Career Atlas USA

Best States for Geographers

Ranked by the Career Atlas Opportunity Score, not raw pay — a high-paying state with few jobs or a high cost of living can rank below a more balanced one.

  1. 1Maryland88.6 / 100
  2. 2Virginia68.6 / 100
  3. 3Missouri56.4 / 100
  4. 4Texas32.1 / 100
  5. 5Washington30 / 100
  6. 6California17.9 / 100
  7. 7Illinois12.1 / 100

Also see highest-paying states (ranked by salary alone).