The U.S. job market is in a period of unprecedented growth. The number of working Americans has increased for 105 consecutive months — a record streak. This coincides with an even longer period of economic expansion, stretching back over a decade. As a result, the unemployment rate has declined from a high of 10.0% in October 2009 to 3.7% in June 2019.
The unemployment rate, however, is not the only factor worth considering when analyzing the overall economic and labor market strength of the United States. Moreover, it can sometimes be misleading. For example, some workers have been unemployed for so long that they stopped looking for work and are not factored into the unemployment rate. Similarly, some people want full-time work but can only find part-time work. The underemployment rate accounts for these Americans and provides a perhaps more comprehensive picture of the labor market.
Typically, people with higher levels of education have a better chance of finding work as they become more qualified for a wider range of positions with a college degree. Indeed, the unemployment rate among graduates of certain areas of study is less than half the overall unemployment rate. These are the college majors with the lowest unemployment rates.
But not all college grads work in a job that complements their skills as some have to take lower-paying, part-time jobs to make ends meet. People in this position often take on jobs in the so-called “gig economy,” like driving for ride-sharing services. This is a common phenomenon across the country, but it is more common in some places than others.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the states with the highest underemployment rate. We used the underemployment rate as a proxy to how hard it is to find full-time work.
When measuring the overall health of an economy, both the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate are critical measures. The states with the highest underemployment rates also tend to have high unemployment rates — indicative of weaker economic conditions. These are the states with the best and worst economies.
Click here to see the hardest states to find full-time work
Click here to read our methodology
50. North Dakota
> Underemployment rate: 4.6%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.3% (2nd lowest)
> High school attainment rate: 92.9% (4th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $52,356 (21st highest)
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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49. Iowa
> Underemployment rate: 5.1%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.4% (3rd lowest)
> High school attainment rate: 92.1% (10th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $47,508 (15th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Iowa
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48. New Hampshire
> Underemployment rate: 5.2%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.5% (4th lowest)
> High school attainment rate: 93.1% (the highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $56,782 (14th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
47. Vermont
> Underemployment rate: 5.4%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.1% (the lowest)
> High school attainment rate: 92.6% (6th highest)
> Average annual wage: $47,639 (17th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
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46. Minnesota
> Underemployment rate: 5.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.3% (17th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 93.1% (the highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $57,996 (11th highest)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
45. South Dakota
> Underemployment rate: 5.6%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.9% (8th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 91.7% (12th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $43,692 (4th lowest)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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44. Wisconsin
> Underemployment rate: 5.7%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.9% (8th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 92.4% (7th highest)
> Average annual wage: $48,870 (21st lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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43. Kansas
> Underemployment rate: 5.9%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.4% (19th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 91.0% (17th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $46,608 (12th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
41. Nebraska (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.0%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.0% (11th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 91.3% (15th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $46,263 (10th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
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41. Utah (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.0%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.8% (5th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 92.1% (10th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $48,507 (20th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Utah
40. Idaho
> Underemployment rate: 6.3%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.8% (5th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.8% (20th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $42,876 (2nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
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39. Virginia
> Underemployment rate: 6.4%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.9% (8th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 89.7% (22nd lowest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $58,248 (10th highest)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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36. Tennessee (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.4% (19th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 87.8% (15th lowest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $50,435 (25th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
36. Missouri (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.3% (17th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 89.7% (22nd lowest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $49,050 (22nd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
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36. Colorado (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.0% (11th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 91.6% (14th highest)
> Average annual wage: $58,942 (9th highest)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
34. Indiana (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.6%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (23rd lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 88.6% (20th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $47,588 (16th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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34. South Carolina (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.6%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (23rd lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 87.4% (14th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $44,687 (6th lowest)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
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32. Massachusetts (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.8%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.0% (11th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.8% (20th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $72,647 (2nd highest)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
32. Hawaii (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 6.8%
> June 2019 unemployment: 2.8% (5th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 92.3% (8th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $50,979 (23rd highest)
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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30. Alabama (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.2%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (22nd highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 86.5% (7th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $47,369 (14th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
30. Oklahoma (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.2%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.2% (14th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 88.1% (17th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $46,724 (13th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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27. Rhode Island (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.3%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.6% (21st highest)
> High school attainment rate: 88.3% (18th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $53,686 (18th highest)
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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27. New Jersey (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.3%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (23rd lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 89.9% (24th lowest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $65,707 (6th highest)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
27. Texas (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.3%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.4% (19th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 83.6% (2nd lowest)
> Average annual wage: $57,744 (12th highest)
See all stories featuring: Texas
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25. Wyoming (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.4%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (23rd lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 92.9% (4th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $48,062 (18th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
25. Delaware (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.4%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.2% (14th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.6% (22nd highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $56,846 (13th highest)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
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21. North Carolina (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.1% (11th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 87.8% (15th lowest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $50,768 (24th highest)
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
21. Montana (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (23rd lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 93.0% (3rd highest)
> Average annual wage: $43,410 (3rd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Montana
21. Arkansas (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (22nd highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 86.7% (9th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $43,945 (5th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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21. Florida (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.4% (19th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 88.4% (19th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $50,060 (24th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Florida
20. Michigan
> Underemployment rate: 7.6%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.2% (9th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.9% (19th highest)
> Average annual wage: $53,796 (17th highest)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
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18. Maryland (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.7%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.8% (17th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 89.9% (24th lowest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $61,175 (7th highest)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
18. Maine (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.7%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.2% (14th lowest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 92.3% (8th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $45,359 (8th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Maine
15. New York (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.9%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.0% (14th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 86.6% (8th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $72,902 (the highest)
See all stories featuring: New York
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15. Pennsylvania (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.9%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.8% (17th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.6% (22nd highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $55,628 (16th highest)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
15. Georgia (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 7.9%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.7% (19th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 87.0% (11th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $53,543 (19th highest)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
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13. Washington (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 8.1%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.6% (6th highest)
> High school attainment rate: 91.3% (15th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $66,153 (5th highest)
See all stories featuring: Washington
13. Illinois (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 8.1%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.3% (7th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 89.1% (21st lowest)
> Average annual wage: $59,945 (8th highest)
See all stories featuring: Illinois
12. Ohio
> Underemployment rate: 8.2%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.0% (14th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.3% (25th highest)
> Average annual wage: $50,575 (25th highest)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
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11. Kentucky
> Underemployment rate: 8.3%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.1% (11th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 86.3% (6th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $46,305 (11th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
10. Oregon
> Underemployment rate: 8.4%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.1% (11th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 91.0% (17th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $53,058 (20th highest)
See all stories featuring: Oregon
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9. Nevada
> Underemployment rate: 8.7%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.0% (14th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 86.8% (10th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $50,037 (23rd lowest)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
7. California (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 8.8%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.2% (9th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 83.3% (the lowest)
> Average annual wage: $68,481 (3rd highest)
See all stories featuring: California
7. Connecticut (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 8.8%
> June 2019 unemployment: 3.7% (19th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 90.4% (24th highest)
> Average annual wage: $67,741 (4th highest)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
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5. Arizona (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 9.0%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.9% (3rd highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 87.2% (13th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $51,865 (22nd highest)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
5. New Mexico (tied)
> Underemployment rate: 9.0%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.9% (3rd highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 86.1% (5th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $45,140 (7th lowest)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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4. Mississippi
> Underemployment rate: 9.2%
> June 2019 unemployment: 5.0% (2nd highest)
> High school attainment rate: 84.4% (3rd lowest)
> Average annual wage: $39,747 (the lowest)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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3. Louisiana
> Underemployment rate: 9.5%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.3% (7th highest – tied)
> High school attainment rate: 85.1% (4th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $48,097 (19th lowest)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
2. West Virginia
> Underemployment rate: 9.8%
> June 2019 unemployment: 4.7% (5th highest)
> High school attainment rate: 87.1% (12th lowest)
> Average annual wage: $46,120 (9th lowest)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
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1. Alaska
> Underemployment rate: 11.2%
> June 2019 unemployment: 6.4% (the highest)
> High school attainment rate: 91.7% (12th highest – tied)
> Average annual wage: $55,664 (15th highest)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
Methodology
To determine the hardest states to find full-time work, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed average underemployment rates from Q2 2018 – Q1 2019 as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The underemployment rate is the total number of unemployed job seekers, discouraged and other marginally attached workers, and people settling for part-time jobs as a share of the labor force. Also from the BLS, we reviewed average annual wages, employment, employment growth, and the size of the labor force from 2017 through 2018. Socioeconomic indicators, including poverty and educational attainment rates came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 American Community Survey. GDP growth and contribution to GDP growth by industry came from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and are for the period 2017 to 2018.
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