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 4.4 million Americans quit their job in February 2021, up slightly from 4.3 million quits the previous month and down only slightly from the all-time high of 4.5 million quits in November 2021.
Explanations for the high quit rates are varied. Survey data reveals unmanageable workloads, unsupportive colleagues, and lack of professional development to be among the most common reasons people give for quitting. Often, however, the reasons are as simple as a desire for higher pay or more benefits. This is the industry people are quitting the fastest.
While many states reported either no change in quits or a slight decline month over month, in most of the country, quits are on the rise.
Using data from the BLS, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where quits are rising fastest. States are ranked by the change in number of people who quit in February 2022, the most recent month of available data, compared to the number of quits in January 2022.
It is important to note that even in states where quits fell in February, quit rates – the number of quits as a share of the total labor force – remained historically high. In nearly every state, the number of people who quit their job in February is higher than the number who quit their job in February of last year.
Generally, states with lower quit rates tend to have higher than average unemployment. Since quits do not include workers who retire, each of the 4.4 million Americans who quit in February presumably plans to 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 states where most people are quitting their jobs
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Pennsylvania
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.1% of workforce (122,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.1% (16,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,370,062 people
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49. New York
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.1% of workforce (194,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +56.5% (70,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 9,369,054 people
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48. Connecticut
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.3% of workforce (38,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +46.2% (12,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,869,116 people
47. Maryland
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.3% of workforce (62,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.2% (10,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,194,561 people
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46. Massachusetts
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.3% of workforce (82,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.6% (14,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,772,543 people
45. Maine
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.4% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.1% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 680,015 people
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44. New Jersey
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.4% of workforce (101,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.8% (13,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,622,687 people
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43. Washington
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.5% of workforce (87,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.9% (19,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,981,799 people
42. Virginia
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.5% of workforce (101,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.8% (13,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,292,097 people
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41. Minnesota
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.6% of workforce (75,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +44.2% (23,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,059,493 people
40. South Dakota
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (12,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 471,304 people
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39. Rhode Island
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +30.0% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 568,599 people
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38. New Mexico
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.7% of workforce (23,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -8.0% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 947,443 people
37. Kansas
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (39,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +25.8% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,496,305 people
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36. Iowa
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (44,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.8% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,686,648 people
35. Michigan
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (121,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.2% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,804,242 people
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34. Illinois
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (167,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +44.0% (51,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,403,328 people
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33. California
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.8% of workforce (491,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +53.4% (171,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 19,068,225 people
32. Delaware
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 498,219 people
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31. Missouri
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (85,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +9.0% (7,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,080,111 people
30. Wisconsin
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 2.9% of workforce (86,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.5% (18,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,139,677 people
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29. Vermont
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (9,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +28.6% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 330,023 people
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28. Hawaii
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (18,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +50.0% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 672,596 people
27. New Hampshire
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (20,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +42.9% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 756,659 people
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26. Nebraska
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (31,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.7% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,057,000 people
25. Utah
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (49,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +2.1% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,697,136 people
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24. Louisiana
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (57,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.6% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,078,228 people
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23. Oregon
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (58,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.1% (12,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,174,003 people
22. Alabama
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (62,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.8% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,260,562 people
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21. Texas
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.0% of workforce (400,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.4% (86,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 14,373,632 people
20. North Dakota
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.1% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.2% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 409,405 people
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19. West Virginia
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.1% of workforce (22,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.0% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 793,816 people
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18. South Carolina
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.2% of workforce (71,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.8% (15,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,378,347 people
17. Arizona
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.2% of workforce (98,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.1% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,543,498 people
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16. Idaho
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (27,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +22.7% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 927,196 people
15. Tennessee
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (106,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.2% (22,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,356,786 people
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14. North Carolina
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (154,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +30.5% (36,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,015,299 people
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13. Ohio
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (177,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +46.3% (56,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,749,599 people
12. Florida
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.3% of workforce (304,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.7% (66,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 10,470,721 people
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11. Arkansas
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (44,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.8% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,339,399 people
10. Oklahoma
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (57,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +32.6% (14,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,853,819 people
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9. Kentucky
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (66,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +40.4% (19,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,056,085 people
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8. Colorado
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (95,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +48.4% (31,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,199,344 people
7. Indiana
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.4% of workforce (109,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +36.3% (29,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,315,935 people
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6. Mississippi
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.5% of workforce (41,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +13.9% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,255,930 people
5. Nevada
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.6% of workforce (51,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.4% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,498,303 people
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4. Georgia
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.7% of workforce (177,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +31.1% (42,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,234,632 people
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3. Wyoming
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 3.9% of workforce (11,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.0% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 290,282 people
2. Montana
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 4.0% of workforce (20,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +53.8% (7,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 556,361 people
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1. Alaska
> Quits in Feb. 2022: 5.1% of workforce (16,000 total quits)
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +33.3% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 361,562 people
Methodology
To determine the states where quits are on the rise, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the percent change in number of people who quit in February 2022 compared to the previous month. Quits are defined as voluntary departures from an employer and do not include those entering retirement. In the case of a tie, the state with a smaller labor force in February ranked higher.
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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