By several key measures, the U.S. is in a period of economic turmoil. As inflation continues to surge, the Federal Reserve has signaled a commitment to an aggressive schedule of interest rate hikes. Meanwhile, although the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been recovering somewhat, it had previously reported eight straight weeks of losses – the longest streak in nearly a century. Still, there is at least one bright spot amid the otherwise gloomy economic data: historically low unemployment.Â
The U.S. jobless rate stood at 3.6% in April 2022, its lowest point since the beginning of the pandemic and closely in line with pre-pandemic lows. Still, unemployment rates vary from state to state, and in over a dozen states, unemployment is below 3%. Currently, Nebraska and Utah have the tightest labor markets in the country, with jobless rates of just 1.9%.
Using unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the lowest unemployment rates. States are ranked by their unemployment rate in April 2022, the most recent month of available data. In the case of a tie, the state with the larger overall labor force ranked higher.
While jobless rates remain above 4% in much of the country, each state has a stronger job market than it did last year at this time. In many states, unemployment has improved by over 2 percentage points over the past 12 months and millions fewer Americans are out of work. Here is a look at the states adding the most jobs.Â
Many Americans currently out of work are unemployed by choice. In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, workers have been quitting their jobs in record numbers in recent months, often in search of higher pay and greater flexibility – likely incentivized in part by the strong U.S. job market. Here is a look at the states where the most people are quitting their jobs.Â
Click here to see the states with the lowest unemployment rates
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
50. New Mexico
> April unemployment: 5.3% (50,168 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.0 pct. points (18,894 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 949,768 (14th smallest)
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Source: mvp64 / iStock via Getty Images
49. Nevada
> April unemployment: 5.0% (75,566 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -3.6 pct. points (54,706 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,508,850 (19th smallest)
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
48. Alaska
> April unemployment: 4.9% (17,593 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.1 pct. points (7,268 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 361,971 (3rd smallest)
Source: tupungato / iStock via Getty Images
47. Pennsylvania
> April unemployment: 4.8% (308,336 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.1 pct. points (135,735 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 6,409,846 (6th largest)
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Source: Mlenny / E+ via Getty Images
46. Illinois
> April unemployment: 4.6% (296,381 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.0 pct. points (122,555 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 6,449,860 (5th largest)
Source: choness / iStock via Getty Images
45. California
> April unemployment: 4.6% (888,677 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -3.7 pct. points (682,519 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 19,236,752 (the largest)
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
44. Delaware
> April unemployment: 4.5% (22,443 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.3 pct. points (6,159 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 498,921 (6th smallest)
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43. New York
> April unemployment: 4.5% (423,819 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -3.3 pct. points (320,857 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 9,405,392 (4th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
42. Connecticut
> April unemployment: 4.4% (83,855 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.6 pct. points (45,673 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,888,064 (23rd smallest)
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Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
41. Michigan
> April unemployment: 4.3% (209,023 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.9 pct. points (88,450 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 4,833,159 (10th largest)
Source: dlewis33 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
40. Texas
> April unemployment: 4.3% (620,891 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.9 pct. points (255,067 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 14,459,554 (2nd largest)
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Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
39. Hawaii
> April unemployment: 4.2% (28,238 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.1 pct. points (13,933 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 673,929 (9th smallest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
38. Maryland
> April unemployment: 4.2% (133,724 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.5 pct. points (45,470 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,197,152 (19th largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
37. Mississippi
> April unemployment: 4.1% (51,658 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.1 pct. points (26,577 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,264,209 (16th smallest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
36. Louisiana
> April unemployment: 4.1% (86,777 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.0 pct. points (38,845 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 2,100,418 (25th smallest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
35. Massachusetts
> April unemployment: 4.1% (154,072 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.2 pct. points (82,140 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,775,748 (14th largest)
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Source: roman_slavik / iStock via Getty Images
34. Washington
> April unemployment: 4.1% (163,313 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.6 pct. points (56,885 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 4,023,626 (13th largest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
33. New Jersey
> April unemployment: 4.1% (190,484 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.9 pct. points (135,229 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 4,635,116 (11th largest)
Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / iStock via Getty Images
32. Ohio
> April unemployment: 4.0% (232,973 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.6 pct. points (88,012 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 5,773,580 (7th largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
31. Kentucky
> April unemployment: 3.9% (79,794 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -0.8 pct. points (14,976 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 2,062,821 (24th smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
30. Oregon
> April unemployment: 3.7% (81,358 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.2 pct. points (45,475 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 2,194,385 (25th largest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. West Virginia
> April unemployment: 3.6% (28,424 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.9 pct. points (15,145 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 794,603 (12th smallest)
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
28. Colorado
> April unemployment: 3.6% (116,746 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.5 pct. points (73,944 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,225,584 (18th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. Missouri
> April unemployment: 3.4% (103,594 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.3 pct. points (40,490 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,091,734 (21st largest)
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
26. North Carolina
> April unemployment: 3.4% (173,348 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.7 pct. points (79,156 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 5,056,855 (9th largest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
25. Wyoming
> April unemployment: 3.3% (9,598 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.5 pct. points (4,484 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 290,691 (the smallest)
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Source: Daniel Hanscom / iStock via Getty Images
24. Maine
> April unemployment: 3.3% (22,639 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.7 pct. points (11,277 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 678,815 (10th smallest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
23. South Carolina
> April unemployment: 3.3% (79,176 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -0.9 pct. points (20,143 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 2,391,792 (23rd largest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
22. Rhode Island
> April unemployment: 3.2% (18,021 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.9 pct. points (16,608 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 569,024 (8th smallest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
21. Arkansas
> April unemployment: 3.2% (42,589 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.3 pct. points (17,695 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,349,561 (17th smallest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
20. Tennessee
> April unemployment: 3.2% (109,601 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.6 pct. points (48,436 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,388,426 (16th largest)
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Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
19. Arizona
> April unemployment: 3.2% (115,033 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.4 pct. points (83,038 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,556,972 (15th largest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
18. Georgia
> April unemployment: 3.1% (160,885 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.2 pct. points (60,472 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 5,267,469 (8th largest)
Source: bscottberg / iStock via Getty Images
17. Iowa
> April unemployment: 3.0% (50,859 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.5 pct. points (23,939 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,697,700 (20th smallest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
16. Virginia
> April unemployment: 3.0% (129,771 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.3 pct. points (54,693 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 4,329,907 (12th largest)
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
15. Florida
> April unemployment: 3.0% (320,591 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -2.1 pct. points (202,240 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 10,542,673 (3rd largest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
14. North Dakota
> April unemployment: 2.8% (11,324 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.2 pct. points (5,050 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 410,862 (4th smallest)
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
13. Alabama
> April unemployment: 2.8% (63,208 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -0.8 pct. points (18,391 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 2,276,397 (24th largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
12. Wisconsin
> April unemployment: 2.8% (89,247 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.5 pct. points (44,350 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,147,294 (20th largest)
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Source: Majestic_Aerials / iStock via Getty Images
11. Oklahoma
> April unemployment: 2.7% (51,026 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.8 pct. points (33,579 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,868,201 (22nd smallest)
Source: Bret-Barton / iStock via Getty Images
10. Idaho
> April unemployment: 2.6% (24,070 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.2 pct. points (10,973 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 937,023 (13th smallest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
9. Vermont
> April unemployment: 2.5% (8,210 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.2 pct. points (4,040 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 332,742 (2nd smallest)
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
8. Kansas
> April unemployment: 2.4% (35,374 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.1 pct. points (16,241 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,501,789 (18th smallest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
7. South Dakota
> April unemployment: 2.3% (11,046 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -0.9 pct. points (3,810 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 473,842 (5th smallest)
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
6. Montana
> April unemployment: 2.3% (13,133 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.3 pct. points (6,795 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 560,706 (7th smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. New Hampshire
> April unemployment: 2.3% (17,502 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.5 pct. points (11,164 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 759,959 (11th smallest)
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Source: rruntsch / iStock via Getty Images
4. Minnesota
> April unemployment: 2.2% (67,631 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.3 pct. points (38,888 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,080,119 (22nd largest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. Indiana
> April unemployment: 2.2% (72,191 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.9 pct. points (65,710 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 3,347,813 (17th largest)
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
2. Nebraska
> April unemployment: 1.9% (20,414 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -0.7 pct. points (6,659 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,060,739 (15th smallest)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
1. Utah
> April unemployment: 1.9% (33,258 people)
> 1-yr. change in unemployment: -1.0 pct. points (15,683 fewer people)
> Total labor force: 1,714,461 (21st smallest)
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