25 States Where People Won’t Go to Work
Despite a high unemployment rate in the country, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a shortage of job openings. Often, unemployment stems from challenges in finding suitable positions or qualifications mismatches. In other cases, it may be tied to a lack of motivation or the appeal of unemployment benefits, which can sometimes outweigh the wages offered in certain areas.
For some, particularly the elderly, pandemic-related concerns have prompted early retirements. Meanwhile, many able-bodied workers are recognizing their value and demanding better pay and conditions, shifting the dynamic to where employers must now compete to attract talent.
A recent WalletHub study analyzed all 50 states to uncover where employers are struggling the most to fill positions. The findings were eye-opening, revealing that job opportunities are more abundant than many might think. So, where are these gaps most pronounced?
Here are the top 25 states where workers are hardest to find…
25. Arkansas
Number twenty five on the list of states where no one wants to work is Arkansas. With a job openings rate of 5.98% over the past year, the state is a true representation of a median state. The openings rate has decreased to 5.20% over the past month, signaling a slight uptick in employment.
- Population: 3.09 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
- # of Unemployed: 111,240
24. Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranked number 24 out of all 50 states. At this point, we’re in the median states, nothing too extreme. The state has a job openings rate of 5.30% over the latest month. That was slightly lower than its job openings rate of 5.84% over the last 12 months.
- Population: 5.9 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
- # of Unemployed: 177,000
23. Kentucky
Kentucky ranks number 23 of the states no one wants to work in. Its job openings rate over the latest month was 5.30%, but it exceeded that at 5.84% over the last 12 months, which is why it has made the list.
- Population: 4.54 million
- Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
- # of Unemployed: 199,760
22. Alabama
At number twenty-two on our list, Alabama is a median state for job opening rates. What does that look like? The rate over the past year was 5.78%, while the past month was 5.50%—a very tiny decrease in openings, but not much of a difference.
- Population: 5.1 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
- # of Unemployed: 153,000
21. Tennessee
Tennessee has unfavorable numbers all around – at least if you are a manager trying to fill in positions at your place of business. The state had a job openings rate of 6.34% over the last 12 months and in the latest month it had a job openings rate of 5.30%. That’s a decent improvement!
- Population: 7.1 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
- # of Unemployed: 234,300
20. North Carolina
North Carolina is ranked twenty on the list because of its relatively moderate job openings rate over the past year—6.18%. The only reason it’s not ranked higher is that the rate for the past month has decreased significantly to 5.40%. Employers must be rejoicing right now.
- Population: 11 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
- # of Unemployed: 385,000
19. Minnesota
Minnesota graces the list in nineteenth among states where no one wants to work. It boasts a moderate job openings rate for the last month (5.50%) as well as the past year (6.13%). The numbers show that job openings are actually on the decline. This bodes well for employers!
- Population: 5.76 million
- Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
- # of Unemployed: 155,520
18. Georgia
Georgia has actually made significant strides in its job openings rate in the last month compared to the past year. This last month’s rate was 5.50%, while the past year’s was relatively high at 6.31%. Employers here must be feeling a little relieved.
- Population: 3.72 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
- # of Unemployed: 104,532
17. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is nothing if not consistent and ranks seventeenth. The rates for job openings over the past year and last month are nearly identical—5.74% and 5.80%. Employers shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for an uptick in applicants.
- Population: 13 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
- # of Unemployed: 442,000
16. Massachusetts
Massachusetts is sixteenth on the list of states where no one wants to work because of the job openings rate over the past year—6.16%. However, this past month’s rate has decreased to 5.60%, so maybe people are starting to apply for jobs again.
- Population: 7 million
- Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
- # of Unemployed: 203,000
15. North Dakota
North Dakota’s job openings rate was 5.80% over the latest month. Over the last 12 months, the job openings rate was at 6.01%, showing openings decreasing slightly.
- Population: 789,000
- Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
- # of Unemployed: 15,780
14. Wyoming
Wyoming had a job openings rate in the latest month of 5.80%. However, that’s an improvement compared to the last 12 months’ rate, at 6.11%.
- Population: 586,000
- Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
- # of Unemployed: 16,408
13. Rhode Island
Number thirteen is Rhode Island. The job openings rate for this past month is actually higher than the average for the past year—6.10% vs. 5.76%. Looks like Rhode Island wants to move up the list.
- Population: 1.1 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
- # of Unemployed: 42,900
12. Virginia
Virginia came in at number twelve for states no one wants to work, having retained a consistently high job openings rate over the course of a year. The state had a job openings rate of 6.00% in the latest month, down a tad from the 6.23% over the last 12 months.
- Population: 8.75 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
- # of Unemployed: 262,500
11. West Virginia
West Virginia holds the number eleven spot, with job openings rate in the latest month at 5.70%. Its job opening rate over the course of the year was even higher at 6.88%. It averages out to be not a great state for employers looking to fill in job positions.
- Population: 1.8 million
- Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
- # of Unemployed: 77,400
10. Mississippi
Mississippi has had a higher job opening rate over the past year than some of the higher-ranked states, at 6.53%. However, last month’s rate was significantly lower than those higher-ranked states (5.90%), therefore placing Mississippi lower on the list.
- Population: 2.94 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
- # of Unemployed: 91,140
9. Oklahoma
With the latest month’s job openings rate at 6.20%, Oklahoma sits at nineth on our list of states where no one wants to work. The rate for the past year was slightly higher, at 6.21%.
- Population: 4.1 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
- # of Unemployed: 147,600
8. Louisiana
Louisiana’s job openings rate was 6.10% in the latest month, down from 6.43% over the last 12 months. It’s still ranked eighth among states no one wants to work in.
- Population: 4.6 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
- # of Unemployed: 165,600
7. Delaware
Delaware’s numbers may be great if you are looking for work, but not if you are an employer trying to run a business. Delaware has had a job openings rate of 6.30% over the latest month and a rate of 6.38% over the last 12 months.
- Population: 1.04 million
- Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
- # of Unemployed: 41,600
6. Maryland
Maryland makes the list at sixth, with a job openings rate of 6.40% in the latest month. That’s up a bit from the past twelve months when it was a rate of 6.38%. It’s remained pretty consistent.
- Population: 6.2 million
- Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
- # of Unemployed: 148,800
5. Colorado
Coming in hot at number five is Colorado. This state has had a pretty consistent job opening rate over the past year compared to this month—6.60% and 6.30%, respectively. No one wants to work and it seems it will be staying that way for a while.
- Population: 5.9 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
- # of Unemployed: 206,500
4. New Mexico
New Mexico came in at number four on the list for its high job openings rate. Over the last 12 months, it had a job openings rate of 6.47%, which isn’t the worst we’ve seen on the list, but it’s still not great. In the latest month, that number has slightly decreased to 6.40%. Maybe things are turning around.
- Population 2.1 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
- # of Unemployed: 81,900
3. South Carolina
South Carolina has taken the number three spot for its high job openings rate over the last month and its even higher rate in the last 12 months. Its job openings rate over the course of a year was 6.82%, while its rate over the latest month was 6.40%.
- Population: 5.2 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
- # of Unemployed: 161,200
2. Montana
Montana ranks second overall for states where no one wants to work. Its job openings rate for the latest month was 6.70%, and it was 6.54% for the last 12 months. Will that percentage continue to rise? Only time will tell.
- Population: 1.1 million
- Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
- # of Unemployed: 38,182
1. Alaska
It seems no one wants to work in Alaska. At the number three spot, Alaska has had a high job openings rate over the last 12 months—at a ridiculously high 7.41%. While that rate has dropped a little in the latest month, it’s the worst in the country at 7.20%.
- Population: 734,000
- Unemployment Rate: 4.7%
- # of Unemployed: 34,498
