Which US States Are Seeing Incomes Rise The Fastest (And Slowest)

Since 2019, median household income in the United States has climbed from $68,700 to $83,730—an increase of 21.9% in nominal terms. But the headline masks a striking reality: the pace of growth varies dramatically by state, shaped by local industries, investment waves, and labor market dynamics.

The state-by-state divide

Looking at changes from 2019 to 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), a handful of states far outpaced the national median growth, while a few barely moved the needle:

• Colorado: Up 46.9%—the fastest growth nationwide.
• Georgia: Up 43.4%—a close second.
• Maine: Up 36.3%—a notable surge in a small, tight labor market.
• New York and Texas: Both increased by 20.8%, roughly tracking the national average.
• North Carolina and Oklahoma: Up just 9.9%—the slowest among all states.

These figures reflect median household income, a broad measure capturing earnings across the middle of the distribution. They do not account for inflation, which erodes purchasing power and can create a different picture in real terms.

What’s powering the leaders

Colorado: Tech, clean energy, and high-wage roles

Colorado posted a standout 46.9% jump in median income. A maturing tech ecosystem—spanning software, aerospace-adjacent technologies, and a growing clean energy workforce—has helped lift pay. In 2023, tech roles in the state averaged about $165,600, ranking among the top tier nationally. Since 2018, employment growth across a range of technology and renewable-energy roles has registered double- and even triple-digit gains, drawing talent and capital while tightening the labor market.

Georgia: EVs, aerospace, and battery manufacturing

Georgia’s 43.4% surge reflects a sweeping industrial buildout. Since 2018, roughly $27.3 billion has flowed into electric vehicle, aerospace, and battery manufacturing projects, including large-scale facilities tied to EV assembly and battery production. This diversification is reshaping the job base—from engineering and advanced manufacturing to logistics—and pushing up wages across communities connected to these supply chains. The energy transition is not just cutting emissions; it is also forging new, higher-paying career ladders.

Maine: Tight labor markets meet sector-specific gains

Maine’s 36.3% rise is rooted in a constrained labor pool and strong sectoral wage gains. In 2024 alone, tech wages jumped 11.4% while construction wages climbed 8.5%. An older population, persistent worker shortages, and demand for infrastructure upgrades—including efficiency retrofits and grid improvements—have given employees added leverage, particularly in skilled trades and technical roles.

Middle of the pack

New York and Texas, two economic powerhouses with diverse labor markets, each posted a 20.8% increase—almost exactly mirroring the national trend. In both states, high-growth industries helped counterbalance cost-of-living pressures and variability across regions: think tech corridors and clean energy buildouts in Texas, and a mix of finance, tech, health care, and public investment in New York.

Where incomes lag

North Carolina and Oklahoma recorded the weakest growth at 9.9%. In both cases, median household incomes remain below the U.S. median. With increases trailing inflation over the same period, typical households in these states likely saw limited gains—or even declines—in purchasing power. The slower pace can reflect a mix of industry composition, lower rates of high-wage job creation, and regional disparities within each state.

The energy transition’s wage footprint

The divergence in income growth is closely tied to where investment lands. Regions securing large clean-energy and advanced manufacturing projects—EV plants, battery gigafactories, grid equipment, and component suppliers—tend to see:

• Construction booms that ripple across local service economies
• Permanent advanced manufacturing jobs with competitive pay scales
• Secondary growth in logistics, maintenance, and technical services

Meanwhile, tech-oriented states benefit from the layering effect: high-skill digital jobs complement clean energy engineering and data-heavy grid management, lifting median incomes more broadly. Places that miss these waves may rely more heavily on lower-wage sectors, dampening overall income gains.

Method note

Figures cited reflect nominal changes in median household income from 2019 to 2024 across the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Because they are not adjusted for inflation, they capture changes in dollar terms rather than purchasing power.

What to watch next

As federal and private capital continue to flow into renewable energy, battery storage, transmission upgrades, and semiconductor-adjacent manufacturing, the geography of wage gains could widen further. States that align workforce training, permitting, and grid-ready sites with these investments are best positioned to see the next leg of income growth—especially where clean energy and tech ecosystems reinforce each other.