College Graduates' Average Starting Salary by State: A Complete Breakdown

Planning your post-graduation career path requires knowing what paycheck you can realistically expect. To help you make informed decisions, we analyzed data from the U.S. Census American Consumer Survey to reveal average starting salary figures for degree holders across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This comprehensive guide breaks down what entry-level professionals earn based on their educational credentials.

How Education Level Impacts Your Average Starting Salary

The relationship between degree attainment and earning potential is significant. Associate degree holders typically start at lower salary brackets, bachelor’s degree recipients earn substantially more, and those with graduate credentials command the highest entry-level compensation. Understanding these tiers helps you evaluate whether pursuing advanced education aligns with your financial goals.

Associate Degree Holders: Entry wages generally range from $34,000 to $51,500 across states Bachelor’s Degree Holders: Average starting salary spans $46,600 to $78,300 Graduate Degree Holders: Starting compensation reaches $58,100 to $92,300+

Top-Earning States for College Graduates

Washington, D.C. leads the nation with the highest average starting salary at $76,633 for college graduates. The District offers associate degree earners $43,665, bachelor’s degree holders $78,399, and graduate degree recipients $92,326—reflecting the premium placed on education in the nation’s capital.

Maryland secures third place with a median entry-level salary of $71,096. Professionals with associate degrees earn $51,525, while bachelor’s degree holders command $71,225. Graduate degree recipients enjoy impressive starting salaries of $91,135.

Connecticut ranks among the best with an average starting salary of $73,235. The state offers $49,811 for associate degrees, $75,485 for bachelor’s degrees, and $92,326 for graduate degrees—making it exceptionally competitive for advanced degree holders.

New Jersey (fourth place, $70,814) and California (sixth place, $63,319) round out the premium earning states. New Jersey offers $50,254 for associates, $72,260 for bachelor’s, and $92,032 for graduate degrees. California provides $44,707 for associates, $67,786 for bachelor’s, and $91,326 for graduate degrees.

Mid-Range Salary States: Competitive But Accessible

Several states offer solid average starting salary prospects without the cost-of-living premium of coastal regions.

Nevada presents an attractive option with $54,116 average starting salary. Associates earn $44,153, bachelor’s degree holders earn $56,529, and graduate degree recipients earn $73,343.

Colorado offers $52,891 with a strong mountain-region economy. Entry wages: $41,422 (associates), $57,200 (bachelor’s), $71,315 (graduate).

Texas provides $53,300 average starting salary across degree levels, with associates earning $41,520, bachelor’s holders at $58,579, and graduate degree earners at $73,905.

Virginia and Washington state also deliver competitive salaries in the $59,000-$61,000 range, with Virginia offering $59,340 and Washington boasting $61,310 average starting salary for college graduates.

Lower-Salary States: Where to Exercise Caution

Several states present less favorable average starting salary prospects for college graduates, particularly for bachelor’s and associate degree holders.

Mississippi ranks lowest (49th position) with $43,235 average starting salary. Associates start at $34,252, bachelor’s holders at $46,688, and graduate degree earners at $58,129—all falling below national averages.

Kansas and Oklahoma similarly lag with average starting salaries of $44,456 and $43,444 respectively. Kansas offers $37,398 (associates), $48,236 (bachelor’s), $59,658 (graduate). Oklahoma provides $36,144 (associates), $47,149 (bachelor’s), $59,383 (graduate).

Arkansas presents an average starting salary of $42,721, with associates earning $34,062 and bachelor’s degree holders at $47,207. Graduate degree earnings reach $63,065 but still underperform relative to other regions.

Montana rounds out the lower tier with $43,429, offering modest compensation: $35,678 (associates), $47,426 (bachelor’s), $60,390 (graduate).

Regional Patterns in Average Starting Salary

Northeast Advantage: States like Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York consistently offer higher average starting salaries, particularly for graduate degree holders. New York’s $62,553 and Massachusetts’s $64,789 reflect strong professional job markets.

Southeast Challenges: Southern states including Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama generally fall below national averages. Alabama’s $47,518 and Louisiana’s $46,768 demonstrate this trend, though graduate degree holders fare better in these regions.

Midwest Stability: Midwest states occupy the middle ground. Illinois and Indiana both average $52,267, while Minnesota reaches $52,041—offering reasonable but not exceptional average starting salary prospects.

West Coast Variation: Western states show stark contrasts. California and Washington command high salaries ($63,319 and $61,310), while states like Idaho and Montana fall to $54,060 and $43,429 respectively.

Degree-Specific Salary Insights

Associate Degree Reality: Across all states, associate degree holders experience the tightest salary compression. Entry positions range from $34,000 (Mississippi, Montana) to $51,500 (Maryland). This degree level provides modest average starting salary growth relative to high school completion.

Bachelor’s Degree Premium: A bachelor’s degree consistently delivers 25-40% higher average starting salary compared to associate credentials. Most states cluster bachelor’s holders between $48,000-$72,000, representing the sweet spot for career entry.

Graduate Degree Edge: Graduate degree holders command the steepest salaries, with many states offering $65,000-$92,000 entry positions. Top states like Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, and California exceed $90,000 average starting salary for advanced degree recipients.

Strategic Considerations for Job Seekers

When evaluating where to launch your career post-graduation, consider whether the average starting salary justifies potential relocation costs and regional differences in cost-of-living. A $78,000 position in Washington, D.C. may provide less purchasing power than a $58,000 role in Texas due to housing, taxes, and expenses.

High-demand professional fields (technology, finance, healthcare) in premium markets like the Northeast and California often justify their elevated average starting salary figures. However, remote work opportunities increasingly allow graduates to earn high salaries while residing in lower cost-of-living areas.

For those prioritizing immediate earning potential, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Connecticut, and New Jersey represent optimal choices. For those seeking balance between compensation and affordability, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, and Utah offer competitive average starting salary with reasonable living expenses.

The choice ultimately depends on your field, ambitions, and lifestyle preferences. Armed with this state-by-state breakdown of average starting salary data, you can make strategic career decisions that align with your financial and professional objectives.