What each job pays, after tax
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes median wages for 465 occupations in every state — but only the gross figure. We apply the tax, which is the number that decides where it is actually worth working.
| Occupation | Employed | Median salary | Best-paying state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 4,305,810 | $35,880 | Washington — $47,730 |
| Retail Salespersons | 3,897,850 | $34,370 | Washington — $39,560 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 3,854,060 | $29,090 | California — $42,280 |
| General and Operations Managers | 3,503,040 | $103,230 | New Jersey — $173,690 |
| Registered Nurses | 3,379,680 | $93,600 | California — $140,270 |
| Cashiers | 3,089,430 | $30,580 | District of Columbia — $38,880 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 2,950,300 | $40,550 | Minnesota — $46,280 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 2,833,790 | $36,840 | Washington — $44,620 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,595,760 | $44,190 | Washington — $50,330 |
| Office Clerks, General | 2,464,940 | $44,820 | District of Columbia — $55,040 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 2,270,900 | $33,770 | Hawaii — $62,390 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 2,209,790 | $36,110 | Massachusetts — $45,580 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 state estimates, May 2025 estimates. This first release covers 12 occupations, chosen by total US employment. More are published as search demand for them is measured rather than guessed.
Every occupation page
Home Health and Personal Care Aides in AlaskaHome Health and Personal Care Aides in AlabamaHome Health and Personal Care Aides in ArkansasHome Health and Personal Care Aides in ArizonaRetail Salespersons in AlaskaRetail Salespersons in AlabamaRetail Salespersons in ArkansasRetail Salespersons in ArizonaFast Food and Counter Workers in AlaskaFast Food and Counter Workers in AlabamaFast Food and Counter Workers in ArkansasFast Food and Counter Workers in ArizonaGeneral and Operations Managers in AlaskaGeneral and Operations Managers in AlabamaGeneral and Operations Managers in ArkansasGeneral and Operations Managers in ArizonaRegistered Nurses in AlaskaRegistered Nurses in AlabamaRegistered Nurses in ArkansasRegistered Nurses in ArizonaCashiers in AlaskaCashiers in AlabamaCashiers in ArkansasCashiers in ArizonaLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in AlaskaLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in AlabamaLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in ArkansasLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand in ArizonaStockers and Order Fillers in AlaskaStockers and Order Fillers in AlabamaStockers and Order Fillers in ArkansasStockers and Order Fillers in ArizonaCustomer Service Representatives in AlaskaCustomer Service Representatives in AlabamaCustomer Service Representatives in ArkansasCustomer Service Representatives in ArizonaOffice Clerks, General in AlaskaOffice Clerks, General in AlabamaOffice Clerks, General in ArkansasOffice Clerks, General in ArizonaWaiters and Waitresses in AlaskaWaiters and Waitresses in AlabamaWaiters and Waitresses in ArkansasWaiters and Waitresses in ArizonaJanitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in AlaskaJanitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in AlabamaJanitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in ArkansasJanitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners in Arizona