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, closely in line with the number reported in March and just shy of the all time high of 4.5 million in November 2021.Â
A recent survey published by the Pew Research Center found that low pay and limited room for advancement were the most common reasons Americans are leaving their jobs.
While many states reported either no change in quits or a month over month decline, in much 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 April 2022, the most recent month of available data, compared to the number of quits in March 2022.Â
It is important to note that even in states where quits fell in April, quit rates – the number of quits as a share of the total labor force – remained historically high. In most states, the number of people who quit their job in April is higher than the number who quit in April 2021.Â
Though there are exceptions, states with higher quit rates tend to have 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 workers in states with weaker job markers may be deterred. (Here is a look at the states where unemployment is at an all time low.)
Click here to see the states where quits are on the rise
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
50. Utah
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -25.8% (17,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 49,000 (2.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 1.9%
> Labor force size: 1,714,407 people
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
49. Arizona
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -23.8% (31,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 99,000 (3.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 3,556,902 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
48. Wyoming
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -23.1% (3,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 10,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> Labor force size: 290,691 people
Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
47. Vermont
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -22.2% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 7,000 (2.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.5%
> Labor force size: 332,746 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
46. Pennsylvania
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -15.3% (20,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 111,000 (1.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> Labor force size: 6,409,766 people
Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images
45. Nevada
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -14.9% (7,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 40,000 (2.8% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 5.0%
> Labor force size: 1,508,783 people
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Source: Sergey-AND-Marina / iStock via Getty Images
44. Florida
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -13.1% (50,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 333,000 (3.6% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> Labor force size: 10,542,655 people
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Source: ejs9 / E+ via Getty Images
43. Hawaii
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -11.8% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 15,000 (2.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 673,630 people
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
42. Alaska
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -11.8% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 15,000 (4.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.8%
> Labor force size: 361,817 people
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Source: MarkHatfield / iStock via Getty Images
41. Washington
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -10.4% (11,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 95,000 (2.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 4,023,291 people
Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
40. Montana
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -10.0% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 18,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> Labor force size: 560,660 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
39. Texas
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -8.2% (36,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 403,000 (3.0% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> Labor force size: 14,459,425 people
Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
38. South Dakota
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -7.7% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 12,000 (2.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> Labor force size: 473,832 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
37. Ohio
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -4.1% (6,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 139,000 (2.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.0%
> Labor force size: 5,773,484 people
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
36. North Carolina
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -3.9% (6,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 148,000 (3.1% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> Labor force size: 5,056,492 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
35. Oregon
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -3.4% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 56,000 (2.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.7%
> Labor force size: 2,193,742 people
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Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
34. Colorado
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -3.0% (3,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 97,000 (3.4% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> Labor force size: 3,225,366 people
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
33. New Jersey
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: -2.7% (3,000 fewer quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 108,000 (2.6% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 4,634,049 people
Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
32. Minnesota
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 72,000 (2.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> Labor force size: 3,080,002 people
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
31. South Carolina
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 86,000 (3.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> Labor force size: 2,391,819 people
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
30. Louisiana
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 63,000 (3.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 2,100,393 people
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Source: vkbhat / E+ via Getty Images
29. Idaho
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 29,000 (3.6% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.6%
> Labor force size: 937,017 people
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
28. West Virginia
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 23,000 (3.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.6%
> Labor force size: 794,631 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
27. Rhode Island
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 14,000 (2.8% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 569,045 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
26. Delaware
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: None
> Total quits in April 2022: 15,000 (3.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> Labor force size: 498,950 people
Source: JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images
25. Wisconsin
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +1.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 80,000 (2.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 3,147,274 people
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Source: choness / iStock via Getty Images
24. California
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +2.0% (9,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 465,000 (2.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> Labor force size: 19,229,150 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
23. Arkansas
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +2.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 44,000 (3.4% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 1,349,553 people
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
22. Illinois
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +3.0% (5,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 172,000 (2.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.6%
> Labor force size: 6,449,597 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
21. Indiana
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +3.6% (4,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 114,000 (3.6% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.2%
> Labor force size: 3,347,991 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
20. New Mexico
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +4.0% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 26,000 (3.1% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 5.3%
> Labor force size: 949,673 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
19. Alabama
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +4.3% (3,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 72,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 2,276,371 people
Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images
18. New York
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +5.5% (10,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 191,000 (2.0% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.5%
> Labor force size: 9,404,038 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
17. Maine
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +6.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 17,000 (2.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.3%
> Labor force size: 678,788 people
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
16. Mississippi
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +7.9% (3,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 41,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 1,264,202 people
Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
15. Virginia
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +8.6% (9,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 114,000 (2.8% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> Labor force size: 4,330,002 people
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
14. Maryland
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +8.8% (6,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 74,000 (2.7% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.2%
> Labor force size: 3,196,817 people
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
13. Georgia
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +10.1% (17,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 185,000 (3.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.1%
> Labor force size: 5,267,587 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
12. Tennessee
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +10.8% (11,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 113,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.2%
> Labor force size: 3,388,428 people
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Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images
11. Oklahoma
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +11.3% (6,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 59,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.7%
> Labor force size: 1,868,236 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
10. Kentucky
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +11.4% (8,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 78,000 (4.0% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.9%
> Labor force size: 2,062,849 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
9. Massachusetts
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +12.5% (9,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 81,000 (2.2% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.1%
> Labor force size: 3,775,535 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
8. Nebraska
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +13.3% (4,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 34,000 (3.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 1.9%
> Labor force size: 1,060,739 people
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
7. Kansas
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +13.9% (5,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 41,000 (2.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.4%
> Labor force size: 1,501,739 people
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Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
6. Connecticut
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +14.7% (5,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 39,000 (2.4% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.4%
> Labor force size: 1,887,900 people
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
5. Michigan
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +16.4% (18,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 128,000 (3.0% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 4.3%
> Labor force size: 4,833,339 people
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Source: dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images
4. Iowa
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +16.7% (7,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 49,000 (3.1% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.0%
> Labor force size: 1,697,705 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. New Hampshire
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +17.6% (3,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 20,000 (2.9% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.3%
> Labor force size: 759,932 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
2. North Dakota
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +27.3% (3,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 14,000 (3.3% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 2.8%
> Labor force size: 410,859 people
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Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
1. Missouri
> Change in quits, March-April 2022: +45.7% (32,000 more quits)
> Total quits in April 2022: 102,000 (3.5% of workforce)
> April 2022 unemployment: 3.4%
> Labor force size: 3,091,654 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 the number of people who quit in April 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 April 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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