Statistics show that over 51% of workers have experienced burnout so far in 2024—a 15% rise from last year, with stress as the leading cause. More job seekers are including work-life balance, looking for the highest-paying, low-stress jobs as part of their wellness goals. I was curious which states have the most promise for wellness and work-life balance. So, I explored a study that revealed the top U.S. states with the most burnout and the worst states for work-life balance. I was curious about which states might be the least worker-friendly overall and found the following study that analyzes all 50 states, ranking the worst states to work in.
The Worst States To Work In
The researchers analyzed all states on various metrics related to financial comfort, work-life balance and overall quality of life for workers. The analysis included disposable income, average commute time, average hours worked per week, workplace safety rank and happiness index. The final composite score for each state was calculated and the states were ranked with higher scores indicating the worse working conditions.
- Hawaii (score of 98.3) ranks first with the lowest disposable income of $5,929, which limits financial comfort for many workers. Despite these economic challenges, Hawaii has the highest happiness index on this list at 66.31, suggesting that while it may not be the best place to work financially, residents generally report a high level of satisfaction with life.
- Louisiana (score of 95.2) has the lengthiest work week of 44.3 hours and low happiness index of 34.81. Louisiana also has a workplace safety rank of 40. The combination of extended hours, low satisfaction and safety concerns reflects significant work-life challenges.
- Tennessee (score of 93.5) ranks third with workers averaging 40.1 hours per week and a disposable income of $18,078. Although the state ranks fairly well in workplace safety at 11, Tennessee’s high work hours and moderate financial comfort contribute to its place on the list.
- Kentucky (score of 92.5) lands in fourth place. Workers face long hours at 40.8 per week and a relatively low happiness index of 38.3. With a mid-level workplace safety rank of 20, Kentucky’s economic environment remains challenging for many employees.
- Nevada (score of 90.9) scoring fifth, has an average work week of 39.7 hours and a disposable income of $13,860. This places financial strain on workers, despite slightly better workplace safety conditions.
- Vermont (score of 89.9) ranks sixth. It has the top workplace safety rank in the country, but workers there have a disposable income of $15,263 and a happiness index of 48.46, which indicate potential financial and personal satisfaction challenges despite high safety.
- Indiana (score of 85.1) takes seventh place, where workers average 40.6 hours weekly, with a disposable income of $17,293. A workplace safety rank of 12 slightly offsets the long hours, yet the state remains among the most challenging for workers.
- West Virginia (score of 85) follows closely in eighth place, ranking last in workplace safety at 45 and having the lowest happiness index of 33.83 on the list. The state’s average work week of 40 hours and long commute times further highlight the work-life balance struggles faced by its residents.
- Arizona (score of 83.5) ranks ninth with a disposable income of $18,764 and average work week of 40.6 hours. These stats position it as a difficult environment for workers, especially considering the average happiness index of 50.22.
- South Carolina (score of 82.7) rounds out the list at tenth, showing a disposable income of $15,824, and a happiness index of 49.62. The state ranks 16th in workplace safety, but its lower income and work-life balance challenges place it among the ten worst states for workers.
A Final Wrap On The Worst States To Work In
As you can see from the analysis, Hawaii leads the pack with the lowest disposable income, at $5,929. Louisiana has some of the longest work hours (44.3 per week) and one of the lowest happiness scores (34.81). West Virginia ranks last in workplace safety (45) and has the longest average commute time.
Your self-care is top priority, regardless of whether or not you live in one of the worst states to work in. It’s important to be apprised of wellness steps you can take to prevent burnout and create a healthy work-live balance, no matter where you live and work.