Best (and worst) states for jobs in 2024, according to WalletHub

By Kelly Hayes
Published  October 30, 2024 8:02am EDT
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FILE - A "Now Hiring" sign is displayed on a storefront in Adams Morgan Neighborhood on Oct. 7, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Brief

    • When it comes to finding a job, New Hampshire ranks No. 1 in the country, according to a new report from WalletHub.
    • The state's low unemployment rate at just 2% and third-most job opportunities per capita helped earn it the top spot.
    • WalletHub said it compared all 50 U.S. states across several metrics, including employment growth, median annual income, and even average commute time.

From building a resume and applying for various roles, to preparing for interviews and waiting to hear back, finding a job can be a lot of work. In some states, the process of finding employment may be easier, according to a new report. 

WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared all 50 U.S. states across several metrics related to job-market strength and economic health and ranked what it refers to as "the best and worst states for jobs" in 2024.

Employment growth, the median annual income, and the average commute time were all factors included in the analysis.

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New Hampshire was ranked No. 1, attributed in large part to its low unemployment rate at just 2%. WalletHub said it also has the third-most job opportunities per capita. 

Additionally, New Hampshire had a high ranking for job security, a high number of workers with private health insurance, and the lowest percentage of the workforce living in poverty – which  WalletHub said "demonstrates that workers are generally receiving reasonable pay."

On the reverse end, West Virginia was the state ranked last. 

"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," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a statement.

 "In addition, the top states are great places for people looking to raise a family, ranking among the best states for working parents," Lupo added.

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Top 10 best states to find a job 

1. New Hampshire 

2. Vermont 

3. Minnesota 

4. Massachusetts 

5. North Dakota 

6. Virginia 

7. Maine 

8. Rhode Island 

9. South Dakota 

10. Maryland 

The states ranked last for finding a job

41. New York 

42. Idaho 

43. Wyoming 

44. Oklahoma 

45. Montana 

46. Alaska 

47. Kentucky 

48. Indiana 

49. Louisiana 

50. West Virginia