California is easily the most populous state in the country, so you would think it only makes sense that it’s also the one producing the most pro basketball players and thus the one getting more NBA salary revenue. Since 1990, which is as far as our salary data goes back, California-born players have made a combined $8.582 billion in NBA salaries, more than New Yorkers (No. 2 in the salary ranking) and Texans (No. 3) together.
So it’s not just that California is heavily populated; it also has a pretty nice per capita presence in the league.
Below, we have ranked states from least NBA players’ earnings to most. As you will see, California is not the only one punching above its demographic weight.
Rhode Island: $7.8 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Tyler Kolek: $2,087,519
2. David Duke: $1,968,197
3. Cole Swider: $1,647,250
4. Ricky Ledo: $1,510,566
5. Tom Garrick: $540,000
Hawaii: $20.0 million
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1. Cedric Ceballos: $19,962,500
Montana: $21.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Adam Morrison: $16,920,989
2. Larry Krystkowiak: $3,519,000
3. Coby Karl: $782,378
4. Keith Tower: $289,316
Alaska: $28.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Mario Chalmers: $24,872,315
2. Daishen Nix: $3,624,955
New Hampshire: $30.1 million
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1. Matt Bonner: $30,128,334
Nebraska: $38.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Fred Hoiberg: $10,432,079
2. Rex Walters: $8,462,500
3. JT Thor: $5,228,191
4. Mark Pope: $4,432,010
5. Khyri Thomas: $3,316,599
6. Rich King: $2,800,000
7. Baylor Scheierman: $2,494,320
8. Dave Hoppen: $900,000
9. Bart Kofoed: $270,000
10. Alex Stivrins: $140,000
New Mexico: $38.9 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Andre Roberson: $36,077,231
2. Damion James: $2,557,434
3. Alex Kirk: $214,871
4. Cedric Jackson: $53,834
5. Matt Othick: $13,000
Idaho: $45.8 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Luke Ridnour: $45,269,478
2. Anton Watson: $578,577
Maine: $77.3 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Duncan Robinson: $73,269,963
2. Jeff Turner: $4,060,000
Delaware: $77.7 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Donte DiVincenzo: $39,955,150
2. Jalen Duren: $12,991,800
3. Bones Hyland: $10,763,239
4. Joey Graham: $8,804,185
5. Stephen Graham: $3,782,274
6. AJ English: $1,306,000
7. Trevon Duval: $77,250
Wyoming: $90.6 million
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1. James Johnson: $90,637,356
South Dakota: $101.1 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Mike Miller: $99,376,913
2. Jared Reiner: $1,024,794
3. Jon Sundvold: $668,000
North Dakota: $117.4 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Doug McDermott: $77,240,205
2. Tyler Johnson: $34,289,342
3. Dalton Knecht: $3,819,120
4. Les Jepsen: $2,017,000
Kansas: $165.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Earl Watson: $42,771,079
2. Willie Cauley-Stein: $26,003,778
3. Dean Wade: $17,482,827
4. Maurice Evans: $14,611,029
5. Ron Baker: $9,569,294
6. Gradey Dick: $9,300,251
7. Adrian Griffin: $9,255,728
8. Christian Braun: $8,847,360
9. Semi Ojeleye: $7,830,860
10. Jabari Walker: $4,757,344
Utah: $212.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. John Collins: $109,479,862
2. Scot Pollard: $38,060,161
3. Travis Knight: $22,622,500
4. Tom Chambers: $9,880,250
5. Devin Brown: $8,156,587
6. Byron Scott: $7,907,500
7. Sam Merrill: $7,684,044
8. CJ Wilcox: $3,556,290
9. Fred Roberts: $2,819,500
10. Branden Carlson: $1,068,395
Nevada: $225.2 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Zach Collins: $55,123,815
2. Ricky Davis: $42,872,920
3. Marcus Banks: $26,135,520
4. CJ Watson: $23,756,506
5. Pat Garrity: $22,788,021
6. Troy Brown: $20,483,739
7. Greg Anthony: $18,592,250
8. Julian Strawther: $4,983,640
9. Orlando Robinson: $4,275,343
10. Maxwell Lewis: $3,011,420
Arizona: $253.4 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Marvin Bagley: $73,646,834
2. Jerryd Bayless: $48,706,520
3. Sean Elliott: $40,626,666
4. Matisse Thybulle: $34,038,126
5. Kevin Knox: $23,703,938
6. Dalen Terry: $10,052,640
7. Alan Williams: $7,066,170
8. TyTy Washington: $5,618,839
9. Nick Johnson: $2,332,826
10. Oso Ighodaro: $1,862,265
West Virginia: $265.4 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Deron Williams: $152,027,631
2. Jason Williams: $55,663,447
3. OJ Mayo: $46,149,437
4. Dave Jamerson: $3,408,000
5. Henry Walker: $3,329,677
6. Dwayne Jones: $1,880,393
7. Tamar Slay: $1,608,183
8. Kevin Salvadori: $657,500
9. Jalen Bridges: $578,577
10. Donte Grantham: $77,250
Colorado: $266.0 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Chauncey Billups: $106,227,720
2. Derrick White: $80,286,124
3. Jason Smith: $36,919,993
4. Jalen Williams: $13,675,920
5. Joe Kleine: $9,702,250
6. Michael Ruffin: $8,909,115
7. Darrick Martin: $6,600,184
8. Eddie Gill: $2,078,299
9. Kaniel Dickens: $1,044,151
10. Nick Fazekas: $427,163
Connecticut: $309.9 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Marcus Camby: $135,352,849
2. Chris Dudley: $38,005,000
3. Kris Dunn: $36,327,202
4. Charles Smith (1965): $23,960,286
5. Ryan Gomes: $21,876,602
6. Mike Gminski: $7,765,000
7. Michael Adams: $7,232,000
8. Scott Burrell: $7,200,000
9. Donovan Clingan: $6,836,400
10. Courtney Alexander: $6,502,302
Massachussetts: $397.6 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Bruce Brown: $60,134,279
2. Nerlens Noel: $45,648,694
3. Matt Geiger: $44,404,000
4. Pat Connaughton: $41,182,899
5. Georges Niang: $29,833,765
6. Dana Barros: $25,587,500
7. Michael Carter-Williams: $23,533,031
8. Travis Best: $18,211,679
9. Vinny Del Negro: $17,705,142
10. Noah Vonleh: $17,154,393
Iowa: $501.6 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Harrison Barnes: $201,981,290
2. Raef LaFrentz: $84,135,042
3. Kirk Hinrich: $71,692,268
4. Nick Collison: $60,322,642
5. Keegan Murray: $25,227,000
6. Jon Koncak: $13,650,000
7. Ryan Bowen: $8,895,707
8. Matt Bullard: $8,507,533
9. Patrick O’Bryant: $7,398,120
10. Kris Murray: $5,837,544
Minnesota: $505.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Kris Humphries: $66,220,233
2. Tyus Jones: $65,850,050
3. Joel Przybilla: $44,705,467
4. Jon Leuer: $41,968,952
5. Chet Holmgren: $31,157,880
6. Jalen Suggs: $29,955,705
7. Devean George: $28,656,380
8. Mike Muscala: $28,560,850
9. Cole Aldrich: $27,453,298
10. Tre Jones: $23,198,912
Oklahoma: $589.6 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Blake Griffin: $261,338,564
2. Josh Richardson: $62,974,881
3. Mark Price: $27,334,920
4. Jaxson Hayes: $26,747,438
5. John Starks: $24,958,000
6. Ekpe Udoh: $21,895,511
7. Brent Price: $20,456,750
8. Wayman Tisdale: $17,129,000
9. Jeremy Sochan: $15,950,520
10. Shake Milton: $15,496,934
Kentucky: $683.7 million
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Highest-paid players
1. D’Angelo Russell: $176,343,478
2. Allan Houston: $117,556,500
3. Rajon Rondo: $117,193,091
4. Derek Anderson: $58,973,127
5. PJ Washington: $50,226,821
6. Greg Buckner: $29,653,476
7. Rex Chapman: $23,505,700
8. Darius Miller: $20,732,719
9. Felton Spencer: $18,695,349
10. Shelvin Mack: $17,932,298
Oregon: $753.1 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Domantas Sabonis: $140,379,554
2. Jerami Grant: $139,300,971
3. Damon Stoudamire: $99,672,198
4. Terrence Ross: $92,589,837
5. Terrell Brandon: $59,585,440
6. Isaiah Hartenstein: $52,288,245
7. AC Green: $39,101,776
8. Cole Anthony: $28,787,971
9. Kyle Singler: $21,801,933
10. Ronnie Brewer: $19,688,040
Wisconsin: $832.6 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Latrell Sprewell: $97,060,000
2. Caron Butler: $85,063,515
3. Devin Harris: $76,066,493
4. Nick Van Exel: $74,408,867
5. Tyler Herro: $73,188,836
6. Jordan Poole: $67,698,022
7. Tyrese Haliburton: $60,055,395
8. Carl Landry: $48,927,163
9. Kevon Looney: $43,317,476
10. Jim McIlvaine: $32,125,000
Tennessee: $848.9 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Anfernee Hardaway: $120,469,142
2. JJ Redick: $118,345,008
3. Louis Williams: $87,208,319
4. Lorenzen Wright: $55,216,995
5. Corey Brewer: $54,175,934
6. James Wiseman: $41,857,531
7. Brandan Wright: $39,928,084
8. Cameron Payne: $36,845,989
9. Ron Mercer: $35,230,160
10. Jodie Meeks: $31,090,760
Virginia: $916.7 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Allen Iverson: $154,494,445
2. Alonzo Mourning: $143,906,333
3. Jeremy Lamb: $61,867,716
4. Joe Smith: $61,220,796
5. Dorian Finney-Smith: $57,197,056
6. Keldon Johnson: $49,017,384
7. Bryant Stith: $32,181,000
8. George Lynch: $27,695,000
9. Mike Scott: $27,064,863
10. Jalen Smith: $26,989,082
Mississippi: $937.5 million
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Highest-paid players
1. Al Jefferson: $136,519,285
2. Antonio McDyess: $116,638,859
3. Monta Ellis: $104,008,681
4. Erick Dampier: $97,963,871
5. Maurice Williams: $67,606,431
6. Danny Manning: $55,945,666
7. Clarence Weatherspoon: $49,543,000
8. Travis Outlaw: $44,871,226
9. Derrick McKey: $36,898,000
10. Lindsey Hunter: $34,640,600
Alabama: $1.079 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Eric Bledsoe: $131,940,553
2. Gerald Wallace: $102,825,613
3. Theo Ratliff: $102,351,958
4. DeMarcus Cousins: $91,978,289
5. Derrick Coleman: $91,366,800
6. Ben Wallace: $87,800,795
7. DeMarre Carroll: $81,515,187
8. Robert Horry: $53,745,000
9. JaMychal Green: $47,036,962
10. Wesley Person: $45,095,000
Arkansas: $1.160 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Mike Conley: $286,557,558
2. Joe Johnson: $217,468,696
3. Scottie Pippen: $107,892,430
4. Glen Rice: $66,723,900
5. Bobby Portis: $64,862,440
6. Derek Fisher: $64,160,721
7. Bryant Reeves: $55,638,898
8. Malik Monk: $54,338,555
9. Corliss Williamson: $42,673,520
10. Daniel Gafford: $31,925,753
Missouri: $1.278 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Bradley Beal: $319,772,793
2. Jayson Tatum: $155,977,000
3. Otto Porter: $140,520,040
4. Michael Porter: $115,253,645
5. David Lee: $94,282,468
6. Alec Burks: $92,878,624
7. Larry Hughes: $84,845,538
8. Anthony Tolliver: $32,031,999
9. Ben McLemore: $31,059,587
10. Landry Shamet: $30,991,430
Maryland: $1.347 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Rudy Gay: $184,599,665
2. Victor Oladipo: $126,077,081
3. Steve Francis: $103,501,131
4. Jeff Green: $97,434,810
5. Markelle Fultz: $87,400,017
6. Will Barton: $81,869,184
7. Josh Hart: $64,538,999
8. Sam Cassell: $58,419,775
9. Reggie Bullock: $52,817,092
10. Jarrett Jack: $47,896,980
South Carolina: $1.411 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Kevin Garnett: $343,862,398
2. Khris Middleton: $257,304,822
3. Jermaine O’Neal: $168,794,021
4. Ja Morant: $110,350,760
5. Kwame Brown: $64,227,908
6. Jayson Williams: $63,050,000
7. Raymond Felton: $57,246,750
8. Nicolas Claxton: $50,730,729
9. Ramon Sessions: $36,276,568
10. Trevor Booker: $34,831,717
Washington: $1.477 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Zach LaVine: $207,839,957
2. Jamal Crawford: $124,283,187
3. Marvin Williams: $109,771,071
4. Jason Terry: $108,310,292
5. Dejounte Murray: $100,876,511
6. Brandon Roy: $95,751,295
7. Joe Harris: $92,234,674
8. John Stockton: $65,975,000
9. Avery Bradley: $64,128,563
10. Doug Christie: $51,591,438
Louisiana: $1.935 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Paul Millsap: $193,541,787
2. Rashard Lewis: $155,332,815
3. De’Aaron Fox: $150,476,187
4. Thaddeus Young: $149,729,113
5. Antawn Jamison: $142,545,596
6. Karl Malone: $101,723,378
7. Greg Monroe: $76,550,511
8. Kelly Oubre: $74,703,017
9. Danny Granger: $71,140,777
10. DJ Augustin: $64,386,661
Indiana: $2.098 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Gordon Hayward: $272,742,175
2. Zach Randolph: $199,124,765
3. Eric Gordon: $184,699,961
4. Gary Harris: $116,062,615
5. George Hill: $113,331,400
6. Darius Garland: $99,814,234
7. Jeff Teague: $99,236,542
8. Shawn Kemp: $91,572,963
9. Brad Miller: $91,247,500
10. Cody Zeller: $83,240,124
New Jersey: $2.112 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Shaquille O’Neal: $292,198,327
2. Karl-Anthony Towns: $233,178,835
3. Bam Adebayo: $139,919,452
4. Jaren Jackson Jr: $118,648,992
5. Mike Bibby: $107,093,621
6. Tim Thomas: $97,873,455
7. Al Harrington: $97,698,919
8. David West: $93,047,916
9. JR Smith: $90,952,569
10. Jalen Brunson: $85,152,769
Michigan: $2.202 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Devin Booker: $217,371,965
2. Draymond Green: $203,149,451
3. Chris Webber: $178,230,697
4. Kenyon Martin: $113,431,519
5. Jason Richardson: $105,798,207
6. Jalen Rose: $102,438,250
7. Chris Kaman: $86,527,368
8. JaVale McGee: $84,552,584
9. Kyle Kuzma: $83,741,087
10. Wilson Chandler: $73,745,287
Georgia: $2.336 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Dwight Howard: $245,838,349
2. Jaylen Brown: $184,011,257
3. Malcolm Brogdon: $133,732,562
4. Derrick Favors: $131,217,769
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: $126,459,338
6. Josh Smith: $116,294,581
7. Shareef Abdur-Rahim: $101,221,760
8. Anthony Edwards: $86,447,537
9. Dale Davis: $77,281,958
10. Collin Sexton: $72,755,271
North Carolina: $2.362 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Chris Paul: $400,637,385
2. John Wall: $276,580,866
3. Brandon Ingram: $182,076,685
4. Zion Williamson: $115,002,057
5. Hassan Whiteside: $105,390,288
6. PJ Tucker: $90,470,854
7. Jerry Stackhouse: $84,406,843
8. Kent Bazemore: $79,957,380
9. TJ Warren: $60,304,306
10. John Henson: $52,818,091
Florida: $2.487 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Vince Carter: $186,916,012
2. Amare Stoudemire: $165,683,566
3. Gilbert Arenas: $163,061,257
4. Tracy McGrady: $163,057,818
5. Chandler Parsons: $127,164,774
6. Jordan Clarkson: $126,192,601
7. Trevor Ariza: $118,962,219
8. David Robinson: $114,448,123
9. Eddie Jones: $101,254,222
10. Vin Baker: $97,390,894
Pennsylvania: $2.546 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Kobe Bryant: $328,237,108
2. Kyle Lowry: $278,461,690
3. Rasheed Wallace: $158,110,581
4. Richard Hamilton: $114,666,043
5. Marcus Morris: $108,481,302
6. Mikal Bridges: $82,735,125
7. Tyreke Evans: $76,584,468
8. De’Andre Hunter: $73,887,356
9. Jameer Nelson: $72,802,422
10. Donyell Marshall: $72,417,867
Ohio: $2.824 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. LeBron James: $531,322,273
2. Stephen Curry: $413,605,898
3. CJ McCollum: $250,449,242
4. Terry Rozier: $135,085,372
5. Brian Grant: $109,842,052
6. Michael Redd: $101,991,325
7. Caris LeVert: $92,023,277
8. Kevin Martin: $83,151,440
9. Larry Nance Jr: $72,487,052
10. Luke Kennard: $66,242,364
Illinois: $3.577 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Anthony Davis: $311,521,148
2. Dwyane Wade: $199,499,205
3. Andre Iguodala: $189,621,801
4. Derrick Rose: $167,733,574
5. Fred VanVleet: $165,684,923
6. Juwan Howard: $151,839,471
7. Michael Finley: $138,576,839
8. Shawn Marion: $134,936,762
9. Antoine Walker: $108,142,015
10. Evan Turner: $98,227,016
Texas: $3.717 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Jimmy Butler: $312,683,265
2. Chris Bosh: $242,110,053
3. LaMarcus Aldridge: $215,090,968
4. DeAndre Jordan: $180,174,668
5. Julius Randle: $163,609,722
6. Trae Young: $146,727,211
7. Grant Hill: $142,836,650
8. Myles Turner: $140,436,434
9. Marcus Smart: $121,332,399
10. Wesley Matthews: $118,030,476
New York: $4.008 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. Tobias Harris: $276,450,726
2. Carmelo Anthony: $240,843,702
3. Kemba Walker: $198,420,986
4. Elton Brand: $169,209,324
5. Andre Drummond: $151,792,017
6. Stephon Marbury: $151,115,945
7. Donovan Mitchell: $142,153,611
8. Joakim Noah: $139,035,960
9. Lamar Odom: $115,967,658
10. Danny Green: $104,606,233
California: $8.582 billion
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Highest-paid players
1. James Harden: $374,374,274
2. Paul George: $356,300,737
3. Russell Westbrook: $348,303,546
4. Damian Lillard: $329,998,763
5. Kawhi Leonard: $328,471,638
6. Jrue Holiday: $290,154,591
7. Klay Thompson: $285,425,777
8. DeMar DeRozan: $282,005,770
9. Kevin Love: $276,212,518
10. Brook Lopez: $220,774,768
