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, over 4.4 million Americans quit their job in April 2022, just shy of the all time high of 4.5 million reported in November 2021.
A recent survey published by the Pew Research Center found that low pay and limited room for advancement were the most common reasons Americans have been leaving their jobs. (Here are the states recovering the fastest from high unemployment.)
But whatever the explanation, the consequences are clear. Record-high quits are exacerbating a labor shortage in the United States and creating an existential crisis for many small businesses. And in some states, quit rates are far higher than the national average.
Using data from the BLS, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most people are quitting their job. States are ranked by the number of people who quit in April 2022 as a share of total employment.
Depending on the state, the share of workers who quit their jobs in April, the most recent month of available data, ranges from 1.9% to 4.7%. For context, 2.9% of workers nationwide quit their jobs in April.
Though there are exceptions, states with higher quit rates tend to have lower unemployment rates – below the national average of 3.6%. Since quits do not include workers who retire, each of the 4.4 million Americans who quit in April presumably plans to take another job. A stronger job market, therefore, may incentivize workers to look for better opportunities, while a weaker job market may deter quits. (Here is a look at the states where unemployment is at an all time low.)
Click here to see the states where the most people are quitting their jobs
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
50. Pennsylvania
> Quits in April 2022: 1.9% of workforce (111,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -15.9% (21,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 6,409,766 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: Shooter_Sam / iStock via Getty Images
49. New York
> Quits in April 2022: 2.0% of workforce (191,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +29.9% (44,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 9,404,038 people
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
48. Massachusetts
> Quits in April 2022: 2.2% of workforce (81,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.1% (10,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,775,535 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
47. Vermont
> Quits in April 2022: 2.3% of workforce (7,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +16.7% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 332,746 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
46. Connecticut
> Quits in April 2022: 2.4% of workforce (39,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +30.0% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,887,900 people
Source: P_L_photography / iStock via Getty Images
45. Hawaii
> Quits in April 2022: 2.5% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.1% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 673,630 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
44. Minnesota
> Quits in April 2022: 2.5% of workforce (72,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.0% (11,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,080,002 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
43. Ohio
> Quits in April 2022: 2.5% of workforce (139,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -4.8% (7,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 5,773,484 people
Source: OlegAlbinsky / E+ via Getty Images
42. New Jersey
> Quits in April 2022: 2.6% of workforce (108,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.1% (23,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,634,049 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
41. South Dakota
> Quits in April 2022: 2.7% of workforce (12,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -7.7% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 473,832 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
40. Maine
> Quits in April 2022: 2.7% of workforce (17,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.4% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 678,788 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
39. Maryland
> Quits in April 2022: 2.7% of workforce (74,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +27.6% (16,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,196,817 people
Source: JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images
38. Wisconsin
> Quits in April 2022: 2.7% of workforce (80,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.1% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,147,274 people
Source: roman_slavik / iStock via Getty Images
37. Washington
> Quits in April 2022: 2.7% of workforce (95,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +25.0% (19,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,023,291 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: choness / iStock via Getty Images
36. California
> Quits in April 2022: 2.7% of workforce (465,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +17.4% (69,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 19,229,150 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
35. Rhode Island
> Quits in April 2022: 2.8% of workforce (14,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +16.7% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 569,045 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
34. Nevada
> Quits in April 2022: 2.8% of workforce (40,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.3% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,508,783 people
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
33. Virginia
> Quits in April 2022: 2.8% of workforce (114,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -3.4% (4,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 4,330,002 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
32. New Hampshire
> Quits in April 2022: 2.9% of workforce (20,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.1% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 759,932 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
31. Kansas
> Quits in April 2022: 2.9% of workforce (41,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +13.9% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,501,739 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
30. Utah
> Quits in April 2022: 2.9% of workforce (49,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 1.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -3.9% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 1,714,407 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
29. Oregon
> Quits in April 2022: 2.9% of workforce (56,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.7% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,193,742 people
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
28. Illinois
> Quits in April 2022: 2.9% of workforce (172,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.5% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,449,597 people
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
27. Michigan
> Quits in April 2022: 3.0% of workforce (128,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +0.8% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,833,339 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
26. Texas
> Quits in April 2022: 3.0% of workforce (403,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.7% (39,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 14,459,425 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
25. New Mexico
> Quits in April 2022: 3.1% of workforce (26,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.3% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 949,673 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
24. Iowa
> Quits in April 2022: 3.1% of workforce (49,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.5% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,697,705 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
23. North Carolina
> Quits in April 2022: 3.1% of workforce (148,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -4.5% (7,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 5,056,492 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
22. North Dakota
> Quits in April 2022: 3.3% of workforce (14,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +16.7% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 410,859 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
21. Delaware
> Quits in April 2022: 3.3% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.1% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 498,950 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
20. West Virginia
> Quits in April 2022: 3.3% of workforce (23,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -8.0% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 794,631 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
19. Nebraska
> Quits in April 2022: 3.3% of workforce (34,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 1.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +36.0% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,060,739 people
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
18. Louisiana
> Quits in April 2022: 3.3% of workforce (63,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.5% (8,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,100,393 people
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
17. Arizona
> Quits in April 2022: 3.3% of workforce (99,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -10.0% (11,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 3,556,902 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: BlazenImages / iStock via Getty Images
16. Arkansas
> Quits in April 2022: 3.4% of workforce (44,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -4.3% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 1,349,553 people
Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
15. Colorado
> Quits in April 2022: 3.4% of workforce (97,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +32.9% (24,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,225,366 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
14. Wyoming
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (10,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: None
> Labor force size: 290,691 people
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
13. Montana
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (18,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -5.3% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 560,660 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
12. Mississippi
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (41,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -18.0% (9,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 1,264,202 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
11. Oklahoma
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (59,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: None
> Labor force size: 1,868,236 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
10. Alabama
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (72,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +9.1% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,276,371 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
9. Missouri
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (102,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.4% (18,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,091,654 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
8. Tennessee
> Quits in April 2022: 3.5% of workforce (113,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.7% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,388,428 people
Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
7. Idaho
> Quits in April 2022: 3.6% of workforce (29,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: None
> Labor force size: 937,017 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
6. Indiana
> Quits in April 2022: 3.6% of workforce (114,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +16.3% (16,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,347,991 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Florida
> Quits in April 2022: 3.6% of workforce (333,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +34.3% (85,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 10,542,655 people
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
4. South Carolina
> Quits in April 2022: 3.9% of workforce (86,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +4.9% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,391,819 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
3. Georgia
> Quits in April 2022: 3.9% of workforce (185,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +2.2% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,267,587 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
2. Kentucky
> Quits in April 2022: 4.0% of workforce (78,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.4% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,062,849 people
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
1. Alaska
> Quits in April 2022: 4.7% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +25.0% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 361,817 people
Methodology
To determine the states where the most people are quitting their jobs, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the quit rate – the number of people who quit in April 2022 as a share of total employment. For states with the same quit rate, ties were broken by the actual number of quits.
Figures on unemployment and labor force size, which includes U.S. residents who are either working or actively looking for work, are also from the BLS.
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
