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Top 10 States with the Highest Valet Salaries in 2026
When it comes to job satisfaction, salary remains the top priority for many individuals across diverse demographics. If you’re wondering how much valets earn in your area, you’re not alone.
Understanding the average valet salaries across different states can provide valuable insights into what you can expect to earn, taking into account factors like seniority level and regional variations. While local salaries may fluctuate, these averages offer a useful benchmark.
In this article, we delve into the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding average valet salaries by state. Moreover, we have considered the cost of living in each state, as your earnings will have different purchasing power depending on where you reside. For instance, a salary in North Carolina will stretch further than the same amount in California.
So, which state offers the highest adjusted salary for valets? Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states:
Let’s explore how we arrived at these figures and provide a comprehensive ranking of all states.
If you’re interested in further insights into the job market, check out these articles:
- Explore the Top 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Chicago
- Discover the Top 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Illinois
How We Determined Pay by State
To compile this information, we utilized the most recent annual salary data for valets from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically their Occupational Employment Statistics. To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we factored in the cost of living in each location.
We developed an index by calculating the average wage for each state in relation to its cost of living. For instance, if California has a cost of living index of 135.9 and an average pay of $25,580, our index value would be:
$25,580 * (100 / 135.9) = $18,822
We then ranked each state based on this index, highlighting the state with the highest salary index as the one offering the best average salary for valets.
Below is the complete ranking for all states.
For additional reading, check out:
Detailed List of Valet Salaries by State
| Rank | State | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $26,754 |
| 2 | Nebraska | $26,211 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $26,023 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $25,910 |
| 5 | Washington | $24,933 |
| 6 | Utah | $24,408 |
| 7 | Texas | $24,399 |
| 8 | Maine | $24,359 |
| 9 | Michigan | $24,269 |
| 10 | Iowa | $24,065 |
| 11 | Alabama | $23,991 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $23,888 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $23,812 |
| 14 | Colorado | $23,622 |
| 15 | Missouri | $23,429 |
| 16 | Ohio | $23,272 |
| 17 | Tennessee | $23,221 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $23,008 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $22,983 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $22,957 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $22,903 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $22,829 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $22,806 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $22,805 |
| 25 | Georgia | $22,658 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $22,654 |
| 27 | Nevada | $22,633 |
| 28 | Arizona | $22,571 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $22,430 |
| 30 | Idaho | $22,204 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $22,011 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $21,991 |
| 33 | Virginia | $21,964 |
| 34 | Indiana | $21,731 |
| 35 | Delaware | $21,656 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $21,023 |
| 37 | Montana | $21,021 |
| 38 | Florida | $20,701 |
| 39 | Vermont | $20,685 |
| 40 | Oregon | $20,449 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | $20,190 |
| 42 | New Jersey | $19,360 |
| 43 | Connecticut | $18,856 |
| 44 | California | $18,822 |
| 45 | Alaska | $18,611 |
| 46 | New York | $17,938 |
| 47 | Maryland | $17,235 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $13,793 |

