The night shift may offer higher pay and a quieter workplace, but is it worth the sleep struggles and social sacrifices that come along with it? From healthcare to factory work, these employees keep the world running while others rest.

A new study by University of St. Thomas Houston named “The Best U.S. States to Work the Night Shift.” They conducted the study on all 50 states, analyzing them by ranking factors like average salary, safety, and job availability to create a final score out of 100. After ranking them based on this score, they were able to determine the most ideal U.S. states to work a night shift gig.

The Best U.S. States to Work the Night Shift: 

  1. Delaware
  2. South Carolina
  3. Alaska
  4. Missouri
  5. Pennsylvania

They also found the states where working the night shift rewarded the highest. The national average salary for night shift workers is $29,355. 

U.S. States With the Highest Salaries for Night Shift Workers:

  1. Washington – $36,481
  2. Colorado – $36,383
  3. Delaware – $34,020
  4. Virginia – $33,454
  5. New York – $33,201

The full study can be found here.