The 10 Best and 10 Worst States for Jobs


If you’re one of the millions of unemployed Americans looking for work right now, it’s clear the job market is tough.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in August, the number of job seekers outpaced available openings in the US for the first time since April 2021. The shift comes amid a wave of layoffs this year across major employers, including Amazon, Meta, and GM.

For many out-of-work Americans, it’s easy to feel discouraged — but there’s still hope. WalletHub has ranked the best and worst cities in the US for job hunters, showing where your odds might be strongest and weakest.

To find out where you’ll have the best chance at landing, keeping, and actually enjoying a job, WalletHub compared all 50 states using 34 metrics that reflect job-market strength and economic health. These include factors such as employment growth, median annual income, average commute time, job security, and even the likelihood that artificial intelligence could take your job in the future.

WalletHub found that many of the best states for jobs are clustered in New England, the Upper Midwest, and the Great Plains, with Texas being the lone Southern state. Despite their regional and industrial differences, from tech in Massachusetts to agriculture in the Dakotas, these states share common strengths: low unemployment, solid job growth, and business-friendly environments.

“The best states for jobs make it easier for residents to find and retain jobs, and employers in these states also offer very competitive compensation and benefits,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

These are the 10 best and 10 worst states for job prospects, according to WalletHub. Business Insider added September median home sale prices from Redfin and 2024 median household income data from Missouri Census Data Center’s ACS Profiles.

The 10 best states for jobs

The Boston skyline.
Boston. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

10. Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island.
Providence, Rhode Island. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 15
  • Economic market rank: 8
  • Median household income: $83,504
  • Median home sale price: $570,000

9. Maine

Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine. PTAP Aerial/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 2
  • Economic market rank: 31
  • Median household income: $76,442
  • Median home sale price: $396,400

8. North Dakota

Fargo, North Dakota.
Fargo, North Dakota. Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 13
  • Economic market rank: 9
  • Median household income: $77,871
  • Median home sale price: $297,100

7. Texas

Aerial view of Dallas, Texas
Dallas. adamkaz/Getty Images
  • Job market rank: 18
  • Economic market rank: 2
  • Median household income: $79,721
  • Median home sale price: $339,100

6. South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 10
  • Economic market rank: 7
  • Median household income: $76,881
  • Median home sale price: $325,700

5. New Hampshire

Manchester, New Hampshire.
Manchester, New Hampshire. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 7
  • Economic market rank: 12
  • Median household income: $99,782
  • Median home sale price: $509,900

4. Vermont

An aerial view of Stowe, Vermont.
Stowe, Vermont. Nicholas Klein/Getty Images
  • Job market rank: 5
  • Economic market rank: 17
  • Median household income: $82,730
  • Median home sale price: $427,600

3. Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 8
  • Economic market rank: 4
  • Median household income: $87,117
  • Median home sale price: $363,300

2. Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut f11photo/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 4
  • Economic market rank: 15
  • Median household income: $96,049
  • Median home listing price: $461,800

1. Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 1
  • Economic market rank: 22
  • Median household income: $104,828
  • Median home sale price: $639,100

The 10 worst states for jobs

A highway going into downtown Charleston, West Virginia.
Charleston, West Virginia. Richard Nowitz/Getty Images

10. Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Economic market rank: 38
  • Median household income: $66,148
  • Median home sale price: $252,900

9. Indiana

An aerial view of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianapolis, Indiana. Jeremy Poland/Getty Images
  • Job market rank: 44
  • Economic market rank: 36
  • Median household income: $71,959
  • Median home sale price: $276,200

8. Montana

The downtown of Helena, Montana.
Helena, Montana. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
  • Job market rank: 40
  • Economic market rank: 41
  • Median household income: $75,340
  • Median home sale price: $547,000

7. Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. photosounds/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 29
  • Economic market rank: 48
  • Median household income: $77,545
  • Median home sale price: $306,200

6. North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina.
Charlotte, North Carolina. Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 46
  • Economic market rank: 37
  • Median household income: $73,958
  • Median home sale price: $379,500

5. Oregon

Portland, Oregon.
Portland, Oregon. Jesper A/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 27
  • Economic market rank: 50
  • Median household income: $85,220
  • Median home sale price: $507,800

4. Alaska

Juneau, Alaska.
Juneau, Alaska. Alexandre.ROSA/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 48
  • Economic market rank: 30
  • Median household income: $95,665
  • Median home sale price: $401,800

3. Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky.
Louisville, Kentucky. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 35
  • Economic market rank: 49
  • Median household income: $64,526
  • Median home sale price: $270,500

2. Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana.
New Orleans, Louisiana. Cavan-Images/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 49
  • Economic market rank: 43
  • Median household income: $60,986
  • Median home sale price: $253,000

1. West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia.
Charleston, West Virginia. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
  • Job market rank: 50
  • Economic market rank: 44
  • Median household income: $60,798
  • Median home sale price: $239,800

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