in their respective locations?
While personal earnings may vary based on specific factors, comprehensive data on average student worker salaries by state is available, segmented by seniority level. Although your city may reflect slightly different figures, these averages provide a valuable benchmark for salary expectations.
The state with the most favorable salary for student workers remains Connecticut.
Here’s a brief overview of the top ten states for student worker salaries:
Let’s delve into how we compiled this data and present a comprehensive ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Student Workers By State
| Rank | State | Average Student Worker Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $34,106 | $26,000 | $43,000 |
| 2 | New York | $32,837 | $25,000 | $42,000 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $30,747 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $30,661 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 5 | Maine | $30,516 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 6 | California | $29,931 | $21,000 | $41,000 |
| 7 | Washington | $29,584 | $21,000 | $40,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $29,382 | $23,000 | $37,000 |
| 9 | Utah | $29,331 | $21,000 | $40,000 |
| 10 | Oregon | $28,739 | $21,000 | $39,000 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $28,620 | $21,000 | $37,000 |
| 12 | Delaware | $28,505 | $21,000 | $37,000 |
| 13 | New Mexico | $28,442 | $20,000 | $39,000 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $27,870 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
| 15 | Nevada | $27,781 | $20,000 | $38,000 |
| 16 | Vermont | $27,593 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 17 | Iowa | $27,279 | $20,000 | $36,000 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $26,476 | $20,000 | $34,000 |
| 19 | Kansas | $26,363 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 20 | Colorado | $26,162 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 21 | Arkansas | $25,801 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 22 | Montana | $25,778 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $25,554 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 24 | Illinois | $25,325 | $18,000 | $33,000 |
| 25 | Idaho | $25,244 | $18,000 | $34,000 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $25,157 | $18,000 | $33,000 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $24,675 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 28 | Maryland | $24,324 | $18,000 | $32,000 |
| 29 | Virginia | $23,866 | $17,000 | $31,000 |
| 30 | Georgia | $23,840 | $17,000 | $31,000 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $23,805 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $23,790 | $19,000 | $28,000 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $23,525 | $17,000 | $31,000 |
| 34 | Arizona | $23,476 | $17,000 | $32,000 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $23,398 | $17,000 | $31,000 |
| 36 | Alaska | $23,371 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $23,172 | $17,000 | $30,000 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $23,041 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $23,028 | $17,000 | $30,000 |
| 40 | Michigan | $22,706 | $17,000 | $29,000 |
| 41 | Texas | $22,614 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $22,553 | $16,000 | $30,000 |
| 43 | Indiana | $22,410 | $16,000 | $29,000 |
| 44 | Alabama | $21,710 | $16,000 | $29,000 |
| 45 | Ohio | $21,600 | $16,000 | $28,000 |
| 46 | Florida | $21,141 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $21,054 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $20,606 | $15,000 | $27,000 |
| 49 | Missouri | $19,979 | $14,000 | $27,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $18,008 | $13,000 | $24,000 |
Methodology: Student Worker Salary By State
To provide clarity on student worker compensation across states, Zippia has gathered data from various reputable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is complemented by actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average from these inputs to derive the average pay for student workers by state.
The average annual salary data for student workers was compiled from these estimates, allowing us to rank every state based on this criterion, with the highest salary determining the top rank for student workers.
Student Worker Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for student workers?
The highest-paid state for student workers is Connecticut, boasting an average salary of $34,106 per year.
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What city pays student workers the most?
Albany, NY leads in student worker compensation, with an average salary of $33,403 per year.
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What is the worst state for student workers?
The lowest-paying state for student workers is Mississippi, with an average salary of $18,008 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.
