Despite soaring inflation, the U.S. economy continues to benefit from strong job growth as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, many companies and businesses are struggling to find and hire workers, as the number of unfilled jobs has hit multi-decade highs in recent months. There were over 11.5 million job openings nationwide at the end of March 2022, an all-time high, and 36% more than the same month last year.
Causes of the historic labor shortage vary. 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. This is what it costs to retire comfortably in each state.
Today, the labor force participation rate – the share of Americans 16 and older either working or looking for work – stands at 62.2%, a low not seen in the pre-pandemic United States since the 1970s. The national labor shortage is putting a strain on businesses across the country, forcing some to reduce hours and others to close completely.
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 March 2022, the most recent month of available data. Depending on the state, the share of jobs that remain unfilled ranges from 6.0% to 9.8%. For context, 7.1% of jobs nationwide are unfilled.
Despite the need for workers, a small percentage of the labor force remains unemployed, suggesting that among the 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 employers offer. The national unemployment rate was 3.6% in March 2022. Depending on the state, unemployment ranges from 2.0% to 5.3%. Here is a look at the industry laying off the most Americans.
Click here to see the states with the most job openings
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. New York
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.0% of all jobs (594,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +46.3% (188,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 9,376,546 people
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49. Kansas
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.3% of all jobs (93,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +13.4% (11,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,499,603 people
48. Connecticut
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.3% of all jobs (110,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +20.9% (19,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,879,419 people
Source: j76n / iStock via Getty Images
47. New Jersey
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.5% of all jobs (290,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: -0.7% (2,000 fewer openings)
> Labor force size: 4,618,709 people
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46. Pennsylvania
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.5% of all jobs (411,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +6.8% (26,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 6,387,365 people
Source: Maksymowicz / iStock via Getty Images
45. Iowa
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.6% of all jobs (111,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +30.6% (26,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,692,502 people
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44. Alabama
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.6% of all jobs (147,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +33.6% (37,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 2,270,463 people
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43. South Dakota
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (32,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +23.1% (6,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 472,658 people
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
42. Nebraska
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (74,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +23.3% (14,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,058,891 people
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41. Washington
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (250,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +35.9% (66,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 4,003,490 people
Source: J.C. Marciniak / iStock via Getty Images
40. Ohio
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.7% of all jobs (393,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +37.4% (107,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 5,763,448 people
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39. North Dakota
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.8% of all jobs (31,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +34.8% (8,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 409,949 people
Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images
38. California
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.8% of all jobs (1,279,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.9%
> 1-year change in job openings: +64.2% (500,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 19,131,273 people
Source: Harry Collins / iStock via Getty Images
37. Delaware
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.9% of all jobs (34,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +41.7% (10,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 498,638 people
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36. Maine
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.9% of all jobs (47,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +14.6% (6,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 679,433 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
35. Wisconsin
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.9% of all jobs (218,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +22.5% (40,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,144,673 people
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34. Texas
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 6.9% of all jobs (985,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +38.3% (273,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 14,414,591 people
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33. New Hampshire
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.0% of all jobs (51,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +8.5% (4,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 758,616 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
32. Utah
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.1% of all jobs (127,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +51.2% (43,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,705,513 people
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31. Colorado
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.1% of all jobs (215,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +42.4% (64,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,211,692 people
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
30. Indiana
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.1% of all jobs (241,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +37.7% (66,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,332,239 people
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29. Wyoming
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (22,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +15.8% (3,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 290,365 people
Source: Mike Worley / iStock via Getty Images
28. Idaho
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (63,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +14.5% (8,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 932,278 people
Source: Danielrao / iStock via Getty Images
27. Missouri
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (225,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +40.6% (65,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,087,759 people
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26. Virginia
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (310,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +39.0% (87,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 4,311,629 people
Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images
25. Illinois
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.2% of all jobs (468,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +47.6% (151,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 6,430,758 people
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24. Nevada
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.3% of all jobs (114,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +14.0% (14,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,503,263 people
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23. Louisiana
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.3% of all jobs (149,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +43.3% (45,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 2,089,731 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Tennessee
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.3% of all jobs (252,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +32.6% (62,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,370,618 people
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21. Michigan
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.3% of all jobs (339,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +29.9% (78,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 4,819,131 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
20. New Mexico
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (69,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +32.7% (17,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 948,386 people
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19. Arizona
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (247,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +36.5% (66,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,548,773 people
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
18. Florida
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.5% of all jobs (749,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +75.8% (323,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 10,513,164 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
17. Mississippi
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (95,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in job openings: +23.4% (18,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,259,602 people
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16. Oregon
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (160,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.8%
> 1-year change in job openings: +28.0% (35,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 2,184,140 people
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15. Maryland
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.6% of all jobs (223,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in job openings: +11.5% (23,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,198,116 people
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14. Vermont
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.7% of all jobs (25,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +31.6% (6,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 331,412 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
13. Rhode Island
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.7% of all jobs (41,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +41.4% (12,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 568,879 people
Source: Paul Knightly / iStock via Getty Images
12. Arkansas
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.8% of all jobs (111,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +40.5% (32,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,343,907 people
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11. Minnesota
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.8% of all jobs (245,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +88.5% (115,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,071,594 people
Source: Meinzahn / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. Georgia
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.8% of all jobs (402,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +39.1% (113,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 5,251,130 people
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9. West Virginia
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.9% of all jobs (60,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +20.0% (10,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 794,175 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. South Carolina
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.9% of all jobs (189,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in job openings: +37.0% (51,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 2,384,364 people
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7. North Carolina
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 7.9% of all jobs (406,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 3.5%
> 1-year change in job openings: +36.7% (109,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 5,030,542 people
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6. Montana
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 8.0% of all jobs (44,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +25.7% (9,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 558,466 people
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5. Hawaii
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 8.0% of all jobs (52,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in job openings: +92.6% (25,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 672,576 people
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4. Oklahoma
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 8.0% of all jobs (146,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in job openings: +40.4% (42,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 1,862,120 people
Source: Vladone / iStock via Getty Images
3. Massachusetts
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 8.0% of all jobs (318,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in job openings: +48.6% (104,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 3,775,288 people
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
2. Alaska
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 9.2% of all jobs (32,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +23.1% (6,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 361,758 people
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1. Kentucky
> Job openings at the end of March 2022: 9.8% of all jobs (210,000 total openings)
> March 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> 1-year change in job openings: +87.5% (98,000 more openings)
> Labor force size: 2,060,065 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 calculated by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job openings and multiplying the quotient by 100. For multiple states with the same job openings rate, ties were broken by the actual number of job openings.
Job openings are the number of positions – full-time, part-time, seasonal, short-term, or permanent – open on the last business day of March 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.
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