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 is far from pre-pandemic norms in at least one other key measure – labor supply.
The U.S. is currently grappling with a massive labor shortage. Due largely to the pandemic, millions of workers have decided to retire, over 1 million mothers of school-age children have left the workforce, and there are about 2 million fewer working-age immigrants in the country. Currently, the labor force participation rate – the share of Americans 16 and older either working or looking for work – stands at 61.9%, a low not seen in the pre-pandemic United States since 1977.
As a result, employers nationwide are struggling to fill open positions. As of the end of November 2021, there were 10.6 million open jobs in the United States, a 56% increase from one year ago. While the labor shortage is a problem across the country, some states are being hit harder than others.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most job openings. States are ranked by the number of open jobs as of the end of November 2021, the most recent date of available data.
Depending on the state, the share of jobs that remain unfilled ranges from 5.8% up to 8.8%. For context, 6.6% of jobs nationwide are unfilled.
The national labor shortage is exacerbating supply chain issues and creating an existential challenge for many small businesses. Even major companies have been forced to reduce their hours of operation. Chain restaurants, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Chipotle, as well as major retailers like Macy’s, have cut hours of operations in some or all of their locations. Here is a look at the industry people are quitting the fastest.
Click here to see the states with the most job openings
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. Delaware
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 5.8% of all jobs (28,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.0% (19th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +47.4%
> Labor force size: 490,315 people
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49. Washington
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.0% of all jobs (221,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.6% (20th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +49.3%
> Labor force size: 3,941,030 people
Source: AndreyKrav / iStock via Getty Images
48. Minnesota
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.1% of all jobs (189,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.2% (13th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +64.3%
> Labor force size: 3,027,052 people
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images
47. Illinois
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.1% of all jobs (379,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.5% (11th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +56.6%
> Labor force size: 6,333,414 people
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46. Arkansas
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.2% of all jobs (85,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.2% (13th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +39.3%
> Labor force size: 1,353,114 people
Source: DustyPixel / iStock via Getty Images
45. California
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.2% of all jobs (1,118,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +60.6%
> Labor force size: 19,174,527 people
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44. Iowa
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.3% of all jobs (104,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +46.5%
> Labor force size: 1,666,277 people
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43. Kansas
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.4% of all jobs (95,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +46.2%
> Labor force size: 1,496,148 people
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
42. Texas
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.4% of all jobs (884,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.5% (11th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +56.2%
> Labor force size: 14,429,974 people
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41. Connecticut
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.5% of all jobs (112,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.8% (8th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +72.3%
> Labor force size: 1,850,252 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
40. Oklahoma
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.5% of all jobs (114,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +37.3%
> Labor force size: 1,871,217 people
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39. Pennsylvania
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.5% of all jobs (400,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.3% (15th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +48.7%
> Labor force size: 6,222,776 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
38. South Dakota
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (31,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.1% (10th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +40.9%
> Labor force size: 470,079 people
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
37. Nebraska
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (72,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.2% (the lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +41.2%
> Labor force size: 1,026,620 people
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36. Mississippi
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (81,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +39.7%
> Labor force size: 1,251,090 people
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
35. Louisiana
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (131,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.1% (17th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +36.5%
> Labor force size: 2,068,808 people
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34. Alabama
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (146,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +41.7%
> Labor force size: 2,251,091 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
32. Florida
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (631,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.6% (20th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +61.8%
> Labor force size: 10,644,641 people
Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images
33. New York
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.6% of all jobs (636,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.5% (the highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +79.7%
> Labor force size: 9,188,192 people
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31. Utah
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.7% of all jobs (117,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.4% (2nd lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +60.3%
> Labor force size: 1,698,570 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
30. Oregon
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.7% of all jobs (137,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.4% (22nd highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +29.2%
> Labor force size: 2,170,491 people
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29. Wisconsin
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.7% of all jobs (209,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +68.5%
> Labor force size: 3,102,248 people
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28. New Jersey
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.7% of all jobs (290,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.2% (7th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +33.6%
> Labor force size: 4,428,115 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
27. Maine
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.8% of all jobs (45,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.4% (13th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +55.2%
> Labor force size: 672,067 people
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26. New Mexico
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.8% of all jobs (60,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.3% (6th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +50.0%
> Labor force size: 958,170 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
25. Kentucky
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.8% of all jobs (137,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +45.7%
> Labor force size: 2,014,555 people
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24. Maryland
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.8% of all jobs (198,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.6% (9th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +44.5%
> Labor force size: 3,129,583 people
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
23. Arizona
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.8% of all jobs (220,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.2% (25th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +47.7%
> Labor force size: 3,672,206 people
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
22. North Dakota
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.9% of all jobs (31,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.5% (15th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +63.2%
> Labor force size: 399,379 people
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21. Tennessee
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.9% of all jobs (232,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.1% (25th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +60.0%
> Labor force size: 3,325,345 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
20. North Carolina
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 6.9% of all jobs (338,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.4% (22nd highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +62.5%
> Labor force size: 5,066,946 people
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19. Idaho
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.0% of all jobs (59,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +43.9%
> Labor force size: 909,318 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
18. Virginia
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.0% of all jobs (301,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.7% (20th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +45.4%
> Labor force size: 4,262,219 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
17. Wyoming
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.1% of all jobs (21,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.4% (14th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +40.0%
> Labor force size: 291,339 people
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16. Colorado
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.1% of all jobs (212,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.4% (13th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +89.3%
> Labor force size: 3,217,519 people
Source: haveseen / iStock via Getty Images
15. Vermont
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.2% of all jobs (23,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +64.3%
> Labor force size: 317,782 people
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14. Missouri
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.2% of all jobs (221,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +70.0%
> Labor force size: 3,036,287 people
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13. Indiana
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.2% of all jobs (240,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.1% (10th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +55.8%
> Labor force size: 3,313,444 people
Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images
12. Michigan
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.2% of all jobs (330,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.2% (16th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +55.7%
> Labor force size: 4,767,091 people
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11. Ohio
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.2% of all jobs (420,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.4% (22nd highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +68.0%
> Labor force size: 5,682,965 people
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
10. Rhode Island
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.3% of all jobs (38,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.1% (17th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +65.2%
> Labor force size: 556,597 people
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9. South Carolina
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.3% of all jobs (170,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 3.0% (24th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +40.5%
> Labor force size: 2,385,004 people
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
8. West Virginia
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.4% of all jobs (55,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.6% (19th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +19.6%
> Labor force size: 784,706 people
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7. Nevada
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.4% of all jobs (109,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +70.3%
> Labor force size: 1,542,205 people
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6. Massachusetts
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.5% of all jobs (290,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 4.6% (9th highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +80.1%
> Labor force size: 3,745,089 people
Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
5. Georgia
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.6% of all jobs (379,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.2% (13th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +47.5%
> Labor force size: 5,191,214 people
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4. Montana
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.8% of all jobs (41,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 1.9% (7th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +51.9%
> Labor force size: 542,991 people
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
3. New Hampshire
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 7.9% of all jobs (57,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 2.1% (10th lowest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +67.6%
> Labor force size: 741,833 people
Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images
2. Hawaii
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 8.3% of all jobs (52,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.4% (3rd highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +67.7%
> Labor force size: 649,967 people
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1. Alaska
> Job openings at the end of Nov. 2021: 8.8% of all jobs (30,000 total openings)
> Nov 2021 unemployment: 5.5% (the highest)
> 1-year change in job openings: +36.4%
> Labor force size: 352,259 people
Methodology
To determine the States with the most job openings, 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 job openings rate, which is computed by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job openings and multiplying that quotient by 100. For multiple states with the same job openings rate, ties were broken by the actual number of job openings.
Job openings are the number of positions – full-time, part-time, seasonal, short-term, or permanent – open on the last business day of November 2021, the most recent month of available data. In order to be counted as open, a job has to start within 30 days of when the employer can find a suitable candidate.
Figures on unemployment and labor force size, which includes Americans either working or actively looking for work, are also from the BLS.
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