With our thorough summary of the country's work environment, you can see which states may provide the finest career possibilities and which you should avoid.
Finding a job isn't always as simple as looking for a new firm to work for – sometimes it requires looking for a new area to live, with some regions providing considerably more chances than others.
We examine where in the United States is the greatest spot for your career, emphasizing which states have the most accessible opportunities and which you should avoid. Schedule the movers - your new house (and job) are waiting.
We scoured the country for the top places to work and marked them on a map. It's time to start looking for some robust cardboard boxes, because you'll need them for packing.
The following are the top ten states for finding work:
1. North Dakota offers more job opportunities than any other state
If you’re looking for work, you’ve got a better chance of finding it in North Dakota than anywhere else. There are on average 9.96 jobs available per every 100 unemployed people, meaning almost 10% of them will have the opportunity to be hired each month. In the past month, 1,590 jobs in North Dakota were posted on our site, with the most popular being for a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Think the state could make a good home for you? Check out all our North Dakota careers
2. South Dakota comes in second, with 9.17 jobs available per 100 unemployed people
Not wanting to be outdone by its northern sister, South Dakota comes in second place, with 9.17 jobs available per every 100 job seekers. Due to its sparse population (it’s the fifth least populated state in the country), competition for roles isn’t as stiff as it would be in a busier area.
Just like North Dakota, the state’s most popular job is a Certified Nursing Assistant. Of the 1,118 South Dakota jobs posted last month, 91 were for this role — 7.66% of all jobs available. Browse our South Dakota jobs
3. Georgia has almost a quarter of a million unemployed, but hope is on the horizon
If you’re unemployed in Georgia, you’re not alone. There are 211,717 people looking for work in the state, but with 14,364 Georgia jobs posted on our site in the past month alone (6.78 per 100 people), that number could soon start falling.
Can you see yourself in Georgia? We could have a Georgia job for you
4. New Hampshire has 6.39 jobs per 100 job seekers
Not only is New Hampshire one of the most beautiful states around, it’s also not bad for job hunters. Last month we posted 1,190 New Hampshire jobs, and with 18,613 people looking, you’ve got a good chance of finding one. Retail is huge in New Hampshire, which explains why the most popular job is Retail Merchandiser.
Fancy a new home in NH? We’ve got New Hampshire roles hiring right now!
5. We posted 6,605 Minnesota jobs last month
Minnesota is the fifth best state to go job hunting in. The Twin Cities are packed with Fortune 500 companies, including General Mills, Target and Best Buy, offering plenty of opportunities if you’re looking to take your career to the Midwest.
With 6,605 Minnesota jobs posted online last month, we’re only 4,000 behind their number of lakes (yes, really), offering 5.46 jobs per every 100 people looking. See all our open Minnesota jobs
6. Alaska, where engineering jobs are booming
In sixth place is Alaska, and while its 4.89 jobs per 100 unemployed people is by no means a bad figure, it’s the state’s huge amount of engineering roles that make it an interesting option. If you can brave the cold, you could snap up one of the +500 new Engineer roles we posted last month alone, a staggering 73.4% of all jobs available.
Let’s face it — it’s not everywhere you can see the Northern Lights on your way home from work. Browse all our Alaska jobs
7. Nebraska has 1,302 open jobs. Could one be right for you?
Working in Nebraska means you get to see some of nature’s most stunning creations, from the famous Chimney Rock to Toadstool Geologic Park. And with 1,302 roles currently hiring, you could start making those day trips soon. There are 4.87 jobs available for every 100 job seekers.
If you want to see sand dunes and rock formations on your lunch break, take a look at the Nebraska jobs on offer right now.
8. North Carolina posted 11,243 jobs last month
North Carolina has the highest rate of unemployment in our top 10 states for job hunters, with 239,523 people currently looking for work. However, last month we posted 11,243 jobs in the state, giving people plenty of opportunity to find a job they’ll love.
In the ninth most populous state in the country, the competition could be tough, but for one job in particular your chances are especially good. There are currently 1,091 Warehouse Worker roles going in North Carolina, so if you live nearby you could soon be getting your hands dirty. See all our North Carolina jobs
9. Kansas is hiring for 2,469 jobs
There’s no place like home in Kansas, especially if you’re in Retail. Last month we posted 197 job descriptions for the position, making up 7.98% of all jobs available.
The state has 4.69 job openings for every 100 people looking, making it the ninth best state in the country for job seekers. Tap your shoes and head that way. Explore our Kansas jobs
10. Tennessee is the 10th best state for finding work
Completing our top 10 is Tennessee, with 4.56 jobs for every everyach 100 unemployed people. It’s another state where Warehouse workers are in high demand — 635 openings were posted last month — so if that’s what it says on your resume, you know where to send it. We posted 7,585 Tennessee jobs last month.
The top 10 states for job seekers and number of jobs per 100 residents:
Rank | State | Unemployed (last month) | Jobs posted (30 days) | Jobs per 100 unemployed person |
1 | 15,964 | 1,590 | 9.96 | |
2 | 12,949 | 1,188 | 9.17 | |
3 | 211,717 | 14,364 | 6.78 | |
4 | 18,613 | 1,190 | 6.39 | |
5 | 120,869 | 6,605 | 5.46 | |
6 | 23,378 | 1,143 | 4.89 | |
7 | 26,761 | 1,302 | 4.87 | |
8 | 239,523 | 11,243 | 4.69 | |
9 | 52,686 | 2,469 | 4.69 | |
10 | 166,164 | 7,585 | 4.56 |