Average Hourly Earnings by State: 2026 Rankings and Trends
Average hourly earnings vary widely across U.S. states, from about $30 in lower-wage Southern states to more than $50 in the District of Columbia. According to the latest BLS annual averages for 2025, states such as California, Connecticut, and Colorado report average hourly earnings above $39, while Alabama and Arkansas remain below $32. These differences reflect industry mix, cost of living, and state minimum wage policies.