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

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) most recently published occupational employment data put licensed practical nurse (LPN) employment at more than 632,000 as of May 2022.  Also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some sections of the country, LPNs make up one of the largest healthcare occupations in the U.S.  As of May 2022, more than 98,000 LPNs were working in the Mid-East U.S., a region that includes the District of Columbia and five states. The region is one of the better regions of the country for licensed practical nurse pay, as every state in the Mid-East region, except for Pennsylvania, recorded an LPN annual mean wage level that was better than the national average. Further examination of May 2022 BLS data reveals the following details about licensed practical nurse pay in the Mid-East U.S.:

Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Mid-East U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
DC	1,090	$62,010	10th
DE	2,100	$57,360	18th
MD	7,650	$60,180	14th
NJ	16,220	$61,990	11th
NY	38,590	$57,560	17th
PA	32,950	$54,520	28th
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 4, 2023

The 23-24 U.S. News & World Report hospital survey graded over 1,000 hospitals for their proficiency and effectiveness in delivering rehabilitation care services to individuals recovering from severe illness or injuries.  The survey scored hospitals on a variety of performance metrics ranging from rehabilitation patient outcomes to the scope of a hospital's rehabilitation services to the amount of recognition earned by a hospital within the rehabilitation care community.  The five-state Great Lakes region was home to nine hospitals that ranked among the 50 top U.S. hospitals for rehabilitation care in the 23-24 survey.  This included the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, which the survey ranked as the top hospital in the U.S. for rehabilitation care.  The top rehabilitation hospitals in the Great Lakes region, and where they rated nationally in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, were:

Top Rehabilitation Hospitals in the Great Lakes Region

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Location:  Chicago, IL
National Rank:  #1 (See ranking details)

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Location:  Grand Rapids, MI
National Rank:  #10 (See ranking details)

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Location:  Columbus, OH
National Rank:  #27 (See ranking details)

University of Michigan Health Rehabilitation

Location:  Ann Arbor, MI
National Rank:  #27 (See ranking details)

OhioHealth Rehabilitation Hospital
Location:  Columbus, OH
National Rank:  #34 (See ranking details)

Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Location:  Wheaton, IL

National Rank:  #35 (See ranking details)

Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital
Location:  Cleveland, OH

National Rank:  #38 (See ranking details)

TriHealth Rehabilitation Hospital

Location:  Cincinnati, OH

National Rank:  #46 (See ranking details)

MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute

Location:  Cleveland, OH
National Rank:  #50 (See ranking details)

For a deeper look at the metrics used to score rehabilitation hospitals in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, or to find the rehabilitation care rating of other Great Lakes region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation.

May 2022 employment data published earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that nearly 135,000 occupational therapists (OTs) were employed in the U.S.  About 13,000 of those OT jobs were in the four-state Southwestern region of the country.  BLS data revealed the Southwest region to be a relatively good one for OT pay with nearly 75% of the region's occupational therapists living in a state where the OT annual mean wage was above the national average.  This included Texas, which ranked among the ten best states in the U.S. for OT annual mean wage levels.  Drilling down into May 2022 BLS data revealed the following about occupational therapist pay in the U.S. Southwest:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the U.S. Southwest

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	2,430	$90,740	22nd
NM	800	$94,100	16th
OK	890	$90,200	23rd
TX	8,910	$96,900	7th
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 4, 2023

Nearly 364,000 dental assistants were employed in the United States as of May 2022 per the latest available occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Over 17,200 dental assistants at work in May 2022 lived in the six-state New England region of the country.  BLS data reveals New England to be one of the better regions of the country for dental assistant pay.  Every state in New England, except Rhode Island, recorded an annual mean wage level for dental assistants that was above the national average for the profession, with two states in the region, Massachusetts and Vermont, ranked among the top ten states nationally for that pay metric.  A deeper dive into May 2022 BLS data details the following about dental assistant pay in New England:

Dental Assistant Pay in New England

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CT	3,560	$48,260	12th
MA	9,650	$52,200	5th
ME	1,230	$46,560	15th
NH	1,360	$50,220	10th
RI	800	$44,340	24th
VT	610	$51,460	7th
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 September 30, 2023

The 23-24 U.S. News & World Report survey of American hospitals analyzed over 1,000 hospitals for their capabilities to provide rehabilitation care to individuals recovering from severe injuries or illnesses.  The study scored hospitals on multiple metrics, including healthcare outcomes for rehabilitation patients, the scope of a hospital's rehabilitation care services, and the amount of recognition received by a hospital from within the broader rehabilitation services community.  In the seven-state Great Plains region, only two hospitals graded out as a top 50 hospital in the U.S. for rehabilitation care in the 23-24 USNWR survey:

The Top Rehabilitation Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

Mayo Clinic

Location:  Rochester, MN
National Rank:  #11 (See ranking details)

The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis

Location:  St. Louis, MO

National Rank:  #42 (See ranking details)

For a closer examination of the metrics used to score rehabilitation hospitals in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, or to find the rehabilitation care rating of other Great Plains region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation.

Recently released employment studies from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2022, there were over 632,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) employed in the United States.  Also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some parts of the country, licensed practical nurses constitute one of the biggest healthcare occupations in the U.S.  Approximately 88,000 of those employed as licensed practical nurses lived in the six-state Far West region of the country. BLS data shows the Far West region to be the best in the country for LPN pay.  Every state in the region, except Hawaii, had an average LPN annual mean wage level that topped the national average of $55,860.  Moreover, five Far West states ranked among the ten best states in the U.S. for LPN/LVN annual mean wage levels.  This included Washington and California, which were the two best states in the nation for licensed practical nurse annual mean wages.  A deeper examination of BLS data from May 2022 reveals the following about licensed practical nurse pay in the U.S. Far West:

Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the U.S. Far West

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	390	$66,710	5th
CA	73,740	$69,930	2nd
HI	890	$55,730	24th
NV	3,170	$63,910	7th
OR	3,550	$66,190	6th
WA	6,430	$69,950	1st
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 September 30, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data published recently indicated that, as of May 2022, there were about 135,000 occupational therapists (OTs) employed in the United States.  More than 22,500 occupational therapists were employed in the five-state Great Lakes region of the country.  BLS data reveals the Great Lakes region to be a relatively weak one in terms of OT pay, with OT annual mean wage levels in all states in the region falling below the national average for occupational therapists.  In fact, two states in the region, Michigan and Wisconsin, ranked among the bottom ten states in the nation for occupational therapist annual mean wages.  A closer look at the BLS data reveals the following about occupational therapist pay in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. as of May 2022:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	6,670	$89,330	26th
IN	2,910	$87,510	32nd
MI	4,400	$83,900	42nd
OH	5,350	$91,670	20th
WI	3,220	$82,080	45th
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 September 30, 2023

The 23-24 U.S. News & World Report survey of American hospitals rated more than 1,000 hospitals for their effectiveness in delivering rehabilitation services to individuals recovering from severe afflictions.  The study analyzed hospitals on various metrics, ranging from the medical outcomes for their rehabilitation patients to the scope of their rehabilitation programs to the amount of professional recognition attained by a hospital from within the rehabilitation services community.  Ten hospitals in the Southeastern U.S. rated among the 50 best U.S. hospitals for rehabilitation care in the 23-24 survey, including Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte, which was rated the ninth-best rehabilitation hospital in the nation.  The Southeast's top rehabilitation hospitals, and where they ranked nationally for rehabilitation care in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, were:

The Southeast's Top Rehabilitation Hospitals

Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation

Location:  Charlotte, NC
National Rank:  #9 (See ranking details)

Shepherd Center

Location:  Atlanta, GA
National Rank:  #12 (See ranking details)

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital

Location:  Jacksonville, FL
National Rank:  #17 (See ranking details)

UAB Hospital

Location:  Birmingham, AL
National Rank:  #19 (tied) (See ranking details)

WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital
Location:  Raleigh, NC
National Rank:  #19 (tied) (See ranking details)

Memorial Regional Hospital

Location:  Hollywood, FL

National Rank:  #24 (See ranking details)

Sheltering Arms Institute
Location:  Richmond, VA

National Rank:  #29 (See ranking details)

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Location:  Sarasota, FL
National Rank:  #31 (See ranking details)

Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital

Location:  Greensboro, NC

National Rank:  #36 (See ranking details)

Lynn Rehabilitation Center at UHealth/Jackson Memorial Hospital

Location:  Miami, FL

National Rank:  #45 (See ranking details)

For a more thorough look at the metrics used to grade rehabilitation hospitals in the 23-24 U.S. News survey, or to find the rehabilitation care rating of other Southeastern hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation.

As of May 2022, the most current date of occupational employment data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the BLS reported dental assistant employment in the United States at nearly 363,900.  The five-state Rocky Mountain region accounted for just over 17,800 of those dental assistant jobs.  BLS data revealed much disparity in the region for dental assistant pay.  Colorado, home to 40% of the region's dental assistants, was the only Rocky Mountain state to record a dental assistant annual mean wage level above the national average.  Concurrently, another 49% of the region's dental assistants lived in Idaho and Utah, two states that ranked in the bottom ten nationally for that pay metric. A closer look at May 2022 BLS data reveals the following details about dental assistant pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	7,100	$46,350	17th
ID	2,820	$38,840	45th
MT	1,420	$40,670	39th
UT	5,920	$37,080	48th
WY	550	$41,720	33rd
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 September 24, 2023