Each State's Highest-Paying Hourly Jobs

When you think of the highest-paying jobs in the U.S., your mind probably jumps to doctors, lawyers, or tech execs making six figures a year. But what about workers who clock in by the hour? 

Nearly 60% of U.S. workers are paid hourly, and their wages vary widely depending on the role and where they live. While some hourly occupations are notoriously underpaid, others offer competitive pay that rivals salaried positions, especially in certain states.

In this data study, we analyzed our internal Homebase data from over 5 million hourly jobs across the U.S. to identify the highest-paying hourly job role in each state. Then, we compared each state’s average wage for hourly occupations to the national average for the same role, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to spotlight where hourly workers in specific roles are earning more than their peers across the country.

Key takeaways

• The five highest-earning hourly occupations in the U.S. are registered nurses ($47.32/hr), dental hygienists ($45.14/hr), sonographers ($44.49/hr), electrical power-line installers ($43.32/hr), and aircraft mechanics ($38.84/hr).
• Registered nurses are the top-paying hourly job in 16 states and earn over $50 an hour in places like Delaware ($57.15/hr), Pennsylvania ($56.38/hr), and Texas ($51.55/hr).
• Dental hygienists are the highest-paying hourly role in 14 states, earning up to 30% more than the national average in high-cost states like Washington ($58.69/hr) and California ($57.06/hr). 
• Skilled trades and support roles are paying off big: Skilled trade workers like electricians, mechanics, and welders are the highest-paid hourly workers in 12 states.

The highest-paying hourly job in every U.S. state

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When it comes to high-paying hourly work, healthcare takes the lead. Of all the top hourly jobs across the country, 37 out of 50 states have a health-related role at the top of the pay scale. Two roles in particular show up again and again: registered nurse (RN) and dental hygienist. Registered nurses claim the top spot in 16 states, while dental hygienists lead in 14.

Let’s break down the most common top-paying hourly jobs across the U.S.:

• Registered Nurse (RN) – 16 states
• Dental Hygienist – 14 states
• Auto Mechanic – 4 states
• Med Spa Nurse – 2 states
• Electrician – 2 states

Registered nurses top the list in states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas, showing just how strong the demand is nationwide for RNs. In several states, RNs are making more than $50 an hour, above the national average of $47.32.

Here’s where registered nurse average hourly wages really stand out:

• Delaware – $57.15/hr (20.7% above national average)
• Pennsylvania – $56.38/hr (19.2% above)
• Texas – $51.55/hr (8.9% above)
• Minnesota – $50.95/hr (7.7% above)
• Michigan – $50.04/hr (5.7% above)

That kind of hourly rate can push full-time annual earnings well into six figures, without a salaried position.

Dental hygienists are also claiming top-dollar status in 14 states, especially in high-cost-of-living areas like California, Washington, and Oregon. This highlights the growing value of preventative dental care and how it’s being reflected in wages. In fact, in many of these states, dental hygienists are earning over $55 an hour—a solid leap above the national average of $45.14.

The top-paying states for dental hygienists include:

• Washington – $58.69/hr (30.0% above national average)
• California – $57.06/hr (26.4% above)
• Oregon – $56.79/hr (25.8% above)
• Illinois – $55.93/hr (22.1% above)
• North Carolina – $55.04/hr (21.9% above)

Skilled trades are also having a moment, ranking as the top-paying hourly jobs in 12 states. In states like Arkansas (millwright), Iowa (brickmason), New Hampshire (welder), and South Dakota (electrician), the top-paying hourly jobs are in skilled trades. These roles often don’t require a four-year college degree, showing that vocational paths can yield high wages, especially in rural or lower-cost-of-living states.

And there’s no shortage of demand. Right now, there are over a million unfilled trade jobs in the U.S., including about 500,000 in manufacturing alone. That kind of labor shortage helps explain why skilled trade workers are pulling in top dollar in so many places. Whether it’s infrastructure, clean energy, or housing, these hands-on careers are essential—and right now, they’re also some of the best-paying hourly gigs out there.

Mechanics are also clocking in some impressive wages. In North Dakota, aircraft mechanics earn an average of $41.26 an hour, which is about 6% above the national average for the role. 

Meanwhile, auto mechanics in Oklahoma average $31.65 an hour—nearly 20% more than the national average of $26.57. And in Kentucky, auto mechanics aren’t far behind, pulling in $31.22 an hour, or 18% above the national benchmark.

Then there is an unexpected contender: med spa nurses. In Colorado ($48.67) and Maryland ($49.84), they take the top spot for highest hourly pay, with wages approaching $50 an hour. These roles reflect a growing niche in healthcare, where cosmetic treatments and post-op care are becoming not just trendy, but seriously lucrative.

Each state's highest-paying hourly job, compared to the national average

Your job title doesn’t always define your earning potential—your location does. Whether you’re a barista in Hawaii or a janitor in Illinois, there are states where hourly roles are earning far more than the national norm. That’s good news for workers and a reminder to employers that local labor markets are anything but one-size-fits-all.

Here are the top states where the highest-paying hourly job offers the biggest wage boost compared to the national average for that role:

• Maryland (Med Spa Nurse) – $49.84/hr
  68.4% above the national average of $29.59
  
  
• Pennsylvania (Delivery Driver) – $31.05/hr
  68.3% above the national average of $18.45
  
  
• New York (Personal Care Aide) – $27.57/hr
  63.9% above the national average of $16.82
  
  
• Utah (Security Guard) – $33.26/hr
  61.3% above the national average of $20.62
  
  
• Minnesota (Customer Service Associate) – $34.88/hr
  59.9% above the national average of $21.82
  
  
• Kansas (Florist) – $28.80/hr
  58.9% above the national average of $18.13
  
  
• Washington (Certified Nursing Assistant) – $30.72/hr
  54.8% above the national average of $19.84
  
  
• Michigan (Landscape Worker) – $30.37/hr
  54.5% above the national average of $19.66

Many of the top-paying hourly roles, compared to national averages, fall under healthcare and wellness, but not always in hospitals.

Med spa nurses in California and Maryland earn 46% and 68% more than the national average, respectively, driven by demand for cosmetic and post-op care. Fitness instructors in Massachusetts and personal trainers in New Jersey also see major pay bumps compared to their peers nationally. 

More traditional healthcare roles are getting a boost, too. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are the highest-paying hourly job compared to the national average in six states—Alabama, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Washington, and Wisconsin. In Washington, CNAs earn 55% more than the national average, reflecting strong demand for frontline care.

Security guards stand out as the top-paying job, compared to the national average, in five states: Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Utah. Demand for safety and security roles seems especially high in the South and West. In Utah, security guards earn 61% more than the national average.

Other frequently appearing roles in this list include personal care aides (also known as home health aides) and veterinary technicians, each ranking as the highest-paying job relative to the national average in three states. Delivery drivers also make the list, taking the top spot in two states.

In Pennsylvania, delivery drivers earn $31.05 an hour, 68.3% above the national average of $18.45. In New York, personal care aides make $27.57 an hour, which is 63.9% higher than the national average of $16.82. And in Oregon, vet techs earn $31.96 an hour, or 43.6% above the national rate of $22.25.

These roles highlight how essential services, whether it's home care, animal care, or getting goods to your doorstep, are being rewarded in key states.

The highest-paying hourly jobs in the U.S.

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To get a sense of which hourly jobs consistently earn the most per hour nationwide, we pulled the national average wages for the 100 most common hourly-paid occupations, using the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Here are the top 10 highest-paid hourly jobs in the country, overall:

1. Registered Nurses – $47.32/hr
2. Dental Hygienists – $45.14/hr
3. Sonographers – $44.49/hr
4. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers – $43.32/hr
5. Aircraft Mechanics – $38.84/hr
6. Plumbers – $33.63/hr
7. Electricians – $33.47/hr
8. Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics – $32.49/hr
9. Physical Therapist Assistants – $32.29/hr
10. Sheet Metal Workers – $31.78/hr

What do these jobs have in common? Most require specialized training, certification, or technical skills, but not always a four-year degree. Roles in healthcare and skilled trades dominate the list, which makes sense given their essential nature and hands-on expertise. From keeping people healthy to keeping the power on, these jobs are in high demand and come with hourly paychecks to match.

Closing thoughts

Hourly jobs power the backbone of the U.S. economy, but pay can vary a lot depending on where you clock in. That’s why we set out to spotlight the states where hourly workers are earning more than the national average for their roles, from nurses and welders to fitness instructors and childcare workers. 

At Homebase, we work with over 150,000 local businesses and millions of hourly workers, so we know just how important fair, competitive wages are. This study offers a fresh look at where certain roles are valued most and how location can impact earning potential.

About Homebase

Founded in 2014, Homebase has been supporting small businesses across North America for the last decade. As part of our commitment to empowering hourly teams, we are always trying to find unique ways to leverage our data and bring insights about small businesses, hourly workers, and the economy to the broader media.

"Every day, millions of hourly workers show up and keep our communities running—from the nurses caring for patients to the mechanics keeping our cars on the road," says John Waldmann, CEO and founder of Homebase. "This data reveals something we've known all along: hourly work can be both essential and well-compensated, especially when businesses understand the value these workers bring."

Methodology 

First, we identified the highest-paying hourly job in each state, analyzing our internal wage data from May 2024 to January 2025, which included 5.48 million hourly jobs across all 50 states.

Then we found the highest-paying hourly job in each state, compared to the national average, by calculating the percentage difference between the state’s average wage for an hourly job and the national average wage for the same job. National average wages for each hourly job were sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), using the most recent data available as of May 2024.

Finally, to determine the highest-paying hourly jobs in the U.S. overall, we used the same Bureau of Labor Statistics dataset to find the national average hourly wages for the 100 most common hourly-paid jobs, then ranked them from highest to lowest.