The same job pays very differently depending on where you do it. For two of the most-searched careers — nursing and software development — the pattern is similar: the West Coast pays most, but it costs most too.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024, gross median wages by state.
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
National RN median: $93,600. The top states:
| Rank | State | RN median wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $140,330 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $136,320 |
| 3 | Oregon | $123,990 |
| 4 | Washington | $112,180 |
| 5 | Alaska | $110,690 |
A California RN earns roughly $47,000 more than the national median. See the full table on the registered nurses page.
Highest-paying states for software developers
National software developer median: $133,080. The top states:
| Rank | State | Developer median wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $170,910 |
| 2 | Washington | $166,910 |
| 3 | New York | $161,260 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $150,520 |
| 5 | Maryland | $137,890 |
The tech hubs — the Bay Area, Seattle, New York — pay a clear premium. Full data on the software developers page.
The cost-of-living catch
California, Washington, New York and Hawaii pay the most for both jobs, but they are also among the most expensive places to live. A $140,000 nursing salary in California competes with rents and housing costs that can erase much of the premium over a $95,000 salary in a cheaper state. The honest comparison weighs wage against local prices — pay alone overstates how much better off you are.
Two ways to think about it:
- If you can move costs down (remote work, a lower-cost metro within a high-wage state), a high state wage is a real win.
- If housing tracks the wage, the after-rent gap can be small.
How to check your own state
Every occupation page on WageAtlas lists the median and mean wage in all 51 states, sorted highest-first, plus the national figure. Start from wages by state or open the job you care about under occupations.
Bottom line
For nurses and developers in 2026, the West Coast pays most — but read those numbers next to local living costs before treating them as a raise.