Average hourly wages vary widely across the United States in 2025, with some states paying nearly twice as much per hour as others in the private sector. Understanding this map of earnings helps workers compare opportunities, businesses benchmark labor costs, and policymakers see where pay is keeping up with living costs and where it is lagging.

How average hourly wages are measured in 2025

Average hourly earnings by state are primarily measured from payroll data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for private‑sector workers. These figures capture what employers pay in wages and salaries per hour, excluding most benefits and tips, and are updated regularly as part of monthly and annual labor reports.​

By late 2025, national average hourly earnings for all private‑sector employees are in the low‑$30 range, continuing a trend of modest year‑over‑year growth in the 3–4 percent range after inflation. However, that national figure hides a broad spread from low‑30‑dollar averages in many Southern states to over $40 per hour in some coastal and high‑cost states.​

Highest‑ and lowest‑paying states in 2025

The latest BLS “average hourly earnings” chart by state shows significant regional differences. States with strong tech, finance, and professional‑services sectors, along with very high living costs, tend to have the highest hourly earnings, while states with more low‑wage service jobs and lower costs of living generally sit at the bottom of the ranking.​

At the top end of the 2025 chart are:

• Washington, with average hourly earnings of about $42.30

  

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• Massachusetts, at roughly $41.74

• California, near $41.09

At the lower end are:

• Mississippi, around $28.10 per hour

• New Mexico, about $29.14

• Arkansas and Louisiana, just under $30

These gaps translate into thousands of dollars per year in pay differences for full‑time workers, even before adjusting for local prices.​

Data table: average hourly earnings and weekly pay by state

The table below highlights a selection of states to show how hourly wages and weekly earnings line up across the country in 2025, based on BLS state‑level data for total private employment.​

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, state average hourly earnings and weekly earnings for total private workers (latest 2024–2025 data).​

Why some states pay more than others

Several factors drive the differences in average hourly wages:

• Industry mix: States with more high‑paying sectors such as tech, finance, biotech, and advanced manufacturing show higher averages than those dominated by hospitality, retail, and low‑margin services.

• Cost of living: Employers in expensive housing and labor markets often pay more to attract and retain workers, which pushes up the state average.

• Unionization and policy: States with higher minimum wages, stronger unions, or tight labor markets can see higher pay at the bottom, lifting overall averages.

For example, Washington and Massachusetts combine high costs of living with dense clusters of technology and professional jobs, supporting wages above $40 per hour on average. In contrast, Mississippi and New Mexico have lower living costs and a larger share of lower‑wage service and agricultural jobs, keeping averages under $30 per hour.​

How hourly wages affect workers’ real purchasing power

High nominal hourly pay does not automatically mean better living standards. A worker earning $40 per hour in a coastal city may still struggle with housing and childcare costs that are far higher than in a state where the average wage is closer to $30. Real purchasing power depends on local price levels, taxes, and access to public services.​

Still, hourly wages remain a crucial baseline. They influence eligibility for credit, savings capacity, and the ability to withstand inflation shocks. In 2025, wage growth has modestly outpaced inflation in many sectors, helping workers slowly rebuild real earnings lost earlier in the decade, but progress is uneven across regions and industries.​

Using the 2025 wage map to make decisions

For jobseekers, knowing average hourly wages by state can inform decisions about relocation, career changes, or remote work negotiations. For example, moving from a low‑wage state to a higher‑wage one could significantly raise gross income, but only if the higher costs of living and taxes do not erase the gain.​

Employers use these benchmarks to design competitive pay structures, especially for distributed or hybrid workforces. Policymakers and researchers, meanwhile, track state‑by‑state wage patterns to evaluate the impact of minimum‑wage laws, training programs, and industrial policy on workers’ pay. Together, the 2025 wage map and breakdown reveal a labor market where opportunity is still shaped heavily by geography—but where better data can help individuals and institutions make smarter, more informed choices.​

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FAQs

Q1 Which states have the highest average hourly wages in 2025?
Washington, Massachusetts, and California are among the leaders, with average hourly earnings above $40 for private‑sector workers.​

Q2 Why are some states’ averages below $30 per hour?
States like Mississippi and New Mexico have lower living costs and more lower‑wage service and agricultural jobs, which pulls down the overall average.​

Q3 Where can I find official wage data by state and occupation?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes state‑level earnings charts and detailed Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tables each year on its website.