This Is the Most Unionized State in America: All 50 States Ranked

Special Report

Published: November 13, 2023 12:35 pm

Last Updated: November 29, 2023 1:29 pm

From Detroit to Hollywood, 2023 has been a historic year for organized labor in the United States. According to a report published by Barron’s, over 18 million workdays were lost to labor strikes in 2023 between January and October alone, the most in over two decades – and the year is not over yet.

Amid persistent inflation and rapid technological change, hundreds of thousands of unionized workers walked off the job this year, demanding fair pay and improved job security. Some of the largest strikes were organized by the Writers Guild of America, the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union, and United Auto Workers. (Here is a look at the 31 biggest worker strikes in American history.)

Notably, the WGA strike, which ended in September, resulted in higher pay, better benefits, and longer-term contracts for film and television writers. Similarly, in late October, the Big Three U.S. automakers reached a tentative agreement with the UAW, offering factory workers much higher wages, cost living raises, and the right to strike over plant closures.

Historically, labor unions have strengthened the American middle class. Unions were also instrumental in ending child labor and creating the 40 hour work week. And though union membership in the U.S. has declined steadily over the last four decades, the power unions still wield is not trivial.

Using 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the strongest labor unions. We ranked all 50 states on the share of workers who are members of an organized labor union.

Depending on the state, union membership ranges from 1.7% of the workforce to over 20%. The states with the highest union membership rates also tend to have higher-earning populations. In each of the top 10 states on this list, the median wage across all occupations exceeds the national median of $46,310, according to 2022 data from the BLS. Meanwhile, only one of the 10 states with the lowest union membership rates has a higher-than-average median annual wage.

Not surprisingly, union membership tends to be far lower in so called “right-to-work” states. In these places, workers cannot be compelled to join a union as a necessary condition of their employment. Right-to-work laws are often a draw for employers, and partially as a result, unemployment rates tend to be lower in states that have them, though there are some notable exceptions. (Here is a look at 23 American industries with the highest union membership.)

Here are the states with the highest union membership.

50. South Carolina
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 1.7% (35,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +2.9% (+1,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $38,870 (5th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.2%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

49. North Carolina
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 2.8% (125,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +15.7% (+17,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $41,810 (15th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

48. South Dakota
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 3.1% (13,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -18.8% (-3,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $39,870 (8th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.1%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

47. Virginia
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 3.7% (146,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -17.0% (-30,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $48,290 (13th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

46. Utah
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 3.9% (60,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +17.6% (+9,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $44,470 (24th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.3%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

45. Texas
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 4.1% (518,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +14.1% (+64,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $43,460 (21st lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

44. Louisiana
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 4.2% (76,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -6.2% (-5,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $38,970 (6th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

43. Georgia
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 4.4% (200,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -5.2% (-11,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $42,890 (20th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

42. Florida
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 4.5% (414,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -7.6% (-34,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $40,820 (14th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

41. Idaho
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 4.7% (39,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +8.3% (+3,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $40,060 (11th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

40. Arkansas
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 4.9% (59,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +28.3% (+13,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $37,270 (2nd lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.3%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

39. Oklahoma
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 5.5% (88,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +1.1% (+1,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $39,100 (7th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

38. Tennessee
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 5.5% (163,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +12.4% (+18,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $39,930 (10th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.4%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

37. Arizona
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 5.5% (169,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +1.2% (+2,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $45,290 (25th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.8%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

36. Wyoming
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 5.6% (14,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +7.7% (+1,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $45,450 (23rd highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.6%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

Mississippi State Capitol, Jac... by Ken Lund

Mississippi State Capitol, Jac... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

35. Mississippi
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 5.6% (62,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +5.1% (+3,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $36,100 (the lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

34. North Dakota
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 6.4% (23,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +21.1% (+4,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $47,410 (17th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.1%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

33. Nebraska
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 6.5% (60,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -1.6% (-1,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $44,100 (22nd lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.3%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

32. Colorado
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 6.7% (178,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +7.9% (+13,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $50,250 (8th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0%
> Right-to-work state?: No

Downtown Iowa City, IA (CC BY 2.0 DEED) by Alan Light

31. Iowa
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 7.0% (105,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +12.9% (+12,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $44,350 (23rd lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

Two Rivers Harbor (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED) by Chris Rand

30. Wisconsin
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 7.1% (187,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -13.0% (-28,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $45,650 (21st highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

29. Alabama
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 7.2% (149,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +29.6% (+34,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $38,470 (4th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.6%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

28. Indiana
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 7.4% (223,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -12.9% (-33,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $42,100 (17th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

27. Kentucky
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 7.9% (141,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +11.9% (+15,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $40,180 (12th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

26. Delaware
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 8.5% (38,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -9.5% (-4,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $47,150 (19th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.5%
> Right-to-work state?: No

25. New Mexico
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 8.8% (71,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +22.4% (+13,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $39,900 (9th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.0%
> Right-to-work state?: No

Brewer ME (CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED) by P199

24. Maine
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 9.2% (48,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -31.4% (-22,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $45,420 (24th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.0%
> Right-to-work state?: No

23. West Virginia
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 9.2% (64,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -3.0% (-2,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $37,770 (3rd lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.9%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

22. Missouri
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 9.6% (257,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +9.4% (+22,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $42,310 (19th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.5%
> Right-to-work state?: No

21. Kansas
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 9.8% (129,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +7.5% (+9,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $41,870 (16th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

20. New Hampshire
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 10.1% (70,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +7.7% (+5,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $47,920 (14th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.5%
> Right-to-work state?: No

19. Montana
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 11.2% (52,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +6.1% (+3,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $42,210 (18th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.6%
> Right-to-work state?: No

18. Nevada
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 11.3% (146,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -4.6% (-7,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $40,810 (13th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 5.4%
> Right-to-work state?: Yes

17. Maryland
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 11.6% (327,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +10.8% (+32,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $51,420 (6th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

16. Vermont
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 12.1% (34,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +6.3% (+2,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $47,320 (18th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.6%
> Right-to-work state?: No

15. Massachusetts
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 12.7% (413,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +2.7% (+11,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $58,450 (the highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.8%
> Right-to-work state?: No

14. Pennsylvania
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 12.7% (715,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +3.2% (+22,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $45,790 (20th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.4%
> Right-to-work state?: No

13. Ohio
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 12.8% (641,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +7.6% (+45,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $44,750 (25th lowest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.0%
> Right-to-work state?: No

12. Illinois
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 13.1% (735,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -2.3% (-17,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $47,480 (16th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.6%
> Right-to-work state?: No

11. Michigan
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 14.0% (589,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +9.1% (+49,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $45,500 (22nd highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

10. Connecticut
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 14.2% (236,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +5.8% (+13,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $51,780 (5th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

9. Minnesota
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 14.2% (382,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -8.2% (-34,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $48,760 (11th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 2.7%
> Right-to-work state?: No

8. New Jersey
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 14.9% (619,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +1.8% (+11,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $51,080 (7th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.7%
> Right-to-work state?: No

7. Oregon
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 15.5% (281,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -11.6% (-37,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $47,770 (15th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

6. Alaska
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 16.0% (48,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +4.3% (+2,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $52,000 (4th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.0%
> Right-to-work state?: No

Block Island, Rhode Island (CC BY 2.0) by R Boed

5. Rhode Island
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 16.1% (81,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +8.0% (+6,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $49,360 (10th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

4. California
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 16.1% (2,617,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +6.0% (+149,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $49,740 (9th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

Stormy white edge of the world... by Wonderlane

Stormy white edge of the world... (CC BY 2.0) by Wonderlane

3. Washington
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 18.0% (615,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -2.2% (-14,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $56,320 (2nd highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.2%
> Right-to-work state?: No

2. New York
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 20.7% (1,679,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: -2.9% (-50,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $52,470 (3rd highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 4.3%
> Right-to-work state?: No

1. Hawaii
> Workers in a labor union, 2022: 21.9% (125,000 total)
> Change in union membership, 2021-2022: +3.3% (+4,000 total)
> Median annual wage, 2022: $48,560 (12th highest)
> Unemployment rate, 2022: 3.5%
> Right-to-work state?: No

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