Finance · State Rankings

Best US States for Bank Tellers

All 50 states + DC ranked by Bank Teller salary. State tax structure noted for take-home math.

Top 10 states by salary
#StateEstimated salaryCost mult.State tax
1District of Columbia$43,2001.20×~5% effective
2California$42,5001.18×~5% effective
3Hawaii$41,4001.15×~5% effective
4New York$41,4001.15×~5% effective
5Alaska$40,7001.13×No state tax
6New Jersey$40,7001.13×~5% effective
7Massachusetts$40,3001.12×~5% effective
8Connecticut$39,6001.10×~5% effective
9Washington$39,6001.10×No state tax
10Maryland$38,9001.08×~5% effective
All 51 states + DC, ranked
#StateSalaryAfter state tax (rough)
1District of Columbia$43,200$31,687
2California$42,500$31,174
3Hawaii$41,400$30,367
4New York$41,400$30,367
5Alaska$40,700$31,888
6New Jersey$40,700$29,853
7Massachusetts$40,300$29,560
8Connecticut$39,600$29,047
9Washington$39,600$31,027
10Maryland$38,900$28,533
11Colorado$37,800$27,726
12New Hampshire$37,800$29,616
13Oregon$37,800$27,726
14Rhode Island$37,100$27,213
15Virginia$37,100$27,213
16Nevada$36,700$28,754
17Arizona$36,000$26,406
18Delaware$36,000$26,406
19Florida$36,000$28,206
20Illinois$36,000$26,406
21Minnesota$36,000$26,406
22Vermont$35,600$26,113
23Maine$34,900$25,599
24Pennsylvania$34,900$25,599
25Texas$34,900$27,344
26Utah$34,900$25,599
27Georgia$33,800$24,792
28North Carolina$33,800$24,792
29Idaho$33,500$24,572
30Michigan$33,500$24,572
31Montana$33,500$24,572
32Wisconsin$33,500$24,572
33Wyoming$33,500$26,247
34New Mexico$33,100$24,279
35North Dakota$33,100$24,279
36South Carolina$33,100$24,279
37Tennessee$33,100$25,934
38Indiana$32,800$24,059
39Kansas$32,800$24,059
40Nebraska$32,800$24,059
41Ohio$32,800$24,059
42South Dakota$32,800$25,699
43Iowa$32,400$23,765
44Louisiana$32,400$23,765
45Missouri$32,400$23,765
46Alabama$31,700$23,252
47Kentucky$31,700$23,252
48Oklahoma$31,700$23,252
49Arkansas$31,000$22,739
50West Virginia$31,000$22,739
51Mississippi$30,200$22,152
After-state-tax estimate uses federal ~14% + FICA 7.65% + state ~5% (or 0% in no-tax states).

Salary range across states

For Bank Tellers, the estimated median salary ranges from $30,200 in Mississippi to $43,200 in District of Columbia — a 43% range. State-by-state variation reflects local cost of living, employer density, and labor market dynamics.

No-state-tax states

Nine US states have no state income tax: Alaska, Washington, New Hampshire, Nevada, Florida, Texas, Wyoming, Tennessee, South Dakota. For high earners, this can mean $5,000-15,000+ extra per year in take-home pay vs neighboring states with similar gross salaries. New Hampshire taxes interest/dividends only (phasing out).

But: many no-state-tax states make up revenue with higher property tax (Texas) or sales tax (Tennessee). And cost of living varies — Texas urban metros (Austin, Houston) have grown expensive while Florida coastal areas command premium real estate prices.

Cost of living matters more than nominal salary

California pays the most for Bank Tellers on a nominal basis — but housing in coastal California (SF, LA, San Diego) eats 35-50% of net income for median earners. A Bank Teller earning $42,500 in California often has less spendable income than one earning $34,900 in Texas.

Use our cost-of-living comparison tool to see specific city pairs. For state-level take-home, use our state-specific Paycheck Calculator.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state pays the most for Bank Tellers?
Based on cost-of-living-adjusted estimates, District of Columbia pays the most with an estimated median of $43,200/year for Bank Tellers. High-cost states (CA, NY, MA, HI) tend to top the list because employers compensate for local cost of living.
Do no-state-tax states pay better effective?
Often yes after taxes. Alaska, Washington, New Hampshire, Nevada, Florida have no state income tax. A 5% state tax savings on $100K = $5,000 more take-home. But verify cost of living too — Texas pays well and has no tax, but Houston/Austin housing has risen dramatically.
Why do some states pay so much more?
Three factors: (1) cost of living — coastal states cost 15-25% more, employers adjust pay; (2) employer concentration — CA dominates tech, NY finance, MA biotech; (3) regulatory environment — some states have higher unionization or licensing requirements that increase wages.
Are these salaries net or gross?
Gross — before federal income tax (~14% effective at this income), FICA (7.65%), state income tax (varies), and local taxes if applicable. Use our state-specific Paycheck Calculator for exact take-home in any state.
How does experience affect these numbers?
These are medians — entry-level often runs 25-35% below median, senior roles 40-60%+ above. A senior Bank Teller in District of Columbia can easily exceed $64,800, while an entry-level role in a low-cost state might be $21,140.