As of May 2024, more than 41,000 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists were working in the United States according to the latest occupational employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  At that time, nearly 11,100 MRI technologists were employed in the twelve-state Southeastern region of the country.  BLS data revealed the Southeastern U.S. to be the worst region of the country for MRI technologist pay. Not only did every Southeastern state have an average annual mean wage level for MRI technologists that was below the national average for the profession, but eight states in the region ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for MRI technologist annual mean wages.  A closer study of May 2024 BLS data provides the following details about MRI technologist pay in the Southeastern U.S.:

MRI Technologist Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	530	$73,070	48th
AR	370	$74,110	47th
FL	3,220	$79,610	40th
GA	1,430	$85,380	29th
KY	680	$79,560	42nd
LA	510	$71,420	49th
MS	230	$71,410	50th
NC	1,160	$82,280	34th
SC	670	$81,100	36th
TN	950	$76,890	46th
VA	1,140	$94,080	21st
WV	180	$80,970	37th
U.S.	41,560	$89,999	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on June 9, 2026

EMT Pay in the Far Western U.S.

In its most recent release of occupational statistical data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that more than 257,000 Americans were working as EMTs (emergency medical technicians) as of May 2024. The six-state Far Western U.S. accounted for a bit less than 26,300 of those EMT jobs. BLS data revealed the Far West to be the best region in the nation for EMT pay, as nearly every state in the region had an annual mean wage level for EMTs that exceeded the national average.  Moreover, four states in the region ranked among the top ten states in the nation for EMT annual mean wages.  A closer examination of May 2024 BLS data shows the following about EMT pay in the Far Western U.S.:

EMT Pay in the U.S. Far West

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	290	$59,870	2nd
CA	19,020	$51,830	5th
HI	550	$64,670	1st
NV	1,390	$42,350	26th
OR	1,760	$48,780	12th
WA	3,280	$49,760	9th
U.S.	178,010	$43,914	-------

(*) 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, 2026

Data released recently from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there were more than 248,000 physical therapists (PTs) at work in the United States as of May 2024.  Nearly 27,300 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 2024 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	4,540	$104,250	10th
NM	1,350	$99,360	24th
OK	2,4300	$97,760	32nd
TX	18,930	$106,450	9th
U.S.	248,620	$99,913	-------

(*) 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 20, 2026

Over 1,388,000 nursing assistants were employed as of May 2024 in the United States according to data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  More than 48,000 of the nation's nursing assistants were employed in the five-state Rocky Mountain region of the country.  A further examination of May 2024 BLS data provides the following details about nursing assistant pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Nursing Assistant Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	20,880	$45,480	10th
ID	7,340	$37,740	40th
MT	4,800	$42,020	23rd
UT	12,350	$39,240	32nd
WY	2,680	$41,040	25th
U.S.	1,388,510	$41,173	-------

(*) 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 13, 2026

Over 41,500 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists were employed in the U.S. as of May 2024 according to the most current employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  At that time, the six-state New England region accounted for 2,580 MRI technologist jobs.  BLS data revealed the New England region to be a generally good one for MRI technologist pay, with five of the six states in the region attaining an annual mean wage level for MRI technologists that was higher than the national average for the profession. A deeper look at May 2024 BLS data reveals the following state-level details about MRI technologist pay in New England:

MRI Technologist Pay in New England

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CT	490	$99,830	13th
MA	1,420	$98,270	15th
ME	190	$89,550	23rd
NH	250	$95,570	18th
RI	170	$101,590	9th
VT	60	$100,610	10th
U.S.	41,560	$89,999	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on April, 27, 2026

EMT Pay in the Great Lakes States

Data made available earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that over 178,000 EMTs (emergency medical technicians) were employed in the United States as of May 2024. The five Great Lakes states accounted for over 25,000 of those EMT jobs. Other than in Illinois, which ranked among the five best states in the nation for EMT annual mean wages, the Great Lakes region is a generally weak one for EMT pay.  Three other states in the region, which accounted for just over half of the region's EMT employment, all recorded an annual mean wage level for EMTs that was below the national average. Further examination of May 2024 BLS data revealed the following about EMT pay in the Great Lakes states:

EMT and Paramedic Pay in the Great Lakes States

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	8,480	$53,730	4th
IN	3,760	$42,310	27th
MI	4,160	$41,920	28th
OH	5,190	$40,450	34th
WI	4,000	$44,670	22nd
U.S.	178,010	$43,914	-------

(*) 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 16, 2026

In its most current occupational data reports, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were over 248,000 physical therapists (PTs) employed in the United States as of May 2024.  At that time, nearly 37,850 of those employed as physical therapists in the U.S. lived in the six-state Far West region of the country.  The Far West region was the best in the nation for PT pay, with three states in the region ranking among the ten best states in the U.S. for physical therapist annual mean wages.  That included California and Nevada, which rated #1 and #2, respectively, for that pay metric for physical therapists.  A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about PT employment and physical therapist pay in the Far West region:

Physical Therapist Pay in the Far West Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	600	$113,190	3rd
CA	24,380	$120,970	1st
HI	990	$100,900	18th
NV	1,670	$113,700	2nd
OR	3,000	$104,150	11th
WA	5,460	$102,830	14th
U.S.	248,620	$99,913	-------

(*) 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 15, 2026

Recently published May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were over 1,310,000 nursing assistants employed in the USA.  Approximately 136,000 of those nursing assistant jobs were in the seven-state Great Plains region of the country. Although Minnesota ranked in the top 15 nationally for nursing assistant pay, the BLS data shows the Great Plains region to be a relatively weak one for nursing assistant pay, with annual mean wage levels in five of the remaining six states in the region falling below the national average for nursing assistants.  BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about nursing assistant pay in the Great Plains region of the U.S.:

Nursing Assistant Pay in the Great Plains Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IA	22,970	$35,120	27th
KS	23,950	$33,490	34th
MN	26,970	$42,480	12th
MO	32,650	$32,760	41st
NE	16,490	$35,020	26th
ND	6,920	$38,200	21st
SD	6,520	$32,330	37th
U.S.	1,338,510	$41,173	-------

(*) 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, 2026

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) most current occupational employment estimates put the number of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists at work in the United States at more than 41,000 as of May 2024.  At that time, the five-state Rocky Mountain region had an estimated 1,320 working MRI technologists according to BLS figures.  In general, the Rocky Mountain region was a good one for MRI technologist pay, as nearly 84% of the region's MRI technologists lived in a state that recorded an annual mean wage level for the profession that was higher than the national average.  A closer examination of May 2024 BLS data provides the following state-level details about MRI technologist pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

MRI Technologist Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	690	$97,790	16th
ID	120	$100,00	12th
MT	120	$83,830	30th
UT	310	$91,740	22nd
WY	80	$85,850	28th
U.S.	41,560	$89,999	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on April 1, 2026

EMT Pay in the Southwestern U.S.

The most current occupational employment data made available by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that, as of May 2024, more than 41,560 Americans were working as EMTs (emergency medical technicians). The four-state Southwestern U.S. accounted for a bit more than 3,500 of those EMT. BLS data shows the Southwestern region to be a relatively weak one for EMT, with nearly every state in the region having an annual mean wage level for EMTs that was below the national average.  A closer look at May 2024 BLS data shows the following details about EMT in the Southwestern U.S.:

EMT and Paramedic Pay in the Southwestern U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	710	$95,170	19th
NM	110	$87,930	26th
OK	360	$82,880	33rd
TX	2,340	$88,150	25th
U.S.	41,560	$89,999	-------

(*) 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, 2026

The most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on physical therapist (PT) employment put PT employment in the U.S. at just under 249,000 jobs as of May 2024.  The five-state Great Lakes region accounted for about 38,000 of those physical therapist jobs according to BLS data.  The Great Lakes region was a relatively weak one for physical therapist pay, with four states in the region having an annual mean wage level for physical therapists that was below the profession's national average of $99,913.  The exception to the subpar PT annual mean wage levels was Illinois, which ranked 6th in the nation for physical therapist annual mean wages.  More examination of BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following details about physical therapist pay in the Great Lakes region:

Physical Therapist Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	10,390	$107,980	6th
IN	5,180	$98,320	28th
MI	7,800	$96,840	34th
OH	9,240	$99,500	22nd
WI	5,240	$99,340	25th
U.S.	248,620	$99,913	-------

(*) 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 16, 2026

There were more than 1,388,000 nursing assistants working in the USA according to May 2024 data released earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Over 158,200 nursing assistants were employed in the six-state Far West region of the country.  Per BLS data, the Far West U.S. was the top region in the country for nursing assistant pay. Not only did all states in the region feature an annual mean wage for nursing assistants that topped the national average, but all six Far West states ranked among the top fifteen states nationally for nursing assistant pay. Moreover, four of the top five states nationally for nursing assistant annual mean wages were in the Far West region. A further examination of BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about nursing assistant pay in the Far West U.S.:

Nursing Assistant Pay in the Far West U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	1,660	$48,550	4th
CA	102,380	$48,790	3rd
HI	4,620	$45,480	11th
NV	8,670	$44,360	15th
OR	12,800	$49,970	1st
WA	28,080	$49,960	2nd
U.S.	1,388,510	$41,173	-------

(*) 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 4, 2026

More than 41,500 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists were working in the U.S. as of May 2024 according to the latest occupational employment numbers available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The four-state Southwestern region accounted for an estimated 3,520 MRI technologist jobs at that time, or about 8% of the national total.  BLS data revealed the Southwestern U.S. to be a modestly better than average one for MRI technologist pay, with about 20% of the region's MRI technologists working in a state where the annual mean wage for the profession was above the national average.  A closer study of May 2024 state-level BLS statistical data provides the following about MRI technologist pay in the Southwestern U.S. region:

MRI Technologist Pay in the Southwestern U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	710	$95,170	19th
NM	110	$87,930	26th
OK	360	$82,880	33rd
TX	2,340	$88,150	25th
U.S.	41,560	$89,999	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on February, 18, 2026

EMT Pay in the Southeast

May 2024 data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that more than 178,010 Americans were employed as emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The twelve-state Southeast region accounted for just over 43,100 of those EMT jobs. In general, the Southeast is the weakest region in the country for EMT pay with only one state, Virginia, having an annual mean wage above the national average for EMTs. Moreover, six states in the Southeast ranked in the bottom quintile nationally for EMT annual mean wages. According to May 2024 BLS data, emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic pay in the Southeast looked as follows:

EMT Pay in the Southeast

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	2420	$37,680	44th
AR	1230	$35,650	47th
FL	6770	$43,380	23rd
GA	5740	$40,720	33rd
KY	3190	$37,960	43rd
LA	2290	$34,940	51st
MS	1300	$35,380	49th
NC	7540	$43,140	24th
SC	4270	$39,840	37th
TN	3420	$40,090	36th
VA	3780	$44,740	21st
WV	1150	$35,430	48th
U.S.	257,700	$40,370	-------

(*) 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 17, 2026

Physical Therapist Pay in New England

There were nearly 249,000 physical therapists (PTs) employed in the United States as of May 2024 according to data released earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  More than 16,000 of those employed as physical therapists in the U.S. lived in the six-state New England region of the country.  Except for Connecticut and Massachusetts, New England was not a good region for physical therapist pay. Whereas Connecticut and Massachusetts ranked among the fifteen best states in the nation for PT annual mean wages, the other five states in the region all had physical therapist annual mean wage levels that were below the national average. In fact, two New England states ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for PT annual mean wages. A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following details about physical therapist pay in New England:

Physical Therapist Pay in New England

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CT	4,310	$102,420	15th
MA	6,600	$104,130	12th
ME	1,780	$92,780	47th
NH	1,610	$93,750	43rd
RI	1,420	$98,190	29th
VT	690	$94,060	42nd
U.S.	248,620	$99,913	-------

(*) 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 16, 2026

There were over 1,388,000 nursing assistants employed in the USA according to recently published May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Approximately 226,000 of those employed as nursing assistants lived in the five-state Great Lakes region of the country.  Annual mean wages for nursing assistants in the region ran slightly below the national average, except in Illinois and Wisconsin.  BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about nursing assistant pay in the Great Lakes region of the U.S.:

Nursing Assistant Pay in the Great Lakes Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
IL	64,660	$43,950	16th
IN	31,240	$38,610	33rd
MI	40,230	$40,210	28th
OH	62,360	$39,840	31st
WI	27,480	$43,050	20th
U.S.	1,388,510	$41,173	-------

(*) 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 3, 2026

An estimated 41,560 MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technologists were working in the U.S. as of May 2024 according to the most recent occupational employment figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The six-state Far Western U.S. accounted for nearly 5,200 MRI technologist jobs at that time, or about 13% of the national total.  BLS data revealed the Far West to be far and away the best region in the nation for MRI technologist pay, as nearly every state in the region ranked among the top six states in the country for MRI technologist annual mean wages.  Further examination of May 2024 state-level BLS data provides the following details about MRI technologist pay in the Far Western U.S.:

MRI Technologist Pay in the Far Western U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	80	$106,890	6th
CA	3,220	$118,470	1st
HI	130	$113,150	3rd
NV	410	$96,550	17th
OR	430	$111,350	4th
WA	930	$113,750	2nd
U.S.	41,560	$89,999	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data accessed on January 30, 2026

Physical Therapy Assistant Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

The latest occupational employment data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported there being nearly 249,000 physical therapy (PT) assistants at work in the United States as of May 2024.  Only about 10,670 of those PT assistants worked in the five-state Rocky Mountain region. According to BLS data, the region stands out as one of the most uneven nationally for physical therapy assistant pay. While two states in the region had an annual mean wage for PT assistants that beat the national average, two other Rocky Mountain states ranked among the ten lowest nationwide.  Diving deeper into BLS data from May 2024 produces the following details about physical therapy assistant pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

Physical Therapy Assistant Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
CO	5430	$100,430	20th
ID	1170	$93,470	45th
MT	1230	$91,290	49th
UT	2330	$96,920	33rd
WY	510	$100,100	21st
U.S.	248,620	$99,913	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on January 29, 2026

Over 1,388,000 nursing assistants were employed in the U.S. as of May 2024 according to data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Approximately 128,860 employed nursing assistants lived in the four-state Southwestern region of the country.  Generally speaking, the region is a poor one for nursing assistant pay, with three states in the region having a nursing assistant annual mean wage level that was below the national average.  This included two states, Oklahoma and Texas, that ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for nursing assistant annual mean wages.   A closer look at BLS data from May 2024 reveals the following about nursing assistant pay in the Southwestern U.S.:

Nursing Assistant Pay in the Southwestern U.S.

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AZ	17,350	$43,060	19th
NM	4,600	$38,320	36th
OK	19,860	$34,900	47th
TX	87,050	$37,010	44th
U.S.	1,388,510	$41,173	-------

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on January, 28, 2026