Thursday, June 30, 2022

MRI Technologist Pay in New England

Over 38,000 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists were employed in the U.S. as of May 2021 according to the most current employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  At that time, the six-state New England region accounted for 2,370 MRI technologist jobs.  BLS data revealed the New England region to be a generally good one for MRI technologist pay, with five of the six states in the region attaining an annual mean wage level for MRI technologists that was higher than the national average for the profession. A deeper look at May 2021 BLS data reveals the following state-level details about MRI technologist pay in New England:

MRI Technologist Pay in New England

MRI Technologist Pay in New England

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
CT 320 $84,960 12th
MA 1,400 $88,040 10th
ME 180 $72,130 27th
NH 220 $81,330 16th
RI 200 $87,790 11th
VT 50 $80,910 18th
U.S. 38,070 $77,820 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 25, 2022

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Clinical Psychologist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

In excess of 58,000 clinical psychologists were working in the United States as of May 2021 according to the latest occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  At that time, the twelve-state Southeastern U.S. was home to just over 9,600 working clinical psychologists.  BLS data indicated the region to be a generally poor one for clinical psychologist pay. Nearly 79% of employed clinical psychologists in the region lived in a state where the annual mean wage was below the national average for the profession.  This included four states that ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for that clinical psychologist pay metric.   Further study of BLS May 2021 data provides the following details about clinical psychologist pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

Clinical Psychologist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

Clinical Psychologist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
AL 370 $84,360 36th
AR 420 $75,050 45th
FL 2,580 $87,730 30th
GA 830 $73,350 46th
KY 470 $96,290 20th
LA 200 $101,420 16th
MS 330 $76,800 44th
NC 1,930 $94,480 23rd
SC 240 $84,760 35th
TN 510 $108,560 11th
VA 1,350 $108,910 10th
WV 390 $63,410 51st
U.S. 58,100 $99,640 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 25, 2022

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Best Pediatric Hospitals in the Far Western U.S.

In the latest U.S. News & World Report American hospital rankings, 90 hospitals surveyed received national recognition in at least one of the ten pediatric specialties analyzed in the survey.  Two pediatric hospitals in the Far Western U.S. ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation, while a total of twelve pediatric hospitals in the region earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one of the ten specialties examined.  Among these hospitals, ten Far Western pediatric hospitals earned top 50 national rankings in at least five pediatric specialties. For earning recognition nationally in at least five specialty areas, here's a summary look at the ten hospitals that stand out among the best pediatric hospitals in the Far Western U.S.:

Best Pediatric Hospitals in the Far Western U.S.

Best Pediatric Hospitals in the Far Western U.S.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles (#8 overall nationally)
Location: Los Angeles
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#14  Cancer
#12  Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#7    Diabetes & Endocrinology
#6    Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#17  Nephrology
#19  Neonatology
#15  Neurology & Neurosurgery
#6   Orthopedics
#15 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#7   Urology
(See ranking details)

Location: Palo Alto, CA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#22 Cancer
#26 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#11 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#13 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#2   Nephrology
#6   Neonatology
#7   Neurology & Neurosurgery
#18 Orthopedics
#5   Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#22 Urology

Location: San Diego
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#29 Cancer
#11 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#10 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#26 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#16 Nephrology
#9   Neonatology
#8   Neurology & Neurosurgery
#2   Orthopedics
#23 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#16 Urology

Seattle Children's Hospital
Location: Seattle
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#20 Cancer
#23 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#9   Diabetes & Endocrinology
#21 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#7   Nephrology
#28 Neonatology
#13 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#33 Orthopedics
#11 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#10 Urology
Location: San Francisco
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#17 Cancer
#41 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#29 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#23 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#13 Nephrology
#5   Neonatology
#16 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#27 Orthopedics
#24 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#23 Urology
Location: Orange, CA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 7 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#25 Cancer
#50 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#26 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#13 Neonatology
#37 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#25 Orthopedics
#38 Urology
Location: Portland, OR
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 7 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#30 Cancer
#37 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#20 Nephrology
#35 Neonatology
#38 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#49 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#43 Urology
Location: Los Angeles
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 7 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#39 Cancer
#11 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#13 Nephrology
#20 Neonatology
#30 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#14 Orthopedics
#28 Urology
Location: Madera, CA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 6 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#44 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#30 Neonatology
#33 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#21 Orthopedics
#29 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#29 Urology
Location: Sacramento, CA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#47 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#29 Neonatology
#19 Nephrology
#19 Orthopedics
#35 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

To find other children's hospitals in the Far Western U.S. and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Monday, June 27, 2022

Heart Disease Death Rates in the Great Plains Region

In 2020, nearly 697,000 deaths in the United States were attributable to heart disease, about 5.8% more such deaths than in 2019.  The seven-state Great Plains region recorded nearly 45,100 heart disease deaths in 2020.  With 209.8 heart disease deaths per 100,000 population, the Great Plains' regional heart disease death rate was slightly better than the national average heart disease death rate of 211.5 per 100,000 population.  There was, however, wide disparity at the state level within the region, with Minnesota having one of the lowest state-level heart disease death rates in the country, while Missouri had one of the worst.  Further study of data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics yields the following state-level details about heart disease death rates in the Great Plains region:

Heart Disease Death Rates in the Great Plains Region

Heart Disease Death Rates in the Great Plains Region

State Deaths Population Death Rate*
Iowa 7,499 3,163,561 237.0
Kansas 6,264 2,913,805 215.0
Minnesota 8,562 5,657,342 151.3
Missouri 15,934 6,151,548 259.0
Nebraska 3,532 1,937,552 182.3
North Dakota 1,449 765,309 189.3
South Dakota 1,820 892,717 203.9
     Region 45,060 21,481,834 209.8
U.S. 696,962 329,484,123 211.5

(*) number of heart disease deaths per 100,000 population

Report Period: 2020

Source: CDC Wonder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed on June 22, 2022

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Medical Records Specialist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

The most recent occupational employment numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that over 180,500 medical records specialists were employed in the U.S. as of May 2021. With nearly 6,200 medical records specialists employed at that time, the five-state Rocky Mountain region accounted for about 3.4% of medical records specialist employment in the United States.  BLS data revealed the Rocky Mountain region to be an average one for medical records specialist pay, with nearly 56% of employed medical records specialists in the region living in a state where the annual mean wage for the profession was below the national average. Further examination of May 2021 BLS data provides the following details about medical records specialist pay in the Rocky Mountain region.:

Medical Records Specialist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

Medical Records Specialist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region



State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
CO 2,390 $50,920 16th
ID 1,390 $45,400 28th
MT 790 $45,300 29th
UT 1,270 $47,830 21st
WY 350 $48,620 19th
U.S. 180,570 $48,310 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 22, 2022

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Optometrist Pay in New England

The most recent occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2021, more than 38,700 optometrists were working in the United States.  At that time, New England accounted for an estimated 1,880 employed optometrists. BLS data shows the region to be a generally strong one for optometrist pay.  Almost three-fourths of the region's optometrists worked in a state where the optometrist annual mean wage level topped the national average for the profession.  This included Connecticut, where the annual mean wage level for optometrists was the highest in the nation. A deeper examination of BLS data from May 2021 reveals the following state-level details about optometrist pay in New England:

Optometrist Pay in New England

Optometrist Pay in New England

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
CT 430 $155,070 1st
MA 780 $130,600 14th
ME 190 $135,410 9th
NH 170 $124,910 23rd
RI 210 ------- -------
VT 100 $112,530 39th
U.S. 38,720 $125,440 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 18, 2022

Friday, June 24, 2022

Best Pediatric Hospitals in the Southeastern U.S.

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings of American hospitals, 90 hospitals surveyed earned national distinction in at least one of the ten pediatric specialties analyzed in the survey.  No pediatric hospitals in the Southeast ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation, but 26 pediatric hospitals in the region earned a top 50 national ranking in at least one of the ten specialties examined.  Moreover, among the best pediatric hospitals in the Southeastern U.S., eleven children's hospitals earned top 50 national rankings in at least five pediatric specialties. For earning national recognition in at least five specialty areas, here's a summary look at the eleven hospitals that stand out among the best pediatric hospitals in the Southeastern U.S.:

Best Pediatric Hospitals in the Southeastern U.S.

Best Pediatric Hospitals in the Southeastern U.S.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Location: Atlanta
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally: 
#7   Cancer
#18 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#32 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#7   Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#9   Nephrology
#37 Neonatology
#11 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#11 Orthopedics
#16 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#10 Urology
(See ranking details)

Children's of Alabama
Location: Birmingham, AL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#42 Cancer
#28 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#42 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#41 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#32 Nephrology
#50 Neonatology
#28 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#42 Orthopedics
#41 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#44 Urology

Carell Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Location: Nashville, TN
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 10 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#19 Cancer
#30 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#29 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#28 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#47 Nephrology
#22 Neonatology
#23 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#30 Orthopedics
#19 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#8   Urology

Duke Children's Hospital
Location: Durham, NC
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 9 of 10
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#48 Cancer
#7   Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#39 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#36 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#38 Nephrology
#24 Neonatology
#43 Orthopedics
#35 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#27 Urology

Levine Children's Hospital
Location: Charlotte, NC
Nationally Ranked Pediatric  Specialties: 8 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#22 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#22 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#26 Nephrology
#31 Neonatology
#42 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#24 Orthopedics
#39 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#48 Urology

North Carolina Children's Hospital at UNC
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 8 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#34 Cancer
#14 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#20 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#44 Nephrology
#23 Neonatology
#23 Orthopedics
#12 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#37 Urology

Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Location: Little Rock, AR
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 7 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#42 Cancer
#44 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#29 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#34 Nephrology
#48 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#24 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
#40 Urology

UVA Children's Hospital
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 6 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#20 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#49 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#39 Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
#32 Neonatology
#45 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#44 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Arnold Palmer's Children's Hospital
Location:  Orlando, FL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#28 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#34 Neonatology
#41 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#35 Orthopedics
#49 Urology

Nicklaus Children's Hospital
Location: Miami, FL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#47 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#41 Neonatology
#25 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#44 Orthopedics
#34 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Location: Gainesville, FL
Nationally Ranked Pediatric Specialties: 5 of 10 
Pediatric Specialties Ranked in Top 50 Nationally:
#49 Cancer
#26 Cardiology & Heart Surgery
#13 Diabetes & Endocrinology
#34 Neurology & Neurosurgery
#18 Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

To find other children's hospitals in the Southeast and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Children's Hospitals resource page.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Cancer Death Rates in the Great Lakes Region

In 2020, cancer accounted for 602,350 deaths in the United States, with 95,354 of those cancer deaths occurring in the five-state Great Lakes region.  As such, the Great Lakes states accounted for nearly 16% of all cancer deaths in the U. S. that year.  At 203.6 deaths per 100,000 population, the Great Lakes region had a cancer death rate in 2020 that was more than 11% above the national average.  All five states in the region had a cancer death rate that was worse than the national average.  No other section of the country had a worse regional cancer death rate in 2020 than did the Great Lakes region.  An additional review of data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics details the following about cancer death rates in the Great Lakes region:

Cancer Death Rates in the Great Lakes Region

Cancer Death Rates in the Great Lakes Region

State Deaths Population Death Rate*
Illinois 24,015 12,587,530 190.8
Indiana 13,664 6,754,953 202.3
Michigan 21,158 9,966,555 212.3
Ohio 24,863 11,693,217 212.6
Wisconsin 11,654 5,832,655 199.8
     Region 95,354 46,834,910 203.6
U.S. 602,350 329,484,123 182.8

(*) number of cancer deaths per 100,000 population

Report Period: 2020

Source: CDC Wonder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed on June 18, 2022

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Medical Transcriptionist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

The most current occupational employment data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) put the number of medical transcriptionists working in the U.S. at more than 55,800 as of May 2021.  BLS data revealed the Mid-Eastern U.S. region to be a modestly good region for medical transcriptionist pay, with all five Mid-Eastern states recording an annual mean wage level for medical transcriptionists that was above the national average for the profession.  This included New Jersey, which ranked among the top five states in the nation for medical transcriptionist annual mean wages.  Additional examination of BLS data from May 2021 reveals the following details about medical transcriptionist pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.:

Medical Transcriptionist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

Medical Transcriptionist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
DE 270 $34,540 29th
MD 320 $40,290 10th
NJ n/a $43,990 4th
NY 3,030 $34,600 28th
PA 1,940 $37,140 19th
U.S. 55,830 $34,220 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 18, 2022

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

MRI Technologist Pay in the Far Western U.S.

An estimated 38,070 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists were working in the U.S. as of May 2021 according to the most recent occupational employment figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The six-state Far Western U.S. accounted for nearly 4,200 MRI technologist jobs at that time, or about 11% of the national total.  BLS data revealed the Far West to be far and away the best region in the nation for MRI technologist pay, as every state in the region ranked among the top six states in the country for MRI technologist annual mean wages.  Further examination of May 2021 state-level BLS data provides the following details about MRI technologist pay in the Far Western U.S.:

MRI Technologist Pay in the Far Western U.S.

MRI Technologist Pay in the Far Western U.S.

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
AK 110 $104,040 2nd
CA 2,470 $108,580 1st
HI 100 $101,700 3rd
NV 390 $92,640 6th
OR 410 $92,820 5th
WA 700 $95,160 4th
U.S. 38,070 $77,820 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 18, 2022

Monday, June 20, 2022

Heart Disease Death Rates in the U.S. Southwest

In 2020, heart disease was responsible for 696,962 deaths in the U.S., an increase of about 5.8% from the prior year.  That year, heart disease accounted for 80,454 deaths in the four-state Southwest region of the U.S.  With 187.7 deaths per 100,000 population, the U.S. Southwest had a regional heart disease death rate in 2020 that was about 11% better than the national average.  An examination of state-level data from the National Center for Health Statistics, a unit of the CDC, provides the following details about heart disease death rates in the U.S. Southwest:

Heart Disease Death Rates in the U.S. Southwest

Heart Disease Death Rates in the U.S. Southwest

State Deaths Population Death Rate*
Arizona 14,196 7,421,401 191.3
New Mexico 4,219 2,106,319 200.3
Oklahoma 11,758 3,980,783 295.4
Texas 50,281 29,360,759 171.3
     Region 80,454 42,869,262 187.7
U.S. 696,962 329,484,123 211.5

(*) number of heart disease deaths per 100,000 population

Report Period: 2020

Source: CDC Wonder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed on June 15, 2022

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Clinical Psychologist Pay in the Great Plains Region

More than 58,000 clinical psychologists were employed in the U.S. as of May 2021 per the most current occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  At that time, the seven-state Great Plains region was home to an estimated 3,850 working clinical psychologists.  BLS data revealed the region to be a poor one overall for clinical psychologist pay. Although Iowa and North Dakota ranked among the top fifteen states nationally for clinical psychologist annual mean wages, more than 85% of the region's employed clinical psychologists lived in a state where that pay metric was below the national average for the profession. Closer examination of May 2021 state-level data from the BLS reveals the following about clinical psychologist pay in the Great Plains region:

Clinical Psychologist Pay in the Great Plains Region

Clinical Psychologist Pay in the Great Plains Region

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
IA 330 $103,070 15th
KS 430 $96,950 19th
MN 1,260 $93,790 24th
MO 1,290 $72,530 48th
NE 260 $82,110 38th
ND 180 $112,160 8th
SD 100 $91,540 29th
U.S. 58,100 $99,640 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 15, 2022

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Medical Records Specialist Pay in the Great Lakes Region

The latest occupational employment numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the number of medical records specialists working in the U.S. at over 180,000 as of May 2021. With more than 23,600 medical records specialists employed at that time, the five-state Great Lakes region accounted for 13.1% of medical records specialist employment in the United States.  BLS data indicated the region to be a modestly weak one for medical records specialist pay, with nearly two-thirds of the region's medical records specialists living in a state where the annual mean wage for the profession was below the national average. From May 2021 BLS data, a state-level view reveals the following details about medical records specialist pay in the Great Lakes region.:

Medical Records Specialist Pay in the Great Lakes Region

Medical Records Specialist Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
IL 4,760 $48,920 18th
IN 4,010 $46,140 25th
MI 3,290 $43,610 42nd
OH 7,990 $46,340 24th
WI 3,600 $51,860 13th
U.S. 180,570 $48,310 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 15, 2022

Friday, June 17, 2022

Cancer Death Rates in the Great Plains Region

In 2020, 602,350 deaths in the United States were attributed to cancer.  In the seven-state Great Plains region, cancer accounted for 41,272 deaths in 2020, about 7% of all cancer deaths in the U. S. that year.  At 192.1 deaths per 100,000 population, the Great Plains region had a cancer death rate in 2020 that was about 5% above the national average.  Further examination of data from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals the following state-level details about cancer death rates in the Great Plains region:

Cancer Death Rates in the Great Plains Region

Cancer Death Rates in the Great Plains Region

State Deaths Population Death Rate*
Iowa 6,304 3,163,561 199.3
Kansas 5,538 2,913,805 190.1
Minnesota 9,944 5,657,342 175.8
Missouri 12,907 6,151,548 209.8
Nebraska 3,541 1,937,552 182.8
North Dakota 1,308 765,309 170.9
South Dakota 1,730 892,717 193.8
     Region 41,272 21,481,834 192.1
U.S. 602,350 329,484,123 182.8

(*) number of cancer deaths per 100,000 population

Report Period: 2020

Source: CDC Wonder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2020 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2020, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed on June 11, 2022

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Optometrist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) latest occupational employment figures estimated that more than 38,700 optometrists were working in the United States as of May 2021.  At that time, an estimated 7,950 optometrists were employed in the twelve-state Southeastern U.S region. BLS data shows the region to be a relatively poor one for optometrist pay.  Although having three states (Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina) that ranked among the dozen best states in the country for optometrist annual mean wages, nine of twelve Southeastern states were below the national average for that optometrist pay metric.  Moreover, those nine states were home to over 80% of the region's employed optometrists.  A closer look into BLS data from May 2021 details the following about optometrist pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

Optometrist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

Optometrist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
AL 470 $120,380 29th
AR 270 $114,070 36th
FL 2,310 $107,200 44th
GA 940 $124,830 24th
KY 380 $124,650 25th
LA 250 $138,520 5th
MS 220 $133,570 11th
NC 1,010 $141,140 4th
SC 360 $101,050 48th
TN 430 $113,370 37th
VA 1,170 $123,340 26th
WV 140 $105,210 47th
U.S. 38,720 $125,440 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 11, 2022

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Medical Transcriptionist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

The most recent occupational employment statistics available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) put medical transcriptionist employment at over 55,800 as of May 2021.  The five-state Rocky Mountain region accounted for an estimated 1,560 medical transcriptionist jobs at that time.  An examination of BLS data revealed the region to be a generally good one for medical transcriptionist pay. Although Idaho rated as one of the lowest pay states in the nation for medical transcriptionists, all other Rocky Mountain states, which accounted for over 80% of the region's medical transcriptionist employment, recorded an annual mean wage level for the profession that was above the national average. Moreover, Wyoming and Montana recorded two of the highest annual mean wage levels for medical transcriptionists in the country.  A deeper examination of BLS data from May 2021 reveals the following state-level details about medical transcriptionist pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Medical Transcriptionist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

Medical Transcriptionist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region



State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
CO 850 $38,110 16th
ID 280 $30,670 45th
MT 130 $43,640 5th
UT 240 $36,880 22nd
WY 60 $42,890 8th
U.S. 55,830 $34,220 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 11, 2022