The States With The Best Job Opportunities

Introduction And Methodology

Looking for the best place to build your career? In today's competitive labor market, not all job opportunities are created equal—and where you live plays a major role in how successful you’ll be. To help all the job seekers out there, we’ve analyzed the latest data to figure out which states have the best job opportunities.

To determine the best states for job opportunities in 2025, we analyzed data across four key employment metrics: Unemployment Rate, Job Openings Rate, Median Annual Wage, and Projected Job Growth. We’ll start with the state with the worst job opportunities and work our way up to the one with the best.

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50: West Virginia

Unemployment Rate: 3.9%

Job Openings Rate: 5.5%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $46,500

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 7.5%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Charleston, West Virginia mandritoiu, Adobe Stock

49: Mississippi

Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

Job Openings Rate: 5.6%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $45,700

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 8.7%

Vibrant urban scene of Jackson, Mississippi captured from a high vantage point Chad Robertson, Adobe Stock

48: Louisiana

Unemployment Rate: 3.8%

Job Openings Rate: 5.5%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $47,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 9.2%

Crowded Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Domenico Convertini, Flickr

47: Kentucky

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

Job Openings Rate: 5.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $47,800

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.7%

Vibrant urban scene of Louisville, Kentucky captured from a high vantage point Grindstone Media Grp, Adobe Stock

46: Alaska

Unemployment Rate: 4.0%

Job Openings Rate: 5.4%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $56,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 8.0%

Fairbanks, Alaska Quintin Soloviev, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

45: New Mexico

Unemployment Rate: 3.7%

Job Openings Rate: 5.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $48,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.1%

Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA MARELBU, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

44: Hawaii

Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

Job Openings Rate: 5.2%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $59,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 8.2%

Downtown Honolulu and the Hawaii State Capitol ArdentArbitration, Wikimedia Commons

43: Arkansas

Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Job Openings Rate: 6.2%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $46,800

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.0%

Vibrant urban scene of Little Rock, Arkansas captured from a high vantage point Felix Mizioznikov, Adobe Stock

42: Pennsylvania

Unemployment Rate: 4.1%

Job Openings Rate: 5.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $54,100

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.2%

Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania photosounds, Shutterstock

41: Oklahoma

Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Job Openings Rate: 6.2%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $49,700

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.1%

Vibrant urban scene of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma captured from a high vantage point Nicholas J. Klein, Adobe Stock

40: Maine

Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

Job Openings Rate: 6.0%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $50,800

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.9%

Aerial view of Augusta, Maine's skyline Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

39: Alabama

Unemployment Rate: 2.7%

Job Openings Rate: 6.1%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $48,600

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 12.0%

Aerial View Of Montgomery, Alabama Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons

38: Ohio

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Job Openings Rate: 6.0%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $52,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.4%

Vibrant urban scene of Columbus, Ohio captured from a high vantage point Nicholas J. Klein, Adobe Stock

37: Michigan

Unemployment Rate: 4.0%

Job Openings Rate: 5.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $54,800

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.8%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Lansing, Michigan Jacob, Adobe Stock

36: Rhode Island

Unemployment Rate: 3.7%

Job Openings Rate: 5.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $55,600

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 9.8%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Providence, Rhode Island Wangkun Jia, Adobe Stock

35: Iowa

Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

Job Openings Rate: 6.2%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $49,500

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 12.3%

Vibrant urban scene of Des Moines, Iowa captured from a high vantage point Grindstone Media Grp, Adobe Stock

34: Vermont

Unemployment Rate: 2.6%

Job Openings Rate: 6.1%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $52,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.6%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Montpelier, Vermont haveseen, Adobe Stock

33: Kansas

Unemployment Rate: 2.6%

Job Openings Rate: 6.3%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $48,900

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.9%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Topeka, Kansas Matt Gush, Adobe Stock

32: Missouri

Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

Job Openings Rate: 6.2%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $50,900

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.6%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Jefferson City, Missouri mandritoiu, Adobe Stock

31: Illinois

Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

Job Openings Rate: 5.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $57,600

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.5%

The Aurora, Illinois skyline during daytime Sea Cow, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

30: Wyoming

Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Job Openings Rate: 6.6%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $50,600

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.1%

Vibrant urban scene of Cheyenne, Wyoming captured from a high vantage point Jacob, Adobe Stock

29: Indiana

Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

Job Openings Rate: 6.4%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $50,400

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.5%

Vibrant urban scene of Indianapolis, Indiana captured from a high vantage point Nicholas J. Klein, Adobe Stock

28: Delaware

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Job Openings Rate: 6.0%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $58,400

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.2%

Historic district in Downtown Middletown, Delaware Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

27: Connecticut

Unemployment Rate: 3.8%

Job Openings Rate: 5.7%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $62,500

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 9.5%

Vibrant urban scene of Hartford, Connecticut captured from a high vantage point SeanPavonePhoto, Adobe Stock

26: Wisconsin

Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

Job Openings Rate: 6.3%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $52,600

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 12.6%

Vibrant urban scene of Madison, Wisconsine captured from a high vantage point mandritoiu, Adobe Stock

25: New York

Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

Job Openings Rate: 5.6%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $63,400

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.9%

Lukas Kloeppel Lukas Kloeppel, Pexels

24: New Jersey

Unemployment Rate: 4.1%

Job Openings Rate: 5.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $61,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 10.3%

Aerial view of Journal Square, Jersey City, New Jersey King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

23: Tennessee

Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Job Openings Rate: 6.4%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $51,700

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 14.7%

Vibrant urban scene of Chattanooga, Tennessee captured from a high vantage point Kevin Ruck, Adobe Stock

22: South Carolina

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Openings Rate: 6.6%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $50,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 15.0%

Vibrant urban scene of Columbia, South Carolina captured from a high vantage point Kevin Ruck, Adobe Stock

21: Maryland

Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Job Openings Rate: 6.1%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $59,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 12.4%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Annapolis, Maryland Christopher Boswell, Adobe Stock

20: Nebraska

Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

Job Openings Rate: 7.0%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $49,300

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.7%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Lincoln, Nebraska Jacob, Adobe Stock

19: Nevada

Unemployment Rate: 5.0%

Job Openings Rate: 6.6%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $52,800

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 17.0%

Downtown Las Vegas with the Las Vegas Valley Rmvisuals, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

18: North Dakota

Unemployment Rate: 2.3%

Job Openings Rate: 7.1%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $51,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.3%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Fargo, North Dakota Jacob, Adobe Stock

17: Montana

Unemployment Rate: 2.7%

Job Openings Rate: 6.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $50,500

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 14.3%

Billings, Montana skyline Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

16: Oregon

Unemployment Rate: 4.0%

Job Openings Rate: 6.5%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $56,400

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.8%

Portland, Oregon skyline from the Ross Island Bridge Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

15: California

Unemployment Rate: 4.7%

Job Openings Rate: 5.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $64,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 14.0%

File:San Francisco, California April 2022, Skyline along Bayfront 3.jpg Sharon Hahn Darlin, Wikimedia Commons

14: South Dakota

Unemployment Rate: 2.2%

Job Openings Rate: 7.2%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $48,300

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.9%

Vibrant urban scene of Sioux Falls, South Dakota captured from a high vantage point malajscy, Adobe Stock

13: Minnesota

Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Job Openings Rate: 6.7%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $56,100

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.0%

St. Paul, Minnesota Daniel McCullough, Unsplash

12: New Hampshire

Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

Job Openings Rate: 6.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $55,900

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 12.1%

Manchester, New Hampshire Mikespenard, Wikimedia Commons

11: Massachusetts

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Job Openings Rate: 6.3%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $63,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 11.5%

File:Boston skyline from South Boston November 2015.jpg King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons

10: Idaho

Unemployment Rate: 2.8%

Job Openings Rate: 6.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $51,300

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 17.8%

Boise, Idaho Pinpals, Pixabay

9: Virginia

Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

Job Openings Rate: 6.5%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $58,800

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 14.2%

Vibrant urban scene of Richmond, Virginia captured from a high vantage point Raynor, Adobe Stock

8: Washington

Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

Job Openings Rate: 6.4%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $62,700

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 13.0%

Seattle, Washington Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

7: North Carolina

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Openings Rate: 6.7%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $53,500

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 18.5%

Downtown Charlotte, North Carolina from the west, with Bank of America Stadium in the foreground Precisionviews, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

6: Arizona

Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

Job Openings Rate: 6.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $52,300

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 18.0%

Aerial shot of Downtown Gilbert, Arizona on a clear sunny day Authorization was obtained from the FAA for this operation in restricted airspace. halbergman, Getty Images

5: Georgia

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Job Openings Rate: 7.1%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $53,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 19.0%

Vibrant urban scene of Atlanta, Georgia captured from a high vantage point rodphotography, Adobe Stock

4: Florida

Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

Job Openings Rate: 6.9%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $55,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 21.5%

The image showcases a Vibrant urban scene of Miami, Florida Cristian, Adobe Stock

3: Colorado

Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Job Openings Rate: 7.0%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $60,000

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 16.5%

Vibrant urban scene of Colorado Springs, Colorado captured from a high vantage point Neil, Adobe Stock

2: Texas

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Job Openings Rate: 7.3%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $56,900

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 20.1%

Downtown Skyline From The Design District in Dallas 75316serk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

1: Utah

Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

Job Openings Rate: 7.8%

Median Annual Wage (Adjusted): $57,200

Projected Job Growth (2024–2034): 24.6%

Vibrant urban scene of Salt Lake City, Utah captured from a high vantage point Leonid Andronov, Adobe Stock

The States With The Best Job Opportunities—According To Data

The States With The Best Job Opportunities—According To Data

Introduction And Methodology

50: West Virginia

49: Mississippi

48: Louisiana

47: Kentucky

46: Alaska

45: New Mexico

44: Hawaii

43: Arkansas

42: Pennsylvania

41: Oklahoma

40: Maine

39: Alabama

38: Ohio

37: Michigan

36: Rhode Island

35: Iowa

34: Vermont

33: Kansas

32: Missouri

31: Illinois

30: Wyoming

29: Indiana

28: Delaware

27: Connecticut

26: Wisconsin

25: New York

24: New Jersey

23: Tennessee

22: South Carolina

21: Maryland

20: Nebraska

19: Nevada

18: North Dakota

17: Montana

16: Oregon

15: California

14: South Dakota

13: Minnesota

12: New Hampshire

11: Massachusetts

10: Idaho

9: Virginia

8: Washington

7: North Carolina

6: Arizona

5: Georgia

4: Florida

3: Colorado

2: Texas

1: Utah

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