Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Arizona

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Arizona run 0.7% above the national average (2024), so a Arizona salary is worth about 0.99× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Arizona.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Arizona

OccupationMedian, Arizona · Real change since 2019

1Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$99,000
Doctoral or professional degree
$61,180 – $228,280-31.7%-14.0% nominal
2Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$75,420
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,760 – $124,300-30.4%-12.4% nominal
3Operations Research Analysts$75,470
Bachelor's degree
$58,430 – $124,230-30.1%-11.9% nominal
4Solar Photovoltaic Installers$51,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,770 – $78,780-25.3%-5.9% nominal
5Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$55,350
No formal educational credential
$42,600 – $75,280-23.7%-4.0% nominal
6Business Teachers, Postsecondary$81,600
Doctoral or professional degree
$63,470 – $157,770-23.6%-3.8% nominal
7Social Workers, All Other$62,150
Bachelor's degree
$45,520 – $108,240-20.6%0.0% nominal
8Photographers$36,970
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,080 – $84,130-20.3%+0.4% nominal
9Engineers, All Other$102,280
Bachelor's degree
$61,700 – $167,380-19.3%+1.6% nominal
10Postal Service Clerks$61,710
No formal educational credential
$42,600 – $75,030-19.3%+1.6% nominal
11Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$78,980
Doctoral or professional degree
$50,400 – $119,880-18.9%+2.2% nominal
12Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$49,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,780 – $83,900-18.6%+2.5% nominal
13Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$45,710
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,740 – $77,980-18.5%+2.6% nominal
14Optometrists$122,250
Doctoral or professional degree
$99,570 – $171,490-17.6%+3.7% nominal
15Travel Agents$51,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,390 – $80,760-17.4%+4.0% nominal
16Interior Designers$61,460
Bachelor's degree
$48,380 – $97,850-16.5%+5.2% nominal
17Electrical Engineers$100,550
Bachelor's degree
$75,560 – $165,510-14.7%+7.4% nominal
18Logisticians$77,620
Bachelor's degree
$52,170 – $124,740-13.8%+8.6% nominal
19Insurance Underwriters$77,740
Bachelor's degree
$57,770 – $127,450-13.6%+8.8% nominal
20First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$104,850
High school diploma or equivalent
$81,350 – $158,610-13.4%+9.1% nominal
21Mechanical Engineers$100,270
Bachelor's degree
$71,030 – $159,040-13.3%+9.2% nominal
22Aerospace Engineers$123,170
Bachelor's degree
$88,920 – $193,990-13.2%+9.3% nominal
23General and Operations Managers$94,800
Bachelor's degree
$47,990 – $220,280-13.2%+9.3% nominal
24Healthcare Social Workers$64,030
Master's degree
$44,620 – $96,470-12.9%+9.7% nominal
25Procurement Clerks$47,970
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,250 – $64,940-12.8%+9.8% nominal
26Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$43,780
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,200 – $65,450-12.6%+10.0% nominal
27Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$65,110
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,990 – $100,590-12.6%+10.1% nominal
28Occupational Therapy Assistants$73,490
Associate's degree
$53,810 – $89,880-12.1%+10.6% nominal
29Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$66,040
Associate's degree
$41,850 – $101,730-11.8%+11.1% nominal
30Plasterers and Stucco Masons$49,510
No formal educational credential
$37,080 – $75,980-11.2%+11.8% nominal
31Dentists, General$194,180
Doctoral or professional degree
$62,230 – $336,320-11.1%+12.0% nominal
32Architectural and Civil Drafters$64,750
Associate's degree
$44,930 – $99,450-11.0%+12.0% nominal
33Self-Enrichment Teachers$44,110
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,830 – $68,390-11.0%+12.1% nominal
34Pharmacists$146,930
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,490 – $171,660-11.0%+12.1% nominal
35Clergy$61,900
Bachelor's degree
$44,440 – $102,290-11.0%+12.1% nominal
36Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$72,060
Master's degree
$62,150 – $110,050-10.9%+12.2% nominal
37Education Administrators, Postsecondary$103,280
Master's degree
$65,300 – $213,610-10.8%+12.3% nominal
38Dietitians and Nutritionists$64,410
Bachelor's degree
$43,150 – $92,370-10.6%+12.6% nominal
39Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$100,040
Associate's degree
$74,010 – $127,510-10.4%+12.8% nominal
40Network and Computer Systems Administrators$90,280
Bachelor's degree
$63,210 – $137,670-10.2%+13.1% nominal
41Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$45,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,760 – $59,400-9.6%+13.8% nominal
42Compliance Officers$74,920
Bachelor's degree
$47,630 – $132,620-9.6%+13.8% nominal
43Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$60,910
Bachelor's degree
$45,790 – $80,380-9.4%+14.1% nominal
44Occupational Therapists$103,660
Master's degree
$78,160 – $131,950-9.3%+14.3% nominal
45Interpreters and Translators$50,150
Bachelor's degree
$32,280 – $99,070-9.2%+14.4% nominal
46Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$47,980
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,770 – $83,200-9.1%+14.5% nominal
47Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63,560
Associate's degree
$43,990 – $99,160-8.6%+15.1% nominal
48Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$50,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,870 – $69,980-8.4%+15.4% nominal
49Dental Hygienists$101,010
Associate's degree
$91,480 – $121,910-8.3%+15.5% nominal
50Civil Engineers$89,660
Bachelor's degree
$63,740 – $138,030-8.2%+15.6% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianArizona	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$99,000	$61,180 – $228,280	-31.7%-14.0% nominal
2	Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$75,420	$48,760 – $124,300	-30.4%-12.4% nominal
3	Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree	$75,470	$58,430 – $124,230	-30.1%-11.9% nominal
4	Solar Photovoltaic InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,160	$38,770 – $78,780	-25.3%-5.9% nominal
5	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$55,350	$42,600 – $75,280	-23.7%-4.0% nominal
6	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$81,600	$63,470 – $157,770	-23.6%-3.8% nominal
7	Social Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$62,150	$45,520 – $108,240	-20.6%0.0% nominal
8	PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,970	$32,080 – $84,130	-20.3%+0.4% nominal
9	Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$102,280	$61,700 – $167,380	-19.3%+1.6% nominal
10	Postal Service ClerksNo formal educational credential	$61,710	$42,600 – $75,030	-19.3%+1.6% nominal
11	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$78,980	$50,400 – $119,880	-18.9%+2.2% nominal
12	Title Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,580	$39,780 – $83,900	-18.6%+2.5% nominal
13	Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,710	$34,740 – $77,980	-18.5%+2.6% nominal
14	OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree	$122,250	$99,570 – $171,490	-17.6%+3.7% nominal
15	Travel AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,800	$33,390 – $80,760	-17.4%+4.0% nominal
16	Interior DesignersBachelor's degree	$61,460	$48,380 – $97,850	-16.5%+5.2% nominal
17	Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree	$100,550	$75,560 – $165,510	-14.7%+7.4% nominal
18	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$77,620	$52,170 – $124,740	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
19	Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree	$77,740	$57,770 – $127,450	-13.6%+8.8% nominal
20	First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$104,850	$81,350 – $158,610	-13.4%+9.1% nominal
21	Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree	$100,270	$71,030 – $159,040	-13.3%+9.2% nominal
22	Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree	$123,170	$88,920 – $193,990	-13.2%+9.3% nominal
23	General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree	$94,800	$47,990 – $220,280	-13.2%+9.3% nominal
24	Healthcare Social WorkersMaster's degree	$64,030	$44,620 – $96,470	-12.9%+9.7% nominal
25	Procurement ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,970	$37,250 – $64,940	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
26	Office and Administrative Support Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,780	$31,200 – $65,450	-12.6%+10.0% nominal
27	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$65,110	$47,990 – $100,590	-12.6%+10.1% nominal
28	Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree	$73,490	$53,810 – $89,880	-12.1%+10.6% nominal
29	Industrial Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$66,040	$41,850 – $101,730	-11.8%+11.1% nominal
30	Plasterers and Stucco MasonsNo formal educational credential	$49,510	$37,080 – $75,980	-11.2%+11.8% nominal
31	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$194,180	$62,230 – $336,320	-11.1%+12.0% nominal
32	Architectural and Civil DraftersAssociate's degree	$64,750	$44,930 – $99,450	-11.0%+12.0% nominal
33	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,110	$34,830 – $68,390	-11.0%+12.1% nominal
34	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$146,930	$103,490 – $171,660	-11.0%+12.1% nominal
35	ClergyBachelor's degree	$61,900	$44,440 – $102,290	-11.0%+12.1% nominal
36	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$72,060	$62,150 – $110,050	-10.9%+12.2% nominal
37	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$103,280	$65,300 – $213,610	-10.8%+12.3% nominal
38	Dietitians and NutritionistsBachelor's degree	$64,410	$43,150 – $92,370	-10.6%+12.6% nominal
39	Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree	$100,040	$74,010 – $127,510	-10.4%+12.8% nominal
40	Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree	$90,280	$63,210 – $137,670	-10.2%+13.1% nominal
41	Cabinetmakers and Bench CarpentersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,580	$37,760 – $59,400	-9.6%+13.8% nominal
42	Compliance OfficersBachelor's degree	$74,920	$47,630 – $132,620	-9.6%+13.8% nominal
43	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$60,910	$45,790 – $80,380	-9.4%+14.1% nominal
44	Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree	$103,660	$78,160 – $131,950	-9.3%+14.3% nominal
45	Interpreters and TranslatorsBachelor's degree	$50,150	$32,280 – $99,070	-9.2%+14.4% nominal
46	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,980	$30,770 – $83,200	-9.1%+14.5% nominal
47	Civil Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$63,560	$43,990 – $99,160	-8.6%+15.1% nominal
48	Payroll and Timekeeping ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,210	$33,870 – $69,980	-8.4%+15.4% nominal
49	Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree	$101,010	$91,480 – $121,910	-8.3%+15.5% nominal
50	Civil EngineersBachelor's degree	$89,660	$63,740 – $138,030	-8.2%+15.6% nominal

More for Arizona

Metro areas in Arizona

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Arizona

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Arizona to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Arizona

More for Arizona

Metro areas in Arizona

By field in Arizona

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state