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Life, Physical, and Social Science Wages by State — 2024 Rankings (BLS Data)

Life, Physical, and Social Science median wage by state — 2024 BLS OEWS data. Full 51-state ranking.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026
Data current as of March 2026 Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024

DC pays the highest median wage for life, physical, and social science workers at $125,820/year, while SD is the lowest at $61,760/year. The national median is approximately $75,482/year. Data source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

Top 5 Highest Paying States

  1. 1 DC $125,820
  2. 2 MD $99,200
  3. 3 MA $98,820
  4. 4 CA $96,250
  5. 5 CT $90,790

Bottom 5 Lowest Paying States

  1. 51 SD $61,760
  2. 50 AR $62,120
  3. 49 MT $63,330
  4. 48 ID $63,380
  5. 47 MS $63,680

National median: $75,482/year  ·  National mean hourly: /hr  ·  Wage gap (highest vs lowest): $64,060

Life, Physical, and Social Science Median Annual Wage by State

Source: BLS OEWS 2024. Median annual wage. States sorted highest to lowest.

All States Ranked by Life, Physical, and Social Science Wages (2024)

Rank State Med. Annual
1 DC $125,820
2 MD $99,200
3 MA $98,820
4 CA $96,250
5 CT $90,790
6 RI $87,800
7 WA $86,280
8 NJ $85,380
9 CO $83,100
10 VA $82,850
11 DE $80,580
12 NY $80,240
13 AK $79,710
14 MN $78,590
15 IL $78,430
16 GA $77,370
17 OR $76,980
18 OH $76,600
19 NM $76,470
20 NV $76,260
21 PA $75,830
22 NC $75,450
23 AZ $75,250
24 NH $75,030
25 TN $74,960
26 MI $74,620
27 TX $73,190
28 WI $71,560
29 VT $71,180
30 UT $70,730
31 OK $70,090
32 LA $69,500
33 HI $69,310
34 AL $68,810
35 WY $68,810
36 IN $68,390
37 FL $67,600
38 MO $67,540
39 SC $67,250
40 ND $67,180
41 KY $66,820
42 WV $66,790
43 IA $66,270
44 ME $65,390
45 KS $65,370
46 NE $64,850
47 MS $63,680
48 ID $63,380
49 MT $63,330
50 AR $62,120
51 SD $61,760

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Employment counts reflect total workers in this occupation group.

Swipe right for mean hourly rate and employment data.

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Wage Rankings by Occupation Group

Compare median wages across all 22 BLS major occupation groups:

Management Business and Financial Operations Computer and Mathematical Architecture and Engineering Community and Social Service Legal Educational Instruction and Library Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Healthcare Support Protective Service Food Preparation and Serving Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Personal Care and Service Sales and Related Office and Administrative Support Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Construction and Extraction Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Production Transportation and Material Moving
Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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