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 industry 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 the Missouri Census Data Center’s ACS Profiles.
The 10 best states for jobs
Boston.
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10. Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island.
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9. Maine
Portland, Maine.
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8. North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota.
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7. Texas
Dallas.
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6. South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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5. New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire.
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4. Vermont
Stowe, Vermont.
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3. Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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2. Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
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1. Massachusetts
Boston.
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The 10 worst states for jobs
Charleston, West Virginia.
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10. Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
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9. Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana.
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8. Montana
Helena, Montana.
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7. Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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6. North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina.
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5. Oregon
Portland, Oregon.
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4. Alaska
Juneau, Alaska.
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3. Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky.
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2. Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana.
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1. West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia.
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