In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, Americans have been quitting their jobs in record numbers in recent months – a trend that shows few signs of slowing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 4.4 million Americans quit their job in February 2021, up slightly from 4.3 million quits the previous month and down only slightly from the all-time high of 4.5 million quits in November 2021. wi
Explanations for the high quit rates are varied. Survey data reveals unmanageable workloads, unsupportive colleagues, and lack of professional development to be among the most common reasons people give for quitting. Often, however, the reasons are as simple as a desire for higher pay or more benefits. This is the industry people are quitting the fastest.Â
While many states reported either no change in quits or a slight decline month over month, in most of the country, quits are on the rise.Â
Using data from the BLS, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where quits are rising fastest. States are ranked by the change in number of people who quit in February 2022, the most recent month of available data, compared to the number of quits in January 2022.Â
It is important to note that even in states where quits fell in February, quit rates – the number of quits as a share of the total labor force – remained historically high. In nearly every state, the number of people who quit their job in February is higher than the number who quit their job in February of last year.Â
Generally, states with lower quit rates tend to have higher than average unemployment. Since quits do not include workers who retire, each of the 4.4 million Americans who quit in February presumably plans to take another job. A weaker job market, therefore, may act as a deterrent to those who consider quitting in some parts of the country, while a stronger job market may encourage some workers. Here is a look at the worst states to look for a job.Â
Click here to see the states where quits were on the rise
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
50. Maryland
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -15.1% (11,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 62,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> Labor force size: 3,194,561 people
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Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
49. Michigan
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -14.2% (20,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 121,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> Labor force size: 4,804,242 people
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Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
48. Virginia
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -13.7% (16,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 101,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 4,292,097 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
47. Delaware
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -13.3% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 13,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> Labor force size: 498,219 people
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
46. Arizona
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -12.5% (14,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 98,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> Labor force size: 3,543,498 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
45. Alabama
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -10.1% (7,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 62,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> Labor force size: 2,260,562 people
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
44. Pennsylvania
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -9.6% (13,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 122,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.1%
> Labor force size: 6,370,062 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
43. Tennessee
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -8.6% (10,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 106,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> Labor force size: 3,356,786 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
42. West Virginia
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -8.3% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 22,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> Labor force size: 793,816 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
41. New Mexico
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -8.0% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 23,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.6%
> Labor force size: 947,443 people
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
40. South Dakota
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -7.7% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 12,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> Labor force size: 471,304 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
39. North Dakota
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -7.1% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 13,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> Labor force size: 409,405 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
38. South Carolina
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -6.6% (5,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 71,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> Labor force size: 2,378,347 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
37. Louisiana
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -6.6% (4,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 57,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> Labor force size: 2,078,228 people
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
36. Maine
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -6.3% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 15,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 680,015 people
Source: 7Michael / iStock via Getty Images
35. Hawaii
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -5.3% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 18,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> Labor force size: 672,596 people
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Source: Tiago_Fernandez / iStock via Getty Images
34. Mississippi
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -4.7% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 41,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> Labor force size: 1,255,930 people
Source: knowlesgallery / iStock via Getty Images
33. Idaho
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -3.6% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 27,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 927,196 people
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
32. Texas
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -2.9% (12,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 400,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> Labor force size: 14,373,632 people
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
31. Colorado
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: -2.1% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 95,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 3,199,344 people
Source: Aneese / iStock via Getty Images
30. New Jersey
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: 0%
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 101,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> Labor force size: 4,622,687 people
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Source: JamesBrey / iStock via Getty Images
29. Oregon
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: 0%
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 58,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 2,174,003 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
28. Utah
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: 0%
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 49,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.1%
> Labor force size: 1,697,136 people
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
27. Nebraska
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: 0%
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 31,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.1%
> Labor force size: 1,057,000 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
26. Georgia
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +1.1% (2,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 177,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 5,234,632 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
25. Washington
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +1.2% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 87,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> Labor force size: 3,981,799 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
24. Kentucky
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +1.5% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 66,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> Labor force size: 2,056,085 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
23. Connecticut
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +2.7% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 38,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> Labor force size: 1,869,116 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Indiana
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +3.8% (4,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 109,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> Labor force size: 3,315,935 people
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Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
21. Iowa
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +4.8% (2,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 44,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> Labor force size: 1,686,648 people
Source: DutcherAerials / E+ via Getty Images
20. California
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +5.1% (24,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 491,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> Labor force size: 19,068,225 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
19. Oklahoma
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +5.6% (3,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 57,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> Labor force size: 1,853,819 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Massachusetts
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +6.5% (5,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 82,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> Labor force size: 3,772,543 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
17. Alaska
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +6.7% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 16,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> Labor force size: 361,562 people
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
16. Rhode Island
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +8.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 13,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> Labor force size: 568,599 people
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
15. Nevada
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +8.5% (4,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 51,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 5.1%
> Labor force size: 1,498,303 people
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Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
14. Illinois
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +9.9% (15,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 167,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> Labor force size: 6,403,328 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
13. Arkansas
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +10.0% (4,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 44,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> Labor force size: 1,339,399 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
12. Wyoming
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +10.0% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 11,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> Labor force size: 290,282 people
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Source: mbbirdy / E+ via Getty Images
11. New York
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +10.2% (18,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 194,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> Labor force size: 9,369,054 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
10. New Hampshire
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +11.1% (2,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 20,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> Labor force size: 756,659 people
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Source: skodonnell / iStock via Getty Images
9. Montana
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +11.1% (2,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 20,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> Labor force size: 556,361 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. Kansas
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +11.4% (4,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 39,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> Labor force size: 1,496,305 people
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
7. Minnesota
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +11.9% (8,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 75,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> Labor force size: 3,059,493 people
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Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
6. Vermont
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +12.5% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 9,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> Labor force size: 330,023 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
5. Florida
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +15.2% (40,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 304,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> Labor force size: 10,470,721 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
4. Missouri
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +16.4% (12,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 85,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> Labor force size: 3,080,111 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. Ohio
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +16.4% (25,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 177,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> Labor force size: 5,749,599 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
2. North Carolina
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +18.5% (24,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 154,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> Labor force size: 5,015,299 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
1. Wisconsin
> Change in quits, Jan.-Feb. 2022: +19.4% (14,000 more quits)
> Total quits in Feb. 2022: 86,000
> Feb. 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> Labor force size: 3,139,677 people
Methodology
To determine the states where quits are on the rise, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the percent change in number of people who quit in February 2022 compared to the previous month. Quits are defined as voluntary departures from an employer and do not include those entering retirement. In the case of a tie, the state with a smaller labor force in February ranked higher.Â
Figures on unemployment and labor force size, which includes Americans either working or actively looking for work, are also from the BLS.
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