Special Report
States Where the US Military Spends the Most Money: All 50 States Ranked
Published:
In his January 1961 farewell address to the nation, President Dwight Eisenhower acknowledged that “an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience.” At the time of the speech, the Cold War was in its second decade, and Europe had only just recovered from the devastation of the Second World War. Now, over half a century later, the geopolitical context has changed considerably, but the veracity of the former president’s observation has not.
The U.S. spent $877 billion on defense in fiscal 2022, more than the combined defense budgets of the next 10 countries with the highest military spending, including China, Russia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
While about a quarter of American military spending goes towards pay for military personnel, the bulk of it is spent on defense contractors – companies that perform a range of functions for the government, including weapons production, research and development, and maintenance and support services. The Pentagon spent nearly $400 billion on private contractors in fiscal 2021 alone, more than all other federal agencies combined.
Defense contractors, as well as military and civilian defense personnel, are spread across the country, and every year, money from the federal government flows into each of the 50 states.
Using data from the Department of Defense, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the military spends the most money. States are ranked by total Defense Department spending on contracts and personnel payroll in fiscal 2021.
Depending on the state, DOD spending ranges from about $476 million to over $60 billion. In several states, defense spending accounts for over 5% of overall economic activity.
In most of the country, defense contractors account for over half of all Pentagon spending. Many of the states drawing in the most defense dollars are home to the operations of some of the largest military contractors in the world, including Boeing, Huntington Ingalls, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. These companies receive billions of federal dollars each year. (Here is a look at the largest weapons contracts of 2022.)
In other states, often home to large military bases, personnel payroll accounts for the largest share of Defense Department spending. Many of these states are home to large military bases, where thousands of troops are stationed. (Here is a look at the largest military base in every state.)
Click here to see states where the US military spend the most money.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. Wyoming
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $475.9 million (0.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 26.3% contracts (2nd lowest), 73.7% gov’t personnel payroll (2nd highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.1% of state GDP (9th lowest); $822 per state resident (13th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: M1 Support Services ($24.9 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 7,345 (3rd fewest)
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49. Vermont
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $545.7 million (0.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 64.0% contracts (25th lowest), 36.0% gov’t personnel payroll (25th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.4% of state GDP (20th lowest); $845 per state resident (16th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Raytheon Technologies ($115.2 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 4,214 (the fewest)
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48. South Dakota
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $643.3 million (0.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 35.1% contracts (5th lowest), 64.9% gov’t personnel payroll (5th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.0% of state GDP (7th lowest); $718 per state resident (9th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Sterling Computers ($75.1 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 9,638 (5th fewest)
47. Montana
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $647.3 million (0.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 38.1% contracts (7th lowest), 61.9% gov’t personnel payroll (7th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.0% of state GDP (8th lowest); $586 per state resident (6th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: S & K Technologies ($65.7 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 8,982 (4th fewest)
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46. Idaho
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $676.4 million (0.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 30.5% contracts (3rd lowest), 69.5% gov’t personnel payroll (3rd highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 0.7% of state GDP (3rd lowest); $356 per state resident (2nd lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Brad Hall & Associates ($45.3 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 10,753 (8th fewest)
45. West Virginia
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $885.2 million (0.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 57.1% contracts (18th lowest), 42.9% gov’t personnel payroll (18th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.0% of state GDP (5th lowest); $496 per state resident (5th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Northrop Grumman ($293.8 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 9,728 (6th fewest)
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44. North Dakota
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $902.5 million (0.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 23.4% contracts (the lowest), 76.6% gov’t personnel payroll (the highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.4% of state GDP (19th lowest); $1,165 per state resident (23rd lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Four Tribes Enterprises LLC ($20.6 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 13,925 (13th fewest)
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43. Delaware
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $950.4 million (0.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 49.9% contracts (14th lowest), 50.1% gov’t personnel payroll (14th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.1% of state GDP (12th lowest); $947 per state resident (18th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: AstraZeneca PLC ($287.1 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 10,303 (7th fewest)
42. Oregon
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $1.4 billion (0.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 58.1% contracts (20th lowest), 41.9% gov’t personnel payroll (20th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 0.5% of state GDP (the lowest); $324 per state resident (the lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Vigor Industrial ($101.0 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 13,091 (11th fewest)
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41. Nebraska
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $1.7 billion (0.3% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 41.7% contracts (8th lowest), 58.3% gov’t personnel payroll (8th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.1% of state GDP (10th lowest); $844 per state resident (14th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Peraton Corp. ($97.1 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 16,608 (15th fewest)
40. Rhode Island
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $1.7 billion (0.3% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 45.0% contracts (10th lowest), 55.0% gov’t personnel payroll (10th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.4% of state GDP (18th highest); $1,533 per state resident (21st highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Raytheon Technologies ($177.8 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 12,871 (10th fewest)
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39. Arkansas
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $1.9 billion (0.3% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 60.3% contracts (21st lowest), 39.7% gov’t personnel payroll (21st highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.3% of state GDP (14th lowest); $639 per state resident (7th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Aerojet Rocketdyne ($591.3 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 18,531 (17th fewest)
38. Minnesota
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $2.2 billion (0.4% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 68.5% contracts (21st highest), 31.5% gov’t personnel payroll (21st lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 0.5% of state GDP (2nd lowest); $387 per state resident (3rd lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Northrop Grumman ($340.7 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 21,636 (18th fewest)
37. New Hampshire
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $2.3 billion (0.4% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 86.6% contracts (5th highest), 13.4% gov’t personnel payroll (5th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.3% of state GDP (20th highest); $1,671 per state resident (16th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: BAE Systems ($1.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 6,298 (2nd fewest)
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36. Iowa
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $2.6 billion (0.5% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 82.7% contracts (8th highest), 17.3% gov’t personnel payroll (8th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.1% of state GDP (13th lowest); $805 per state resident (12th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Raytheon Technologies ($1.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 13,155 (12th fewest)
35. Nevada
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.1 billion (0.5% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 57.2% contracts (19th lowest), 42.8% gov’t personnel payroll (19th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.5% of state GDP (21st lowest); $974 per state resident (19th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Sierra Nevada Corp. ($396.8 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 23,404 (20th fewest)
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34. Maine
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.2 billion (0.6% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 73.8% contracts (16th highest), 26.2% gov’t personnel payroll (16th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 4.1% of state GDP (9th highest); $2,348 per state resident (10th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: General Dynamics ($1.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 12,696 (9th fewest)
33. Tennessee
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.2 billion (0.6% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 63.5% contracts (23rd lowest), 36.5% gov’t personnel payroll (23rd highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 0.7% of state GDP (4th lowest); $462 per state resident (4th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: BAE Systems ($451.7 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 26,752 (23rd fewest)
32. New Mexico
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.3 billion (0.6% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 54.0% contracts (17th lowest), 46.0% gov’t personnel payroll (17th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.9% of state GDP (14th highest); $1,547 per state resident (20th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Applied Research Associates ($138.7 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 24,553 (21st fewest)
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31. Louisiana
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.6 billion (0.6% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 46.7% contracts (11th lowest), 53.3% gov’t personnel payroll (11th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.3% of state GDP (18th lowest); $768 per state resident (11th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors ($197.4 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 37,571 (22nd most)
30. Alaska
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.6 billion (0.6% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 47.4% contracts (13th lowest), 52.6% gov’t personnel payroll (13th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 6.2% of state GDP (4th highest); $4,916 per state resident (4th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Arctic Slope Regional Corp. ($233.1 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 29,193 (24th fewest)
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29. Kansas
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $3.7 billion (0.7% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 41.8% contracts (9th lowest), 58.2% gov’t personnel payroll (9th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.9% of state GDP (25th highest); $1,263 per state resident (25th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Webuild ($218.8 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 39,055 (21st most)
28. Wisconsin
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $5.1 billion (0.9% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 88.2% contracts (4th highest), 11.8% gov’t personnel payroll (4th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.3% of state GDP (17th lowest); $857 per state resident (17th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Oshkosh Corp. ($2.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 17,384 (16th fewest)
27. Mississippi
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $5.6 billion (1.0% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 68.0% contracts (23rd highest), 32.0% gov’t personnel payroll (23rd lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 4.3% of state GDP (8th highest); $1,911 per state resident (14th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Huntington Ingalls ($2.0 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 36,538 (23rd most)
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26. South Carolina
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $6.1 billion (1.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 49.9% contracts (15th lowest), 50.1% gov’t personnel payroll (15th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.2% of state GDP (22nd highest); $1,179 per state resident (24th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Scientific Research Corp. ($142.2 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 66,589 (10th most)
25. Utah
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $6.3 billion (1.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 68.8% contracts (20th highest), 31.2% gov’t personnel payroll (20th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.7% of state GDP (17th highest); $1,877 per state resident (15th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Northrop Grumman ($2.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 32,842 (25th most)
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24. Oklahoma
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $6.3 billion (1.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 46.9% contracts (12th lowest), 53.1% gov’t personnel payroll (12th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.9% of state GDP (13th highest); $1,582 per state resident (18th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Boeing ($1.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 60,790 (13th most)
23. Michigan
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $6.5 billion (1.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 77.9% contracts (12th highest), 22.1% gov’t personnel payroll (12th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.1% of state GDP (11th lowest); $649 per state resident (8th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: General Dynamics ($2.3 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 26,133 (22nd fewest)
22. Indiana
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $7.2 billion (1.3% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 78.6% contracts (10th highest), 21.4% gov’t personnel payroll (10th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.6% of state GDP (24th lowest); $1,059 per state resident (21st lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Eli Lilly and Co. ($1.9 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 31,044 (25th fewest)
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21. Hawaii
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $7.9 billion (1.4% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 33.1% contracts (4th lowest), 66.9% gov’t personnel payroll (4th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 8.3% of state GDP (2nd highest); $5,465 per state resident (2nd highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Hensel Phelps Construction ($212.7 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 70,484 (9th most)
20. New Jersey
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $9.3 billion (1.7% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 78.1% contracts (11th highest), 21.9% gov’t personnel payroll (11th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.3% of state GDP (16th lowest); $1,002 per state resident (20th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Lockheed Martin ($1.6 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 34,586 (24th most)
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19. Illinois
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $9.5 billion (1.7% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 73.8% contracts (17th highest), 26.2% gov’t personnel payroll (17th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.0% of state GDP (6th lowest); $749 per state resident (10th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Northrop Grumman ($1.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 58,960 (15th most)
18. Ohio
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $9.9 billion (1.8% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 63.8% contracts (24th lowest), 36.2% gov’t personnel payroll (24th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.3% of state GDP (15th lowest); $844 per state resident (15th lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: General Electric ($757.5 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 61,589 (12th most)
17. North Carolina
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $11.7 billion (2.1% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 35.5% contracts (6th lowest), 64.5% gov’t personnel payroll (6th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.7% of state GDP (25th lowest); $1,113 per state resident (22nd lowest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: GlaxoSmithKline ($314.5 million in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 143,448 (4th most)
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16. Missouri
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $12.2 billion (2.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 85.8% contracts (6th highest), 14.2% gov’t personnel payroll (6th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 3.3% of state GDP (11th highest); $1,979 per state resident (13th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Boeing ($6.9 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 42,815 (20th most)
15. Colorado
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $12.4 billion (2.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 67.5% contracts (25th highest), 32.5% gov’t personnel payroll (25th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.8% of state GDP (15th highest); $2,138 per state resident (11th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Lockheed Martin ($2.3 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 64,103 (11th most)
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14. Kentucky
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $13.8 billion (2.5% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 76.8% contracts (14th highest), 23.2% gov’t personnel payroll (14th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 5.7% of state GDP (7th highest); $3,068 per state resident (7th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Humana ($7.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 57,462 (16th most)
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13. Arizona
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $14.6 billion (2.6% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 84.0% contracts (7th highest), 16.0% gov’t personnel payroll (7th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 3.4% of state GDP (10th highest); $2,013 per state resident (12th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Raytheon Technologies ($6.2 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 44,233 (19th most)
12. Georgia
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $14.9 billion (2.7% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 50.8% contracts (16th lowest), 49.2% gov’t personnel payroll (16th highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.1% of state GDP (23rd highest); $1,378 per state resident (24th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Lockheed Martin ($2.3 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 132,311 (6th most)
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11. Alabama
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $15.7 billion (2.8% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 77.6% contracts (13th highest), 22.4% gov’t personnel payroll (13th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 6.1% of state GDP (5th highest); $3,123 per state resident (6th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Boeing ($2.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 51,606 (18th most)
10. Pennsylvania
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $16.5 billion (2.9% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 81.2% contracts (9th highest), 18.8% gov’t personnel payroll (9th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.9% of state GDP (24th highest); $1,272 per state resident (25th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: AmerisourceBergen ($2.0 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 56,573 (17th most)
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9. Washington
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $19.1 billion (3.4% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 61.3% contracts (22nd lowest), 38.7% gov’t personnel payroll (22nd highest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.7% of state GDP (16th highest); $2,470 per state resident (9th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Boeing ($7.7 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 110,887 (7th most)
8. Connecticut
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $19.3 billion (3.4% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 95.5% contracts (the highest), 4.5% gov’t personnel payroll (the lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 6.2% of state GDP (3rd highest); $5,347 per state resident (3rd highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: General Dynamics ($8.7 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 15,939 (14th fewest)
7. Massachusetts
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $21.3 billion (3.8% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 94.2% contracts (2nd highest), 5.8% gov’t personnel payroll (2nd lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 3.2% of state GDP (12th highest); $3,057 per state resident (8th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Moderna, Inc. ($6.9 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 23,304 (19th fewest)
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6. Maryland
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $26.3 billion (4.7% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 68.3% contracts (22nd highest), 31.7% gov’t personnel payroll (22nd lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 5.8% of state GDP (6th highest); $4,258 per state resident (5th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Johns Hopkins University ($1.6 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 96,310 (8th most)
5. Florida
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $30.1 billion (5.4% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 72.0% contracts (18th highest), 28.0% gov’t personnel payroll (18th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.3% of state GDP (19th highest); $1,384 per state resident (23rd highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Lockheed Martin ($6.3 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 135,855 (5th most)
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4. New York
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $30.9 billion (5.5% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 90.4% contracts (3rd highest), 9.6% gov’t personnel payroll (3rd lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.6% of state GDP (22nd lowest); $1,557 per state resident (19th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Pfizer, Inc. ($13.3 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 60,056 (14th most)
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3. Texas
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $47.3 billion (8.5% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 74.2% contracts (15th highest), 25.8% gov’t personnel payroll (15th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 2.2% of state GDP (21st highest); $1,601 per state resident (17th highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Lockheed Martin ($13.7 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 221,892 (3rd most)
2. California
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $57.4 billion (10.3% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 70.0% contracts (19th highest), 30.0% gov’t personnel payroll (19th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 1.6% of state GDP (23rd lowest); $1,463 per state resident (22nd highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Northrop Grumman ($4.5 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 277,943 (the most)
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1. Virginia
> 2021 DOD spending in state: $62.7 billion (11.2% of U.S. defense spending)
> 2021 DOD spending by category: 67.9% contracts (24th highest), 32.1% gov’t personnel payroll (24th lowest)
> Relative DOD spending: 10.2% of state GDP (the highest); $7,259 per state resident (the highest)
> Largest defense contractor in state: Huntington Ingalls ($4.1 billion in 2021 contracts)
> Military and civilian DOD personnel in state: 251,230 (2nd most)
Methodology
To identify the states where the U.S. military spends the most money, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the report Defense Spending By State Fiscal Year 2021, published by the Department of Defense. States are ranked by total Defense Department spending on contracts and personnel payroll in fiscal 2021.
Supplementary data on the share of spending on contracts and payroll, spending as a share of state GDP, spending per capita, civilian and military DOD personnel in state, and state-level spending as a share of total 2021 DOD spending is also from the report.
The largest defense contractor in each state was determined by 2021 DOD spending. All contractor data is also from the report.
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
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A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
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