The 10 Best and 10 Worst States to Find a Job Now

The 10 best and 10 worst states for job seekers, based on the latest state-by-state unemployment figures, show a labor market that’s steady overall but uneven across the map. We use August 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data—the most recent comprehensive state snapshot—to gauge where the odds most favor finding work right now. (bls.gov)

What We Measured

Unemployment rates aren’t the only way to judge a job market, but they’re the clearest comparable metric across states. In August, the U.S. jobless rate was 4.3%. Washington, D.C., recorded the highest rate overall at 6.0% (D.C. isn’t a state), while California led among states at 5.5%. South Dakota, by contrast, was lowest at 1.9%. (bls.gov)

Top 10: Easiest States

South Dakota has the nation’s lowest jobless rate at 1.9%, followed by North Dakota and Vermont (2.5%), Hawaii (2.7%), and Alabama and Montana (2.9%). Rounding out the top tier are Nebraska and New Hampshire (3.0%), and Oklahoma and Wisconsin (3.1%). In these places, a smaller pool of job seekers relative to openings typically means quicker hiring and more offers. (bls.gov)

Top 10: Toughest States

California leads states with a 5.5% unemployment rate, followed by Nevada (5.3%) and Michigan (5.2%). Next are Oregon, Ohio, and New Jersey (each 5.0%), Massachusetts (4.8%), and Kentucky and Alaska (4.7%). The 10th spot goes to Rhode Island (4.6%). Washington, D.C. tops the list at 6.0%, but it is not included in the state ranking. These higher rates suggest more competition per opening and longer job searches. (bls.gov)

Why It Matters

State-by-state gaps reflect different industry mixes, demographics, and migration patterns. Plains states and parts of Northern New England continue to post very low joblessness, while several larger, more diverse economies show higher rates as they absorb sector shifts and slower hiring. For job seekers, this translates into meaningful differences in interview volume, time-to-offer, and leverage on pay and flexibility.

What’s Next

The BLS updates state unemployment monthly; August 2025 is the latest posted data as of publication. The agency scheduled the September 2025 state report for October 21, 2025, and additional updates typically follow on a regular cadence. We’ll refresh these rankings as new figures are released. (bls.gov)

Sources

• STATE EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT — AUGUST 2025 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 19, 2025)
• State unemployment rates, seasonally adjusted — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (August 2025)
• August State Unemployment Remained Unchanged in 26 States, Decreased in 13, Increased in 12 — U.S. Joint Economic Committee (September 19, 2025)