States Where the Most Workers Are Quitting Their Jobs

The Great Resignation isn’t over. While tens of millions left their jobs during the pandemic, the labor market appears to be coming off the boil slowly as recession fears have convinced more workers to stay put. Still, people are always eager to leave a bad situation, and some states seem to have trouble keeping people at their workplace. Here are the states losing the most workers. 

9. South Dakota (tie)

While South Dakota’s tourism industry is a major employer, when the weather gets cold, the employment demand dries up. Seasonal workers may expect to be laid off in fall, but it doesn’t sting any less. The state has an average quitting rate of 2.675% per month between April and July.

9. Mississippi (tie)

Agriculture is Mississippi’s No. 1 industry, employing approximately 17.4% of the state’s workforce. Not surprisingly, there’s plenty of turnover, with the average quitting rate being 2.675% per month.

8. Louisiana

The average hourly pay in Louisiana is $22.71, which doesn’t measure up to some other states. The quitting rate is 2.85% per month.

7. Colorado

While workers may not have a problem with their jobs, they do have a problem paying for rent, which has been on the rise in Colorado. The difficulty affording a place to live may account for the state’s 2.85% monthly quit rate.

6. West Virginia

One of only three states that’s had a population decrease since 2010 and the state with the largest population percentage loss at 3.2%, West Virginia is suffering from a dying coal industry and limited opportunities. Not surprisingly, the state has a 2.875% monthly quit rate.

4. Idaho (tie)

Boise has become a destination for people leaving more expensive locations — and that’s boosted the cost of living. That’s one reason the quit rate is 2.9%.

4. Wyoming (tie)

Wyoming has a monthly quit rate of 2.9% because it has a limited job market and a remotely located population. Low wages in many sectors have people looking for work elsewhere.

3. South Carolina

The monthly quit rate of 2.95% has plenty to do with poor wages. With inflation rising even by a small amount, some may be motivated to look for work in another state.

2. Montana

The monthly quit rate of 3.2% is largely due to high housing costs and the seasonal workplace, with tourism and fishing driving much of the economy in the state.

1. Alaska

In addition to Alaska being a remote state with cold weather, it’s also seasonal, with many people opting to get high-paying work in the fishing industry — then heading south when the season is over. With lots of movement, the quit rate is 3.425% per month.

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