The U.S. is currently grappling with a massive labor shortage. During the pandemic, early retirements surged, parents of school-age children left the workforce en masse, and immigration slowed considerably – resulting in millions of fewer workers than there otherwise would have been. Meanwhile, American workers – primarily in low-wage sectors – continued to quit their jobs in record numbers in search of better opportunities.
Currently, the labor force participation rate – the share of Americans 16 and older either working or looking for work – stands at 62.2%, a low not seen in the pre-pandemic United States since 1977. This is what it costs to retire comfortably in each state.
The national shortage of workers has left employers struggling to fill open positions – forcing some businesses to reduce hours of operation and others to shutter completely. There were 10.9 million job openings nationwide at the end of 2021, a 62% increase from a year earlier – and the problem shows few signs of slowing. In the last month alone, most states reported an uptick in the number of unfilled jobs.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where job openings are surging. States are ranked by the change in the number of open jobs between November 2021 and December 2021, the most recent months of available data.
Only 14 states had fewer open positions at the end of December compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, in some states, the number of open jobs increased by over 10% over the same period.
Despite the need for workers, many members of the labor force are unemployed, suggesting a mismatch between either the skills employers are seeking and the labor pool, or the kind of work or benefits job seekers desire and what is available. The national unemployment rate stood at 3.9% at the end of last year. Depending on the state, unemployment ranges from 1.3% to 5.4%. Here is a look at the worst states to look for a job.
Click here to see the states with the most new job openings
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50. New York
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -8.1% (52,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 588,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 5.0%
> Labor force size: 9,140,537 people
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49. Massachusetts
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -7.2% (21,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 269,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.5%
> Labor force size: 3,692,403 people
48. Alabama
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -7.1% (11,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 144,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 2,238,778 people
47. Michigan
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -7.0% (24,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 321,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.4%
> Labor force size: 4,772,856 people
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46. Wisconsin
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -6.4% (14,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 204,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.0%
> Labor force size: 3,093,829 people
45. Ohio
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -5.2% (22,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 404,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.4%
> Labor force size: 5,679,536 people
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44. Tennessee
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -3.9% (9,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 223,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.3%
> Labor force size: 3,348,942 people
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43. Georgia
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -3.8% (16,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 403,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.4%
> Labor force size: 5,207,912 people
42. Nevada
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -3.7% (4,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 105,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 5.2%
> Labor force size: 1,536,416 people
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41. Connecticut
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -3.5% (4,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 110,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.4%
> Labor force size: 1,832,459 people
40. New Mexico
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -3.2% (2,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 61,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.8%
> Labor force size: 959,857 people
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39. Washington
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -2.7% (6,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 219,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.8%
> Labor force size: 3,975,042 people
38. Arizona
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -1.4% (3,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 218,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 3,657,606 people
37. Kansas
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: -1.0% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 95,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.2%
> Labor force size: 1,487,429 people
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36. North Dakota
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: 0%
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 32,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 396,900 people
35. Rhode Island
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: 0%
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 38,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.7%
> Labor force size: 551,653 people
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34. Nebraska
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: 0%
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 73,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 1.3%
> Labor force size: 1,025,634 people
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33. Missouri
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +0.4% (1,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 225,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.7%
> Labor force size: 3,053,267 people
32. Virginia
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +0.7% (2,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 298,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.7%
> Labor force size: 4,252,784 people
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31. Illinois
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +0.8% (3,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 398,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.3%
> Labor force size: 6,320,577 people
30. Texas
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +0.9% (8,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 886,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.3%
> Labor force size: 14,398,693 people
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29. Oklahoma
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +1.7% (2,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 119,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 1.8%
> Labor force size: 1,862,935 people
28. West Virginia
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +1.9% (1,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 55,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.9%
> Labor force size: 782,740 people
27. Hawaii
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +1.9% (1,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 54,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.9%
> Labor force size: 649,265 people
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26. Arkansas
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +2.4% (2,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 87,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.4%
> Labor force size: 1,352,420 people
25. California
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +2.4% (28,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 1,192,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 5.0%
> Labor force size: 19,065,788 people
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24. South Dakota
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +3.2% (1,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 32,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.4%
> Labor force size: 467,186 people
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23. Delaware
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +3.4% (1,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 30,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.2%
> Labor force size: 491,967 people
22. Florida
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +4.3% (27,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 650,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 10,622,172 people
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21. Iowa
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +4.3% (5,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 120,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.9%
> Labor force size: 1,660,698 people
20. Maryland
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +4.4% (9,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 214,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 3,120,513 people
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19. Idaho
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.0% (3,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 63,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 1.9%
> Labor force size: 907,663 people
18. New Hampshire
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.0% (3,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 63,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.2%
> Labor force size: 743,280 people
17. Mississippi
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.0% (4,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 84,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.1%
> Labor force size: 1,255,553 people
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16. Colorado
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.1% (11,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 228,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 3,227,853 people
15. North Carolina
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.3% (19,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 377,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 5,070,354 people
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14. Indiana
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.8% (14,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 255,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 1.3%
> Labor force size: 3,277,064 people
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13. South Carolina
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +5.8% (10,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 182,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.3%
> Labor force size: 2,391,893 people
12. Utah
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +6.1% (7,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 122,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 1.3%
> Labor force size: 1,686,575 people
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11. Louisiana
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +6.2% (8,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 137,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.7%
> Labor force size: 2,057,188 people
10. Oregon
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +6.5% (9,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 148,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.6%
> Labor force size: 2,166,263 people
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9. Alaska
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +6.7% (2,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 32,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 5.4%
> Labor force size: 351,565 people
8. Montana
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +7.3% (3,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 44,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 1.9%
> Labor force size: 541,665 people
7. Kentucky
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +9.4% (13,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 151,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 3.4%
> Labor force size: 2,014,005 people
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6. New Jersey
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +10.4% (29,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 309,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.9%
> Labor force size: 4,451,722 people
5. Vermont
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +12.0% (3,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 28,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.2%
> Labor force size: 315,107 people
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4. Maine
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +13.6% (6,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 50,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 665,686 people
3. Minnesota
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +14.4% (28,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 223,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.7%
> Labor force size: 3,030,129 people
2. Pennsylvania
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +17.3% (73,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 495,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 6,141,644 people
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1. Wyoming
> Change in job openings, Nov.-Dec. 2021: +28.6% (6,000 more open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of Dec. 2021: 27,000
> Dec. 2021 unemployment: 2.4%
> Labor force size: 290,223 people
Methodology
To determine the states where employers can’t hire fast enough, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the change in the number of open jobs between November 2021 and December 2021. In the case of a tie, the state with more job openings ranked higher.
Job openings are the number of positions – full-time, part-time, seasonal, short-term, or permanent – open on the last business day of a given month. In order to be counted as open, a job has to start within 30 days of when the employer can find a suitable candidate.
Figures on unemployment and labor force size, which includes Americans either working or actively looking for work, are also from the BLS.
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