The Best and Worst States for Workers: Where Does Yours Rank?

Where you live can have a huge impact on your job, affecting how much you earn, how safe your workplace is, and even how fair your paycheck is compared to your coworkers. Some states offer strong wages, plenty of job opportunities, and better worker protections, while others lag behind.

To find out where workers have it best (and worst), we analyzed all states based on four factors: salary, job market strength, workplace safety, and gender pay equity. Using the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and state labor departments, we ranked every state to see which ones provide the strongest support for workers and which have room for improvement.

Key takeaways

• Washington, D.C., New York, and Maryland are the best states for workers.

• Washington, D.C., has the highest annual mean wage at $106,230, while Mississippi ranks the lowest at just $47,570 — a significant gap highlighting regional income disparities.

• Gender pay gaps remain wide: California (89.9%) has the smallest gender pay gap, while Louisiana (73.7%) has the largest.

The best states for workers

Not all states offer the same opportunities and protections for workers. Average wages, job security, and safety conditions can vary widely depending on where you live, making some states far better places to work than others.

Washington, D.C., New York, and Maryland ranked as the top states for workers. The District of Columbia secured the top place due to ranking first in salary and workplace safety. New York also performed well in those categories and had a strong job market ranking. Maryland was more well-rounded, ranking highly across the board.

Lower wages, weaker job markets, and fewer worker protections can make employment more challenging in other states. Nevada ranked lowest overall, with the poorest job rank (51st) and a workplace safety rank (46th) that wasn't much better. However, it wasn't all bad news for this state, as Nevada ranked 15th in pay equality between men and women.

Wages, pay gaps, and job opportunities across the U.S.

A state's overall ranking for workers doesn't always tell the full story. Some states have strong protections and benefits, but wages, job availability, and pay equity can still vary widely. These rankings break down key factors to show how states compare in each category.

Wages and Pay Gaps

Washington, D.C., led with an annual mean salary of $106,230, while Mississippi had the lowest at $47,570 — a gap of over $58,000. Much of the South and Midwest reported lower wages, while Northeastern and West Coast states tended to offer higher pay. However, it's important to note that the cost of living also plays a role, meaning a high salary in one state may not stretch as far as a lower salary in another.

One key reason for wage disparities is minimum wage laws. Currently, 20 states follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Others have set much higher minimums, like D.C. ($17.50) and Washington ($16.66), as well as California and New York ($16.50). This leads to stark differences in income potential for workers depending on location.

Pay equity between men and women also remains a concern. Women in Louisiana earn 73.7% of what men make, the largest gender pay gap in the nation. California has the smallest gap at 89.9%. On a national level, women earn about 83 cents for every dollar men make, showing that even the best-performing states still have progress to make.

Job Market and Employment Opportunities

States with the highest number of wage and salary jobs — California (17.9 million), Texas (13.6 million), and Florida (9.6 million) — have large labor markets with diverse industries. These markets offer workers better stability, career options, and resilience during economic downturns. A diverse economy supports better wages, job mobility, and long-term growth by providing a wide range of job opportunities across different sectors.

In contrast, states with fewer total jobs, such as Wyoming (273,750), Vermont (300,760), and Alaska (311,610), tend to have smaller economies that are often driven by specialized industries like tourism or agriculture. While these industries can be strong locally, they may be more vulnerable to economic shifts, seasonal employment fluctuations, or automation impacts, which can limit job stability and growth opportunities.

As for job openings, a high percentage of available positions can indicate strong labor demand. Kentucky reports the highest job openings rate at 6.5%, followed by Alaska (6%) and West Virginia (5.9%). These numbers are well above the national job openings average (4.6%), suggesting these states have a higher demand for workers. States with job opening rates that fall below this average may indicate fewer opportunities for new workers.

Workplace Safety: How States Compare

The risk of workplace injury varies widely across states, influenced by industry makeup, safety regulations, and reporting standards. Nationally, the average rate of nonfatal workplace injuries is 2.4 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. Maine reported the highest rate of nonfatal workplace injuries at 4.2 incidents per 100 full-time workers, followed by Vermont (4).

In contrast, D.C. (1.2), Louisiana (1.4), and Texas (1.8) reported the lowest injury rates. States with workplace injury rates below the national average may be safer, but they may also have fewer high-risk industries, stricter safety regulations, or underreporting of workplace incidents.

Conclusion: Where's the best place to work in America?

Where you work matters. Wages, job opportunities, and workplace safety can vary greatly depending on your state. While places like Washington, D.C., New York, and Maryland offer strong support for workers, others struggle with lower wages, fewer job prospects, and weaker protections. Gender pay gaps and workplace safety concerns remain pressing issues nationwide, highlighting the need for continued improvements. Whether you're considering a move or advocating for change in your state, understanding these rankings can help you make informed decisions about your career and financial future.

Methodology

This study ranks U.S. states based on four key factors influencing worker conditions. We ranked states numerically for each factor and calculated composite scores based on the weighted sum of these rankings:

Salary rank (30%)

• Annual mean wage

• Minimum wage

Equality rank (20%)

• Gender pay gap

Job market rank (30%)

• Job openings rate

• Unemployment rate

• Employment (total number of wage and salary jobs)

Workplace safety rank (20%)

• Number of nonfatal workplace injuries per 100 full-time workers (some states had no data available)

This study is limited to the most recent available data available, sourced from agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and state labor departments at the time of writing. Data was obtained on March 18, 2025. Some variations may exist due to differences in data collection methods and reporting across states. Additionally, while this analysis highlights state-level conditions, it does not account for industry-specific variations, cost-of-living differences, or unreported employment conditions.

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