Though by many measures the economy is still recovering rapidly from the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. job growth continues to be strong. Still, many companies and businesses are struggling to find and hire workers as the number of unfilled jobs has hit a multi-decade high in recent months. There were 11.3 million job openings nationwide at the end of January 2022, a 56% increase from a year earlier.Â
Causes of the historic labor shortage are varied. During the pandemic, early retirements surged, parents of school-age children left the workforce en masse, and immigration slowed considerably – resulting in millions of fewer workers than there otherwise would have been. Additionally, some argue that enhanced unemployment benefits and economic stimulus payments during the pandemic reduced the incentive for many Americans to work. This is what it costs to retire comfortably in each state.Â
Today, the labor force participation rate – the share of Americans 16 and older either working or looking for work – stands at 62.3%, a low not seen in the pre-pandemic United States since 1977. The national labor shortage is putting a strain on businesses across the country, forcing some to reduce hours and others to close completely.Â
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most job openings. States are ranked by the share of all jobs that were unfilled as of the end of January 2022, the most recent month of available data. Depending on the state, the share of jobs that remain unfilled ranges from 5.8% up to 8.8% of all jobs. For context, 7.0% of jobs nationwide are unfilled.Â
Despite the need for workers, a small percentage of the labor force remains unemployed, suggesting that among those who are unemployed there is a mismatch between either the skills employers are seeking and the labor pool or the kind of work or benefits job seekers desire and what is available. The national unemployment rate stood at 4.0% in January 2022. Depending on the state, unemployment ranges from 2.2% to 5.9%. Here is a look at the worst states to look for a job.Â
Click here to see states with the most job openings
Click here to see our detailed methodology
Source: roman_slavik / iStock via Getty Images
50. Washington
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 5.8% of all jobs (213,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +31.5%
> Labor force size: 3,961,146 people
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Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images
49. New York
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 5.9% of all jobs (588,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +64.7%
> Labor force size: 9,392,186 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
48. Texas
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.3% of all jobs (885,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +60.3%
> Labor force size: 14,333,602 people
Source: choness / Getty Images
47. California
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.3% of all jobs (1,148,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +65.2%
> Labor force size: 19,064,484 people
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Source: maxmironov / Getty Images
46. Mississippi
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.4% of all jobs (79,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +25.4%
> Labor force size: 1,252,236 people
Source: BlazenImages / Getty Images
45. Arkansas
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.4% of all jobs (89,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +30.9%
> Labor force size: 1,334,885 people
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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
44. Kansas
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.4% of all jobs (94,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +32.4%
> Labor force size: 1,495,643 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
43. Alabama
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.4% of all jobs (141,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +28.2%
> Labor force size: 2,250,379 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
42. Oklahoma
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.6% of all jobs (118,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +34.1%
> Labor force size: 1,850,630 people
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Source: 4kodiak / Getty Images
41. Nevada
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (102,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +36.0%
> Labor force size: 1,493,864 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
40. Connecticut
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (117,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +72.1%
> Labor force size: 1,867,354 people
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Source: Creative-Family / Getty Images
39. New Jersey
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (298,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +43.3%
> Labor force size: 4,643,011 people
Source: Jaimie Tuchman / Getty Images
38. Louisiana
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.8% of all jobs (138,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +34.0%
> Labor force size: 2,069,163 people
Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images
37. South Dakota
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.9% of all jobs (33,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +37.5%
> Labor force size: 470,653 people
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Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
36. Hawaii
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 6.9% of all jobs (44,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +63.0%
> Labor force size: 673,681 people
Source: 4nadia / Getty Images
35. Oregon
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.0% of all jobs (145,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +39.4%
> Labor force size: 2,168,038 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
34. Wisconsin
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.0% of all jobs (220,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +76.0%
> Labor force size: 3,136,984 people
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Source: Ronald E Grafe / Getty Images
33. Ohio
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.0% of all jobs (410,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +61.4%
> Labor force size: 5,743,557 people
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
32. West Virginia
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.1% of all jobs (53,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +6.0%
> Labor force size: 793,302 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
31. Massachusetts
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.1% of all jobs (277,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +88.4%
> Labor force size: 3,767,170 people
Source: aoldman / Getty Images
30. Wyoming
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (22,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +37.5%
> Labor force size: 290,122 people
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Source: mattalberts / Getty Images
29. Idaho
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (63,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +50.0%
> Labor force size: 924,469 people
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
28. Iowa
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (121,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +65.8%
> Labor force size: 1,680,376 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
27. Virginia
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (310,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +50.5%
> Labor force size: 4,277,757 people
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Source: RickSause / Getty Images
26. North Carolina
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (359,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +23.4%
> Labor force size: 5,007,262 people
Source: Adventure_Photo / Getty Images
25. Utah
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.3% of all jobs (129,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +74.3%
> Labor force size: 1,694,020 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
24. Florida
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.3% of all jobs (725,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +77.7%
> Labor force size: 10,448,456 people
Source: tonda / Getty Images
23. Arizona
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.4% of all jobs (241,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +51.6%
> Labor force size: 3,536,384 people
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
22. Indiana
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.4% of all jobs (251,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +67.3%
> Labor force size: 3,304,953 people
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Source: miroslav_1 / Getty Images
21. Montana
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (41,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +46.4%
> Labor force size: 554,986 people
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
20. Maryland
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (217,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +55.0%
> Labor force size: 3,196,404 people
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
19. Missouri
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (236,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +74.8%
> Labor force size: 3,075,707 people
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
18. Georgia
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (380,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +23.8%
> Labor force size: 5,215,701 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
17. North Dakota
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (35,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +75.0%
> Labor force size: 408,079 people
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
16. Rhode Island
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (40,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +66.7%
> Labor force size: 568,798 people
Source: Planet Unicorn / Getty Images
15. Colorado
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (231,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +69.9%
> Labor force size: 3,187,417 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
14. Tennessee
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (262,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +70.1%
> Labor force size: 3,346,422 people
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
13. Illinois
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (488,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +88.4%
> Labor force size: 6,378,180 people
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
12. New Mexico
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.7% of all jobs (69,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +56.8%
> Labor force size: 944,607 people
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
11. South Carolina
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.7% of all jobs (183,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +38.6%
> Labor force size: 2,374,682 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / Getty Images
10. Nebraska
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.8% of all jobs (85,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +70.0%
> Labor force size: 1,056,346 people
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Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images
9. Michigan
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.8% of all jobs (363,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +47.0%
> Labor force size: 4,795,240 people
Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images
8. Delaware
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 7.9% of all jobs (39,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +62.5%
> Labor force size: 498,193 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
7. Vermont
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.0% of all jobs (26,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +73.3%
> Labor force size: 329,312 people
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Source: alexeys / Getty Images
6. Kentucky
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.0% of all jobs (167,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +59.0%
> Labor force size: 2,053,986 people
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
5. Minnesota
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.1% of all jobs (254,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +124.8%
> Labor force size: 3,045,921 people
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Source: f11photo / Getty Images
4. Pennsylvania
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.3% of all jobs (532,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +86.7%
> Labor force size: 6,371,387 people
24/7 Wall St.
Source: sorincolac / Getty Images
3. Alaska
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.7% of all jobs (30,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 5.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +30.4%
> Labor force size: 361,290 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
2. Maine
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.8% of all jobs (61,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +110.3%
> Labor force size: 679,523 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
1. New Hampshire
> Job openings at the end of Jan. 2022: 8.8% of all jobs (65,000 total openings)
> Jan. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +103.1%
> Labor force size: 755,554 people
Methodology
To determine the States with the most job openings, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the job openings rate, which is computed by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job openings and multiplying that quotient by 100. For multiple states with the same job openings rate, ties were broken by the actual number of job openings.Â
Job openings are the number of positions – full-time, part-time, seasonal, short-term, or permanent – open on the last business day of January 2022, the most recent month of available data. In order to be counted as open, a job has to start within 30 days of when the employer can find a suitable candidate.
Figures on unemployment and labor force size, which includes Americans either working or actively looking for work, are also from the BLS.Â
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