By Jacqueline DeMarco ·February 16, 2023 · 5 minute read
We’re here to help! First and foremost, SoFi Learn strives to be a beneficial resource to you as you navigate your financial journey.Read moreWe develop content that covers a variety of financial topics. Sometimes, that content may include information about products, features, or services that SoFi does not provide.We aim to break down complicated concepts, loop you in on the latest trends, and keep you up-to-date on the stuff you can use to help get your money right.Read less
The average salary in the U.S. is $60,575, according to the latest data from the Social Security Administration. How your salary compares will depend on your industry and skilI set, as you’d expect. What you might not realize is that your salary is also greatly influenced by where you live, since salaries go hand in hand with the cost of living.
Let’s take a closer look at the average salary in the U.S. and how income varies from state to state.
What Is the Average US Salary (2022)
The national average salary is $60,575. That is the sum of all incomes divided by the number of workers. Where someone lives, their industry, education level, and current demand for that job all contribute to how much a worker earns per year.
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Average Salary vs Median Salary: What’s the Difference?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data on median pay. As of Q4 2022, the median weekly earnings of full-time workers was $1,085, or $56,420 per year. The median is the midpoint in the data set, with 50% of incomes falling above that figure, and 50% below.
Why are the average and median income figures different? With averages, unusually high or low numbers can skew the results. For instance, billionaires might drive the average higher than what the typical worker actually makes. The median is less affected by outliers.
US Average and Median Salary by State in 2022
The following chart shows both the average and median income (in single income households) in each state and Washington, D.C.
| State | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,930 | $52,138 |
| Alaska | $59,290 | $67,010 |
| Arizona | $50,930 | $58,462 |
| Arkansas | $42,690 | $48,882 |
| California | $61,290 | $65,895 |
| Colorado | $57,690 | $70,952 |
| Connecticut | $62,350 | $72,497 |
| Delaware | $54,370 | $65,072 |
| District of Columbia | $89,800 | $74,266 |
| Florida | $47,750 | $55,681 |
| Georgia | $49,620 | $55,600 |
| Hawaii | $54,930 | $54,942 |
| Idaho | $44,890 | $61,456 |
| Illinois | $55,130 | $54,785 |
| Indiana | $46,770 | $54,155 |
| Iowa | $47,330 | $55,069 |
| Kansas | $46,520 | $51,978 |
| Kentucky | $44,020 | $49,719 |
| Louisiana | $44,170 | $57,955 |
| Maine | $48,470 | $75,214 |
| Maryland | $60,230 | $75,077 |
| Massachusetts | $65,680 | $56,343 |
| Michigan | $50,780 | $65,514 |
| Minnesota | $55,890 | $47,446 |
| Mississippi | $40,090 | $53,547 |
| Missouri | $47,820 | $57,448 |
| Montana | $45,370 | $53,892 |
| Nebraska | $48,250 | $56,949 |
| Nevada | $47,210 | $75,432 |
| New Hampshire | $53,950 | $75,321 |
| New Jersey | $59,980 | $49,757 |
| New Mexico | $47,040 | $63,548 |
| New York | $63,970 | $53,687 |
| North Carolina | $48,550 | $58,318 |
| North Dakota | $50,430 | $54,877 |
| Ohio | $49,430 | $51,435 |
| Oklahoma | $45,620 | $64,975 |
| Oregon | $53,890 | $60,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,340 | $67,541 |
| Rhode Island | $57,220 | $54,821 |
| South Carolina | $44,380 | $53,188 |
| South Dakota | $42,920 | $55,441 |
| Tennessee | $45,650 | $70,425 |
| Texas | $50,490 | $58,728 |
| Utah | $49,420 | $67,918 |
| Vermont | $51,120 | $74,398 |
| Virginia | $56,740 | $57,934 |
| Washington | $62,020 | $60,510 |
| West Virginia | $43,420 | $53,244 |
| Wisconsin | $48,850 | $57,934 |
| Wyoming | $49,760 | $60,510 |
Recommended: The 50/30/20 Budget
Why Do States Have Different Average Salaries?
The chart shows that the average salary in some states is quite different from the average salary nationwide. That’s partly because the cost of living, which affects how much a company pays its employees, varies significantly by state. (Also, inflation impacts states to varying degrees.)
In addition, industries with a concentrated presence in certain states — such as banking or automobile manufacturing — can affect the overall quality of job opportunities in that area.
Which Regions Pay the Most?
Salaries tend to be higher in some areas of the country. Cities on the West Coast and in the Northeast have some of the highest average salaries:
• Massachusett
• New York
• Washington
• California
• New Jersey
• Connecticut
• Maryland
Remember, while these states have higher incomes, they may also have a much higher cost of living and higher housing prices.
Which Regions Pay the Least?
The South is home to states that tend to pay the least:
• South Carolina
• Kentucky
• South Dakota
• Arkansas
• West Virginia
• Mississippi
To determine what your personal cost of living is, try tracking your expenses with a free budget app for a few months.
Should You Move to Make More Money?
When deciding where to live, it’s important to remember that just because a state has a higher average salary, doesn’t mean it’s more profitable for workers to live there. Higher salaries tend to correlate with a higher cost of living.
Before making a major move, first try living below your means. One reason that people who make more money still have trouble paying their bills is the phenomenon of lifestyle creep. This is when your so-called needs expand to consume your current salary.
One of the most effective ways to counteract lifestyle creep is to downsize your home. Reducing your housing expenses to less than 30% of your gross income can help you pay down debt, increase savings, and become more conscious of how lifestyle choices affect spending.
Recommended: What Is Financial Minimalism?
The Takeaway
The average annual average salary in the U.S. is $60,575. The median annual salary, which is often less skewed by outlying numbers, is $56,420. It’s worth noting that average and median salaries vary quite a bit by state. States in the Northeast and on the West Coast tend to pay higher salaries, while those in the South pay less. What’s stopping people from moving to a higher paying state? Often, it’s housing prices, which rise along with the cost of living in “richer” states.
Need help determining your ideal budget? SoFi Financial Insights is a money tracker app that allows you to link all of your accounts so you can keep an eye on different balances in one place. You can also set savings goals, and create a spending plan that helps you reach those goals.
FAQ
How much do the top 10% of Americans make per year?
The top 10% of Americans earn $173,176 per year. Some top earners live in higher cost of living areas, so it can be more revealing to see how much the top 10% earn in your state.
What percentage of Americans make over 75K?
Only 12.2% of Americans make in the $75,000 to $99,999 range. An additional 15.3% make between $100,000 and $149,000. The great percentage of Americans (16.5%) earn in the $50,000 to $74,999 range.
Which U.S. state has the highest salary
Massachusetts is the state with the highest annual income of $72,940. This salary is significantly more than the national average salary of $60,575.
Photo credit: iStock/artpipi
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I'm quite familiar with financial topics, particularly those related to income, cost of living, and regional variations affecting salaries. The article you mentioned delves into various concepts:
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Average vs. Median Salary: It's crucial to understand the distinction between these two metrics. While the average salary is influenced by extreme values, the median represents the middle point in a dataset. This difference is evident in the national income statistics.
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US Average and Median Salary by State in 2022: The article presents a detailed breakdown of average and median incomes across different states, showcasing the disparities influenced by factors such as industry presence, cost of living, and regional economies.
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Factors Influencing Regional Salaries: The piece highlights how the cost of living greatly impacts salaries. Industries concentrated in specific areas can also affect the quality and quantity of job opportunities, further influencing regional income averages.
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Regional Disparities in Salary: The article distinguishes regions paying higher versus lower salaries, citing examples from the Northeast and West Coast versus the South.
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Considerations When Relocating for Income: It emphasizes the importance of understanding that higher salaries in certain states often correspond with higher living costs. It encourages prudent financial choices like living below one's means and adopting financial minimalism.
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Financial Tools and Insights: The article recommends tools like SoFi Financial Insights, which offers a holistic view of finances, budgeting assistance, and tracking expenses.
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FAQs About Income Statistics: The piece addresses common queries about top earners' income, percentage of Americans in specific income brackets, and states with the highest salaries.
The key takeaway is the variability of income across regions due to the cost of living and industry concentrations. It emphasizes the need for individuals to weigh the income against living expenses before considering relocation for higher-paying jobs. The article also stresses the importance of managing lifestyle choices and expenses to maintain financial stability.
