If you’re having trouble finding a job, you may find that it all depends on where you live.
Unemployment in the United States remains low overall at 3.5%, with 5.8 million people looking for work. Indeed, there were only about 75 workers for every 100 available positions in July, according to the US Chamber of Commerce.
But the same is not true in all states. Some have much more competitive labor markets, making it harder to find jobs, and many industries, such as tech, have announced widespread layoffs.
The good news is that all states have more jobs available now than before the pandemic.
Georgia has seen the largest increase in vacancies, in part due to the expansion of the state’s business culture, which was revived when Governor Brian Kemp opted not to shut down businesses during Covid. . However, more populous states such as New York and California, on the other hand, saw much smaller increases.
Here, DailyMail.com breaks down the five best and five worst states for job seekers.
A map depicting the states with the most and least jobs available per 100 people, based on data from the United States Chamber of Commerce
The unemployment rate in July was 3.5%, with 5.8 million people actively looking for work
The five states with the most jobs per 100 workers
North and South Dakota
The sparsely populated states in the northern Midwest each have only 35 workers for every 100 available jobs. Their respective financial sectors are mainly driven by the agricultural and energy industries.
Although neither state has a high GDP, workers in need of a position can find suitable work in one of the food processing plants in either state – although shifts are infamously long and workers often rotate 12-hour night shifts.
Nebraska and Maryland
At the western end of the so-called corn belt, where corn and soybeans are the dominant crops, many agricultural jobs are available.
Indeed, the cornhusker state has some 40 workers for every 100 available jobs – and not just in agriculture.
In Omaha, also known as Silicon Prairie, there are jobs in manufacturing, IT, insurance and communications as the city seeks to grow.
In Maryland, major industries include agriculture and fishing. But the mid-Atlantic state is the 17th largest economy in the country with other opportunities as well.
The suburbs that border Washington, DC are home to several federal agencies, including the United States Departments of Treasury and Commerce, the Social Security Administration, and the IRS.
Several government-adjacent industries, including biotechnology and cybersecurity, also have a strong presence in Maryland, as do the manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Most jobs in Maryland are located around what’s called the Acela Corridor, which carries commuters — often political professionals — along the northeast coast. In Maryland, the corridor refers specifically to the section between DC and Baltimore.
A farmer stands in front of his North Dakota farm with his puppies. North Dakota and South Dakota have the highest number of open jobs per worker in the United States
Maryland crabeaters are observed by a biologist from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Crab and other seafaring jobs are a major economic driver in the state
A South Dakota farmer tends to his land. In many states with the most jobs to fill, farming and other agricultural work is the name of the game.
New Hampshire
In Granite State, there are currently 41 workers for every 100 jobs available.
The small but mighty state with a population of just under 1.4 million has an economy that is largely based on the tourism, tech manufacturing and healthcare industries.
Seasonal jobs are another big part of New Hampshire’s job market. In the winter, it’s a top ski destination for east coasters who live within driving distance.
And in the summer, visitors flock to the Lake District, the White Mountains, and the coastline to hike.
The state currently has an aging population, with many retirees – which also contributes to its greater availability of jobs than average.
The five states with the fewest jobs per 100 workers
California and New York
Predictably, two of the most desirable states to live in are the hardest places to find work.
Competitive industries and saturated markets in major cities in both states mean that for every 100 jobs, there are 110 workers available.
Whether it’s technology, finance, entertainment, or the world of fashion and design, New York and California are renowned for being home to hard-to-break industries.
New York, however, has the distinction of being one of the few states that currently has a higher percentage of its workforce working than before the pandemic.
In New England, states have needs for seasonal workers that revolve around the winter ski season and the summer tourist season
New York has the worst joint ratio of workers per job offer, with 110 workers for every 100 available positions
New Jersey
Just across the street from New York, this tiny state is still a great place to live, but it comes with a tough job market and high taxes.
For every 100 available jobs in New Jersey, there are 108 available workers.
New Jersey is home to many of the same industries as New York, including media and financial services.
Clean energy is also a growing sector in New Jersey, and the food and beverage industry has maintained a strong presence in the state.
Campbell’s Soup, Ferrero (the chocolate company), Goya Foods, and B&G Foods all have large manufacturing facilities in New Jersey.
Connecticut
The final member of the tri-state area has some 102 workers for every 100 available jobs.
The not quite New England state is a world leader in aerospace manufacturing and shipbuilding – two industries that require significant skills.
There are also a number of hedge funds and asset management companies headquartered in parts of the state close to the city.
Connecticut’s insurance industry is also relatively large.
A man walks past the United States Courthouse in San Francisco. California posted the same numbers as New York, when it comes to the ratio of workers to vacancies
Washington State made the list of worst states to look for a job in. Some believe the state’s many tech jobs are largely filled by remote workers in other states
Washington
In Washington State, there are currently 101 workers for every 100 jobs – so almost a 1:1 ratio.
Some have explained Washington’s theoretically tough job market by argue that most tech jobs in the state are now done remotely — many by workers from other parts of the country.
Others say the state’s economy is growing, but not at a pace as fast as the job market and it continues to adjust.
Washington is of course home to big tech companies and other American companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco and Boeing.
The state’s disproportionate number of major corporate headquarters makes it the 11th largest economy in the United States.
