Job-seekers are often told that to earn more, they may need to contemplate a move.
Salaries can vary significantly depending on where in the U.S. you work. But it turns out that the jobs that pay the most tend to be pretty similar nationwide.
Research from personal finance site GOBankingRates highlights that top medical jobs pay well — roles like surgeon, anesthesiologist and pediatrician — pay top-dollar across the country. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, GOBankingRates compiled a list of the highest-paying jobs in every state.
A striking number of these top-paying jobs are in the medical and dental fields. Those who wish to qualify for most of these roles will be required to complete four years of medical school, as well as a residency or fellowship. In total, this can cost roughly $207,000 if you attend a public school. But GOBankingRates personal finance writer Joel Anderson says it's important to note that the money and time you invest in your education will pay off. Each of the positions on this list offers an average annual salary of $230,000 or more.
"Once you go through all of that, a mountain of student debt may come," Anderson tells CNBC Make It. "But, the high income you will earn will help you to chip away at that debt and help you to start saving for a healthy retirement for you and your family."
To which job offers the highest paycheck in your state, check the list below:
1. Alabama: Orthodontist
Average hourly wage: $139.30
Average yearly wage: $289,740
2. Florida: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $138.68
Average yearly wage: $288,450
3. Maine: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $138.00
Average yearly wage: $287,030
4. Delaware: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $137.69
Average yearly wage: $286,400
5. North Dakota: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wage: $137.62
Average yearly wage: $286,250
6. South Dakota: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wage: $137.44
Average yearly wage: $285,880
7. Louisiana: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wage: $136.76
Average yearly wage: $284,510
8. Arizona: Orthodontist
Average hourly wage: $136.69
Average yearly wage: $284,310
9. California: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wage: $136.47
Average yearly wage: $283,860
10. Nebraska: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $136.43
Average yearly wage: $283,760
11. Massachusetts: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $136.23
Average yearly wage: $283,760
12. New Mexico: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $135.56
Average yearly wage: $281,960
13. Idaho: Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Average hourly wage: $135.44
Average yearly wage: $$281,710
14. Michigan: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $135.37
Average yearly wage: $281,570
15. Virginia: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $135.16
Average yearly wage: $281,130
16. Hawaii: Podiatrist
Average hourly wage: $135.04
Average yearly wage: $280,880
17. North Carolina: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $134.39
Average yearly wage: $279,530
18. Wisconsin: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $134.38
Average yearly wage: $279,510
19. Rhode Island: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $133.80
Average yearly wage: $278,300
20. Kansas: Surgeon
Average hourly wage: $133.68
Average yearly wage: $278,060
21. Colorado: Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Average hourly wage: $133.55
Average yearly wage: $277,770
22. Vermont: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wage: $133.47
Average yearly wage: $277,620
23. Georgia: Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $133.30
Average yearly wages: $277,260
24. Ohio: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $133.18
Average yearly wages: $277,020
25. New Hampshire: Physician and Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $132.24
Average yearly wages: $275,050
26. Mississippi: General Pediatrician
Average hourly wages: $131.96
Average yearly wages: $274,470
27. Indiana: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $131.52
Average yearly wages: $273,570
28. Oklahoma: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $131.26
Average yearly wages: $272,020
29. Missouri: Orthodontist
Average hourly wages: $130.65
Average yearly wages: $271,750
30. New York: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $130.53
Average yearly wages: $271,510
31. Kentucky: Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $129.95
Average yearly wages: $270,300
32. Maryland: Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $129.61
Average yearly wages: $269,590
33. Connecticut: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $129.50
Average yearly wages: $269,350
34. Nevada: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $129.29
Average yearly wages: $268,920
35. Pennsylvania: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $128.83
Average yearly wages: $267,960
36. South Carolina: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $128.83
Average yearly wages: $267,960
37. Alaska: General Pediatrician
Average hourly wages: $127.76
Average yearly wages: $265,750
38. Iowa: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $127.36
Average yearly wages: $264,910
39. New Jersey: Orthodontist
Average hourly wages: $126.87
Average yearly wages: $263,880
40. Wyoming: Obstetricians and Gynecologist
Average hourly wages: $126.68
Average yearly wages: $263,490
41. Montana: Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Average hourly wages: $125.99
Average yearly wages: $262,060
42: Texas: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $125.80
Average yearly wages: $261,670
43. Minnesota: General Internist
Average hourly wages: $125.24
Average yearly wages: $260,500
44. Washington: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $125.19
Average yearly wages: $260,390
45. Illinois: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $124.77
Average yearly wages: $259,520
46. Utah: Dentist
Average hourly wages: $123.94
Average yearly wages: $257,800
47. Oregon: Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Average hourly wages: $123.13
Average yearly wages: $256,100
48. Tennessee: Anesthesiologist
Average hourly wages: $121.72
Average yearly wages: $253,180
49. Arkansas: General Internist
Average hourly wages: $118.88
Average yearly wages: $247,280
50. West Virginia: Physician and Surgeon
Average hourly wages: $115.21
Average yearly wages: $239,630
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