10 states with the most and least salary transparency

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Some states are passing salary transparency laws, requiring companies to disclose salaries on job postings if they meet certain criteria. These laws have been beneficial, reducing gender wage gaps by 20-40%. However, even some states with these laws in place are lacking in job postings that share salary information, according to data from People Managing People.

"By advocating for transparency and clarity in job advertisements, we can create a more equitable job market where candidates feel empowered to pursue opportunities that meet their financial expectations, and they are paid for the value they will bring to a business," David Rice, HR expert at People Managing People, said in a release.

Read more: 20 companies disclosing their salary ranges 

Alabama ranks as the least salary-transparent state, with 70% of job listings omitting salary. Arizona and North Carolina rank second and third least-transparent with 67% and 66% of job postings omitting salary.

California is the state with the most salary transparency, with only 9% of job listings omitting salary. Washington and New York are tied for second with 10% of job postings omitting salary. 

Read more about the most and least salary-transparent states.

States with the most salary transparency

Ranking State % of job listings that omit salary
10 Missouri 46%
9 Tennessee 43%
8 Nevada 42%
7 Illinois 34%
6 District of Columbia 31%
5 Oklahoma 28%
4 Colorado 17%
2 New York 10%
2 Washington 10%
1 California 9%

States with the least salary transparency

Ranking State % of job listings that omit salary
8 Massachusetts 59%
8 Wisconsin 59%
8 Florida 59%
5 Virginia 60%
5 Georgia 60%
5 Minnesota 60%
4 Michigan 64%
2 North Carolina 66%
2 Arizona 67%

States with the least salary transparency on job listings

Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Massachusetts tied for 8th.
Massachusetts tied for 8th with 59% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Wisconsin tied for 8th.
Wisconsin tied for 8th with 59% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Florida tied for 8th.
Florida tied for 8th with 59% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Virginia tied for 5th.
Virginia tied for 5th with 60% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Georgia tied for 5th.
Georgia tied for 5th with 60% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Minnesota tied for 5th.
Minnesota tied for 5th with 60% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Michigan ranked 4th.
Michigan ranked 4th with 64% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where North Carolina ranked 3rd.
North Carolina ranked 3rd with 66% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Arizona ranked 2nd.
Arizona ranked 2nd with 67% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the least salary transparency where Alabama ranked 1st.
Alabama ranked 1st with 70% of job postings omitting salary.

States with the most salary transparency on job listings

Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Missouri ranked 10th.
Missouri ranked 10th with 46% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Tennessee ranked 9th.
Tennessee ranked 9th with 43% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Nevada ranked 8th.
Nevada ranked 8th with 42% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Illinois ranked 7th.
Illinois ranked 7th with 34% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Washington, D.C., ranked 6th.
Washington, D.C., ranked 6th with 31% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Oklahoma ranked 5th.
Oklahoma ranked 5th with 28% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Colorado ranked 4th.
Colorado ranked 4th with 17% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where New York tied for 2nd.
New York tied for 2nd with 10% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where Washington tied for 2nd.
Washington tied for 2nd with 10% of job postings omitting salary.
Chart showing states with the most salary transparency where California ranked 1st.
California ranked 1st with 9% of job postings omitting salary.
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