If you’re struggling to find a job, it might all come down to where you live.
The unemployment rate in the US remains low overall at 3.5 percent, with 5.8 million people looking for work. Indeed, in July, there were only about 75 employees for every 100 positions available, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
But the same is not true in every state. Some have much more competitive job markets, making it more difficult to find work, and many industries, such as the technology sector, have announced mass layoffs.
The good news is that all states now have more jobs available than before the pandemic.
Georgia recorded the largest increase in job openings, due in part to the expansion of the state’s corporate culture, which got a jump start when Governor Brian Kemp chose not to close businesses during Covid. In contrast, more populous states such as New York and California have seen much smaller increases.
Here, DailyMail.com breaks down the top five and five worst states for job seekers.
A map of the states with the most and least available jobs per 100 people, based on data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The unemployment rate in July was 3.5 percent, 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 of the northern Midwest each have only 35 employees for every 100 available jobs. Their respective financial sectors are mainly driven by the agriculture and energy industries.
While neither state has a high GDP, workers in need of a job can find suitable work at either state’s food processing plants — though shifts are notoriously long and workers often work 12-hour night shifts.
Nebraska and Maryland
On the western edge of the so-called corn belt, where corn and soybeans are the dominant crops, there are numerous farm jobs.
Indeed, the cornhusker state has about 40 workers for every 100 available jobs – and not just in the agricultural sector.
Also known as Silicon Prairie, Omaha has jobs in manufacturing, IT, insurance and communications as the city tries to expand.
In Maryland, major industries include agriculture and fishing. But the mid-Atlantic state is the country’s 17th largest economy with other opportunities as well.
The suburbs bordering Washington, D.C. are home to several federal agencies, including the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Commerce, the Social Security Administration, and the IRS.
Several government-adjacent industries, including biotechnology and cybersecurity, are also heavily represented in Maryland, as are the manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
Most Maryland jobs 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 stretch between DC and Baltimore.
A farmer stands with his pups in front of his farm in North Dakota. North and South Dakota have the highest number of open positions per employee in the United States
Maryland crabbers are observed by a biologist from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Crabbing and other seafaring jobs are a major economic driver in the state
A farmer in South Dakota works his land. In many of the states with the most jobs to fill, farming and other agricultural labor is the name of the game
New Hampshire
In the state of Granite, there are currently 41 workers for every 100 available jobs.
The small but mighty state with a population of just under 1.4 million people has an economy largely driven by tourism, technology manufacturing and health care.
Seasonal jobs are another large part of the New Hampshire job market. In the winter, it’s a prime skiing destination for East Coasters who live within driving distance.
And in the summer, visitors flock to the Lake District, White Mountains, and Seacoast for hiking.
The state currently has an aging population, with many retirees – also contributing to the highest-than-average job availability.
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 places to find work.
The competitive industries and saturated markets in both states’ major cities mean there are 110 available workers for every 100 jobs.
Whether it’s technology, finance, entertainment or the worlds of fashion and design – both New York and California are known for being home to industries that are hard to break into.
However, New York stands out as one of the few states that currently has a higher percentage of the workforce working than before the pandemic.
In New England, states have requirements for seasonal workers that rotate around the winter ski season and the summer tourist season
New York has the collectively worst ratio of employees per job opening, with 110 employees for every 100 available positions
New Jersey
This tiny state, across the river from New York, is still a desirable 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 plays host to many of the same industries as New York – including media and financial services.
Clean energy is also a growing sector in NJ, and the food and beverage industry has a strong presence in the state.
Campbell’s Soup, Ferrero (the chocolate company), Goya Foods, and B&G Foods all have major manufacturing facilities in NJ.
Connecticut
The last member of the tri-state area has about 102 employees for every 100 available jobs.
The non-entire state of New England is a world leader in aerospace manufacturing and shipbuilding – two industries that require significant qualifications.
There are also a number of hedge funds and asset managers headquartered in parts of the state that are close to the city.
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 open positions
Washington state made the list of worst states to look for a job. Some believe that the numerous tech jobs in the state are largely filled by remote workers in other states
Washington
In Washington state, there are currently 101 employees for every 100 jobs – so almost a 1:1 ratio.
Some have explained Washington’s theoretically difficult job market by to argue 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 growing, but not as fast as and the labor market is still adjusting.
Washington, of course, is home to major tech and other US companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, and Boeing.
The excessive number of major company headquarters in the state makes it the 11th largest economy in the US.