10 Essential Jobs Across America With Big Paychecks for Employees

America’s essential workers have been putting their health at risk to help keep the economy open enough to provide the basics while the rest of the country hit the pause button to wait out the coronavirus. And though some might have felt fortunate to still be working while friends and family were furloughed or laid off, many of these workers were putting in long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages.
On top of that, the wages for these essential workers are far from consistent. Not only are some jobs much better compensated than others, but where you live also plays a major role in how much you make. Through a variety of economic factors — from regional differences in supply and demand to basic differences in cost of living — the wages for essential work in your state may vary widely from those in other parts of the country.
So, what sort of work in your area pays the best compared to the national average? That’s the question this GOBankingRates study sets out to answer. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on how average wages differ from state to state, the study found what essential jobs (if any) were earning more over the course of a year than the national average.

Alabama

No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Alabama.

Alaska

  • Pharmacists:
    • Median annual salary: $147,020
    • Difference from national average: $18,930
  • Fast food and counter workers:
    • Median annual salary: $24,320
    • Difference from national average: $1,580
  • Correctional officers and jailers:
    • Median annual salary: $62,560
    • Difference from national average: $17,380
  • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
    • Median annual salary: $84,230
    • Difference from national average: $21,080
  • Registered nurses:
    • Median annual salary: $90,550
    • Difference from national average: $17,250
  • Home health and personal care aides:
    • Median annual salary: $34,170
    • Difference from national average: $8,890
  • Stockers and order fillers:
    • Median annual salary: $31,190
    • Difference from national average: $3,810
  • High school teachers:
    • Median annual salary: $74,910
    • Difference from national average: $13,250
  • Cashiers:
    • Median annual salary: $26,980
    • Difference from national average: $3,320

Arizona

  • Pharmacists:
    • Median annual salary: $131,050
    • Difference from national average: $2,960
  • Fast food and counter workers:
    • Median annual salary: $24,490
    • Difference from national average: $1,750
  • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
    • Median annual salary: $67,440
    • Difference from national average: $4,290
  • Postal service mail carriers:
    • Median annual salary: $52,010
    • Difference from national average: $700
  • Registered nurses:
    • Median annual salary: $76,820
    • Difference from national average: $3,520
  • Stockers and order fillers:
    • Median annual salary: $28,360
    • Difference from national average: $980
  • Cashiers:
    • Median annual salary: $24,630
    • Difference from national average: $970

Arkansas

No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Arkansas.

California

  • Pharmacists:
    • Median annual salary: $148,270
    • Difference from national average: $20,180
  • Fast food and counter workers:
    • Median annual salary: $25,960
    • Difference from national average: $3,220
  • Correctional officers and jailers:
    • Median annual salary: $79,930
    • Difference from national average: $34,750
  • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
    • Median annual salary: $108,840
    • Difference from national average: $45,690
  • Postal service mail carriers:
    • Median annual salary: $64,400
    • Difference from national average: $13,090
  • Registered nurses: 
    • Median annual salary: $110,620
    • Difference from national average: $37,320
  • Home health and personal care aides:
    • Median annual salary: $26,170
    •  Difference from national average: $890
  • Stockers and order fillers:
    • Median annual salary: $29,670
    • Difference from national average: $2,290
  • High school teachers:
    • Median annual salary: $87,120
    • Difference from national average: $25,460
  • Cashiers:
    • Median annual salary: $27,940
    • Difference from national average: $2,950

Colorado

  • Pharmacists:
    • Median annual salary: $129,060
    • Difference from national average: $970
  • Fast food and counter workers:
    • Median annual salary: $24,540
    • Difference from national average: $1,800
  • Correctional officers and jailers:
    • Median annual salary: $47,340
    • Difference from national average: $2,160
  • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
    • Median annual salary: $77,210
    • Difference from national average: $14,060
  • Registered nurses:
    • Median annual salary: $75,100
    • Difference from national average: $1,800
  • Home health and personal care aides:
    • Median annual salary: $26,080
    • Difference from national average: $800
  • Stockers and order fillers:
    • Median annual salary: $31,270
    • Difference from national average: $3,890
  • Cashiers:
    • Median annual salary: $25,360
    • Difference from national average: $1,700

Connecticut

  • Fast food and counter workers:
    • Median annual salary: $24,740
    • Difference from national average: $2,000
  • Correctional officers and jailers:
    • Median annual salary: $51,290
    • Difference from national average: $6,110
  • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
    • Median annual salary: $73,840
    • Difference from national average: $10,690
  • Postal service mail carriers:
    • Median annual salary: $52,140
    • Difference from national average: $830
  • Registered nurses:
    • Median annual salary: $81,630
    •  Difference from national average: $8,330
  • Home health and personal care aides:
    • Median annual salary: $26,560
    • Difference from national average: $1,280
  • Stockers and order fillers:
    • Median annual salary: $27,960
    • Difference from national average: $580
  • High school teachers:
    • Median annual salary: $78,910
    • Difference from national average: $17,250
  • Cashiers:
    • Median annual salary: $24,410
    • Difference from national average: $750

Delaware

  • Pharmacists:
    • Median annual salary: $132,580
    • Difference from national average: $4,490
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $72,120
      • Difference from national average: $8,970
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $66,870
      • Difference from national average: $5,210

    Florida

    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $52,950
      • Difference from national average: $1,640

    Georgia

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Georgia.

    Hawaii

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $130,780
      • Difference from national average: $2,690
    • Fast food and counter workers:
      • Median annual salary: $24,840
      • Difference from national average: $2,100
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $59,330
      • Difference from national average: $14,150
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $77,480
      • Difference from national average: $14,330
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $64,400
      • Difference from national average: $13,090
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $110,700
      • Difference from national average: $37,400
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $26,960
      • Difference from national average: $1,680
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $30,160
      • Difference from national average: $2,780
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $25,910
      • Difference from national average: $2,250

    Idaho

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Idaho.

    Illinois

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $129,310
      • Difference from national average: $1,220
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $59,460
      • Difference from national average: $14,280
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $85,070
      • Difference from national average: $21,920
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $54,040
      • Difference from national average: $2,730
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $25,470
      • Difference from national average: $190
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $27,450
      • Difference from national average: $70
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $69,610
      • Difference from national average: $7,950

    Indiana

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Indiana.

    Iowa

    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $51,170
      • Difference from national average: $5,990
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $26,090
      • Difference from national average: $810
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $28,650
      • Difference from national average: $1,270

    Kansas

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Kansas.

    Kentucky

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Kentucky.

    Louisiana

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Louisiana.

    Maine

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $137,610
      • Difference from national average: $9,520
    • Fast food and counter workers:  
      • Median annual salary: $24,000
      • Difference from national average: $1,260
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $26,340
      • Difference from national average: $1,060
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $24,190
      • Difference from national average: $530

    Maryland

    • Fast food and counter workers:
      • Median annual salary: $23,780
      • Difference from national average: $1,040
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $47,720
      • Difference from national average: $2,540
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $70,340
      • Difference from national average: $7,190
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $76,780
      • Difference from national average: $3,480
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $26,760 
      • Difference from national average: $1,480
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $75,330
      • Difference from national average: $13,670
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $23,720
      • Difference from national average: $60

    Massachusetts

    • Fast food and counter workers:
      • Median annual salary: $26,240
      • Difference from national average: $3,500
    • Correctional officers and jailers: 
      • Median annual salary: $69,740
      • Difference from national average: $24,560
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $70,990
      • Difference from national average: $7,840
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $61,180
      • Difference from national average: $9,870
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $87,540
      • Difference from national average: $14,240
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $31,210
      • Difference from national average: $5,930
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $29,590
      • Difference from national average: $2,210
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $79,950
      • Difference from national average: $18,290
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $26,100
      • Difference from national average: $2,440

    Michigan

    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $57,640
      • Difference from national average: $12,460

    Minnesota

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $138,290
      • Difference from national average: $10,200
    • Fast food and counter workers:
      • Median annual salary: $24,360
      • Difference from national average: $1,620
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $52,000
      • Difference from national average: $6,820
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $72,830
      • Difference from national average: $9,680
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $78,560
      • Difference from national average: $5,260
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $28,060
      • Difference from national average: $2,780
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $29,770
      • Difference from national average: $2,390
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $62,850
      • Difference from national average: $1,190
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $24,760
      • Difference from national average: $1,100

    Mississippi

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Mississippi.

    Missouri

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $130,240
      • Difference from national average: $2,150

    Montana

    No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Montana.

    Nebraska

    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $25,770
      • Difference from national average: $490

    Nevada

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $128,140
      • Difference from national average: $50
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $58,340
      • Difference from national average: $13,160
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $72,660
      • Difference from national average: $9,510
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $53,510
      • Difference from national average: $2,200
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $87,400
      • Difference from national average: $14,100
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $27,960
      • Difference from national average: $580

    New Hampshire

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $131,770
      • Difference from national average: $3,680
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $46,100
      • Difference from national average: $920
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $26,770
      • Difference from national average: $1,490

    New Jersey

    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $71,270
      • Difference from national average: $26,090
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $88,130
      • Difference from national average: $24,980
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $63,010
      • Difference from national average: $11,700
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $83,920
      • Difference from national average: $10,620
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $25,400
      • Difference from national average: $120
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $76,910
      • Difference from national average: $15,250

    New Mexico

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $128,680
      • Difference from national average: $590

    New York

    • Fast food and counter workers:
      • Median annual salary: $26,410
      • Difference from national average: $3,670
    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $64,250
      • Difference from national average: $19,070
    • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
      • Median annual salary: $80,540
      • Difference from national average: $17,390
    • Postal service mail carriers:
      • Median annual salary: $55,240
      • Difference from national average: $3,930
    • Registered nurses:
      • Median annual salary: $87,330
      • Difference from national average: $14,030
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $27,910
      • Difference from national average: $2,630
    • Stockers and order fillers:
      • Median annual salary: $27,680
      • Difference from national average: $300
    • High school teachers:
      • Median annual salary: $85,050
      • Difference from national average: $23,390
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $25,500
      • Difference from national average: $1,840

    North Carolina

    • Pharmacists:
      • Median annual salary: $128,450
      • Difference from national average: $360

    North Dakota

    • Fast food and counter workers:
      • Median annual salary: $24,590
      • Difference from national average: $1,850
    • Home health and personal care aides:
      • Median annual salary: $33,140
      • Difference from national average: $7,860
    • Stockers and order fillers: 
      • Median annual salary: $29,050
      • Difference from national average: $1,670
    • Cashiers:
      • Median annual salary: $24,290
      • Difference from national average: $630

    Ohio

    • Correctional officers and jailers:
      • Median annual salary: $47,760
      • Difference from national average: $2,580
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $64,370
        • Difference from national average: $2,710

      Oklahoma

      No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Oklahoma.

      Oregon

      • Pharmacists:
        • Median annual salary: $141,220
        • Difference from national average: $13,130
      • Fast food and counter workers:
        • Median annual salary: $25,180
        • Difference from national average: $2,440
      • Correctional officers and jailers:
        • Median annual salary: $62,590
        • Difference from national average: $17,410
      • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
        • Median annual salary: $74,870
        • Difference from national average: $11,720
      • Registered nurses:
        • Median annual salary: $93,370
        • Difference from national average: $20,070
      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $28,030
        • Difference from national average: $2,750
      • Stockers and order fillers:
        • Median annual salary: $30,390
        • Difference from national average: $3,010
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $70,930
        • Difference from national average: $9,270
      • Cashiers:
        • Median annual salary: $25,480
        • Difference from national average: $1,820

      Pennsylvania

      • Correctional officers and jailers:
        • Median annual salary: $51,900
        • Difference from national average: $6,720
      • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
        • Median annual salary: $69,830
        • Difference from national average: $6,680
      • Postal service mail carriers:
        • Median annual salary: $52,130
        • Difference from national average: $820
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $65,170
        • Difference from national average: $3,510

      Rhode Island

      • Fast food and counter workers:
        • Median annual salary: $24,440
        • Difference from national average: $1,700
      • Correctional officers and jailers:
        • Median annual salary: $71,330
        • Difference from national average: $26,150
      • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
        • Median annual salary: $63,490
        • Difference from national average: $340
      • Registered nurses:
        • Median annual salary: $83,140
        • Difference from national average: $9,840
      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $28,780
        • Difference from national average: $3,500
      • Stockers and order fillers:
        • Median annual salary: $28,910
        • Difference from national average: $1,530
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $80,050
        • Difference from national average: $18,390
      • Cashiers:
        • Median annual salary: $24,670
        • Difference from national average: $1,010

      South Carolina

      No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in South Carolina.

      South Dakota

      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $25,980
        • Difference from national average: $700

      Tennessee

      No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in Tennessee.

      Texas

      • Pharmacists:
        • Median annual salary: $130,060
        • Difference from national average: $1,970
      • Registered nurses:
        • Median annual salary: $73,400
        • Difference from national average: $100

      Utah

      • Correctional officers and jailers:
        • Median annual salary: $45,730
        • Difference from national average: $550
      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $25,420
        • Difference from national average: $140

      Vermont

      • Pharmacists:
        • Median annual salary: $140,900
        • Difference from national average: $12,810
      • Fast food and counter workers:
        • Median annual salary: $25,460
        • Difference from national average: $2,720
      • Correctional officers and jailers:
        • Median annual salary: $45,400
        • Difference from national average: $220
      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $29,930
        • Difference from national average: $4,650
      • Stockers and order fillers:
        • Median annual salary: $28,750
        • Difference from national average: $1,370
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $64,600
        • Difference from national average: $2,940
      • Cashiers:
        • Median annual salary: $24,910
        • Difference from national average: $1,250

      Virginia

      • Pharmacists:
        • Median annual salary: $131,860
        • Difference from national average: $3,770
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $63,800
        • Difference from national average: $2,140

      Washington

      • Pharmacists:
        • Median annual salary: $132,950
        • Difference from national average: $4,860
      • Fast food and counter workers:
        • Median annual salary: $27,370
        • Difference from national average: $4,630
      • Correctional officers and jailers:
        • Median annual salary: $56,790
        • Difference from national average: $11,610
      • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
        • Median annual salary: $82,140
        • Difference from national average: $18,990
      • Registered nurses:
        • Median annual salary: $83,490
        • Difference from national average: $10,190
      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $29,970
        • Difference from national average: $4,690
      • Stockers and order fillers:
        • Median annual salary: $32,780
        • Difference from national average: $5,400
      • High school teachers:
        • Median annual salary: $71,470
        • Difference from national average: $9,810
      • Cashiers:
        • Median annual salary: $28,650
        • Difference from national average: $4,990

      West Virginia

      No essential jobs GOBankingRates analyzed made more than the national average in West Virginia.

      Wisconsin

      • Pharmacists:
        • Median annual salary: $135,350
        • Difference from national average: $7,260
      • Police and sheriff’s patrol officers:
        • Median annual salary: $64,080
        • Difference from national average: $930

      Wyoming

      • Home health and personal care aides:
        • Median annual salary: $27,180
        • Difference from national average: $1,900
      • Stockers and order fillers:
        • Median annual salary: $29,160
        • Difference from national average:$1,780

        Chris Jennings contributed to the reporting for this article. 
        Methodology: GOBankingRates first used the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics for States to find how much these “essential” jobs pay in every state. GOBankingRates looked at a variety of “essential” jobs for this piece hoping to get a wholesale look at the jobs being deemed essential during the coronavirus pandemic. GOBankingRates looked at the median annual salary as well as the median hourly wage for each job in all 50 states. The national averages for each “essential” job were then found as well. GOBankingRates then singled out the states that had a median annual salary above the national average for each “essential” job. All data was collected and is up to date as of May 27, 2020.
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