Clinical Lab Tech Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

There were over 337,000 clinical laboratory technicians and technologists employed in the U.S. as of May 2024 according to data recently published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Approximately 9,590 of those clinical lab tech positions were in the five-state Rocky Mountain region.  For clinical lab techs, the Rocky Mountain region is a mixed bag in terms of pay relative to the national average.  The annual mean wage for clinical lab techs in Montana and Wyoming is better than the national average, but elsewhere in the region annual mean wages lag the national average. In fact, two states in the region fell in the bottom quintile nationally for clinical lab tech annual mean wages.  BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about clinical lab tech pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Clinical Lab Tech Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	N/A	N/A	N/A
ID	2,050	$54,110	46th
MT	1090	$67,120	18th
UT	6,010	$55,200	45th
WY	440	$67,600	17th
U.S.	337,740	$65,012	-------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 8, 2025

Newly released May 2024 employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that there were more than 287,780 dental assistants employed in the United States.  Roughly 51,000 of those employed as dental assistants lived in the Mid-East region of the country, a region that includes the District of Columbia and five states.  BLS data reveals the Mid-East region to be a relatively good one for dental assistant pay, with all states, expect Delaware, in the region registering a mean annual wage for dental assistants that topped the national average for the profession.  A closer look at May 2024 BLS data reveals the following about dental assistant pay in the Mid-East region of the U.S.:

Dental Assistant Pay in the Mid-East Region

State	# Employed	Mean Annual Wage	Wage Rank*
DC	510	$57,390	3rd
DE	1120	$47,110	28th
MD	6,520	$50,410	16th
NJ	10,660	$50,570	15th
NY	19,700	$49,850	18th
PA	12,410	$49,760	19th
U.S.	287,780	$48,225	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 7, 2025

Based on certified bed count data from the Fourth Quarter 2024 Medicare Provider of Services file, the ten largest general hospitals in the Southwestern U.S. were:

The Ten Largest General Hospitals in the Southwestern U.S.

• Methodist Hospital
  Location:  San Antonio
  Certified Bed Count:  2,465
  
  
• Memorial Hermann Hospital System
  Location:  Houston
  Certified Bed Count:  1,515
  
  
• Houston Methodist Hospital
  Location:  Houston
  Certified Bed Count:  1,299
  
  
• Baptist Medical Center
  Location:  San Antonio
  Certified Bed Count:  1,285
  
  
• St. Francis Hospital
  Location:  Tulsa, OK
  Certified Bed Count:  1,088
  
  
• Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi
  Location:  Corpus Christi, TX
  Certified Bed Count:  1,040
  
  
• Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center
  Location:  Houston
  Certified Bed Count:  1,034
  
  
• University Health System
  Location:  San Antonio, TX
  Certified Bed Count:  1,034
  
  
• Harris Health System
  Location:  Houston
  Certified Bed Count:  975
  
  
• Parkland Health and Hospital System
  Location:  Dallas
  Certified Bed Count:  968

Supplemental resource:  Top Ranked Teaching Hospitals in the Southwest

Nurse Practitioner Pay in the Great Plains Region

The most current occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) employed in the United States at over 303,000 as of May 2024.  At that time, more than 28,700 nurse practitioner jobs in the U.S. were in the seven-state Great Plains region of the country.  Outside of Iowa, which ranked fourteenth nationally for NP annual mean wages, the Great Plains region is a weak one for NP pay.  The other six states in the region, home to more than three-quarters of the region's nurse practitioners, all had NP annual mean wage levels that were below the national average.  Moreover, three Great Plains states ranked in the bottom quartile of all states in terms of nurse practitioner annual mean wage levels. A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 provides the following details about nurse practitioner pay in the Great Plains region:

Nurse Practitioner Pay in the Great Plains Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IA	2,810	$133,020	14th
KS	3,030	$127,900	27th
MN	8,690	$128,120	25th
MO	6,820	$124,600	38th
NE	2,150	$127,950	26th
ND	1,260	$121,200	44th
SD	950	$122,300	40th
U.S.	303,410	$130,077	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 3, 2025

Radiologic Tech Pay in the Great Plains Region

Data published earlier this summer by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, as of May 2023, there were about 221,180 radiologic technologists and technicians employed in the United States.  The Great Plains region of the U.S. held about 16,550 of the country's radiologic tech jobs at that time.  BLS data revealed the region to be one of the weakest in the nation for radiologic tech pay.  Although Minnesota ranked just below the top 15 nationally for radiologic tech annual mean wages, three-fourths of the region's radiologic techs lived in a state where the average annual mean wage was below the national average for radiologic techs.  Moreover, four of those Great Plains states ranked among the 15 worst states in the nation for radiologic tech annual mean wages.  More examination of May 2023 data from the BLS tells us the following about radiologic tech pay in the Great Plains region:

Radiologic Tech Pay in the Great Plains Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IA	2,790	$62,550	47th
KS	2,050	$67,140	38th
MN	4,120	$78,730	16th
MO	4,450	$66,560	39th
NE	1,480	$67,530	36th
ND	730	$68,750	32nd
SD	930	$63,590	43rd
U.S.	221,180	$73,907	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 2, 2025

From the Fourth Quarter 2024 Medicare Provider of Services file certified bed count data, here are the ten largest general hospitals in the Great Lakes region of the U.S.:

The Ten Largest General Hospitals in the Great Lakes Region

• Indiana University Health
  Location:  Indianapolis, IN
  Certified Bed Count:  1,733
  
  
• Cleveland Clinic
  Location:  Cleveland, OH
  Certified Bed Count:  1,267
  
  
• Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
  Location:  Milwaukee, WI
  Certified Bed Count:  1,213
  
  
• Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
  Location:  Grand Rapids, MI
  Certified Bed Count:  1,135
  
  
• Summa Health
  Location:  Akron, OH
  Certified Bed Count:  1,061
  
  
• UH Cleveland Medical Center
  Location:  Cleveland, OH
  Certified Bed Count:  1,037
  
  
• Corewell Health Beaumont University Hospital
  Location:  Royal Oak, MI
  Certified Bed Count:  1,031
  
  
• Riverside Methodist Hospital
  Location:  Columbus, OH
  Certified Bed Count:  1,000
  
  
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
  Location:  Chicago, IL
  Certified Bed Count:  997
  
  
• DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital
  Location:  Detroit, MI
  Certified Bed Count:  991

Supplemental resource:  Top Ranked Teaching Hospitals in the Great Lakes Region

According to certified bed count data from the Fourth Quarter, 2024 Medicare Provider of Services file, the ten largest general hospitals in the Far West region of the United States were:

The Ten Largest General Hospitals in the Far West

• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
  Location:  San Jose, CA
  Certified Bed Count:  1,182
  
  
• UCSF Medical Center
  Location:  San Francisco
  Certified Bed Count:  1,019
  
  
• Sharp Memorial Hospital
  Location:  San Diego
  Certified Bed Count:  881
  
  
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  Location:  Los Angeles
  Certified Bed Count:  848
  
  
• Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center
  Location:  Las Vegas, NV
  Certified Bed Count:  834
  
  
• Community Regional Medical Center
  Location:  Fresno, CA
  Certified Bed Count:  794
  
  
• Scripps Mercy Hospital
  Location:  San Diego
  Certified Bed Count:  700
  
  
• Swedish Medical Center
  Location:  Seattle, WA
  Certified Bed Count:  697
  
  
• Los Angeles General Medical Center
  Location:  Los Angeles
  Certified Bed Count:  676
  
  
• Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Zion
  Location:  San Diego, CA
  Certified Bed Count:  659

Supplemental resource:  Top Ranked Teaching Hospitals in the Far West

Radiologic Tech Pay in the Great Lakes Region

Data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the employment of radiologic technologists and technicians in the United States over 221,000 as of May 2023.  About 34,090 radiologic technologists and technicians were employed in the five-state Great Lakes region at that time.  BLS data showed the region to be a relatively subpar one for radiologic tech pay with only one state, Illinois, in the region recording annual mean wage levels for radiologic techs that was above the national average.  A closer look at BLS data from May 2023 reveals the following about radiologic tech pay in the Great Lakes region:

Radiologic Tech Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	7,660	$74,040	21st
IN	5,430	$70,550	29th
MI	6,760	$68,150	33rd
OH	9,830	$68,140	34th
WI	4,410	$72,200	27th
U.S.	221,180	$73,907	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 20, 2025

The most recently released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment data indicated that there were nearly 145,000 occupational therapists (OTs) employed in the U.S. as of May 2023. About 11,080 of those employed as occupational therapists lived in the six-state New England region of the country.  BLS data reveals New England to be a region of wide disparity in terms of OT pay, with Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts having a mean annual wage level for occupational therapists that exceeded the profession's national average.  Concurrently, two states in the region (Vermont, and Maine) ranked among the twelve worst states in the country for OT mean annual wage levels.  A closer review of May 2023 BLS data reveals the following details about occupational therapist pay in New England:

Occupational Therapist Pay in New England

State	# Employed	Mean Annual Wage	Wage Rank*
CT	2,960	$96,220	17th
MA	5,280	$94,340	21st
ME	1,060	$80,590	51st
NH	890	$87,690	38th
RI	570	$95,660	19th
VT	320	$86,370	42nd
U.S.	144,850	$93,491	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 18, 2025

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported recently that there were 3,175,440 registered nurses (RNs) working in the U.S. as of May 2023.  Just over 107,000 employed RNs worked in the five-state Rocky Mountain region.  BLS data shows the Rocky Mountain region to be a generally weak one for registered nurse pay, as the average annual mean wage for RNs in every Rocky Mountain state, with the exception of Colorado, fell below the national average.  BLS data from May 2023 details the following about registered nurse pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Registered Nurse Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	53,480	$91,730	17th
ID	14,060	$83,090	33rd
MT	9,740	$82,950	34th
UT	24,730	$83,100	32nd
WY	5,350	$83,990	31st
U.S.	3,175,440	$89,611	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 17, 2025

Radiologic Tech Pay in the U.S. Southwest

The most recent occupational employment data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the number of radiologic technologists and technicians employed in the United States at over 221,000 as of May 2023.  About 29,200 radiologic technologists and technicians were employed in the four-state U.S. Southwest region at that time.  BLS data showed the region to be a modestly subpar one for radiologic tech pay, with only one state in the region, Arizona, recording an annual mean wage level for radiologic techs that exceeded the national average.  A further look at BLS data from May 2023 reveals the following about radiologic tech pay in the U.S. Southwest:

Radiologic Tech Pay in the U.S. Southwest

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	4,950	$79,860	14th
NM	1,200	$71,940	28th
OK	3,300	$65,810	40th
TX	19,740	$72,470	24th
U.S.	221,180	$73,907	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 11, 2025

Medical Assistant Pay in the Mid-East Region

Newly published employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that there were just over 763,000 medical assistants (MAs) employed in the United States as of May 2023.  Approximately 103,800 of those MA jobs were in the Mid-East region of the country, an area which spans five states and the District of Columbia.  BLS data shows the Mid-East region to be a relatively good one for medical assistant pay, with MA annual mean wage levels in four states in the region topping the national average for medical assistants.  In fact, the District of Columbia and New York were in the top ten nationally for MA annual mean wages.  BLS data reveals the following about medical assistant pay in the Mid-East region of the U.S. as of May 2023:

Medical Assistant Pay in the Mid-East Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
DC	2,580	$50,110	4th
DE	2,790	$41,340	29th
MD	14,440	$44,100	17th
NJ	19,880	$45,190	13th
NY	39,860	$47,350	9th
PA	24,250	$42,090	26th
U.S.	763,020	$42,404	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 7, 2025

Dental Hygienist Pay in the Southeastern U.S

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data published this past summer put dental hygienist (DH) employment in the United States at nearly 212,000 as of May 2023.  At that time, the twelve-state Southeastern U.S. was home to approximately 50,810 employed dental hygienists according to the BLS.  BLS data shows the region to be the worst in the nation for dental hygienist pay.  Although Virginia DHs earned an average annual mean wage that was 16th best in the nation, every other state in the Southeast had an annual mean wage level for dental hygienists that was below the national average.  Moreover, seven Southeastern states ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for dental hygienist annual mean wage levels.  A deeper examination of May 2023 BLS data shows the following about dental hygienist pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

Dental Hygienist Pay in the Southeastern U.S

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	3,070	$54,460	51st
AR	1,830	$78,040	43rd
FL	13,050	$81,180	32nd
GA	7,380	$85,600	24th
KY	2,230	$73,850	48th
LA	2,200	$78,980	41st
MS	1,550	$62,120	50th
NC	6,470	$82,780	28th
SC	3,100	$76,950	45th
TN	4,680	$75,920	47th
VA	4,080	$91,800	16th
WV	1,170	$68,820	49th
U.S.	211,670	$87,035	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 6, 2025

Radiologic Tech Pay in New England

Recently released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that, as of May 2023, there were nearly 221,180 radiologic technologists and technicians employed in the United States.  About 10,880 of those radiologic technologist and technician jobs were in the six-state New England region.  BLS data reveals the region to be a relatively good one for radiologic tech pay with all states but one, Maine, reporting an annual mean wage above the national average.  A closer look at May 2023 data from the BLS reveals the following about radiologic tech pay in New England:

Radiologic Tech Pay in New England

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CT	2,330	$85,380	9th
MA	5,140	$93,270	2nd
ME	1,130	$72,210	26th
NH	1,000	$78,780	15th
RI	820	$83,230	11th
VT	460	$78,170	18th
U.S.	221,180	$73,907	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on March 8, 2024

The latest occupational employment data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that there were over 3,174,000 registered nurses (RNs) employed in the country as of May 2023.  Over 506,000 of those RN jobs were in the five Great Lakes states.  BLS data revealed the Great Lakes region as a weak one for registered nurse pay, as no state in the region had an RN annual mean wage level that topped the national average. A closer look at BLS data from May 2023 reveals the following details about registered nurse pay in the Great Lakes region:

Registered Nurse Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	139,910	$87,650	24th
IN	68,850	$82,700	35th
MI	102,240	$86,210	27th
OH	133,300	$84,430	29th
WI	61,870	$87,220	26th
U.S.	3,175,440	$89,611	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on February 28, 2025

Medical Assistant Pay in the Great Plains Region

Recently produced employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts medical assistant (MA) employment in the United States at over 763,000 as of May 2023.  Approximately 37,210 of those MA jobs were in the seven-state Great Plains region of the country.  BLS data paints a mixed picture for MA pay in the Great Plains region. Minnesota ranks in the top 5 nationally for medical assistant annual mean wages according to BLS data, while Iowa and Nebraska nearly rank in the top 20.  However, the other four states in the region rank 34th or lower nationally for MA annual mean wages.  A closer look at BLS data reveals the following about medical assistant pay in the Great Plains region as of May 2023:

Medical Assistant Pay in the Great Plains Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IA	4,830	$42,660	22nd
KS	4,900	$39,020	39th
MN	11,840	$49,740	5th
MO	11,820	$39,230	38th
NE	2,390	$42,280	23rd
ND	420	$40,320	34th
SD	1,010	$37,760	44th
U.S.	763,020	$42,404	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on February 27, 2025

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released earlier this year indicated that, as of May 2023, there were nearly 145,000 occupational therapists (OTs) at work in the United States.  At that time, occupational therapist employment in the Far West U.S. totaled just under 19,000.  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 $93,491.  Moreover, four 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 2023:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the Far West U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	350	$98,960	14th
CA	12,470	$113,550	1st
HI	290	$99,490	13th
NV	1,220	$107,070	3rd
OR	1,180	$100,910	10th
WA	3,270	$101,780	7th
U.S.	144,850	$93,491	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on February 25, 2025

Dental Hygienist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S

The most recent occupational employment reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put dental hygienist (DH) employment in the country at about 211,600 as of May 2023.  At that time, the Mid-Eastern U.S. was home to approximately 30,440 employed dental hygienists according to the BLS.  BLS data shows the region to be a mixed picture for dental hygienist pay.  Three states in the region, plus the District of Columbia, ranked among the eleven best states nationally for dental hygienist annual mean wages.  At the same time, however, the region's two biggest employment centers for DHs, New York and Pennsylvania, both had dental hygienist annual mean wage levels that were just at or below the national average.  A deeper examination of May 2023 BLS data shows the following about dental hygienist pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.:

Dental Hygienist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
DC	230	$113,600	4th
DE	710	$98,660	8th
MD	3,590	$101,140	7th
NJ	6,060	$95,700	10th
NY	12,100	$87,290	22nd
PA	7,750	$77,010	44th
U.S.	211,670	$87,035	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on February 24, 2025

Radiologic Tech Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

Nearly 221,200 radiologic technicians and technologists were employed in the United States as of May 2023 according to the most recent occupational employment data released from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The five-state Rocky Mountain region accounted for just over 8,000 of those radiologic technologist and technician jobs.  BLS data reveals the region to be a mixed picture for radiologic tech pay.  Nearly half the radiologic tech professionals in the region lived in Colorado, a state where the radiologic tech annual mean wage level topped the national average.  However, the annual mean wage for radiologic techs in all other states in the region ran below the national average for the profession.  More examination of May 2023 data from the BLS reveals the following details about radiologic tech pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Radiologic Tech Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	3,700	$80,140	13th
ID	1,450	$72,890	22nd
MT	820	$68,820	31st
UT	1,610	$72,690	23rd
WY	460	$72,390	25th
U.S.	221,180	$73,907	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on February 21, 2025

Recently released data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were over 3,175,000 registered nurses (RNs) employed in the U.S. as of May 2023.  More than 804,000 of those RN jobs were in the twelve-state Southeast region of the country.  BLS data reveals the Southeast as a generally weak region for registered nurse pay.  The average annual mean wage for registered nurses in nearly every state in the region fell below the national average, and six states in the region ranked among the bottom ten states in the nation for RN annual mean wages.  BLS data from May 2023 reveals the following about registered nurse pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

Registered Nurse Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	50,450	$71,370	50th
AR	29,690	$72,900	49th
FL	207,910	$84,760	28th
GA	93,730	$90,000	20th
KY	48,710	$81,770	38th
LA	36,840	$80,760	40th
MS	28,910	$75,510	47th
NC	104,380	$82,530	36th
SC	48,790	$81,390	39th
TN	63,460	$78,240	43rd
VA	70,650	$88,350	23rd
WV	20,860	$75,990	46th
U.S.	3,175,440	$89,611	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on February 20, 2025