Wages in the US have hit record highs, even when historic salaries are adjusted for inflation. And with the nation boasting a low unemployment rate, the American Dream seems more attainable than ever – at least on paper. However, salary levels vary enormously across the country, and if you're aiming to strike it rich in the Land of Opportunity, pursuing a career that pays more than any other is clearly a smart move.

So what's the top-paying job where you live? Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which collates mean annual wage data by profession for each state and DC, read on to discover the top-paying roles in every corner of the country, with states ranked from lowest to highest-paid. How does your paycheck compare?

The highest-paying job in every state and DC