The 6 Hardest-Working States in the US—and 6 That Work the Least
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Americans work an average of 1,805 hours a year, which is more than workers in most other developed countries. Interestingly, some states consistently put in longer hours and have higher employment rates than others.
WalletHub recently ranked all 50 states based on how hard their residents work. They looked at 10 different factors, like average workweek hours, employment rates, unused vacation days, and even volunteer hours. The data came from sources like the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Gallup, and AmeriCorps.
Here are the top 6 hardest-working states, along with the 6 that ranked the lowest. These differences go beyond just regional quirks; they highlight how states approach work-life balance, economic priorities, and community involvement.
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North Dakota takes the crown as America’s hardest-working state. Residents here clock an average of 39.6 hours per week, the fifth-highest in the nation. The state also boasts the third-highest employment rate in the country, with over 98% of residents employed.
But here’s what really sets North Dakota apart: about one-third of workers don’t use all their vacation time. Combined with a low rate of idle youth (people aged 18 to 24 who aren’t in school or working), the state demonstrates a culture that values productivity across all age groups.
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Alaska’s workers average 41.6 hours per week, more than any other state in the country. That’s nearly a full workday more than the national average when calculated across a year.
Around 27.5% of Alaskan workers also leave vacation days unused. When you factor in the state’s challenging geography and weather conditions, which can make commuting and daily work more demanding, Alaska’s second-place ranking becomes even more impressive.
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South Dakota claims the highest employment rate in the nation at over 98%. More than 6% of workers hold multiple jobs, suggesting a strong drive to maximize earning potential.
The state also has the fifth-lowest share of idle youth nationwide. This means young adults in South Dakota are actively participating in the workforce or pursuing education at rates that far exceed most other states.
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Texas workers average some of the longest workweeks in America, second only to Alaska. The state ranked fifth overall in direct work factors, which measure employment rates, unused vacation time, and workforce engagement.
What makes Texas stand out is the combination of long hours and high workforce participation. The state’s diverse economy, from tech hubs in Austin to oil fields in West Texas, creates opportunities that keep workers consistently engaged.
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Hawaii rounds out the top five with a ranking that might surprise some. The state earned first place in indirect work factors, which include average commute time, workers with multiple jobs, and leisure time.
Here’s the catch: Hawaiians have the fourth-lowest amount of average leisure time per day among all states. While the islands may seem like a paradise, residents work hard to afford the state’s notoriously high cost of living.
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Virginia landed in sixth place thanks to balanced scores across both direct and indirect work factors. The state ranked 10th in metrics like employment rate and unused vacation time, and seventh in factors like commute time and multiple job holders.
This balance suggests Virginia has cultivated a work culture that values both productivity and workforce participation without pushing to extremes in any single category.
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California ranked 45th overall, with the second-lowest employment rate in the country. The state also tied with Connecticut for the fourth-lowest average number of work hours per week.
High living costs and a massive population create economic pressures that don’t always translate to longer work hours or higher employment rates. The state’s ranking suggests a different relationship between work and lifestyle than what’s found in the top-ranked states.
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New York placed 49th in direct work factors but 21st in indirect factors, landing it in 46th place overall. The state’s workforce shows interesting contrasts between employment rates and how people structure their work lives.
Urban centers like New York City feature long commutes and high costs, which might contribute to the state’s lower ranking in traditional work metrics despite its reputation as a fast-paced environment.
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Nevada ties with Mississippi and Louisiana for the highest rate of idle youth in the country. The state also has the lowest employment rate among all 50 states.
The tourism-driven economy, centered around Las Vegas, creates seasonal and part-time work patterns that affect overall employment statistics. This contributes to Nevada’s ranking near the bottom of the hardest-working states.
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Rhode Island ranked as the third least hard-working state, placing 48th in average volunteer hours per resident. The state tied with Oregon for the 47th spot in average workweek hours.
However, Rhode Island also had the second-lowest idle youth rate in a tie with North Dakota and Massachusetts. Young adults in the state stay engaged, even if overall work hours lag behind other regions.
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West Virginia ranked second-to-last overall, with some of the highest idle youth rates in the country. The state tied with Oklahoma for 43rd place in this metric.
Economic challenges in the state, including the decline of coal mining and limited job diversification, contribute to lower workforce participation rates across multiple age groups.
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Michigan ranked last in the study, earning 50th place in direct work factors like average work hours per week, employment rate, and share of engaged workers. The state also had the fifth-lowest employment rate overall, ranking 46th.
Manufacturing shifts and economic restructuring have impacted Michigan’s workforce participation. The state’s ranking reflects ongoing challenges in maintaining the robust employment rates seen in other regions.
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These rankings make one thing clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all “American work ethic.” Work culture is just a mix of what’s going on in the local economy, what industries are booming or busting, and what jobs are actually available.
From the busy fields of the Midwest to the changing economies of the Rust Belt, every state has its own story about work. It just goes to show how different the job scene can be depending on where you are in the country.
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