WageDex tool

State Salary Comparison Tool

Compare how much the same job pays in two different states, side-by-side salary, employment, and percentile data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This tool, in one line

Compares wages for any of 830 tracked occupations across 54 U.S. states and territories - pick one job and two states to see the gap.

830
occupations tracked
54
states & territories

Wages are BLS national/state medians, not local salaries - actual pay depends on employer, experience, and metro area.

According to BLS OEWS (May 2025 release), the survey behind every figure here spans 582 U.S. states and metro areas and comprises 36,367 state-level wage records. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , OEWS May 2025 release

What this tool derives beyond BLS: the dollar and percent gap between your two states at the median, the same gap at every published percentile (10th–90th), and the five highest- and lowest-paying states for the occupation, none of which appear as such in the raw OEWS tables.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics across all 50 states; see our methodology.

How It Works

1

Pick an Occupation

Search from 830+ detailed job titles tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey.

2

Select Two States

Choose any two US states, DC, or territories to compare wages for the selected occupation.

3

Compare Results

See side-by-side median salary, full percentile ranges, employment levels, and national context.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use the salary comparison tool?
Select an occupation from the dropdown, then pick two US states to compare. The tool will show side-by-side median salaries, full salary ranges (10th to 90th percentile), employment levels, and how each state compares to the national average.
Where does the data come from?
All salary and employment data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release, covering 830+ detailed occupations across all 50 states, DC, and US territories.
Are the salaries adjusted for cost of living?
The salaries shown are nominal (not adjusted for cost of living). A higher salary in one state may not mean greater purchasing power if that state has a higher cost of living. Consider using cost-of-living data to make a more complete comparison.

Last updated: May 2025 (BLS OEWS annual release). Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Salary figures are annual medians. Individual earnings may vary based on experience, employer, and local market conditions.

After you compare two occupations

A side-by-side wage gap is one data point, here's how to dig deeper.

  • See the full national wage percentile spread for either occupation, not just the median. Browse occupations
  • Check how the wage gap between two jobs shifts by state, cost of living changes the real comparison. State rankings
  • Read the full occupation profile for growth outlook, typical entry requirements, and related jobs. Occupation profiles

Wages shown are BLS national medians, not local salaries, actual pay depends on employer, experience, and metro area.

Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Comparison figures are computed directly from BLS wage data. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

This comparison tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Consult a qualified career counselor or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.