For months, the American job market has been suffering from a historic labor shortage. Major disruptions in recent years – including reduced immigration, mass retirements, and surging quit rates – reduced the U.S. labor force by millions and left businesses struggling to fill open positions. While the problem still looms large, conditions are beginning to improve for employers in much of the country.
According to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 11.3 million unfilled jobs nationwide at the end of May, 3.7% fewer than in the previous month. In some states, the decline in job openings was even more pronounced.Â
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 35 states where job openings are disappearing. States are ranked by the change in the number of open jobs between April 2022 and May 2022, the most recent months of available data. Â
Among the 35 states that reported a month-over-month reduction in job openings, declines range from 0.6% to over 20%. The states reporting the largest drop in the number of unfilled jobs are concentrated in the Midwest.Â
While employers in these states are generally better positioned now than they were in April in terms of unfilled jobs, job openings remain historically high, exceeding the number of openings a year ago in nearly every state on this list. Among the 35 states, anywhere from 5.4% to 8.2% of jobs remain unfilled.Â
Despite the still relatively high need for workers, a small percentage of the labor force remains unemployed in these states, suggesting 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 unemployment rate among the states on this list ranges from 1.9% to 5.1%. The national jobless rate, meanwhile, stands at 3.6%. (Here is a look at the states where unemployment is at an all time low.)
Click here to see the states where job openings are disappearing.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
35. South Carolina
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -0.6% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 179,000 (7.5% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.3% (79,162 people)
> Labor force size: 2,401,251 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
34. New Jersey
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -1.0% (3,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 285,000 (6.4% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.9% (181,724 people)
> Labor force size: 4,648,563 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
33. New Hampshire
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -1.8% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 55,000 (7.5% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.1% (16,280 people)
> Labor force size: 762,367 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
32. Maine
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.0% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 49,000 (7.2% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (21,537 people)
> Labor force size: 679,101 people
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
31. Oklahoma
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.3% (3,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 125,000 (6.9% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.8% (52,013 people)
> Labor force size: 1,875,037 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
30. North Carolina
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.5% (10,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 386,000 (7.5% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.4% (170,970 people)
> Labor force size: 5,087,550 people
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29. Ohio
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.6% (11,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 420,000 (7.1% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.9% (226,347 people)
> Labor force size: 5,792,221 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
28. Texas
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.8% (28,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 974,000 (6.8% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.2% (608,248 people)
> Labor force size: 14,516,071 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
27. Delaware
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.9% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 34,000 (6.9% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.5% (22,636 people)
> Labor force size: 500,114 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
26. New Mexico
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -2.9% (2,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 66,000 (7.2% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 5.1% (48,385 people)
> Labor force size: 951,866 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
25. Vermont
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -3.7% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 26,000 (8.0% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.3% (7,560 people)
> Labor force size: 333,575 people
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24. Colorado
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -3.9% (9,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 220,000 (7.2% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.5% (114,670 people)
> Labor force size: 3,240,739 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
23. Wyoming
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -4.2% (1,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 23,000 (7.5% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (9,228 people)
> Labor force size: 290,851 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
22. Tennessee
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -4.5% (12,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 253,000 (7.3% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.3% (112,018 people)
> Labor force size: 3,405,582 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
21. Missouri
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -4.6% (11,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 229,000 (7.3% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.1% (96,446 people)
> Labor force size: 3,088,085 people
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
20. Michigan
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -4.9% (18,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 351,000 (7.5% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.3% (207,270 people)
> Labor force size: 4,849,351 people
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19. West Virginia
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -5.0% (3,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 57,000 (7.4% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.5% (27,913 people)
> Labor force size: 795,826 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Kentucky
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -5.6% (10,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 168,000 (8.0% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.8% (78,893 people)
> Labor force size: 2,064,679 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
17. Alabama
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -5.7% (9,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 148,000 (6.6% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.7% (61,621 people)
> Labor force size: 2,284,598 people
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16. Alaska
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -6.7% (2,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 28,000 (8.2% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.7% (16,927 people)
> Labor force size: 362,605 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
15. Oregon
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -6.8% (10,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 137,000 (6.6% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.6% (78,641 people)
> Labor force size: 2,202,820 people
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14. Nevada
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -7.0% (8,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 107,000 (6.9% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.9% (74,171 people)
> Labor force size: 1,515,764 people
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13. New York
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -7.4% (43,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 538,000 (5.4% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.4% (414,806 people)
> Labor force size: 9,457,848 people
Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
12. South Dakota
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -8.1% (3,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 34,000 (7.0% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.3% (10,721 people)
> Labor force size: 475,729 people
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11. Nebraska
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -8.1% (7,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 79,000 (7.1% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 1.9% (19,916 people)
> Labor force size: 1,062,678 people
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
10. Iowa
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -8.4% (11,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 120,000 (7.1% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.7% (46,771 people)
> Labor force size: 1,703,947 people
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9. Indiana
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -8.4% (21,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 229,000 (6.7% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.2% (73,911 people)
> Labor force size: 3,364,365 people
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
8. Kansas
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -9.1% (10,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 100,000 (6.7% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.3% (35,359 people)
> Labor force size: 1,505,575 people
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
7. Florida
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -9.5% (69,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 660,000 (6.6% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.0% (312,812 people)
> Labor force size: 10,592,472 people
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6. Arizona
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -9.9% (22,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 200,000 (6.2% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (115,188 people)
> Labor force size: 3,569,593 people
Source: filo / iStock via Getty Images
5. Wisconsin
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -10.3% (26,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 226,000 (7.2% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.9% (89,892 people)
> Labor force size: 3,149,219 people
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4. North Dakota
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -11.1% (4,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 32,000 (7.0% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.6% (10,756 people)
> Labor force size: 410,871 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
3. Georgia
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -15.8% (69,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 367,000 (7.1% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.0% (157,542 people)
> Labor force size: 5,281,828 people
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
2. Hawaii
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -16.7% (9,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 45,000 (6.9% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.2% (28,256 people)
> Labor force size: 675,852 people
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1. Illinois
> Change in job openings, April 2022-May 2022: -20.1% (102,000 fewer open jobs)
> Total job openings at the end of May 2022: 405,000 (6.3% of all jobs)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.6% (297,757 people)
> Labor force size: 6,464,985 people
Methodology
To determine the states where job openings are disappearing, 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 open jobs between April 2022 and May 2022.Â
Job openings are the number of positions – full-time, part-time, seasonal, short-term, or permanent – open on the last business day of a given month. 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.Â
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