According to conventional wisdom, there are many compelling reasons to work in the public sector. These can include job security, generous retirement and health care benefits, and work that is geared toward the public good rather than profit. One reason that does not typically make the list, however, is earning potential.
Still, while the wealthiest Americans have made their fortunes in private enterprise, there are dozens of people across the country with seven-figure salaries underwritten by taxpayers.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed state, local, and federal employee salary information to determine the three highest paid public employees in each state. Data for government and public university employees compiled by OpenTheBooks.com, an independent government watchdog organization, and Feds Data Center, a website that compiles data of federal employee salaries. Salaries for coaches came from USA Today. Employees were ranked on their salary from 2019, and may not necessarily still hold the job in which they are listed. In Hawaii, availability of 2019 data was limited, and as a result, only two public employees are listed.
About two-thirds of the people on this list work as coaches at public colleges and universities. College sports — particularly football — are major revenue engines at American schools, and coaches are often well compensated to maintain winning programs. Most coaches on this list have a salary in excess of $1 million per year. Dabo Swinney, head coach of 2018 NCAA champion Clemson Tiger football team, made a reported $9.3 million in 2019. Here is a look at the greatest coaches of all time.
Aside from public university employees, government officials comprise the remainder of this list. While they are well compensated, these individuals are not necessarily high-profile and often serve in state justice, public health, or finance departments. Ranging from about $175,000 a year to over $900,000, salaries for the government workers on this list are high — but they are still nowhere near the amount some other state residents earn. Here is a list of the richest person in every state.
Click here for the highest paid public employees in every state
Click here for our methodology
Correction: In a previous version of this story, athletic coaches at private colleges and universities were included in error. Their names have been removed and replaced by the public sector employees.
Source: Scott Halleran / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Alabama
> Highest paid public employee: Nick Saban; University of Alabama football coach
> Annual salary: $8,857,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Gus Malzahn; Auburn University football coach
> Annual salary: $6,827,589
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Bill Clark; University of Alabama at Birmingham football coach
> Annual salary: $1,450,000
[in-text-ad]
Source: Courtesy of Alaska Department of Revenue
Alaska
> Highest paid public employee: Angela M. Rodell; Alaska Department of Revenue executive director
> Annual salary: $371,475
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Dwight B. Stallman; Alaska Department of Corrections forensic psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $367,396
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Bob G. Mitchell; Alaska Department of Revenue State investment officer
> Annual salary: $350,000
Arizona
> Highest paid public employee: Herm Edwards; Arizona State University football coach
> Annual salary: $2,380,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Kevin Sumlin; University of Arizona football coach
> Annual salary: $2,000,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Robert J. Wylie; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $400,000
Source: Tom Pennington / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Arkansas
> Highest paid public employee: Chad Morris; University of Arkansas football coach
> Annual salary: $4,000,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Blake Anderson; Arkansas State football coach
> Annual salary: $825,182
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Cynthia D. Gillespie; Arkansas Department of Human Services executive director
> Annual salary: $282,800
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Harry How / Getty Images Sport
California
> Highest paid public employee: Chip Kelly; University of California, Los Angeles football coach
> Annual salary: $3,500,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Justin Wilcox; University of California, Berkeley football coach
> Annual salary: $2,854,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Jeff Tedford; California State University, Fresno football coach
> Annual salary: $1,615,420
Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Colorado
> Highest paid public employee: Mel Tucker; University of Colorado football coach
> Annual salary: $2,400,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Mike Bobo; Colorado State football coach
> Annual salary: $1,800,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Gregory G. Sapakoff; Colorado Judicial Branch deputy attorney regulation counsel
> Annual salary: $326,762
[in-text-ad]
Source: Loren Orr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Connecticut
> Highest paid public employee: Randy Edsall; University of Connecticut football coach
> Annual salary: $1,606,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Hilary Onyiuke, M.D., University of Connecticut associate professor of surgery and orthopedic surgery
> Annual salary: $400,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Frank M. Torti; University of Connecticut School of Medicine dean
> Annual salary: $390,000
24/7 Wall St.
Source: cmannphoto / getty images
Delaware
> Highest paid public employee: Kathleen M. Picciano; Thoroughbred Racing Commission doctor of veterinary medicine
> Annual salary: $477,572
> 2nd highest paid public employee: David Henderson; Delaware Criminal Justice Council Board Members chairman
> Annual salary: $412,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Mark T. Brainard; Delaware Technical Community College Office president
> Annual salary: $392,151
Source: Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Florida
> Highest paid public employee: Dan Mullen; University of Florida football coach
> Annual salary: $6,070,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Willie Taggart; Florida Atlantic University football coach
> Annual salary: $5,000,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Josh Heupel; University of Central Florida football coach
> Annual salary: $2,300,000
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Georgia
> Highest paid public employee: Kirby Smart; University of Georgia football coach
> Annual salary: $6,871,600
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Geoff Collins; Georgia Tech football coach
> Annual salary: $3,000,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Charles W. Cary; Teachers Retirement System of Georgia chief investment officer
> Annual salary: $922,217
Source: Loren Orr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Hawaii
> Highest paid public employee: Nick Rolovich; University of Hawaii football coach
> Annual salary: $600,004
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Rhodelynn P. Ramos; Department Of Justice Bureau of Prisons medical officer
> Annual salary: $292,616
> 3rd highest paid public employee: N/A
> Annual salary: N/A
football coach
[in-text-ad]
Source: David Becker / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Idaho
> Highest paid public employee: Bryan Harsin; Boise State University football coach
> Annual salary: $1,750,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Leon P. Rice; Boise State University basketball coach
> Annual salary: $772,769
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Curt B. Apsey; Boise State University director of athletics
> Annual salary: $455,482
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Photo by Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images
Illinois
> Highest paid public employee: Lovie Smith; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign football coach
> Annual salary: $4,000,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Thomas Hammock; Northern Illinois University football coach
> Annual salary: $610,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Syed Hussain; Illinois Dept. of Human Services physician
> Annual salary: $408,800
Source: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Indiana
> Highest paid public employee: Jeff Brohm; Purdue University football coach
> Annual salary: $6,600,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Tom Allen; Indiana University football coach
> Annual salary: $1,805,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Jay Hess; Indiana University dean
> Annual salary: $989,253
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Iowa
> Highest paid public employee: Kirk Ferentz; University of Iowa football coach
> Annual salary: $4,800,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Matt Campbell; Iowa State football coach
> Annual salary: $3,600,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Barta Gary Allen; University of Iowa athletics director
> Annual salary: $986,745
Source: Spc. Charles W. Gill / Wikimedia Commons
Kansas
> Highest paid public employee: Les Miles; University of Kansas football coach
> Annual salary: $2,775,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Chris Klieman; Kansas State football coach
> Annual salary: $2,300,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Robert D. Simari; University of Kansas Medical Center executive vice chancellor
> Annual salary: $688,300
[in-text-ad]
Source: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Kentucky
> Highest paid public employee: Mark Stoops; University of Kentucky football coach
> Annual salary: $4,763,600
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Scott Satterfield; University of Louisville football coach
> Annual salary: $3,250,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Tyson Helton; Western Kentucky University football coach
> Annual salary: $800,000
Source: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Louisiana
> Highest paid public employee: Ed Orgeron; Louisiana State University football coach
> Annual salary: $4,000,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Billy Napier; University of Louisiana at Lafayette football coach
> Annual salary:$875,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Skip Holtz; Louisiana Tech University football coach
> Annual salary: $704,00
Source: Courtesy of Maine HHS
Maine
> Highest paid public employee: Matthew J. Davis; Department of Health and Human Services – Riverview Psychiatric Center clinical director
> Annual salary: $318,237
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Mark Flomenbaum; Office of the Maine Attorney General chief medical examiner
> Annual salary: $284,080
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Matthew J. Davis; Department of the Secretary of State clinical director
> Annual salary: $280,000
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Matthew Holst / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Maryland
> Highest paid public employee: Mike Locksley; University of Maryland football coach
> Annual salary: $2,500,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Ken Niumatalolo; Naval Academy football coach
> Annual salary: $2,316,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Bradley S Taylor; University of Maryland Division of Cardiac Surgery vice chief
> Annual salary: $949,000
Source: Courtesy of UMass Medical School
Massachusetts
> Highest paid public employee: Michael Green; University of Massachusetts Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology chair
> Annual salary: $721,383
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Matthew Mccall; University of Massachusetts System head basketball coach
> Annual salary: $717,385
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Martin Meehan; University of Massachusetts System president
> Annual salary: $659,097
[in-text-ad]
Source: Leon Halip / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Michigan
> Highest paid public employee: Jim Harbaugh; University of Michigan football coach
> Annual salary: $7,504,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Mark Dantonio; Michigan State football coach
> Annual salary: $4,399,437
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Tim Lester; Western Michigan University football coach
> Annual salary: $800,000
Source: Rey Del Rio / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Minnesota
> Highest paid public employee: P.J. Fleck; University of Minnesota football coach
> Annual salary: $3,600,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Ahmed Shabeer; Minnesota Management and Budget Department of Human Services psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $473,874
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Kyleeann Sophia Stevens; Minnesota Management and Budget Department of Human Services psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $447,899
Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Mississippi
> Highest paid public employee: Matt Luke; University of Mississippi football coach
> Annual salary: $3,100,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Joe Moorhead; Mississippi State University football coach
> Annual salary: $3,050,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Jay Hopson; University of Southern Mississippi football coach
> Annual salary: $500,000
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Missouri
> Highest paid public employee: Barry Odom; University of Missouri football coach
> Annual salary: $3,050,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Vangala Sekhar; Missouri Department of Mental Health psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $418,569
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Das Jairam; Missouri Department of Mental Health psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $378,409
Source: Courtesy of Montana DPHHS
Montana
> Highest paid public employee: Benjamin Todd Eastham; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $326,472
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Neil A. Sun Rhodes; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $306,864
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Virginia Hill; Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $300,000
[in-text-ad]
Source: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Nebraska
> Highest paid public employee: Scott Frost; University of Nebraska-Lincoln football coach
> Annual salary: $5,000,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Janine B. Fromm; Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services medical services director
> Annual salary: $391,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Ramoncito Ocampo; Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $322,167
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Nevada
> Highest paid public employee: Tony Sanchez; University of Nevada Las Vegas football coach
> Annual salary: $602,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Jay Norvell; University of Nevada, Reno football coach
> Annual salary: $500,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Ihsan A. Azzam; Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health chief medical officer
> Annual salary: $286,011
Source: sudok1 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
New Hampshire
> Highest paid public employee: Jennie V. Duval; New Hampshire Department of Justice chief medical examiner
> Annual salary: $210,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Anna Barbara Marconi; New Hampshire Judicial Branch associate justice
> Annual salary: $174,992
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Tina Nadeau; New Hampshire Judicial Branch chief justice
> Annual salary: $174,992
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Rutgers University / Wikimedia Commons
New Jersey
> Highest paid public employee: Chris Ash; Rutgers University football coach
> Annual salary: $2,300,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Edward J. Bishof; New Jersey Institute of Technology senior vice president of finance
> Annual salary: $343,228
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Andrew L. Falzon; New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner chief medical examiner
> Annual salary: $288,148
Source: Loren Orr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
New Mexico
> Highest paid public employee: Bob Davie; University of New Mexico football coach
> Annual salary: $823,740
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Doug Martin; New Mexico State football coach
> Annual salary: $422,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: John H. York; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $400,000
[in-text-ad]
Source: Photo by Corey Perrine / Getty Images
New York
> Highest paid public employee: Lance Leipold; University at Buffalo football coach
> Annual salary: $615,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Michael P. Lucchesi; SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University chief medical officer
> Annual salary: $538,517
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Ovadia Abulafia; SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University physician
> Annual salary: $509,122
Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
North Carolina
> Highest paid public employee: Mack Brown; University of North Carolina football coach
> Annual salary: $3,500,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Dave Doeren; North Carolina State football coach
> Annual salary: $3,250,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Mike Houston; East Carolina University football coach
> Annual salary: $1,425,000
Source: nd.gov
North Dakota
> Highest paid public employee: Eduardo P. Yabut; North Dakota Department of Human Services physician
> Annual salary: $533,544
> 2nd highest paid public employee: William B. Pryatel; North Dakota Department of Human Services psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $381,804
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Penny M. Wilkie; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $351,616
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Ohio
> Highest paid public employee: Ryan Day; Ohio State football coach
> Annual salary: $4,500,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Luke Fickell; University of Cincinnati football coach
> Annual salary: $2,300,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Jason Candle; University of Toledo football coach
> Annual salary: $1,150,000
Source: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Oklahoma
> Highest paid public employee: Lincoln Riley; University of Oklahoma football coach
> Annual salary: $6,384,462
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Mike Gundy; Oklahoma State football coach
> Annual salary: $5,125,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Mike Holder; Oklahoma State athletic director
> Annual salary: $950,000
[in-text-ad]
Source: Steve Dykes / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Oregon
> Highest paid public employee: Mario Cristobal; University of Oregon football coach
> Annual salary: $2,600,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Jonathan Smith; Oregon State University football coach
> Annual salary: $1,900,008
> 3rd highest paid public employee: John Skjervem; Oregon State Treasury chief investment officer
> Annual salary: $451,992
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Corey Perrine / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Pennsylvania
> Highest paid public employee: James Franklin; The Pennsylvania State University football coach
> Annual salary: $5,650,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Patrick Narduzzi; University of Pittsburgh football coach
> Annual salary: $3,213,953
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Francis M. Tandarich; Veterans Benefits Administration human resources manager
> Annual salary: $712,205
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Rhode Island
> Highest paid public employee: David M. Dooley; University of Rhode Island’s president
> Annual salary: $391,181
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Pedro F. Tactacan; State of Rhode Island assistant chief of psychiatric services
> Annual salary: $371,659
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Andrew P. Lekos; Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals physician general
> Annual salary: $311,397
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
South Carolina
> Highest paid public employee: William “Dabo” Swinney; Clemson University football coach
> Annual salary: $9,315,600
> 2nd highest paid public employee: William Muschamp; University of South Carolina football coach
> Annual salary: $4,400,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Earl Grant; College of Charleston basketball coach
> Annual salary: $651,000
Source: dhs.sd.gov
South Dakota
> Highest paid public employee: David A. Klopfenstein; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $364,899
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Michael M. Dickerson; Indian Health Service medical officer
> Annual salary: $326,619
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Thomas E. Menzel; Department Of Health And Human Services medical officer
> Annual salary: $301,179
[in-text-ad]
Source: Ed Zurga / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Tennessee
> Highest paid public employee: Jeremy Pruitt; University of Tennessee football coach
> Annual salary: $3,846,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Michael Norvell; University of Memphis football coach
> Annual salary: $2,660,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Rick Stockstill; Middle Tennessee State University football coach
> Annual salary: $913,504
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Bob Levey / Stringer / Getty Images North America
Texas
> Highest paid public employee: John James Fisher Jr.; Texas A&M University head football coach
> Annual salary: $7,500,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Thomas Herman III; The University of Texas at Austin football coach
> Annual salary: $6,750,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Dana Holgorsen; University of Houston football coach
> Annual salary: $3,700,000
Source: Harry How / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Utah
> Highest paid public employee: Kyle Whittingham; University of Utah football coach
> Annual salary: $4,002,917
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Gary Andersen; Utah State University football coach
> Annual salary: $900,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Paul Whitehead; Utah Department of Human Services physiatrist
> Annual salary: $590,878
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: www.healthvermont.gov
Vermont
> Highest paid public employee: Steven L Shapiro; Vermont Health Department chief medical examiner
> Annual salary: $231,984
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Elizabeth A Bundock; Vermont Health Department deputy chief medical examiner
> Annual salary: $221,383
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Jonathan S Strenio; Vermont Health Access Department private secretary
> Annual salary: $177,564
Source: Michael Shroyer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Virginia
> Highest paid public employee: Justin Fuente; Virginia Tech football coach
> Annual salary: $4,000,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Bronco Mendenhall; University of Virginia football coach
> Annual salary: $3,700,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Alexander L Nyerges; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts director
> Annual salary: $669,785
[in-text-ad]
Source: Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Washington
> Highest paid public employee: Chris Petersen; University of Washington football coach
> Annual salary: $4,625,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Mike Leach; Washington State University football coach
> Annual salary: $3,750,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Jimmy Lake; University of Washington football coach
> Annual salary: $891,800
Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
West Virginia
> Highest paid public employee: Neal Brown; West Virginia University football coach
> Annual salary: $3,055,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: Clay B Marsh; West Virginia University vice president
> Annual salary: $957,000
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Anthony L Gibson; West Virginia University football coach
> Annual salary: $805,517
Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Wisconsin
> Highest paid public employee: Paul Chryst; University of Wisconsin football coach
> Annual salary: $4,150,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: David C Villa; Wisconsin Investment Board Investment Board Executive
> Annual salary: $800,011
> 3rd highest paid public employee: Christopher P Prestigiacomo; Wisconsin Investment Board Investment Board Portfolio Manager
> Annual salary: $625,002
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Loren Orr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Wyoming
> Highest paid public employee: Craig Bohl; University of Wyoming football coach
> Annual salary: $2,137,000
> 2nd highest paid public employee: David Carrington; Department of Health Psychiatrist
> Annual salary: $274,995
> 3rd highest paid public employee: James Bush; Department of Health Physician
> Annual salary: $178,433
Methodology
To determine the highest paid public employees in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed publicly available salary data for government and public university employees compiled by OpenTheBooks.com, an independent government watchdog organization, and Feds Data Center, a website that compiles data of federal employee salaries. We only considered salaries reported for 2019. Salaries for coaches came from USA Today and are also for 2019.
Some federal employees are not included with these pay figures as the government has concluded employees in some agencies are involved in national security work and that it is not in the public interest to release their individual pay information.
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
