In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, Americans have been quitting their jobs in record numbers in recent months – a trend that shows few signs of slowing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 4.3 million Americans quit their job in January 2022, down only slightly from an all time high of 4.5 million quits in November.
Broad explanations for the high quit rates are varied. According to a survey by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, some of the main reasons for workers quitting are unmanageable workloads, unsupportive colleagues, and lack of professional development. Often, however, the reasons are as simple as the desire for higher pay or more benefits – and many employers, large and small, are now raising wages in an effort to keep workers on staff. This is the industry people are quitting the fastest.
Whatever the explanation, the consequences are clear. Record-high quits are exacerbating a labor shortage in the United States and creating an existential crisis for many small businesses. And in some states, quit rates are far higher than the national average.
Using data from the BLS, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most people are quitting their job. States are ranked by the number of people who quit in January 2022 as a share of total employment.
Depending on the state, the share of workers who quit their jobs in January, the most recent month of available data, ranges from 1.9% to 4.4%. For context, 2.8% of workers nationwide quit their jobs in January.
Though there are exceptions, states with higher January unemployment rate than the 4.0% national rate tend to have lower quit rates. Since quits do not include workers who retire, each of the 4.3 million Americans who quit in January will presumably take another job. A weaker job market, therefore, may act as a deterrent to those who consider quitting in some parts of the country, while a stronger job market may encourage some workers. Here is a look at the worst states to look for a job.
Click here to see the state where the most people are quitting their jobs
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. New York
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 1.9% of workforce (174,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +52.6% (60,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 9,392,186 people
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49. Massachusetts
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.1% of workforce (77,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.5% (12,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,767,170 people
48. Connecticut
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.2% of workforce (36,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +33.3% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,867,354 people
47. Rhode Island
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.3% of workforce (11,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +22.2% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 568,798 people
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46. Minnesota
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.3% of workforce (66,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +29.4% (15,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,045,921 people
45. Pennsylvania
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.3% of workforce (134,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +31.4% (32,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,371,387 people
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44. Maine
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.4% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.4% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 679,523 people
43. Wisconsin
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.4% of workforce (71,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.5% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,136,984 people
42. Washington
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.5% of workforce (87,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.9% (19,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,961,146 people
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41. New Jersey
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.5% of workforce (103,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +25.6% (21,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,643,011 people
40. Kansas
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.6% of workforce (36,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +16.1% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,495,643 people
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39. Missouri
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.6% of workforce (76,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.0% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,075,707 people
38. Illinois
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.6% of workforce (154,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.2% (32,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,378,180 people
37. Vermont
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (8,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +33.3% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 329,312 people
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36. New Hampshire
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (18,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +50.0% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 755,554 people
35. Iowa
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (42,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0% (7,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,680,376 people
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34. California
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (469,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +60.6% (177,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 19,064,484 people
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33. Maryland
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (75,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +50.0% (25,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,196,404 people
32. Florida
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (258,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +13.7% (31,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 10,448,456 people
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31. South Dakota
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.2% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 470,653 people
30. Arkansas
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (38,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.8% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,334,885 people
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29. North Carolina
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (135,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.0% (10,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,007,262 people
28. Ohio
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (155,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.7% (21,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,743,557 people
27. Utah
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (50,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +22.0% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,694,020 people
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26. Oregon
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (58,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.4% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,168,038 people
25. New Mexico
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.1% of workforce (26,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +44.4% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 944,607 people
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24. Nebraska
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.1% of workforce (31,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.2% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,056,346 people
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23. Virginia
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.1% of workforce (125,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +45.3% (39,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,277,757 people
22. Texas
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.1% of workforce (406,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +24.5% (80,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 14,333,602 people
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21. Hawaii
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.2% of workforce (19,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +58.3% (7,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 673,681 people
20. North Dakota
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (14,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.3% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 408,079 people
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19. Delaware
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.4% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 498,193 people
18. Nevada
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (47,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +9.3% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,493,864 people
17. Oklahoma
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (54,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.9% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,850,630 people
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16. Louisiana
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (62,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +24.0% (12,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,069,163 people
15. Kentucky
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (64,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -3.0% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 2,053,986 people
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14. Alabama
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (68,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +36.0% (18,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,250,379 people
13. Indiana
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (105,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +41.9% (31,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,304,953 people
12. Michigan
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (143,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +45.9% (45,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,795,240 people
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11. Colorado
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (96,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +39.1% (27,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,187,417 people
10. Arizona
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (104,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +57.6% (38,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,536,384 people
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9. Wyoming
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.5% of workforce (10,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.1% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 290,122 people
8. West Virginia
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.5% of workforce (24,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 793,302 people
7. Idaho
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.5% of workforce (28,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.7% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 924,469 people
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6. South Carolina
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.5% of workforce (77,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.5% (12,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,374,682 people
5. Tennessee
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.5% of workforce (110,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +32.5% (27,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,346,422 people
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4. Montana
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.6% of workforce (18,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +12.5% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 554,986 people
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3. Mississippi
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.6% of workforce (42,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +23.5% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,252,236 people
2. Georgia
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 3.7% of workforce (176,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +31.3% (42,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,215,701 people
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1. Alaska
> Quits in Jan. 2022: 4.4% of workforce (14,000 total quits)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.7% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 361,290 people
Methodology
To determine the states where the most people are quitting their jobs, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the quit rate – the number of people who quit in January 2022 as a share of total employment. For states with the same quit rate, ties were broken by the actual number of quits.
Figures on unemployment and labor force size, which includes U.S. residents who are either working or actively looking for work, are also from the BLS.
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