Career Atlas USA

Best States for Life Scientists, All Other

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. 1Maryland78.3 / 100
  2. 2Louisiana71.6 / 100
  3. 3Oregon67.3 / 100
  4. 4District of Columbia66.1 / 100
  5. 5Washington61.3 / 100
  6. 6California57.7 / 100
  7. 7Virginia57.2 / 100
  8. 8Missouri54.4 / 100
  9. 9Massachusetts53.1 / 100
  10. 10New Hampshire51.1 / 100
  11. 11Pennsylvania47.8 / 100
  12. 12Alaska46.7 / 100
  13. 13Alabama46.6 / 100
  14. 14Texas45.8 / 100
  15. 15Georgia45.6 / 100

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