If you’re having trouble finding a job, it may depend on where you live.
Unemployment in the US remains low overall at 3.5 percent, with 5.8 million people looking for work. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, there were actually only about 75 workers for every 100 vacancies in July.
But not every state is the same. Some have much more competitive labor markets, making it harder to find work, and many industries, such as tech, have announced mass layoffs.
The good news is that more jobs are now available in all states than before the pandemic.
Georgia saw the largest increase in vacancies, due in part to the expansion of the state’s corporate culture, boosted by Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision not to close stores during the coronavirus crisis. In contrast, in more populous states like New York and California, the increase was far smaller.
Here, breaks down the five best and five worst states for job seekers.
A map showing the states with the highest and lowest available jobs per 100 people, based on data from the US Chamber of Commerce
The unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July, and 5.8 million people were actively looking for work
The five states with the most jobs per 100 workers
North and South Dakota
In the sparsely populated states of the northern Midwest, there are 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 who need employment may be able to find suitable work in one of the food processing plants in both states – though the shifts are notoriously long and workers often rotate 12-hour night shifts.
Nebraska and Maryland
Agricultural jobs are plentiful on the western edge of the so-called Corn Belt, where corn and soybeans are the dominant crops.
In fact, there are about 40 workers for every 100 available jobs in the Cornhusker State – and it’s not just in the agricultural industry.
Also known as Silicon Prairie, Omaha has jobs in manufacturing, IT, insurance and communications as the city looks to expand.
Agriculture and fishing are major industries in Maryland. But the mid-Atlantic nation is the country’s 17th largest economy and offers other opportunities as well.
Several federal agencies are located in the suburbs bordering Washington, DC, including the US Departments of Treasury and Commerce, the Social Security Administration and the IRS.
Several government-related industries, including biotechnology and cybersecurity, also have a strong presence in Maryland, as does manufacturing and healthcare.
Most of Maryland’s jobs are centered around what’s known as the Acela Corridor, which carries commuters — often political professionals — along the Northeast Coast. In Maryland, corridor refers specifically to the route between DC and Baltimore.
A farmer stands with his puppies in front of his farm in North Dakota. North and South Dakota have the highest number of open jobs per worker in the United States
Maryland crabs are observed by a biologist from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Shrimp fishing and other seafaring jobs are an important part of the state’s economy
A South Dakota farmer tends his land. In many of the states with the most vacancies, agriculture and other agricultural workers are the trend
New Hampshire
The Granite State currently employs 41 workers for every 100 available jobs.
The small but mighty state with a population of almost 1.4 million people has an economy that is largely driven by tourism, technology production and the healthcare industry.
Seasonal jobs are another big part of the New Hampshire job market. In the winter, it’s a premier ski resort for east coast drivers accessible by car.
And in the summer, visitors flock to the Lakes Region, White Mountains and Seashore for hiking.
The state currently has an aging population with many retirees – which also contributes to its above-average job vacancy.
The five states with the fewest jobs per 100 workers
California and New York
Somewhat predictably, two of the most desirable states to live in are the hardest to find work.
Due to the highly competitive industries and saturated markets in the major cities of both states, there are 110 workers for every 100 jobs.
Whether it’s technology, finance, entertainment, or the world of fashion and design, both New York and California are known to be home to industries that are difficult to break into.
But New York is notable for being one of the few states where a higher percentage of the workforce is currently working than it was before the pandemic.
In New England, there is a need for seasonal workers in the states centered around the ski season in winter and the tourist season in summer
New York has the worst ratio of workers per vacancy at 110 workers per 100 available positions
New Jersey
Located directly across from New York, this small state is still an attractive place to live, albeit 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 remains strong 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
In the last member of the tri-state area, there are about 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.
In addition, there are a number of hedge funds and asset management companies based in peri-urban parts of the state.
The insurance industry in Connecticut is also relatively prominent.
A man walks past the United States Courthouse in San Francisco. California posted the same numbers as New York when it came to the ratio of employees to vacancies
Washington state made the list of worst states to search for a job. Some believe the state’s many tech jobs are largely filled by remote workers in other states
Washington
In the state of Washington there are currently 101 workers for every 100 jobs – almost a 1:1 ratio.
Some have explained Washington’s theoretically difficult job market by saying that most tech jobs in the state are now done remotely — many by workers in other parts of the country.
Others say the state’s economy is expanding, but not quite as fast as before, and the labor market is still adjusting.
Washington is of course home to big tech and other US companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco and Boeing.
The large number of headquarters of large companies makes the state the eleventh largest economy in the USA.