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Observer salary
Average observer salary
$38,542
Average Observer Salary
The average salary for an observer stands at $38,542 per year, translating to approximately $19 per hour. This compensation reflects various factors such as location, experience, and industry. For instance, observers in healthcare settings may earn more compared to those in research roles.
Where Can Observers Earn More?
Geographic location significantly impacts salary potential. States like California and New York often offer higher wages due to the higher cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. For example, observers in metropolitan areas typically command higher salaries than those in rural regions.
Salary Estimates and Trends
As the job market evolves, observing salary trends is crucial. By tracking changes over time, potential candidates can make informed career choices. Utilizing platforms like Zippia can provide insights into job openings, salary ranges, and industry demands, helping job seekers navigate their career paths effectively.
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Where can an Observer earn more?
Observer salary estimates from across the web
Average observer salary by state
The highest-paying states for observers are Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California. The lowest average observer salary states are Missouri, Mississippi, and Iowa.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for observers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $54,706 | $26.30 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $46,395 | $22.31 |
| 3 | Vermont | $43,785 | $21.05 |
| 4 | Maine | $41,453 | $19.93 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $42,074 | $20.23 |
| 6 | California | $46,335 | $22.28 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $36,911 | $17.75 |
| 9 | Nevada | $41,956 | $20.17 |
| 10 | Indiana | $37,459 | $18.01 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $40,817 | $19.62 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $39,143 | $18.82 |
| 13 | Alaska | $37,516 | $18.04 |
| 14 | Delaware | $40,811 | $19.62 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $36,089 | $17.35 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $36,952 | $17.77 |
| 17 | Virginia | $38,825 | $18.67 |
| 18 | Michigan | $36,066 | $17.34 |
| 19 | Kansas | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $33,922 | $16.31 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $33,439 | $16.08 |
| 22 | Alabama | $34,935 | $16.80 |
| 23 | Arizona | $35,504 | $17.07 |
| 24 | New York | $36,023 | $17.32 |
| 25 | Maryland | $38,648 | $18.58 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $33,278 | $16.00 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $37,257 | $17.91 |
| 29 | Montana | $32,735 | $15.74 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $34,099 | $16.39 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $34,338 | $16.51 |
| 32 | Illinois | $33,513 | $16.11 |
| 33 | Texas | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $33,519 | $16.11 |
| 35 | Florida | $32,563 | $15.66 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $37,061 | $17.82 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $32,602 | $15.67 |
| 39 | Georgia | $31,868 | $15.32 |
| 40 | Idaho | $32,929 | $15.83 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $31,724 | $15.25 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $30,096 | $14.47 |
| 43 | Ohio | $31,088 | $14.95 |
| 44 | Iowa | $29,368 | $14.12 |
| 45 | Oregon | $31,689 | $15.24 |
| 46 | Missouri | $29,843 | $14.35 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $29,546 | $14.20 |
| 48 | Colorado | $31,597 | $15.19 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $29,333 | $14.10 |
| 50 | Washington | $29,024 | $13.95 |
| 51 | Utah | $28,170 | $13.54 |
Highest paying cities for observers
The highest-paying cities for observers are Fall River, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Stamford, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall River, MA | $55,405 | $26.64 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $47,537 | $22.85 |
| 3 | Stamford, CT | $46,652 | $22.43 |
| 4 | Richmond, IN | $37,504 | $18.03 |
| 5 | Neptune, NJ | $37,017 | $17.80 |
| 6 | Yuma, AZ | $36,254 | $17.43 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $36,133 | $17.37 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $36,079 | $17.35 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | $34,959 | $16.81 |
| 10 | Montgomery, AL | $34,813 | $16.74 |
| 11 | Rock Hill, SC | $33,586 | $16.15 |
| 12 | Springfield, IL | $32,237 | $15.50 |
| 13 | Little Rock, AR | $31,733 | $15.26 |
| 14 | Saint Louis, MO | $30,093 | $14.47 |
| 15 | Cincinnati, OH | $29,844 | $14.35 |
Observer salary details
An observer's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an observer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| Average | $38,542 | $3,212 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying observer jobs
The highest paying types of observers are casino enforcement agent, gaming investigator, and gaming surveillance observer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surveillance Agent | $32,488 | $2,707 | $15.62 | 80,664 |
| Surveillance Investigator | $45,807 | $3,817 | $22.02 | 4,912 |
| Surveillance Operator | $32,930 | $2,744 | $15.83 | 102,835 |
| Surveillance Officer | $32,554 | $2,713 | $15.65 | 71,379 |
Which companies pay observers the most?
Observer salaries at Citi and UMass Memorial Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average observer salary at companies like Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citi | $98,168 | $47.20 |
| 2 | UMass Memorial Health | $82,205 | $39.52 |
| 3 | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital | $81,720 | $39.29 |
| 4 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $80,658 | $38.78 |
| 5 | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | $79,437 | $38.19 |
| 6 | Moffitt Cancer Center | $73,249 | $35.22 |
| 7 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| 8 | Stamford Memorial Hospital Foundation | $71,643 | $34.44 |
| 9 | Detroit Medical Center | $70,353 | $33.82 |
| 10 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $70,322 | $33.81 |
| 11 | AECOM | $70,059 | $33.68 |
| 12 | St. Peter's Health | $69,038 | $33.19 |
| 13 | Cooley Dickinson Hospital | $68,352 | $32.86 |
| 14 | Memorial Healthcare System | $66,437 | $31.94 |
| 15 | Stantec | $66,333 | $31.89 |
| 16 | Mount Auburn Hospital | $64,957 | $31.23 |
| 17 | Baystate Health | $64,884 | $31.19 |
| 18 | Garver, LLC | $64,653 | $31.08 |
| 19 | Northwell Health | $62,956 | $30.27 |
| 20 | GRW Engineering | $62,518 | $30.06 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Observer salary trends
The average observer salary has risen by $5,339 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average observer earned $33,203 annually, but today, they earn $38,542 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for observers over the last decade.
Compare observer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average observer salary over time
Compare observer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Observer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,500 | $18.53 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $37,300 | $17.95 | +4.4% |
| 2023 | $35,700 | $17.15 | -1.8% |
| 2022 | $36,300 | $17.46 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $35,600 | $17.13 | +4.5% |
Recently added observer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtua | ONE To ONE Observer, 7A-7P, Emergency Department, Virtua OUR Lady of Lourdes | Camden, NJ | 06/30/2025 | $34,373 |
| Zipline | Visual Observer (Contract Opportunity) | Dallas, TX | 06/29/2025 | $45,914 |
| Zipline | Visual Observer (Contract Opportunity) | Half Moon Bay, CA | 06/29/2025 | $45,914 |
| BJC Healthcare | Patient Observer | Saint Louis, MO | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Geisinger Medical Center | Patient Observer-Continuous Video Monitoring Unit-Days | Danville, PA | 06/28/2025 | $40,000 |
| Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center | Constant Observer 1 (Sitter, Patient Observation) | PRN | FM, WB, Hchc | West Burlington, IA | 06/28/2025 | $32,349 |
| Actalent | Construction Observer | Melvindale, MI | 06/25/2025 | $52,175 |
| Great River Health Systems | Constant Observer 1 (Sitter, Patient Observation) | | Sitter Float Pool | West Burlington, IA | 06/24/2025 | $32,349 |
| Sanford Health | Constant Observer-Float Pool-Straight Nights | Sioux Falls, SD | 06/16/2025 | $33,392 |
| Wilsonco | Construction Observer | Las Cruces, NM | 06/16/2025 | $58,436 |
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