According to a recent study and data from the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau, four out of the top 10 worst states to work in are also experiencing high levels of in-migration. Vaziri Law conducted a weighted analysis taking into consideration factors like disposable income, average commute time, average hours worked per week, workplace safety, and happiness levels by state. The study ranks Hawaii, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nevada, Vermont, Indiana, West Virginia, Arizona, and South Carolina as the worst states to work in.
Many of the findings in the study align with the financial difficulties faced in these states, with exceptions like Vermont. For example, Louisiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia have high poverty rates, while Tennessee and Nevada have a significant number of residents experiencing financial distress according to WalletHub.
Surprisingly, Hawaii, known for its low economic freedom scores, is ranked as the worst state to work in due to its extremely low average disposable income. On the other hand, workers in Hawaii experience good workplace safety and relatively high levels of happiness.
In Louisiana, workers have the longest average working hours and poor workplace safety conditions. Despite facing challenges, Louisiana residents have a higher disposable income compared to Hawaiian workers.
The study emphasizes the need for systemic changes to improve workplace conditions and overall quality of life for employees. Tennessee, Kentucky, Nevada, Vermont, Indiana, West Virginia, and Arizona all have their own challenges and strengths in terms of workplace safety, happiness levels, disposable income, and work hours.
Arizona boasts a notable workplace safety rank of 9, indicating relatively higher levels of safety within its work environments. Conversely, its happiness index stands at a mediocre 50.22. In terms of disposable income, residents in Arizona hold an average of $15,824, signifying a reasonable amount of financial flexibility. However, South Carolina presents a contrasting picture, with a workplace safety rank of 16, implying slightly inferior safety conditions compared to Arizona. The happiness index in South Carolina lags behind at 49.62, further highlighting a disparity between the two states. Despite these differences, workers in South Carolina work, on average, two hours less each week compared to their counterparts in Arizona, clocking in at approximately 38.2 hours weekly.
Interestingly, both Arizona and South Carolina, alongside Tennessee and Nevada, emerge as preferred destinations for domestic migration, as per data from the IRS and the 2024 Census Bureau. This trend persists despite the varying work conditions and happiness levels between these states, indicating other influential factors at play, such as job opportunities, safety, political climate, and more, that drive individuals to relocate within the country.
