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.

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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, 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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

Leonid Andronov, Adobe Stock

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