Best and Worst States for Job Opportunities
Falls Park Waterfalls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. istock.com/yinyang
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South Dakota tops the list while Kentucky is No. 50 based on an analysis using 35 economic metrics.
South Dakota ranks No. 1 on a new list of best and worst states for job opportunities.
According to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, the state has a variety of high-demand, high-wage jobs in accounting and finance, mechanics, specialty trades, nursing and health care and technology. It also boasts a lower cost of living than the national average in terms of housing, utilities and transportation, and offers an abundance of outdoor activities.
After South Dakota, the WalletHub ranking lists the best states for employment as Nebraska, Washington, New Hampshire, Utah, North Dakota, Kansas, Vermont, Delaware and Colorado.
The states at the bottom of the list are Mississippi, Hawaii, Louisiana, West Virginia and Kentucky.
WalletHub also ranked the states by category:
States with the highest number of job opportunities: New Hampshire, Vermont, Nebraska, Utah and South Dakota.
States with the lowest number of job opportunities: Connecticut, New Mexico, California, New York and Hawaii.
States with highest median income: Virginia, Minnesota, Utah, New Jersey and Maryland.
States with the lowest median income: Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Maine and West Virginia.
States with the shortest commute times: South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Nebreska.
States with the longest commute times: California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland and New York.
States with the highest job satisfaction: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and Utah.
States with the lowest job satisfaction: Maryland, Louisiana, Florida, Connecticut and Delaware.
To determine the most attractive states for employment, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 35 key indicators of job-market strength, employment opportunity and economic health.
For more information about the ranking click here.
Jean Dimeo is managing editor for Route Fifty.
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