The most disproportionately high-paying job in every state

Security guards patrol or monitor premises to prevent theft or violence.

Median income in-state: $43,260

Median income nationally: $26,900

Percent difference: 61%

They drive various types of motor vehicles.

Median income in-state: $37,340

Median income nationally: $26,640

Percent difference: 40%

They operate machines that extrude metal or plastic into various shapes.

Median income in-state: $39,170

Median income nationally: $34,600

Percent difference: 13%

Legislators are elected by their constituents to write laws at the local, state, or federal level. One reason legislators in California are so highly paid compared to the national median is that certain states, like California, have full-time, highly-paid state legislators, while other state legislatures are only in session for a fraction of the year.

Median income in-state: $54,840

Median income nationally: $25,630

Percent difference: 114%

They prepare tax returns for individuals or small businesses.

Median income in-state: $57,140

Median income nationally: $38,730

Percent difference: 48%

They provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and families.

Median income in-state: $68,780

Median income nationally: $44,380

Percent difference: 55%

Sales managers plan or direct the actual distribution of a product or service to a customer.

Median income in-state: $169,670

Median income nationally: $121,060

Percent difference: 40%

Reporters and correspondents gather facts and write stories for media outlets.

Median income in-state: $83,320

Median income nationally: $39,370

Percent difference: 112%

Legislators are elected by their constituents to write laws at the local, state, or federal level.

Median income in-state: $41,800

Median income nationally: $25,630

Percent difference: 63%

Health educators provide education programs that help people maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Median income in-state: $80,940

Median income nationally: $53,940

Percent difference: 50%

Bartenders mix and serve drinks to patrons.

Median income in-state: $45,120

Median income nationally: $21,690

Percent difference: 108%

They operate equipment for sawing wood.

Median income in-state: $36,520

Median income nationally: $29,080

Percent difference: 26%

Construction workers build and maintain structures.

Median income in-state: $84,230

Median income nationally: $38,040

Percent difference: 121%

They construct, assemble, or rebuild machinery.

Median income in-state: $55,610

Median income nationally: $43,390

Percent difference: 28%

They determine the eligibility of people to receive assistance from government programs and agencies.

Median income in-state: $59,300

Median income nationally: $44,400

Percent difference: 34%

They set up or operate more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Median income in-state: $47,560

Median income nationally: $34,800

Percent difference: 37%

They diagnose and repair aircraft engines or assemblies.

Median income in-state: $93,640

Median income nationally: $61,020

Percent difference: 53%

They operate equipment to control chemical reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products.

Median income in-state: $66,410

Median income nationally: $47,800

Percent difference: 39%

Teacher assistants help teachers in providing instruction and services to students and parents.

Median income in-state: $33,240

Median income nationally: $26,260

Percent difference: 27%

They diagnose and treat illnesses in patients.

Median income in-state: $133,440

Median income nationally: $73,830

Percent difference: 81%

Graduate teaching assistants help faculty by teaching classes or assisting in other teaching-related activities.

Median income in-state: $55,280

Median income nationally: $32,460

Percent difference: 70%

They perform tasks in an office setting.

Median income in-state: $49,050

Median income nationally: $35,590

Percent difference: 38%

Roofers cover the roofs of structures with shingles or other material.

Median income in-state: $63,880

Median income nationally: $38,970

Percent difference: 64%

They teach college or graduate-level course in health specialties, such as medicine or dentistry.

Median income in-state: $134,290

Median income nationally: $97,870

Percent difference: 37%

They teach college or graduate-level course in health specialties, such as medicine or dentistry.

Median income in-state: $143,290

Median income nationally: $97,870

Percent difference: 46%

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and maintain pipe systems.

Median income in-state: $64,020

Median income nationally: $52,590

Percent difference: 22%

They schedule and dispatch non-first responder workers for delivery, repair, or other jobs.

Median income in-state: $55,410

Median income nationally: $38,790

Percent difference: 43%

Maids and housekeepers perform cleaning duties in households or commercial establishments like hotels.

Median income in-state: $31,860

Median income nationally: $22,860

Percent difference: 39%

They install and maintain routing and switching equipment in buildings.

Median income in-state: $71,290

Median income nationally: $53,380

Percent difference: 34%

Correctional officers and jailers guard inmates in prisons and other penal facilities.

Median income in-state: $74,110

Median income nationally: $43,540

Percent difference: 70%

Mechanical engineers design tools, engines, and other machinery.

Median income in-state: $109,750

Median income nationally: $85,880

Percent difference: 28%

Legislators are elected by their constituents to write laws at the local, state, or federal level.

Median income in-state: $91,910

Median income nationally: $25,630

Percent difference: 259%

They operate machines that bake or roast food or tobacco.

Median income in-state: $43,080

Median income nationally: $29,410

Percent difference: 46%

Home health aides provide routine medical care in a patient's home or in a care facility.

Median income in-state: $34,110

Median income nationally: $23,210

Percent difference: 47%

Graduate teaching assistants help faculty by teaching classes or assisting in other teaching-related activities.

Median income in-state: $47,030

Median income nationally: $32,460

Percent difference: 45%

They make and confirm reservations for travel tickets and lodging.

Median income in-state: $45,960

Median income nationally: $36,280

Percent difference: 27%

Substitute teachers fill in when regularly scheduled teachers are absent.

Median income in-state: $45,410

Median income nationally: $28,270

Percent difference: 61%

Legislators are elected by their constituents to write laws at the local, state, or federal level.

Median income in-state: $48,260

Median income nationally: $25,630

Percent difference: 88%

Teachers instruct and guide students.

Median income in-state: $79,450

Median income nationally: $39,710

Percent difference: 100%

They operate machinery that makes paper products.

Median income in-state: $55,150

Median income nationally: $37,890

Percent difference: 46%

Driver/sales workers drive a truck or other vehicle to sell or deliver goods.

Median income in-state: $29,260

Median income nationally: $24,040

Percent difference: 22%

They operate machines that manufacture metal or plastic parts.

Median income in-state: $54,090

Median income nationally: $38,650

Percent difference: 40%

They operate water vessels, like ferry boats and tugboats.

Median income in-state: $122,390

Median income nationally: $70,920

Percent difference: 73%

Graduate teaching assistants help faculty by teaching classes or assisting in other teaching-related activities.

Median income in-state: $46,650

Median income nationally: $32,460

Percent difference: 44%

Waiters and waitresses take orders and bring food to customers at restaurants.

Median income in-state: $29,950

Median income nationally: $20,820

Percent difference: 44%

Legal support workers assist lawyers and judges.

Median income in-state: $117,210

Median income nationally: $56,120

Percent difference: 109%

EMTs and paramedics assess injuries and administer emergency medical care.

Median income in-state: $76,040

Median income nationally: $33,380

Percent difference: 128%

They operate equipment to control chemical reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products.

Median income in-state: $67,330

Median income nationally: $47,800

Percent difference: 41%

Manicurists and pedicurists clean, shape, and decorate clients' fingernails and toenails.

Median income in-state: $31,480

Median income nationally: $23,230

Percent difference: 36%

They use hand-welding or cutting equipment to work with metal products.

Median income in-state: $57,550

Median income nationally: $40,240

Percent difference: 43%