There were just over 52,400 medical transcriptionists employed in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Medical transcriptionists work in a variety of settings, including within healthcare administrative offices, at physician offices, and in hospitals.  The BLS estimated the national mean salary for medical transcriptionists to be $39,090 annually as of May 2023, with a wide variation in pay from state to state.  According to May 2023 BLS data, based on annual mean wage levels these were the ten best and worst states for medical transcriptionist pay:

The Best and Worst States for Medical Transcriptionist Pay

Best Paying States
Minnesota	$50,720
Wyoming	$49,260
Connecticut	$47,480
Hawaii	$47,460
Washington	$45,660
Maine	$45,640
Wisconsin	$44,710
Massachusetts	$44,400
New Jersey	$44,180
North Dakota	$44,020

Worst Paying States
Louisiana	$35,790
West Virginia	$34,940
Michigan	$34,790
Missouri	$34,490
Kansas	$33,710
Arkansas	$33,610
New Mexico	$33,500
North Carolina	$32,360
Georgia	$31,910
Oklahoma	$31,490

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on July 22, 2024

According to reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were almost 41,400 optometrists at work in the U.S. as of May 2023.  Optometrists mainly work in health practitioner office settings, although smaller numbers can be found working in personal care stores and outpatient care centers.  The BLS estimated that, as of May 2023, the national mean salary for an optometrist was $143,000 annually.  There was, however, wide variation in optometrist pay at the state level.  From BLS data as of May 2023, here were the ten best and worst states for optometrist pay based on annual mean wage levels:

The Best and Worst States for Optometrist Pay

Best Paying States
North Carolina	$171,170
Maryland	$166,770
Kentucky	$161,300
New Hampshire	$161,030
Vermont	$153,540
New York	$152,450
Texas	$152,060
Connecticut	$151,270
Arizona	$150,690
District of Columbia	$148,610

Worst Paying States
Nevada	$122,610
Nebraska	$118,120
Indiana	$117,600
Alabama	$115,970
Wyoming	$115,400
South Dakota	$115,290
South Carolina	$114,430
Missouri	$109,890
Oklahoma	$105,720
Idaho	$104,020

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on July 22, 2024

There were nearly 185,700 medical records specialists working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Medical records specialists work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, individual family service providers, and outpatient care centers.  The BLS estimated the national mean salary for medical records specialists to be $53,690 per year as of May 2023.  There was, however, much variation from state to state in how much medical records specialists earn.  Per BLS annual mean wage level data, as of May 2023, these were the ten best and worst states for medical records specialist pay:

The Best and Worst States for Medical Records Specialist Pay

Best Paying States
District of Columbia	$70,900
Washington	$64,250
California	$64,070
Connecticut	$63,250
Maryland	$62,930
Hawaii	$62,920
New Jersey	$62,900
Minnesota	$60,560
New York	$60,510
Colorado	$59,760

Worst Paying States
Montana	$49,020
New Mexico	$48,490
Indiana	$48,220
Nevada	$48,110
Texas	$48,030
Kentucky	$46,840
West Virginia	$44,910
Arkansas	$44,120
Alabama	$42,970
Mississippi	$42,440

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on July 22, 2024

In the 24-25 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) survey of American hospitals, only 160 hospitals surveyed earned national recognition in at least one of the 15 adult specialties examined in the USNWR study. While the six-state Far West region of the U.S. is home to multiple teaching hospitals, only five teaching hospitals in the region earned national distinction in at least ten of the fifteen adult specialties assessed in the survey.  Moreover, all five of these Far West region teaching hospitals were named to the survey's honor roll for being one of the 20 best hospitals in the United States.  For receiving national recognition in ten or more adult specialties in the latest USNWR survey, these five hospitals stand out as the top-ranked teaching hospitals in the Far West:

Top Ranked Teaching Hospitals in the Far West

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Location:  Los Angeles
Nationally Ranked Adult Specialties:  11
# of Adult Specialities Ranked in the Top 10 Nationally:  7

• Cancer:  #16
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery:  #6
• Diabetes & Endocrinology:  #9
• Ear, Nose & Throat:  #39
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:  #2
• Geriatrics:  #13
• Neurology & Neurosurgery:  #9
• Obstetrics & Gynecology:  #5
• Orthopedics:  #5
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:  #5
• Urology:  #12
• See ranking details
  
  

UCLA Medical Center
Location:  Los Angeles

Nationally Ranked Adult Specialties:  14
# of Adult Specialities Ranked in the Top 10 Nationally:  12

• Cancer:  #9
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery:  #17
• Diabetes & Endocrinology:  #4
• Ear, Nose & Throat:  #1
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:  #4
• Geriatrics:  #5
• Neurology & Neurosurgery:  #9
• Obstetrics & Gynecology:  #15
• Ophthalmology:  #5
• Orthopedics:  #9
• Psychiatry:  #5
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:  #3
• Rheumatology:  #8
• Urology:  #4
• See ranking details
  
  

Stanford Hospital
Location:  Stanford, CA

Nationally Ranked Adult Specialties:  11

# of Adult Specialities Ranked in the Top 10 Nationally:  2

• Cancer:  #13
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery:  #11
• Diabetes & Endocrinology:  #16
• Ear, Nose & Throat:  #5
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:  #17
• Geriatrics:  #15
• Neurology & Neurosurgery:  #12
• Obstetrics & Gynecology:  #23
• Orthopedics:  #6
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:  #19
• Urology:  #19
• See ranking details
  
  

UCSF Medical Center

Location:  San Francisco

Nationally Ranked Adult Specialties:  13

# of Adult Specialities Ranked in the Top 10 Nationally:  7

• Cancer:  #7
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery:  #24
• Diabetes & Endocrinology:  #14
• Ear, Nose & Throat:  #12
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:  #18
• Geriatrics:  #3
• Neurology & Neurosurgery:  #3
• Obstetrics & Gynecology:  #32
• Orthopedics:  #8
• Psychiatry:  #7
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:  #4
• Rheumatology:  #7
• Urology:  #16
• See ranking details
  
  

UC San Diego Health (La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals)

Location:  La Jolla, CA

Nationally Ranked Adult Specialties:  11

# of Adult Specialities Ranked in the Top 10 Nationally:  1

• Cancer:  #42
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery:  #27
• Diabetes & Endocrinology:  #34
• Ear, Nose & Throat:  #40
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery:  #26
• Geriatrics:  #19
• Neurology & Neurosurgery:  #22
• Obstetrics & Gynecology:  #12
• Orthopedics:  #44
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery:  #10
• Urology:  #43
• See ranking details
  

To find other teaching hospitals in the Far West and elsewhere, visit our U.S. Teaching Hospitals resource page.

There were just over 221,100 radiologic techs (technologists and technicians) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  This occupation includes practitioners who take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials for diagnostic or research purposes. It does not, however, include diagnostic medical sonographers or MRI technologists. Radiologic techs work mainly in hospitals and physician offices, but smaller numbers are also found working in outpatient care centers and medical diagnostic laboratories. Radiologic techs typically earn better salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations.  According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for radiologic techs was $75,250 per year.  Radiologic tech pay varies significantly from state to state according to the BLS data.  In the best states for radiologic tech pay, practitioners can earn more than $85,000 per year while their peers in other parts of the country make less than $65,000 annually. Per BLS data as of May 2023, the ten best and worst states for radiologic tech pay were:

The Best and Worst States for Radiologic Tech Pay

Best Paying States
California	$103,150
Massachusetts	$93,270
Hawaii	$92,170
Oregon	$90,610
Washington	$89,910
District of Columbia	$89,740
Alaska	$87,180
Nevada	$86,570
Connecticut	$85,380
New York	$85,330

Worst Paying States
West Virginia	$64,580
South Dakota	$63,590
Kentucky	$63,520
South Carolina	$62,980
Tennessee	$62,710
Iowa	$62,550
Louisiana	$61,480
Arkansas	$59,470
Alabama	$56,670
Mississippi	$53,660

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on July 22, 2024

There were approximately 185,000 healthcare social workers at work in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Healthcare social workers are found in varied healthcare settings, including hospitals, individual family service providers, home healthcare agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient care centers. Healthcare social work professionals generally earn slightly higher salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations.  Per BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for healthcare social workers was $67,430 per year.  Although healthcare social workers realize modestly better than average pay in comparison to most workers, there is considerable variation from state to state in how much healthcare social workers earn.  Per BLS data, as of May 2023, these were the ten best and worst states for healthcare social worker pay based on annual mean wage levels:

The Best and Worst States for Healthcare Social Worker Pay

Best Paying States
California	$93,200
District of Columbia	$87,860
New Jersey	$82,010
Oregon	$81,390
Connecticut	$79.360
Rhode Island	$75,950
New Hampshire	$74,750
Hawaii	$73,210
Vermont	$72,520
Nevada	$70,500

Worst Paying States
Montana	$59,210
Arkansas	$58,990
West Virginia	$58,560
Nebraska	$57,840
Tennessee	$57,810
Mississippi	$55,860
Oklahoma	$55,130
Alabama	$54,650
Missouri	$53,060
South Dakota	$51,630

(*) 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 9, 2024

There were about 334,400 clinical lab techs (technologists and technicians) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published reports.  Clinical lab techs work mainly in hospitals and medical diagnostic laboratories, but smaller numbers are also found working in physician offices, at professional education institutions, and with ambulatory health service providers. According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for clinical lab techs was $62,870 per year.  Clinical lab tech pay varies widely by state according to the BLS data, from less than $50,000 annually in some states to over $75,000 per year in others.  As of May 2023, based on annual mean wage levels these were the ten best and worst states for clinical lab tech pay:

The Best and Worst States for Clinical Lab Tech Pay

Best Paying States
New York	$81,930
Oregon	$76,830
Connecticut	$76,190
Vermont	$75,660
New Hampshire	$74,920
California	$73,560
Rhode Island	$72,200
District of Columbia	$71,690
New Jersey	$70,800
Washington	$70,670

Worst Paying States
South Dakota	$56,340
Oklahoma	$55,780
Iowa	$54,770
South Carolina	$54,370
New Mexico	$52,660
Utah	$52,320
Idaho	$51,910
Arkansas	$51,590
Alabama	$49,700
Mississippi	$45,820

(*) 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 2, 2024

With additional benefits and typically lower costs, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans can be a great value compared to Original Medicare. Despite employing managed care protocols to control costs, more and more Medicare-eligible seniors are gravitating toward the better value MA plans offer.  In just over seven and one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2024, the penetration of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 50%.

The growing popularity of MA plans nationally is mirrored in the twelve-state Southeast region of the U.S., where Medicare Advantage plan enrollment has grown from a 30.7% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to 52.5% as of May 2024.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Southeast has grown from October 2016 to May 2024:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Southeast

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
State	May-24	Oct-16		May-24	Oct-16		May-24	Oct-16
AL	1,109.5	991.4		659.7	262.2		59.5%	26.5%
AR	673.1	609.0		304.5	125.3		45.2%	20.6%
FL	5,093.3	4,172.8		2,889.4	1,715.1		56.7%	41.1%
GA	1,925.3	1,585.9		1,064.9	529.6		55.3%	33.4%
KY	981.4	882.7		523.3	240.1		53.3%	27.2%
LA	937.7	817.7		523.0	257.4		55.8%	31.5%
MS	638.9	574.3		272.1	89.8		42.6%	15.6%
NC	2,203.4	1,829.7		1,223.9	561.9		55.5%	30.7%
SC	1,213.6	977.5		543.3	230.3		44.8%	23.6%
TN	1,468.2	1,269.6		775.4	452.3		52.8%	35.6%
VA	1,668.7	1,404.1		636.3	204.3		38.1%	14.6%
WV	450.2	424.9		227.3	106.4		50.5%	25.0%
Region	18,363.2	15,539.5		9,643.1	4,774.8		52.5%	30.7%
Total(2)	66,833.3	56,888.7		33,419.9	17,489.5		50.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Medical assistants work in varied healthcare settings, including physician offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, offices of other types of healthcare practitioners, and assisted living facilities.  As of May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that about 763,000 medical assistants were employed in the U.S.  The BLS further estimated that, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for medical assistants was $43,350 per year.  From state to state there was considerable variation in medical assistant mean annual wages, with medical assistants in some regions of the country earning 50% or more than their counterparts elsewhere.  Per BLS annual mean wage data of May 2023, the ten best and worst states for medical assistant pay were the following:

The Best and Worst States for Medical Assistant Pay

Best Paying States
Washington	$53,780
Alaska	$52,530
California	$50,900
District of Columbia	$50,110
Minnesota	$49,740
Oregon	$49,390
Massachusetts	$48,570
Hawaii	$47,840
New York	$47,350
Connecticut	$46,630

Worst Paying States
Tennessee	$38,860
South Carolina	$38,520
South Dakota	$37,760
Oklahoma	$37,480
Kentucky	$37,090
Arkansas	$35,560
West Virginia	$34,660
Mississippi	$34,630
Alabama	$34,160
Louisiana	$33,610

(*) 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 1, 2024

As of May 2023, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there were about 98,800 paramedics at work in the United States.  Paramedics work in varied environments, ranging from ambulance service providers and hospitals to local government agencies. Paramedics generally earn lower average salaries and wages than most other healthcare occupations that require advanced training and skills.  Per BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the annual mean salary for paramedics was $57,450 nationally.  Pay for the profession varies widely from state to state, with paramedics in some states making double annually what their peers earn elsewhere. As of May 2023, based on annual mean wage data from the BLS, the ten best and worst states for paramedic pay were:

The Best and Worst States for Paramedic Pay

Best Paying States
Washington	$94,500
New Jersey	$80,510
Hawaii	$73,770
District of Columbia	$71,710
Connecticut	$70,350
California	$69,870
Minnesota	$68,840
Oregon	$68,660
Alaska	$67,630
Illinois	$67,240

Worst Paying States
North Carolina	$49,950
New Mexico	$49,680
Kansas	$49,550
Mississippi	$48,390
South Dakota	$47,560
Ohio	$47,450
Arkansas	$47,300
Oklahoma	$46,690
West Virginia	$45,280
Alabama	$45,060

(*) 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 1, 2024

There were approximately 167,000 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  EMTs work in varied settings, including ambulance service providers, public and private hospitals, and local government agencies. Unlike many other trained healthcare professionals, emergency medical technicians earn lower average salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations.  Per BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for EMTs was $43,100 annually.  Pay for the profession varies widely from state to state, with EMTs in some states making double annually what their peers earn elsewhere. As of May 2023, according to BLS annual mean wage data, the ten best and worst states for emergency medical technician pay were:

The Best and Worst States for Emergency Medical Technician Pay

Best Paying States
Hawaii	$65,200
Alaska	$53,670
District of Columbia	$53,420
California	$52,100
Illinois	$51,920
Maryland	$51,640
Connecticut	$50,530
Massachusetts	$50,170
New Jersey	$48,470
Oregon	$48,150

Worst Paying States
Missouri	$37,450
Wyoming	$36,920
Arizona	$36,420
Montana	$36,130
Louisiana	$35,660
Arkansas	$34,450
Mississippi	$33,920
Kansas	$33,310
West Virginia	$33,150
Oklahoma	$32,830

(*) 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 1, 2024

In the 23-24 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) survey of American hospitals, nearly 780 hospitals were rated for their effectiveness at delivering care to adult heart patients.  The hospitals surveyed were scored on various measures related to heart patient outcomes, the breadth of their heart program and services, and the amount of recognition earned by these hospitals from their peers within the cardiology community.  In the 23-24 survey, a score of at least 59.1 out of 100 was required to earn a spot among the top 50 ranked U.S. hospitals for adult heart care. No hospitals in the Rocky Mountain region made the top 50 list and only three hospitals in the region scored more than 45 out of 100 in the 23-24 survey.  The three top-ranked heart hospitals in the Rocky Mountain region in the 23-24 USNWR survey were:

The Top-Ranked Heart Hospitals in the Rocky Mountain Region

UC Health University of Colorado Hospital

Location:  Aurora, CO

National Rank:  N/R

Cardiology & Heart Surgery Score:  47.8 out of 100 

(See ranking details)

St. Luke's Boise Medical Center

Location:  Boise, ID

National Rank:  N/R

Cardiology & Heart Surgery Score:  45.9 out of 100 

(See ranking details)

Intermountain Healthcare Intermountain Medical Center

Location:  Murray, UT

National Rank:  N/R

Cardiology & Heart Surgery Score:  45.6 out of 100 

(See ranking details)

For more insight into the metrics used to rate heart hospitals in the 23-24 USNWR survey, or to find the cardiology rating of other hospitals in the Rocky Mountain region, visit Best Hospitals for Adult Cardiology Care and Heart Surgery

There were approximately 280,100 nurse practitioners (NPs) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  NPs work in varied healthcare settings, including physician offices, hospitals, outpatient care centers, educational institutions, and the offices of other types of healthcare practitioners. Like many other healthcare professionals with advanced training and skills, nurse practitioners usually earn higher salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations.  Per BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for NPs was $128,490 per year.  While nurse practitioners realize better than average pay, there is considerable variation from state to state in how much NPs earn.  Per annual mean wage data from the BLS, as of May 2023, these were the ten best and worst states for nurse practitioner pay:

The Best and Worst States for Nurse Practitioner Pay

Best Paying States
California	$161,540
Nevada	$148,670
Washington	$145,400
New Jersey	$145,030
Oregon	$144,950
Massachusetts	$144,010
New York	$142,830
Connecticut	$136,980
New Mexico	$136,770
Minnesota	$135,010

Worst Paying States
Kansas	$119,270
Louisiana	$118,670
Mississippi	$117,490
South Carolina	$116,940
Missouri	$116,680
West Virginia	$113,450
Arkansas	$113,410
Kentucky	$110,370
Alabama	$110,020
Tennessee	$103,720

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 27, 2024

There were just over 240,800 physical therapists (PTs) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Physical therapists work in varied healthcare settings, including offices of non-physician practitioners, hospitals, home healthcare agencies, skilled nursing facilities, and physician offices.  Like many other healthcare professionals with advanced technical skills and training, PTs generally earn more money than most occupations.  According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for physical therapists was $100,440 per year.  That said, there is a significant disparity from state to state in the average annual wages earned by PTs.  A more extensive examination of BLS annual mean wage data reveals that, as of May 2023, the following were the ten best and worst states for physical therapist pay.

The Best and Worst States for Physical Therapist Pay

Best Paying States
California	$114,270
Nevada	$111,460
Alaska	$110,830
New Jersey	$109,280
Texas	$106,960
Maryland	$105,520
Illinois	$104,640
Delaware	$104,530
Connecticut	$103,870
District of Columbia	$103,550

Worst Paying States
Idaho	$92,400
Arkansas	$92,270
Iowa	$91,850
Maine	$91,720
Missouri	$91,030
Nebraska	$90,870
South Dakota	$89,050
North Dakota	$88,430
Kentucky	$87,480
Montana	$85,550

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 27, 2024

There were more than 144,800 occupational therapists employed in the U.S. as of May 2023 per the most current occupational statistical data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational therapists (OTs) work in varied healthcare settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare agencies, and offices with other health practitioners.  A good number of OTs also work in educational settings, mostly elementary and secondary schools.  Like many other healthcare professionals with special skills and training, occupational therapists typically earn more money than most occupations.  According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for occupational therapists was $96,790 per year.  From state to state, there is a very wide variation in the average annual wages earned by occupational therapists.  Further examination of BLS data as of May 2023 identifies the following as the ten best and worst states for occupational therapist pay based on annual mean wage levels:

The Best and Worst States for Occupational Therapist Pay

Best Paying States
California	$113,550
New York	$107,530
Nevada	$107,070
New Jersey	$105,880
Colorado	$104,950
Virginia	$102,550
Washington	$101,780
Maryland	$101,710
Texas	$101,610
Oregon	$100,910

Worst Paying States
Vermont	$86,370
Minnesota	$85,840
Iowa	$85,790
Utah	$85,750
Wisconsin	$85,030
Wyoming	$84,690
Michigan	$84,560
North Dakota	$82,450
South Dakota	$81,610
Maine	$80,590

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 27, 2024