New data reveals which U.S. states have experienced the best wage growth in 2024.
The research, conducted by AI productivity platform Plus Docs, examined statewide data on the average weekly wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The states with the highest percentage increase between March 2023 and March 2024 have been named in the top ten.
Nebraska has the lowest wage increase in the U.S. Between March 2023 and March 2024, the state’s wages increased by 2.58%, as it rose from $1,165 to $1,195, which is 36.9% below the national benchmark.
Illinois has the second-lowest wage increase of 2.75%, which is 32.7% below the national benchmark. In March 2023, average weekly wages were $1,565 before rising to $1,608 by 2024.
Wyoming ranks third, with an average weekly wage increase of 2.79%, followed by 2.99% in Pennsylvania. With an average weekly wage increase of 3.08%, Arizona is the fifth-worst state for wages in 2024.
U.S. states with the slowest salary growth in 2024
|
Rank |
U.S. state |
The percentage increase in average weekly wages between March 2023 and March 2024 |
|
1 |
Nebraska |
2.58% |
|
2 |
Illinois |
2.75% |
|
3 |
Wyoming |
2.79% |
|
4 |
Pennsylvania |
2.99% |
|
5 |
Arizona |
3.08% |
|
6 |
Oregon |
3.15% |
|
7 |
Iowa |
3.23% |
|
8 |
Alabama |
3.27% |
|
9 |
Kentucky |
3.42% |
|
10 |
Tennessee |
3.47% |
Indiana takes the crown as the state with the highest wage growth. According to the study, average weekly wages increased from $1,203 in March 2023 to $1,271 in March 2024. In total, this is a 5.65% rise in wages, 38.14% higher than the national average of 4.09%.
Alaska follows in second place, with wages increasing by 5.61% in the last year, which is 37.16% above the national benchmark. The state’s average weekly wages rose to $1,374 in March 2024 from $1,301 in March 2023.
California ranks third. According to the study, the state’s average weekly wages rose from $1,737 in March 2023 to $1,833 in March 2024. As such, wages have increased by 5.53% in the last year, 35.2% above the average in America.
According to the study, Maine has the fourth-highest wage increase, totaling 5.22% and 27.6% above national average in the U.S. In March 2023, average weekly wages came in at $1,187. Maine’s average weekly wages rose to $1,249 by March 2024.
Virginia and Utah are tied for fifth place. In both states, wages increased by 5.21% between March 2023 and March 2024, 27.3% above the nation’s average. Virginia’s average weekly wages rose from $1,477 to $1,554; Utah’s average weekly wages rose from $1,248 to $1,313.
U.S. states with the highest increase in wages in 2024
|
Rank |
U.S. state |
The percentage increase in average weekly wages between March 2023 and March 2024 |
|
1 |
Indiana |
5.65% |
|
2 |
Alaska |
5.61% |
|
3 |
California |
5.53% |
|
4 |
Maine |
5.22% |
|
=5 |
Virginia |
5.21% |
|
=5 |
Utah |
5.21% |
|
6 |
Washington |
5.10% |
|
7 |
Massachusetts |
4.95% |
|
8 |
South Carolina |
4.92% |
|
9 |
New Mexico |
4.79% |
|
10 |
Hawaii |
4.75% |
In sixth place, Washington’s average weekly wages rose from $1,727 to $1,815 between March 2023 and March 2024. In total, this is a 5.10% increase and 24.6% above the national benchmark.
Massachusetts ranks seventh, with average weekly wages rising by 4.95%. South Carolina comes in eighth, with a 4.92% rise in average weekly wages, followed by New Mexico in ninth, with average weekly wages increasing 4.79%. Hawaii is the tenth–best state for wages, with a 4.75% increase in the last year, according to the study.
Daniel Li, CEO and co-founder of Plus Docs, has commented, “These findings highlight the states where economic growth is most significant in the U.S. Indiana has emerged as the leader in wage growth, followed by Alaska and California.
“However, the study also reveals which states are experiencing slower growth, such as Nebraska and Illinois. As such, businesses and policymakers should take note of these trends to consider which strategic investments may be necessary to spur future growth, as this will positively affect long-term economic stability across these regions.”
