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Looking for a New Job? These Are the Best (and Worst) State for Job Seekers

By September 24, 2023No Comments

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Are you looking to relocate for work? Discover which states are the best and worst places to look for a job. 

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The job market can be a daunting place, especially for those who are seeking new opportunities. There are many factors that play into finding a new job, such as location, industry, and competition.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best and worst states for job seekers in the United States. Whether you’re starting your job search or considering a move, read on to learn where you’ll have the best chance of landing your dream job.

Labor shortage in the U.S.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are around 76 workers available for every 100 job openings as of July 2023. However, some states offer more opportunities for job seekers than others. Even though there are a significant number of job openings available, there is still plenty of competition for job seekers in some states.

The Chamber’s Worker Shortage Index ratio reflects the availability of workers for each job opening. States with a higher ratio have a greater number of workers to fill vacant positions. For example, a ratio of 0.65 implies that a state has only 65 workers for every 100 open jobs. A ratio higher than 1.0 would signify an excess of workers compared to available job openings.

Best and worst states for job seekers

Below are the rankings from the states with the most openings to the fewest.

Rank State Ratio of Openings 1 Maryland 0.36 2 New Hampshire 0.36 3 North Dakota 0.37 4 South Dakota 0.38 5 Vermont 0.41 6 Nebraska 0.42 7 Alabama 0.43 8 Arkansas 0.46 9 Massachusetts 0.47 10 Virginia 0.47 11 Montana 0.48 12 Mississippi 0.53 13 Oklahoma 0.53 14 Utah 0.53 15 Maine 0.54 16 District of Columbia 0.55 17 South Carolina 0.55 18 Wyoming 0.55 19 Louisiana 0.56 20 Tennessee 0.56 21 Florida 0.57 22 Georgia 0.57 23 Minnesota 0.59 24 North Carolina 0.59 25 West Virginia 0.59 26 Alaska 0.60 27 Idaho 0.61 28 Wisconsin 0.61 29 Colorado 0.62 30 Kansas 0.62 31 Missouri 0.64 32 Iowa 0.65 33 Rhode Island 0.65 34 Ohio 0.66 35 New Mexico 0.67 36 Hawaii 0.73 37 Delaware 0.75 38 Kentucky 0.75 39 Pennsylvania 0.79 40 Indiana 0.81 41 Oregon 0.82 42 Illinois 0.84 43 Arizona 0.86 44 Michigan 0.93 45 Connecticut 0.94 46 Texas 0.95 47 New York 1.02 48 California 1.06 49 Nevada 1.06 50 New Jersey 1.06 51 Washington 1.06
Data source: uschamber.com

California, Nevada, New Jersey, and Washington are states with the highest ratio of workers to job openings in the U.S., with 106 workers for every 100 job openings. These states might not be the best options for job seekers looking for less competition.

On the other hand, Maryland, New Hampshire, and the Dakotas are states with the lowest ratios of workers to job openings at 0.36 to 0.38 people per job. Every state with the exception of the last five on the list is short workers, presenting opportunities for anyone looking for a job.

The U.S. has lost millions of workers

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the primary cause of the current labor shortage was the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the temporary closure of more than 120,000 businesses, and more than 30 million Americans lost their jobs. Since February 2020, there are 1.9 million workers missing from the labor force.

Government assistance provided to those who lost their jobs, along with other subsidies, made it more convenient for individuals to remain out of the workforce and stay at home. The Chamber found that even if every unemployed person in the U.S. found a job, there would still be 4 million open jobs.

The disparity between available job opportunities and job seekers is significant but gradually decreasing. High inflation rates have eroded the savings amassed by Americans during the pandemic, resulting in many having to return to the workforce. At the same time, businesses that substantially expanded their workforces during the pandemic are now readjusting their hiring, with many industries experiencing a slowdown in hiring and occasional layoffs.

No matter where you live, the job market can be tough to navigate. It’s important to research your options and consider your priorities when deciding where to search for employment. If you are a job seeker looking for new opportunities, it might be worth considering states with lower worker-to-job-opening ratios, such as Maryland, New Hampshire, and the Dakotas.

However, keep in mind that other factors such as cost of living and job satisfaction should also be considered when exploring different states. At the end of the day, finding the right job isn’t just about the numbers for your personal finances — it’s about finding a role that fits your skills, experience, and lifestyle.

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