States with the highest annual wages, and the most below the poverty line
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]()New census numbers in September reported a record number of people living below the poverty level. Some U.S. states, however, are able to maintain a decent annual wage.
In our latest Marketplace Map, we take a look at America at Work. The data on the economy in 2010 reveal some states still have annual wages of around $50,000 a year, while others are only in the $30,000s. And according to numbers from 2008, some states are finding almost one-fifth of their population living below the poverty line.
Here are the top and bottom 10 U.S. states in annual wages, and the states with the highest percentage of citizens living below the poverty line:
Top 10 U.S. states by annual wage:
1. Massachusetts ($53,700)
2. Connecticut ($51, 920)
3. New York ($51,700)
4. Maryland ($50,880)
5. California ($50, 730)
5. New Jersey ($50,730)
7. Alaska ($50,350)
8. Washington ($48,940)
9. Virginia ($47,840)
10. Delaware ($46,870)
Bottom 10 U.S. states by annual wage:
1. Mississippi ($33,930)
2. South Dakota ($34,390)
3. West Virginia ($35,370)
4. Arkansas ($35,460)
5. Montana ($36,060)
6. Oklahoma ($36,940)
7. North Dakota ($37,040)
8. Iowa ($37,730)
9. South Carolina ($37,920)
10. Kentucky ($37,970)
Top 10 U.S. states by percentage living under the poverty line:
1. Mississippi (21.2%)
2. Arkansas (17.3%)
2. Kentucky (17.3%)
2. Louisiana (17.3%)
5. New Mexico (17.1%)
6. West Virginia (17%)
7. Oklahoma (15.9%)
8. Texas (15.8%)
9. South Carolina (15.7%)
9. Alabama (15.7%)
To see how your state fared, check out Marketplace Maps: America at Work.
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