While many workers are on the hunt for jobs that give them location freedom, more flexibility, and allow them to work in a field they’re passionate about, there’s also the matter of money. Yes, it’s great if you love your job. But it’s also great to bring home a hefty paycheck. And if you choose a career that’s known for its high-salaries, you’ll be practically guaranteed to do just that.
Forbes recently listed out the highest paying jobs in every state based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While specific job salaries vary from company to company, going into one of these fields could earn you a better income.
Alabama: Anesthesiologists
In the great state of Alabama, anesthesiologists are bringing home the most bacon with a whopping annual mean wage of $274,260.
Alaska: Physicians
Another win for the medical field. Physicians in Alaska make an annual mean wage of $258,550.
Arizona: Surgeons
No surprise here — surgeons make the list several times in several different states. But in the hot, desert state of Arizona, they make an annual mean wage of $280,860.
Arkansas: Surgeons
Once again, surgeons reign supreme in terms of salary. Arkansas surgeons bring home an annual mean wage of $248,380
Colorado: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Another high-paying health position takes the cake in Colorado. These specialists make an annual mean wage of $274,680.
Connecticut: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
As you can probably tell, the medical field is where it’s at in terms of paychecks. Connecticut obstetricians and gynecologists make an annual mean wage of $259,810.
Delaware: Surgeons
All those years in medical school definitely pay off. Surgeons in Delaware are making an annual mean wage of $275,720.
Florida: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Maxillofacial describes surgery to the jaw and the face. So if that’s of interest to you, specializing in that surgery will make you an annual mean wage of $282,650 in the Sunshine State.
Georgia: Surgeons
If you want to make over $200K a year, you’ve got to get those surgical skills ready. Georgia surgeons make an annual mean wage of $247,390.
Hawaii: Surgeons
It turns out, you can make a little more as a surgeon in the islands than you can in the South. Hawaii surgeons bring home an annual mean wage of $250,180.
Idaho: Anesthesiologists
Finally, not a surgeon! Anesthesiologists — A.K.A., the doctors who prescribe patients anesthesia before going into surgery — make an annual wage of $262,890.
Indiana: Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiology is another great paying field to get into if you’re not interested in surgery. Indiana anesthesiologists make an annual mean wage of $272,630.
Iowa: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Back to the specialized doctors. Obstetricians and gynecologists in Iowa bring home an annual mean wage of $283,280.
Kansas: Anesthesiologists
Another win for anesthesiologists! In fact, you can make more as an anesthesiologist in Kansas than you can in the other states listed thus far, with those in this state bringing home an annual wage of $276,800.
Kentucky: Surgeons
It seems like we have a pattern here. Kentucky surgeons are making an annual mean wage of $270,580.
Louisana: Anesthesiologists
Still a high salary, but not as high as some other states. Louisana anesthesiologists are paid an annual mean wage of $269,520.
Maine: Surgeon
Definitely one of the highest-paid surgeons thus far, Maine surgeons are making a whopping $281,470 annual mean wage.
Maryland: Surgeons
Trailing not too far behind is the great state of Maryland. Surgeons here are bringing home an annual mean wage of $278,720.
Massachusetts: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
It pays well to specialize. Massachusetts obstetricians and gynecologists make an annual mean wage of $254,780.
Michigan: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
If you’ve been dreading the idea of getting into the medical field, you’re in luck! Michigan pays their pilots and flight engineers wells, with the annual mean wage being $238,270.
Minnesota: Orthodontists
Not quite the medical field, but pretty close, orthodontists are paid big in Minnesota. There they make an annual mean wage of $274, 490.
Mississippi: Surgeons
Didn’t think we were done talking about surgeons, did you? Mississippi surgeons are bringing home the big bucks with an annual mean wage of $276,170.
Missouri: Anesthesiologists
It turns out we’re not done with anesthesiologists either. Missouri workers with this high-paying job title make $263,990.
Montana: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Big Sky Country is where it’s at for obstetricians and gynecologists. Here, this career makes an annual mean wage of $256,200.
Nebraska: Psychiatrists
Still medical, but there’s no surgery required with this career. Psychiatrists in Nebraska make an annual mean wage of $262,570.
Nevada: Surgeons
Nope, it’s not the gamblers or high-rollers of Las Vegas. Surgeons are once again bringing home the bacon with an annual mean wage of $258,890.
New Hampshire: Family Medicine Physicians
If comprehensive health is more your speed, you’ll make a decent living in New Hampshire. Family medicine physicians there make an annual mean wage of $262,620.
New York: Surgeons
Despite being in the Big Apple, surgeons here make less than most of the states on our list. Their annual mean wage in New York is $230,890.
North Carolina: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
It seems like this field is popular in the South. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons bring home an annual wage of $280,940.
North Dakota: General Internal and Medicine Physicians
You don’t have to perform open-heart surgery to bring home a big paycheck in North Dakota. These general physicians make an annual mean wage of $266,540.
Ohio: Surgeons
Ohio surgeons are living a very good life. The annual mean wage here is $280,030.
Oklahoma: Surgeons
Being a surgeon in Oklahoma is where it’s at. Surgeons here are paid the highest on our list thus far, making an annual mean wage of $286,320.
Oregon: General Internal and Medicine Physicians
Who says you need to specialize? General physicians in Oregon are doing just fine while making an annual mean wage of $237,910.
Pennsylvania: Orthodontists
In Pennsylvania, it pays to look inside people’s mouths. Orthodontists here make an annual mean wage of $265,990.
Rhode Island: Surgeons
If you’re going to become a surgeon, you might want to look into Rhode Island as a place to practice. Surgeons there make an annual mean wage of $278,020.
South Carolina: Orthodontists
But it doesn’t hurt to be an orthodontist either — especially in South Carolina. There, you can expect to make an annual mean wage of $269,180.
South Dakota: Surgeons
But once again, surgeons take the cake. In South Dakota, they’re bringing home a big annual mean wage of $285,320, which is way higher than most states.
Tennessee: Surgeons
If you enjoy great barbecue and country music, you might want to consider practicing surgery in Tennessee. There, surgeons make an annual mean wage of $270,180.
Texas: Anesthesiologists
Everything is bigger in Texas — including the salary of an anesthesiologist. They bring home an annual mean wage of $241,090.
Utah: Surgeons
No surprise here. Utah surgeons have it made with their annual mean wage being $270,260.
Vermont: Dentists, General
Finally, a dentist! If you plan on going into dentistry, you should look into Vermont. This state pays their dentists well, with an annual mean wage of $261,790.
Washington: Orthodontists
Another win for the people dedicated to caring for our oral health and hygiene. Washington orthodontists make an annual mean wage of $285,780 — that’s as much as some surgeons on our list.
West Virginia: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Obstetricians and gynecologists are paid a pretty cushy salary in West Virginia. Here, they bring home an annual mean wage of $276,990.
Wisconsin: Obstetricians and Gynecologists
It looks like you’ve got your pick of great states to work in if you go into this field. Obstetricians and gynecologists in Wisconsin make an annual mean wage of $274,410.
Wyoming: Anesthesiologist
And finally, we have Wyoming who obviously loves their anesthesiologists enough to pay them well. Here, these doctors make an annual mean wage of $281,070.
As you can see, surgeons and anesthesiologists made the list the most. The highest paying state is surprisingly Oklahoma, and the lowest state is New York. Either way, if you’re looking for a high-paying field to get into, you can see why the ones on this list are so popular.
