Research Summary. After thorough analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest insights on trainee salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Hawaii offers the highest average trainee salary at $60,970.
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Mississippi has the lowest average trainee salary at $32,274.
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The national average salary for trainees is $39,185.
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The national hourly wage for trainees is $18.84.
For more details, check the specific methodology.
Background
Surveys consistently show that salary ranks as the top priority for job seekers. Understanding how much trainees earn in different states is crucial for making informed career decisions.
While individual salaries may vary based on local demand and specific industries, the data we provide reflects average salaries by state, adjusted for seniority levels. This gives prospective trainees a clear expectation of their earning potential.
Currently, Hawaii stands out as the state with the highest salary for trainees.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states for trainee salaries:
Let’s delve into a detailed overview of how these salaries compare across states.
Highest-Paid Trainees By State
| Rank | State | Average Trainee Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $60,970 | $52,000 | $70,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | $60,919 | $47,000 | $77,000 |
| 3 | California | $44,846 | $31,000 | $63,000 |
| 4 | Oregon | $43,768 | $31,000 | $60,000 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $43,466 | $27,000 | $68,000 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $42,735 | $27,000 | $67,000 |
| 7 | Washington | $42,400 | $30,000 | $58,000 |
| 8 | Montana | $41,985 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 9 | Nevada | $40,979 | $29,000 | $57,000 |
| 10 | New York | $40,597 | $25,000 | $63,000 |
| 11 | Arizona | $40,583 | $29,000 | $56,000 |
| 12 | Iowa | $40,293 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $40,092 | $25,000 | $63,000 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $40,072 | $29,000 | $54,000 |
| 15 | Ohio | $39,581 | $26,000 | $58,000 |
| 16 | Illinois | $39,523 | $27,000 | $56,000 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $39,471 | $28,000 | $54,000 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $39,375 | $28,000 | $55,000 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $39,228 | $27,000 | $55,000 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $39,057 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| 21 | Alabama | $38,915 | $28,000 | $53,000 |
| 22 | Vermont | $38,718 | $24,000 | $60,000 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $38,145 | $27,000 | $53,000 |
| 24 | Delaware | $38,035 | $24,000 | $58,000 |
| 25 | Texas | $37,780 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $37,741 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $36,998 | $23,000 | $57,000 |
| 28 | Utah | $36,889 | $26,000 | $50,000 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $36,526 | $25,000 | $52,000 |
| 30 | Michigan | $36,337 | $24,000 | $54,000 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $35,598 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 32 | Idaho | $35,388 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 33 | Georgia | $35,146 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 34 | Colorado | $35,042 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 35 | Indiana | $34,849 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 36 | Kansas | $34,685 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 37 | Virginia | $34,599 | $23,000 | $51,000 |
| 38 | Maryland | $34,243 | $22,000 | $51,000 |
| 39 | New Hampshire | $33,058 | $21,000 | $51,000 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $33,008 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $32,989 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $32,904 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $32,902 | $23,000 | $46,000 |
| 44 | Missouri | $32,874 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $32,861 | $22,000 | $48,000 |
| 46 | Florida | $32,804 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $32,603 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 48 | Maine | $32,561 | $20,000 | $50,000 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $32,490 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $32,274 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
Methodology: Trainee Salary By State
To accurately assess trainee salaries by state, Zippia aggregates data from various reputable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This information is supplemented with actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then computes a weighted average of these inputs to establish an average salary for trainees in each state.
Using this comprehensive analysis, we ranked each state based on average annual salaries, identifying the states with the highest earning potential for trainees.
Trainee Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for trainees?
The top-paying state for trainees is Hawaii, with an average salary of $60,970 annually.
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What city offers the best trainee salaries?
Richmond, CA provides the highest average salary for trainees, at $46,125 per year.
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Which state has the lowest trainee salaries?
The state with the lowest average salary for trainees is Mississippi, with an average salary of $32,274 annually.
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.
