Data released recently from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were more than 229,700 physical therapists (PTs) at work in the United States as of May 2022.  Nearly 24,000 of those working as physical therapists in the U.S. lived in the four-state Southwest region.  The Southwest region was a relatively good one for physical therapist pay, with the two largest states in the region, Arizona and Texas, both recording PT annual mean wage levels that ranked among the top 10 states nationally for the profession.  A deeper dive into BLS data from May 2022 reveals the following about PT employment and physical therapist pay in the U.S. Southwest:

Physical Therapist Pay in the U.S. Southwest

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	4,280	$99,980	10th
NM	1,310	$92,050	31st
OK	2,080	$91,100	38th
TX	16,280	$102,300	7th
U.S.	229,740	$97,960	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on December 10, 2023

According to the latest data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2022, there were nearly 325,500 pharmacists employed in the United States.  About 48,000 of those employed as pharmacists in the U.S. lived in the five-state Great Lakes region.  Generally speaking, the region is a modestly weak one for pharmacist pay.  Although Wisconsin ranked among the ten best states in the U.S. for pharmacist annual mean wage levels, that pay metric was below the national average in every other state in the region.  BLS data from May 2022 details the following about pharmacist employment and pharmacist pay in the Great Lakes region:

Pharmacist Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	12,560	$125,130	35th
IN	6,710	$124,760	36th
MI	10,200	$124,390	37th
OH	13,170	$121,290	45th
WI	5,450	$132,530	8th
U.S.	325,480	$129,410	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on December 10, 2023

May 2022 employment data published this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that there were about 632,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) at work in the United States.  Known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in certain parts of the country, LPNs comprise one of the largest healthcare occupations in the U.S.  Nearly 190,000 licensed practical nurses were employed in the twelve-state Southeastern region of the country. Home to 30% of all LPNs nationally, the Southeast is easily the worst region in the country for LPN pay as licensed practical nurse annual mean wage levels in all twelve states in the region fell below the national average.  Moreover, seven Southeastern states ranked among the ten states nationally with the lowest LPN annual mean wages.  A closer examination of BLS data from May 2022 reveals the following about licensed practical nurse pay in the Southeast region of the U.S.:

Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Southeast

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	10,290	$45,260	50th
AR	10,790	$45,990	48th
FL	36,970	$53,780	29th
GA	22,900	$50,830	41st
KY	10,370	$49,570	42nd
LA	19,230	$47,430	45th
MS	8,660	$45,020	51st
NC	16,230	$53,010	31st
SC	9,080	$51,060	40th
TN	20,480	$46,540	46th
VA	18,490	$52,790	33rd
WV	6,200	$45,530	49th
U.S.	632,020	$55,860	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on December 2, 2023

In the 23-24 U.S. News & World Report ratings of American hospitals, nearly 900 hospitals were examined for their proficiency and effectiveness in delivering cancer care to adult patients.  The study rated hospitals on various measures related to their cancer patient outcomes, the scale of their cancer care services and programs, and the level of professional recognition a hospital earned from their peers within the cancer care community.  Four New England hospitals rated among the top 50 U.S. hospitals for adult cancer care in the 23-24 survey.  Here's a quick view of these four New England institutions and where they rated nationally for adult cancer care in the 23-24 U.S. News survey:

New England's Top Cancer Hospitals

Dana Farber Brigham Cancer Center
Location:  Boston

National Rank:  #5 (See ranking details)

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Location:  Boston

National Rank:  #17 (See ranking details)

Massachusetts General Hospital
Location:  Boston

National Rank:  #28 (See ranking details)

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven
Location:  New Haven, CT

National Rank:  #50 (See ranking details)

To further examine the metrics used to grade adult cancer care hospitals in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, or to find cancer care ratings for other New England hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Adult Cancer Care.

Recently published May 2022 employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were nearly 135,000 occupational therapists (OTs) employed in the U.S.  About 24,000 of those OT jobs were in the Mid-East region of the country, an area that encompasses five states and the District of Columbia.  BLS data reveals the Mid-East region to be a mixed one in terms of OT pay, with OT annual mean wage levels in several states falling below the national average for all occupational therapists.  Even so, the District of Columbia and New Jersey were in the top ten nationally for OT annual mean wages.  BLS data reveals the following about occupational therapist employment in the Mid-East region of the U.S. as of May 2022:

Occupational Therapist Employment in the Mid-East Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
DC	410	$96,000	10th
DE	420	$88,180	29th
MD	2,900	$95,810	11th
NJ	4,280	$104,710	3rd
NY	8,660	$95,280	13th
PA	7,290	$88,560	28th
U.S.	134,980	$92,800	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on December 2, 2023

Data released recently from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2022, more than 363,000 dental assistants were working in the United States.  About 23,000 dental assistants at work in May 2022 lived in the seven-state Great Plains region of the country.  BLS data reveals much disparity in the Great Plains region for dental assistant pay.  Dental assistants in Minnesota enjoy the highest average annual mean wage in the country, and North Dakota is another top 10 state for dental assistant annual mean wages.  However, about 53% of the region's dental assistants work in one of three states that rank 30th or worse for average annual mean wages for the profession.  A deeper dive into May 2022 BLS data details the following about dental assistant pay in the Great Plains region of the U.S.:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Great Plains Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IA	3,280	$45,650	18th
KS	3,220	$39,000	44th
MN	5,890	$58,890	1st
MO	6,660	$42,260	31st
NE	2,240	$42,330	30th
ND	740	$51,370	8th
SD	1,010	$43,790	27th
U.S.	363,880	$44,710	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on December 2, 2023

Eight hospitals in the six-state Far Western U.S. were ranked among the 50 best hospitals in the nation for pediatric cancer care in the latest (2023-24) survey of American hospitals conducted by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR).  This included one hospital ranked among the five best pediatric cancer hospitals in the country, while three others were ranked among the top twenty.  While many hospitals in the region offer pediatric cancer care, the eight hospitals recognized in the USNWR nationwide survey stand out as the top-ranked pediatric cancer hospitals in the Far Western U.S.

Top Ranked Pediatric Cancer Hospitals in the Far Western U.S.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Location: Los Angeles

National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #3

(See ranking details)

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

Location: San Francisco
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #12

(See ranking details)

Seattle Children's Hospital

Location: Seattle
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #13

(See ranking details)

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford

Location: Palo Alto, CA
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking: #20

(See ranking details)

Rady Children's Hospital

Location: San Diego
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #21

(See ranking details)

CHOC Children's Hospital

Location: Orange, CA
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #33

(See ranking details)

UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital

Location: Los Angeles
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #37

(See ranking details)

Doernbecher Children's Hospital

Location: Portland, OR
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #43

(See ranking details)

To further examine the metrics used to rate pediatric cancer care hospitals in the 23-24 USNWR survey, or to find the pediatric cancer rating of other Far Western region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Pediatric Cancer Care

The most recent occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put licensed practical nurse (LPN) employment at more than 632,000 as of May 2022.  Also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some parts of the country, the LPN profession is one of the biggest healthcare occupations in the United States.  As of May 2022, nearly 29,500 LPNs were working in the six-state New England region. The region was home to four states that ranked among the ten best states in the nation for LPN annual mean wage levels, making the New England region one of the best for licensed practical nurse pay. A closer examination of May 2022 BLS statistical data reveals the following about licensed practical nurse pay in New England:

Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in New England

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CT	8,800	$62,620	9th
MA	15,630	$68,170	3rd
ME	930	$55,830	22nd
NH	2,110	$63,550	8th
RI	940	$66,770	4th
VT	1,060	$57,150	20th
U.S.	632,020	$55,860	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 11, 2023

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) most recent occupational statistical data, there were almost 135,000 occupational therapists (OTs) employed in the United States as of May 2022.  More than 6,100 occupational therapists were employed at that time in the five-state Rocky Mountain region of the country.  BLS data revealed that nearly 2/3rds of occupational therapists in the Rocky Mountain region lived in Colorado, which ranked as a top ten state in the nation for OT annual mean wages.  Elsewhere in the region, OTs did not fare as well financially as no other Rocky Mountain state recorded an OT annual mean wage level that topped the national average for the profession.  Moreover, three states in the region ranked among the bottom third of states for occupational therapist annual mean wage levels.  A closer look at the BLS data reveals the following about occupational therapist pay in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. as of May 2022:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	3,940	$97,720	6th
ID	600	$84,640	39th
MT	470	$84,680	37th
UT	820	$89,740	24th
WY	300	$84,650	38th
U.S.	134,980	$92,800	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 11, 2023

In the current (2023-24) survey of American hospitals conducted by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), eleven hospitals from the five-state Great Lakes region were rated among the 50 best hospitals in the U.S. for pediatric cancer care.  This included two hospitals in the region that ranked among the ten best nationally for pediatric cancer care, while two more ranked in the top twenty in the nation.  While many hospitals in the region offer pediatric cancer treatment, the eleven hospitals that earned recognition in the USNWR national survey stand apart as the top-ranked pediatric cancer hospitals in the Great Lakes region.

Top-Ranked Pediatric Cancer Hospitals in the Great Lakes Region

Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Location: Cincinnati, OH

National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #1
see ranking details

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Location: Columbus, OH
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #9

see ranking details

Mott Children's Hospital | Michigan Medicine

Location: Ann Arbor, MI
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #16

see ranking details

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Location: Chicago
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #17

see ranking details

Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital

Location: Cleveland
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #23

see ranking details

Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

Location: Indianapolis, IN
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #24

see ranking details

Children's Wisconsin Hospital

Location: Milwaukee, WI
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #28

see ranking details

Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

Location: Cleveland
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #29

see ranking details

Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital 

Location:  Grand Rapids, MI

National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #40

see ranking details

Children's Hospital of Michigan

Location: Detroit, MI
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #47

see ranking details

American Family Children's Hospital

Location: Madison, WI
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #49

see ranking details

For further information on the metrics used to rate pediatric cancer care hospitals in the 23-24 USNWR survey, or to find the pediatric cancer care rating of other Great Lakes region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Pediatric Cancer Care

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released earlier this year indicated that nearly 363,900 dental assistants were employed in the United States as of May 2022.  At that time, roughly 78,300 dental assistants were working in the six-state Far West region of the country.  Although dental assistant annual mean wage levels were poor in Hawaii and Nevada, BLS data revealed the Far West U.S. to be a modestly good one for dental assistant pay.  Over 93% of the region's dental assistants lived in a state where the annual mean wage level for dental assistants was above the national average.  Moreover, this included three states that ranked among the ten best states in the nation for dental assistant annual mean wages.  A closer review of May 2022 BLS data reveals the following about dental assistant pay in the Far West U.S.:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Far West U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	1,080	$52,430	4th
CA	55,360	$48,990	11th
HI	1,620	$39,590	42nd
NV	3,720	$41,240	35th
OR	5,200	$51,990	6th
WA	11,290	$50,430	9th
U.S.	363,880	$44,710	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 11, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data published earlier this year put licensed practical nurse (LPN) employment at more than 632,000 as of May 2022.  Also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some areas of the country, licensed practical nurses make up one of the biggest healthcare occupations in the U.S.  As of May 2022, nearly 82,200 LPNs were working in the four-state Southwestern region of the country. The Southwestern U.S. is a relatively weak one for licensed practical nurse pay, with the majority of LPNs living in states where the annual mean wage for the profession was below the national average. Further examination of May 2022 BLS data reveals the following about licensed practical nurse pay in the Southwest:

Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Southwest

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	6,280	$61,920	12th
NM	1,490	$59,400	15th
OK	12,170	$48,090	44th
TX	62,240	$52,850	32nd
U.S.	632,020	$55,860	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on November 11, 2023

In the 2023-24 survey of American hospitals conducted by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), only one hospital in New England was named among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for pediatric cancer care.  While various New England hospitals offer pediatric cancer services, Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Hospital is one of the best pediatric cancer hospitals in the nation and stands alone as the top-ranked pediatric cancer hospital in New England:

Top-Ranked Pediatric Cancer Hospitals in New England

Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
Location:  Boston
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #2
See ranking details

To learn more about the metrics used to rate pediatric cancer care hospitals in the 23-24 USNWR survey, or to find the pediatric cancer care rating of other New England hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Pediatric Cancer Care

Data released earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that almost 135,000 occupational therapists (OTs) were employed in the U.S. as of May 2022.  Over 29,600 occupational therapists were employed in the twelve-state Southeast region of the country at that time.  BLS data revealed the region to be a generally subpar one in terms of OT pay, with only two Southeastern states,  Georgia and Virginia, recording an occupational therapist annual mean wage level that was above the national average for the profession.  A closer examination of the BLS data revealed the following details about occupational therapist pay in the Southeast as of May 2022:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the Southeast

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	1,180	$86,860	34th
AR	1,360	$82,920	44th
FL	7,760	$88,910	27th
GA	3,270	$95,060	14th
KY	2,030	$83,960	40th
LA	1,800	$91,790	19th
MS	1,160	$89,590	25th
NC	3,340	$86,270	35th
SC	1,710	$88,090	30th
TN	2,290	$91,040	21st
VA	3,250	$97,980	5th
WV	460	$78,410	48th
U.S.	134,980	$92,800	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 21, 2023

Data published recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that over 363,800 dental assistants were working in the United States as of May 2022.  More than 49,000 dental assistants employed in May 2022 lived in the five-state Great Lakes region of the country.  BLS data reveals the Great Lakes region to be a relatively weak one for dental assistant pay, with only Ohio recording an annual mean wage level for dental assistants that topped the national average of $44,710.  Further examination of May 2022 BLS data shows the following about dental assistant pay in the Great Lakes region:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	12,940	$41,290	34th
IN	6,950	$43,920	26th
MI	11,390	$42,040	32nd
OH	11,460	$46,860	14th
WI	6,550	$44,140	25th
U.S.	363,880	$44,710	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 21, 2023

In the 2023-24 ratings of American hospitals conducted by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), among the 50 hospitals recognized as the best in the U.S. for pediatric cancer care, four were based in the four-state Southwestern region of the country.  Among that group was Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, which was rated as the sixth-best children's hospital in the nation for pediatric cancer care.  While other children's hospitals in the region may provide cancer treatment, the four hospitals that earned a spot in the USNWR national survey stand out as the top-ranked pediatric cancer hospitals in the Southwestern U.S.:

Top Ranked Pediatric Cancer Hospitals in the Southwestern U.S.

Texas Children's Hospital
Location:  Houston, TX
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #6
See ranking details

Children's Medical Center Dallas
Location:  Dallas, TX
National Pediatric Cancer Ranking:  #15
See ranking details

M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital
Location:  Houston, TX
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking:  #19
See ranking details

Cook Children's Medical Center
Location:  Fort Worth, TX
National Pediatric Cancer Ranking:  #30
See ranking details

For a closer look into the metrics used to rate pediatric cancer care hospitals in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, or to find the pediatric cancer care rating of other Southwestern region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Pediatric Cancer Care

May 2022 employment data published recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were more than 632,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) employed in the United States.  Known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some parts of the country, LPNs make up one of the largest healthcare occupations in the U.S.  Approximately 10,700 of those LPN jobs were in the five-state Rocky Mountain region of the country. Except in Colorado, which ranked among the top 15 states nationally for LPN annual mean wages, licensed practical nurses in the region were likely to earn less than the $55,860 national average annual mean wage for LPNs.  A closer review of BLS data from May 2022 reveals the following details about licensed practical nurse pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	4,840	$60,310	13th
ID	2,020	$54,710	27th
MT	1,900	$52,420	35th
UT	1,340	$55,790	23rd
WY	630	$54,880	25th
U.S.	632,020	$55,860	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 21, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released earlier this year indicated that, as of May 2022, there were nearly 135,000 occupational therapists (OTs) at work in the United States.  At that time, occupational therapist employment in the Far West U.S. totaled over 19,100.  BLS data reveals the Far West region to be the best in the nation in terms of OT pay.  Every state in the region had an OT annual mean wage level above the national average of $ 92,800.  Moreover, five of the six states in the Far West U.S. ranked among the top ten states in the nation for occupational therapist annual mean wages.  A deeper dive into the BLS data reveals the following about occupational therapist pay in the Far West U.S. as of May 2022:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the Far West U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	290	$100,810	4th
CA	13,230	$109,220	1st
HI	380	$96,600	8th
NV	780	$105,020	2nd
OR	1,070	$96,370	9th
WA	3,430	$94,450	15th
U.S.	134,980	$92,800	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 21, 2023

In the latest (23-24) survey of American hospitals conducted by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), the top 50 ranked hospitals in the U.S. for pediatric cancer care included only two hospitals based in the seven-state Great Plains region of the country.  While other hospitals in the region offer pediatric cancer treatment, the two hospitals that earned a spot in the USNWR national survey stand apart as the top-ranked pediatric cancer hospitals in the Great Plains region.

Top-Ranked Pediatric Cancer Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

St. Louis Children's Hospital
Location: St. Louis, MO
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking: #22 

See ranking details

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

Location: St. Louis, MO
National Pediatric Cancer Care Ranking: #50 

See ranking details

To further examine the metrics used to rate pediatric cancer care hospitals in the 23-24 USNWR survey, or to find the pediatric cancer care rating of other Great Plains region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Pediatric Cancer Care

The most recent occupational employment statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2022, there were almost 364,000 dental assistants employed in the United States.  More than 84,000 dental assistants working in May 2022 lived in the twelve-state Southeastern U.S. region.  BLS data reveals the Southeast to be one of the weakest regions of the country for dental assistant pay.  In only two Southeastern states was the average annual mean wage for dental assistants above the profession's national average of $44,710.  Moreover, five states in the region ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for dental assistant annual mean wages, and three other Southeastern states ranked in the bottom third.  A deeper examination of May 2022 BLS data details the following about dental assistant pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Southeastern U.S

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	3,710	$37,720	46th
AR	2,970	$36,570	50th
FL	22,670	$42,650	29th
GA	10,900	$41,160	36th
KY	3,320	$40,430	40th
LA	4,920	$36,180	51st
MS	2,530	$36,960	49th
NC	11,990	$45,650	19th
SC	4,820	$43,070	28th
TN	6,760	$40,990	37th
VA	8,110	$44,980	21st
WV	1,440	$37,510	47th
U.S.	363,880	$44,710	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 8, 2023