The COVID-19 pandemic sent the U.S. unemployment rate up to a post Great Depression high of 14.7% in April 2020. Though the jobless rate has since fallen back below 4%, the U.S. job market today is far different from pre-pandemic norms. One difference is that Americans are now quitting their jobs at a historic pace.
A record high 4.5 million Americans quit their job in November 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – continuing a trend of record-breaking quit rates throughout the year. Broad explanations for what has been dubbed the Great Resignation include child care demands in the face of school closures, pandemic-related workplace risks or challenges, and a desire for a better job or one with higher pay and more benefits.Â
While the Great Resignation is a national phenomenon, workers in some states appear more likely to quit than those in others.Â
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 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 November 2021 as a share of total employment.Â
Depending on the state, the share of workers who quit their jobs in November, the most recent month of available data, ranges from 2.3% to 4.5%. For context, 3.0% of workers nationwide quit their jobs in November.Â
Specific explanations for the high quit rates vary by industry. According to a recent report from consulting firm McKinsey & Company, workers planning to quit in the hospitality and health care sectors cite an unmanageable workload. Meanwhile, those in the transportation, manufacturing, and construction industries point to a lack of professional growth, while workers leaving the education sector often report not feeling supported by colleagues. Here is a look at the industry people are quitting the fastest.Â
Though there are exceptions, states with higher unemployment rates tend to have lower quit rates. Since quits do not account for workers who retired, each of the 4.5 million Americans who quit in November will presumably take another job – and a weaker job market may act as a deterrent in some parts of the country, while a stronger job market may encourage some workers. This state has the highest unemployment in America.
Click here to see the states where the most people are quitting their jobs
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. New York
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.3% of workforce (209,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.5% (the highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +59.5%
> Labor force size: 9,188,192 people
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49. Washington
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.4% of workforce (84,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.6% (20th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +35.5%
> Labor force size: 3,941,030 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
48. Pennsylvania
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.4% of workforce (139,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.3% (15th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +19.8%
> Labor force size: 6,222,776 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
47. Massachusetts
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.5% of workforce (89,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.6% (9th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +48.3%
> Labor force size: 3,745,089 people
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46. New Jersey
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.5% of workforce (102,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.2% (7th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0%
> Labor force size: 4,428,115 people
Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
45. California
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.5% of workforce (415,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +48.2%
> Labor force size: 19,174,527 people
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44. Ohio
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.6% of workforce (141,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.4% (22nd highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.6%
> Labor force size: 5,682,965 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
43. Maryland
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.7% of workforce (73,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.6% (9th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +43.1%
> Labor force size: 3,129,583 people
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
42. Minnesota
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.7% of workforce (79,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.2% (13th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +46.3%
> Labor force size: 3,027,052 people
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41. Virginia
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.7% of workforce (106,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.7% (20th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +14.0%
> Labor force size: 4,262,219 people
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
40. Hawaii
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.8% of workforce (16,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +45.5%
> Labor force size: 649,967 people
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39. Nebraska
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.9% of workforce (30,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.2% (the lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +20.0%
> Labor force size: 1,026,620 people
Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images
38. Iowa
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 2.9% of workforce (44,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +37.5%
> Labor force size: 1,666,277 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
37. South Dakota
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.0% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.1% (10th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +44.4%
> Labor force size: 470,079 people
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36. New Mexico
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.0% of workforce (25,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.3% (6th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +38.9%
> Labor force size: 958,170 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
35. Connecticut
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.0% of workforce (49,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.8% (8th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +69.0%
> Labor force size: 1,850,252 people
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34. Oregon
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.1% of workforce (59,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.4% (22nd highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +51.3%
> Labor force size: 2,170,491 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
33. Missouri
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.1% of workforce (90,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +42.9%
> Labor force size: 3,036,287 people
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
32. Michigan
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.1% of workforce (132,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.2% (16th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +32.0%
> Labor force size: 4,767,091 people
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31. Kansas
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.2% of workforce (45,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +45.2%
> Labor force size: 1,496,148 people
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
30. Arizona
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.2% of workforce (97,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.2% (25th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +24.4%
> Labor force size: 3,672,206 people
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29. Texas
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.2% of workforce (411,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.5% (11th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +26.9%
> Labor force size: 14,429,974 people
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28. Rhode Island
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.3% of workforce (16,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.1% (17th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +60.0%
> Labor force size: 556,597 people
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27. Nevada
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.3% of workforce (45,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +18.4%
> Labor force size: 1,542,205 people
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26. Illinois
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.3% of workforce (192,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.5% (11th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +53.6%
> Labor force size: 6,333,414 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
25. Utah
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.4% of workforce (55,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.4% (2nd lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +48.6%
> Labor force size: 1,698,570 people
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24. Wisconsin
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.4% of workforce (97,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +67.2%
> Labor force size: 3,102,248 people
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23. Florida
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.4% of workforce (301,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.6% (20th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +30.9%
> Labor force size: 10,644,641 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Arkansas
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.5% of workforce (45,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.2% (13th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.6%
> Labor force size: 1,353,114 people
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21. Oklahoma
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.5% of workforce (58,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +41.5%
> Labor force size: 1,871,217 people
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20. Colorado
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.5% of workforce (96,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.4% (13th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +45.5%
> Labor force size: 3,217,519 people
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19. Wyoming
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.6% of workforce (10,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.4% (14th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +42.9%
> Labor force size: 291,339 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. West Virginia
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.6% of workforce (25,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +25.0%
> Labor force size: 784,706 people
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17. Idaho
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.6% of workforce (28,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +40.0%
> Labor force size: 909,318 people
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16. Louisiana
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.6% of workforce (68,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.1% (17th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +21.4%
> Labor force size: 2,068,808 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
15. Tennessee
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.6% of workforce (112,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.1% (25th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +31.8%
> Labor force size: 3,325,345 people
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14. Alabama
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.7% of workforce (76,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +43.4%
> Labor force size: 2,251,091 people
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13. South Carolina
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.7% of workforce (79,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +8.2%
> Labor force size: 2,385,004 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
12. Delaware
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.8% of workforce (17,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.0% (19th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +30.8%
> Labor force size: 490,315 people
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11. Maine
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.8% of workforce (23,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.4% (13th highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +64.3%
> Labor force size: 672,067 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
10. Mississippi
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.8% of workforce (43,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +22.9%
> Labor force size: 1,251,090 people
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9. Indiana
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.8% of workforce (117,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.1% (10th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +51.9%
> Labor force size: 3,313,444 people
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8. Alaska
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.9% of workforce (12,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.5% (the highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +71.4%
> Labor force size: 352,259 people
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7. Montana
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 3.9% of workforce (19,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +35.7%
> Labor force size: 542,991 people
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6. North Carolina
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 4.0% of workforce (181,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.4% (22nd highest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +37.1%
> Labor force size: 5,066,946 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
5. Kentucky
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 4.2% of workforce (79,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +31.7%
> Labor force size: 2,014,555 people
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4. North Dakota
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 4.3% of workforce (18,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.5% (15th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +63.6%
> Labor force size: 399,379 people
Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
3. Vermont
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 4.4% of workforce (13,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +62.5%
> Labor force size: 317,782 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
2. New Hampshire
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 4.5% of workforce (30,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.1% (10th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +114.3%
> Labor force size: 741,833 people
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1. Georgia
> Quits in Nov. 2021: 4.5% of workforce (206,000 total quits)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.2% (13th lowest)
> 1-year change in number of workers who quit: +58.5%
> Labor force size: 5,191,214 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 (JOLTS) report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. States are ranked by the quit rate – the number of people who quit in November 2021 as a share of total employment. For multiple states with the same quit rate, ties were broken by the actual number of quits.
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