Special Report

The State Where The Most People Are Quitting Their Jobs

Pekic / Getty Images

In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, Americans have been quitting their jobs in record numbers in recent months – a trend that shows no signs of slowing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4.5 million Americans quit their job in March 2022, the most ever recorded in a single month, and up from 4.4 million quits in February. 

Explanations for the high quit rates vary. According to a survey by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, some of the main reasons workers are quitting include 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 March 2022 as a share of total employment. 

Depending on the state, the share of workers who quit their jobs in March, the most recent month of available data, ranges from 2.0% to 5.1%. For context, 3.0% of workers nationwide quit their jobs in March. 

Though there are exceptions, states with higher quit rates tend to have March unemployment rates below the national average of 3.6%. Since quits do not include workers who retire, each of the 4.5 million Americans who quit in March presumably plans to take another job. A stronger job market, therefore, may incentivize workers to look for better opportunities, while workers in states with weaker job markers may be deterred. Here is a look at the industry laying off the most Americans. 

Click here to see the states where the most people are quitting their jobs
Click here to read our detailed methodology

Ingus Kruklitis / iStock via Getty Images

50. New York
> Quits in March 2022: 2.0% of workforce (185,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +34.1% (47,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 9,376,546 people

[in-text-ad]

Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images

49. Connecticut
> Quits in March 2022: 2.2% of workforce (36,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +12.5% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,879,419 people

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

48. Massachusetts
> Quits in March 2022: 2.2% of workforce (79,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.3% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,775,288 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

47. Pennsylvania
> Quits in March 2022: 2.3% of workforce (136,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.8% (11,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,387,365 people

[in-text-ad-2]

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

46. Maine
> Quits in March 2022: 2.5% of workforce (16,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.3% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 679,433 people

f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

45. Missouri
> Quits in March 2022: 2.5% of workforce (74,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +2.8% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,087,759 people

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

44. North Dakota
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (11,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -8.3% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 409,949 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

43. Rhode Island
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.2% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 568,879 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

42. New Hampshire
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (18,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 758,616 people

[in-text-ad-2]

LawrenceSawyer / E+ via Getty Images

41. Kansas
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (36,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +24.1% (7,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,499,603 people

dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images

40. Iowa
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (40,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.1% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,692,502 people

[in-text-ad]

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

39. Maryland
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (70,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +34.6% (18,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,198,116 people

Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images

38. Minnesota
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (74,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +32.1% (18,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,071,594 people

ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

37. New Jersey
> Quits in March 2022: 2.6% of workforce (107,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +42.7% (32,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,618,709 people

[in-text-ad-2]

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

36. Wisconsin
> Quits in March 2022: 2.7% of workforce (79,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.5% (14,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,144,673 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

35. Virginia
> Quits in March 2022: 2.7% of workforce (108,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +17.4% (16,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,311,629 people

[in-text-ad]

pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images

34. Michigan
> Quits in March 2022: 2.7% of workforce (117,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +0.0% (0,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,819,131 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

33. Ohio
> Quits in March 2022: 2.7% of workforce (150,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.0% (24,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,763,448 people

JaySi / iStock via Getty Images

32. Illinois
> Quits in March 2022: 2.8% of workforce (167,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +13.6% (20,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,430,758 people

[in-text-ad-2]

SpVVK / iStock via Getty Images

31. California
> Quits in March 2022: 2.8% of workforce (486,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +46.8% (155,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 19,131,273 people

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

30. South Dakota
> Quits in March 2022: 2.9% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.2% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 472,658 people

[in-text-ad]

Meindert van der Haven / iStock via Getty Images

29. Nebraska
> Quits in March 2022: 2.9% of workforce (30,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.4% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,058,891 people

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

28. Vermont
> Quits in March 2022: 3.0% of workforce (9,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +28.6% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 331,412 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

27. Oregon
> Quits in March 2022: 3.0% of workforce (59,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.5% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,184,140 people

[in-text-ad-2]

aiisha5 / iStock via Getty Images

26. Washington
> Quits in March 2022: 3.0% of workforce (104,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +57.6% (38,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,003,490 people

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

25. Tennessee
> Quits in March 2022: 3.1% of workforce (100,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.3% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,370,618 people

[in-text-ad]

Barbara Smyers / iStock via Getty Images

24. Texas
> Quits in March 2022: 3.1% of workforce (411,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.5% (39,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 14,414,591 people

JMKnewLife / iStock via Getty Images

23. Hawaii
> Quits in March 2022: 3.2% of workforce (19,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +46.2% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 672,576 people

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

22. New Mexico
> Quits in March 2022: 3.2% of workforce (27,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +28.6% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 948,386 people

[in-text-ad-2]

Paul Knightly / iStock via Getty Images

21. Arkansas
> Quits in March 2022: 3.2% of workforce (42,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +16.7% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,343,907 people

sframephoto / iStock via Getty Images

20. Delaware
> Quits in March 2022: 3.3% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.4% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 498,638 people

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

19. Oklahoma
> Quits in March 2022: 3.3% of workforce (55,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.9% (12,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,862,120 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. Kentucky
> Quits in March 2022: 3.3% of workforce (63,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -1.6% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 2,060,065 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

17. Indiana
> Quits in March 2022: 3.3% of workforce (104,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +30.0% (24,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,332,239 people

[in-text-ad-2]

hkim39 / iStock via Getty Images

16. West Virginia
> Quits in March 2022: 3.4% of workforce (24,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 794,175 people

Jaimie Tuchman / iStock via Getty Images

15. Mississippi
> Quits in March 2022: 3.5% of workforce (41,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.9% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,259,602 people

[in-text-ad]

photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images

14. Nevada
> Quits in March 2022: 3.5% of workforce (50,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.0% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,503,263 people

felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images

13. Louisiana
> Quits in March 2022: 3.5% of workforce (66,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.9% (14,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,089,731 people

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

12. Alabama
> Quits in March 2022: 3.5% of workforce (73,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +32.7% (18,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,270,463 people

[in-text-ad-2]

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

11. Colorado
> Quits in March 2022: 3.5% of workforce (100,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +40.8% (29,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,211,692 people

Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

10. North Carolina
> Quits in March 2022: 3.6% of workforce (168,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +35.5% (44,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,030,542 people

[in-text-ad]

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

9. Idaho
> Quits in March 2022: 3.7% of workforce (30,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +36.4% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 932,278 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

8. Georgia
> Quits in March 2022: 3.7% of workforce (177,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +35.1% (46,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,251,130 people

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

7. Montana
> Quits in March 2022: 3.8% of workforce (19,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.7% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 558,466 people

[in-text-ad-2]

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

6. Utah
> Quits in March 2022: 3.8% of workforce (62,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +44.2% (19,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,705,513 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

5. South Carolina
> Quits in March 2022: 4.1% of workforce (90,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +36.4% (24,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,384,364 people

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

4. Wyoming
> Quits in March 2022: 4.2% of workforce (12,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +33.3% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 290,365 people

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

3. Florida
> Quits in March 2022: 4.4% of workforce (404,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +70.5% (167,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 10,513,164 people

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

2. Arizona
> Quits in March 2022: 4.5% of workforce (137,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +48.9% (45,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,548,773 people

[in-text-ad-2]

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

1. Alaska
> Quits in March 2022: 5.1% of workforce (16,000 total quits)
> March 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +45.5% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 361,758 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 March 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. 

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.