Best and Worst States to Make A Living 2011 – Complete List

Do you want to know what the average income by state is? Learn what the best and worst states to make a living in are. Discover more now

Written by Richard Barrington

Financial Expert

Edited by Kristin Marino

Managing Editor

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Key Takeaways

The number 1 state for making a living is Illinois, with an adjusted average income per person of $41,986.51.
Rounding up the top 10 states for making a living are Washington, Texas, Virginia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Georgia, Tennessee, Colorado, and Minnesota.
At number 50, Hawaii is the worst state to earn a living, with a high cost of living and an adjusted average income of $22,107.96.

Also see the most recent Best States to Make a Living feature

You’ve seen the 10 best states for making a living and the 10 worst states for making a living. Now check out MoneyRates’s full ranking of states for making a living, from the best to the worst.

States are ranked by their adjusted average incomes, which is the average income for each state after taking into account state taxes, unemployment rates and cost of living.

Top states for making a living

Richard Barrington

Financial Analyst

Richard Barrington, a Senior Financial Analyst at MoneyRates, brings over three decades of financial services expertise to the table. His insightful analyses and commentary have made him a sought-after voice in media, with appearances on Fox Business News, NPR, and quotes in major publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His proficiency is further solidified by the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, highlighting Richard’s depth of knowledge and commitment to financial excellence.