The 10 Hardest-Working States In The US – And The 10 States That Work The Least

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Summary:

  • North Dakota has the highest employment rate, Alaska works the longest hours, and South Dakota boasts the highest employment rate.

  • Texas has the second-longest workweek, Hawaii challenges its laid-back image, and Virginia excels in government work ethic.

  • New Hampshire quietly ranks high, Wyoming excels in various sectors, and Maryland benefits from a motivated workforce.

The work ethic of your state can tell more about you than you think. A 2025 WalletHub study has ranked all 50 states in ten labor indicators. The findings disclose some unexpected champions – and some quite revealing underachievers in the nation.

Is In The Lead Of The Whole Nation

North Dakota topped the list of hardest-working states by WalletHub with an almost 98 percent employment rate and 39.6 hours of average workweek, and also had the highest proportion of unused vacation days in the country.

Alaska Works The Longest Hours In America

Anchorage, Alaska cityscape at sunset with residential neighborhood, downtown buildings, and Chugach Mountains in the background

The highest average work hours per week (41.6) are found in Alaska (2nd), and the rest are less than 40. It is number 3 in the country in terms of multiple jobholders with good workforce commitment.

South Dakota Employment Is the Highest

Aerial view of Billings, Montana skyline with downtown buildings and surrounding residential areas under a blue sky.

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South Dakota has the third-highest employment rate of more than 98 percent. Over six percent of the employees are employed in more than one job, and the idle youth is among the lowest in the state.

Texas Clocks The Second-Longest Workweek

Kayakers paddling on a river with downtown Austin, Texas skyline and blue sky in the background

Texas has the fourth-longest average workweek and the sixth-lowest daily leisure time, indicating a culture of productivity outside the usual hours.

Hawaii Goes Way Over Its Beach Image

Downtown Honolulu skyline with Aloha Tower and harbor boats against mountain backdrop under blue sky

Hawaii is number five, and this is a challenge to its image of laxity. The state has good employment rates and high work scores, indicating a more motivated workforce than the assumptions in the mainland suggest.

Virginia Takes Government Work Ethic To The Top

Aerial view of downtown Asheville, North Carolina, featuring the Asheville Art Museum and the Bank of America building at sunset.

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Virginia has a high workforce affiliated with federal activities and defense sectors, is number six in the country, and has good employment and community participation.

New Hampshire Silently Sieges Majority Of America

Aerial view of downtown Worcester, Massachusetts with the 24-story tower and city streets.

New Hampshire has the seventh position with a low unemployment rate and high worker engagement, as people tend to take their vacation.

Wyoming Labor In All Sectors

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Wyoming is ranked number 8 because of high scores in agriculture, energy, and government employment. The labor participation rate and hours worked by workers are high.

Maryland Has The Advantage Of A Motivated Workforce

Baltimore Inner Harbor with boats docked and city skyline under a partly cloudy sky.

Maryland is ranked number nine and has a highly educated workforce. Its proximity to Washington D.C., gives it good labor participation, resulting in high levels of employment and low levels of disengagement.

Nebraska Runs On Grit And Multiple Jobs

Downtown Tulsa skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings and streets under a cloudy sky.

Nebraska is at the 10 th position with 7.4 percent of the workers having multiple jobs and is the 3rd highest in the nation. The idle youth rate among young adults is second-lowest, which means that these people have a strong work ethic.

New York Talks Hustle, But The Data Says No

New York City street view with brick buildings, traffic, and One World Trade Center in the skyline at sunset.

New York has a poor score among states, with a low rating in workweek hours and a low score in employment engagement as reported by WalletHub, although the state is viewed as fast-paced.

California Is An Innovator And Lags In Work Hours

Downtown Los Angeles skyline at sunset with Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Tower skyscrapers visible.

California has low average employment rates and hours, and the innovation and cultural advantages are not reflected in the labor intensity indicators at WalletHub, which has a strong economy.

Oregon Has Shorter Hours All Round

Downtown Portland, Oregon skyline with autumn trees and traffic on highways under a partly cloudy sky.

The quality of life is high, but Oregon has less than average workweek hours and less labor engagement, with a lower work pace than other states.

Connecticut Work Less Time Than Nearly Anybody Else

Aerial view of downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, showing the river, bridges, and city skyline with high-rise buildings.

Connecticut has the lowest number of work hours per week, with an average of 38. Even with high job security and minimal unemployment, employees work less, which puts the state at the end of the list of the rankings of WalletHub.

Rhode Island Is Experiencing Work Engagement

Providence, Rhode Island skyline with Waterplace Park bridge over the river on a clear day.

Rhode Island works less and is less engaged in labor. The worker intensity is not as high as that of higher-ranking states, and it has some of the lowest average annual volunteer hours, although it is active.

Nevada Has The Poorest rate Of Employment In America

Historic downtown street at dusk with parked cars, outdoor seating, and Sierra Trading Post store visible

According to WalletHub, there is the lowest rate of employment in Nevada. Its high hospitality and casino industries are counterbalanced by the poor overall participation in the workforce.

New Jersey, It Shows Up And Does Not Shine

Aerial view of Jersey City waterfront with Manhattan skyline and One World Trade Center across the Hudson River.

The employment and hours-worked indicators in New Jersey are stable yet mediocre, with weaknesses in major labor areas and lower than most Northeast neighbors in the intensity of work.

West Virginia Has Intense Workforce Issues

Downtown city skyline at sunset with illuminated buildings and busy highway overpasses with light trails.

With many idle young adults and a low rate of employment, West Virginia scores low in terms of its overall work performance scores.

Michigan Lags Behind In Hours And Engagement

Chicago skyline at dusk with illuminated skyscrapers reflecting on the Chicago River

Michigan has a low average work time and participation in the workforce. Manufacturing has decreased participation of labor, thus diminishing WalletHub’s work measures every year.

Mississippi Bottom Of The List

Aerial view of the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis skyline along the Mississippi River.

Mississippi is the last with the lowest scores in terms of employment rates, hours worked, and workforce engagement, with poor economic conditions and a high rate of idle youth.

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