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, nearly 4.3 million Americans quit their job in May 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 workers 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 May 2022 as a share of total employment.
Depending on the state, the share of workers who quit their jobs in May, the most recent month of available data, ranges from 1.8% to 4.8%. Nationwide, 2.8% of workers nationwide quit their jobs in May.
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 4.3 million Americans who quit in May 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: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
50. New Jersey
> Quits in May 2022: 1.8% of workforce (76,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.9% (181,724 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -14.6% (13,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 4,648,563 people
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49. New York
> Quits in May 2022: 1.9% of workforce (180,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.4% (414,806 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +23.3% (34,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 9,457,848 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
48. Massachusetts
> Quits in May 2022: 2.0% of workforce (72,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.9% (146,201 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.5% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,775,738 people
Source: gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images
47. Rhode Island
> Quits in May 2022: 2.2% of workforce (11,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.9% (16,492 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.0% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 570,102 people
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46. Connecticut
> Quits in May 2022: 2.2% of workforce (36,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.2% (78,732 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +33.3% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,895,140 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
45. Maine
> Quits in May 2022: 2.4% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (21,537 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: No change
> Labor force size: 679,101 people
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Source: JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images
44. Wisconsin
> Quits in May 2022: 2.4% of workforce (70,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.9% (89,892 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -5.4% (4,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 3,149,219 people
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43. Minnesota
> Quits in May 2022: 2.4% of workforce (70,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.0% (61,551 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +22.8% (13,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,086,907 people
Source: aiisha5 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Washington
> Quits in May 2022: 2.4% of workforce (84,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.9% (158,902 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +13.5% (10,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,036,317 people
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41. Ohio
> Quits in May 2022: 2.4% of workforce (134,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.9% (226,347 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -0.7% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 5,792,221 people
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
40. Hawaii
> Quits in May 2022: 2.5% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.2% (28,256 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +7.1% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 675,852 people
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39. Kansas
> Quits in May 2022: 2.5% of workforce (35,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.3% (35,359 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: No change
> Labor force size: 1,505,575 people
Source: franckreporter / E+ via Getty Images
38. Illinois
> Quits in May 2022: 2.5% of workforce (151,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.6% (297,757 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -2.6% (4,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 6,464,985 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
37. Maryland
> Quits in May 2022: 2.6% of workforce (71,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.0% (127,512 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.8% (15,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,203,076 people
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36. Vermont
> Quits in May 2022: 2.7% of workforce (8,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.3% (7,560 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 333,575 people
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
35. Nebraska
> Quits in May 2022: 2.7% of workforce (28,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 1.9% (19,916 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +12.0% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,062,678 people
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34. Virginia
> Quits in May 2022: 2.7% of workforce (108,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.0% (128,841 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.8% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 4,347,177 people
Source: gangliu10 / iStock via Getty Images
33. Pennsylvania
> Quits in May 2022: 2.7% of workforce (158,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.6% (297,505 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +62.9% (61,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 6,439,727 people
Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
32. California
> Quits in May 2022: 2.7% of workforce (472,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.3% (835,058 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +24.5% (93,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 19,304,237 people
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31. New Mexico
> Quits in May 2022: 2.8% of workforce (24,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 5.1% (48,385 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.3% (3,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 951,866 people
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
30. Nevada
> Quits in May 2022: 2.8% of workforce (41,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.9% (74,171 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.1% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,515,764 people
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29. Oregon
> Quits in May 2022: 2.8% of workforce (54,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.6% (78,641 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -10.0% (6,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 2,202,820 people
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
28. Michigan
> Quits in May 2022: 2.8% of workforce (121,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.3% (207,270 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -1.6% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 4,849,351 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. Texas
> Quits in May 2022: 2.8% of workforce (380,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.2% (608,248 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.5% (13,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 14,516,071 people
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26. South Dakota
> Quits in May 2022: 2.9% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.3% (10,721 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.2% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 475,729 people
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
25. Iowa
> Quits in May 2022: 2.9% of workforce (45,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.7% (46,771 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +12.5% (5,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,703,947 people
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24. Utah
> Quits in May 2022: 2.9% of workforce (48,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.0% (34,061 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.3% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,722,848 people
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23. Oklahoma
> Quits in May 2022: 2.9% of workforce (48,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.8% (52,013 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: No change
> Labor force size: 1,875,037 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Alabama
> Quits in May 2022: 2.9% of workforce (60,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.7% (61,621 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -7.7% (5,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 2,284,598 people
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21. North Dakota
> Quits in May 2022: 3.1% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.6% (10,756 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.3% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 410,871 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
20. Delaware
> Quits in May 2022: 3.1% of workforce (14,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.5% (22,636 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: No change
> Labor force size: 500,114 people
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19. New Hampshire
> Quits in May 2022: 3.1% of workforce (21,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.1% (16,280 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +40.0% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 762,367 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
18. West Virginia
> Quits in May 2022: 3.1% of workforce (22,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.5% (27,913 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -4.3% (1,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 795,826 people
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
17. Louisiana
> Quits in May 2022: 3.1% of workforce (60,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.0% (83,483 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: No change
> Labor force size: 2,107,341 people
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
16. Indiana
> Quits in May 2022: 3.1% of workforce (100,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.2% (73,911 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +2.0% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,364,365 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
15. Arkansas
> Quits in May 2022: 3.2% of workforce (42,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (42,771 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +2.4% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,352,098 people
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14. Colorado
> Quits in May 2022: 3.2% of workforce (90,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.5% (114,670 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.1% (9,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,240,739 people
Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images
13. Arizona
> Quits in May 2022: 3.2% of workforce (99,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (115,188 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +11.2% (10,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,569,593 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
12. Tennessee
> Quits in May 2022: 3.2% of workforce (104,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.3% (112,018 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +4.0% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,405,582 people
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11. Missouri
> Quits in May 2022: 3.3% of workforce (95,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.1% (96,446 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.8% (15,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 3,088,085 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
10. North Carolina
> Quits in May 2022: 3.3% of workforce (156,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.4% (170,970 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: -1.3% (2,000 fewer quits)
> Labor force size: 5,087,550 people
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Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
9. Mississippi
> Quits in May 2022: 3.4% of workforce (39,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.0% (50,087 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +2.6% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 1,267,649 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. Kentucky
> Quits in May 2022: 3.5% of workforce (67,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.8% (78,893 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +6.3% (4,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,064,679 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
7. Idaho
> Quits in May 2022: 3.7% of workforce (30,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.5% (23,605 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.4% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 943,390 people
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
6. South Carolina
> Quits in May 2022: 3.7% of workforce (81,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.3% (79,162 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.1% (13,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 2,401,251 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Georgia
> Quits in May 2022: 3.7% of workforce (178,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.0% (157,542 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +3.5% (6,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 5,281,828 people
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4. Montana
> Quits in May 2022: 3.8% of workforce (19,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 2.4% (13,739 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +5.6% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 562,828 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
3. Wyoming
> Quits in May 2022: 3.9% of workforce (11,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.2% (9,228 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +10.0% (1,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 290,851 people
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
2. Florida
> Quits in May 2022: 4.0% of workforce (373,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 3.0% (312,812 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +43.5% (113,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 10,592,472 people
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1. Alaska
> Quits in May 2022: 4.8% of workforce (15,000 total quits)
> May 2022 unemployment: 4.7% (16,927 people)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +15.4% (2,000 more quits)
> Labor force size: 362,605 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 May 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.
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