America is facing a worker shortage crisis: There are too many open jobs without people to fill them. The interactive map below shows which states are suffering the most from a labor shortage by comparing their Worker Shortage Index ratios.
The Chamber’s Worker Shortage Index ratio indicates the number of available workers for every job opening. States with a higher ratio have more workers available to fill open jobs. For example, a ratio of 0.39 means a state has just 39 workers for every 100 open jobs. A ratio above 1.0 would indicate a surplus of available workers compared to job openings.
State of American Business
Explore the interactive map below to see the impact of the worker shortage crisis in each state.
State
Select a state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Worker Shortage Index Least severe
Severe
More severe
Most severe
Alabama
Alabama has 69 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.69
Alabama's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 113,000
Unemployed Workers: 78,246
Labor Force Participation Rate: 58.0
Unemployment Rate: 3.3
Quit Rate: 1.9
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Alaska
Alaska has 85 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.85
Alaska's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 20,000
Unemployed Workers: 17,062
Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.2
Unemployment Rate: 4.7
Quit Rate: 3.3
Hiring Rate: 5.0
Arizona
Arizona has 102 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.02
Arizona's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 153,000
Unemployed Workers: 155,553
Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.4
Unemployment Rate: 4.1
Quit Rate: 2.3
Hiring Rate: 3.5
Arkansas
Arkansas has 75 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.75
Arkansas's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 70,000
Unemployed Workers: 52,219
Labor Force Participation Rate: 58.4
Unemployment Rate: 3.7
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.8
California
California has 150 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.50
California's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 707,000
Unemployed Workers: 1,057,873
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.3
Unemployment Rate: 5.3
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.3
Colorado
Colorado has 107 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.07
Colorado's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 148,000
Unemployed Workers: 158,670
Labor Force Participation Rate: 67.7
Unemployment Rate: 4.8
Quit Rate: 2.0
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Connecticut
Connecticut has 93 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.93
Connecticut's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 80,000
Unemployed Workers: 74,263
Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.0
Unemployment Rate: 3.8
Quit Rate: 1.8
Hiring Rate: 3.1
Delaware
Delaware has 84 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.84
Delaware's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 24,000
Unemployed Workers: 20,091
Labor Force Participation Rate: 59.0
Unemployment Rate: 4.0
Quit Rate: 2.0
Hiring Rate: 3.8
District of Columbia
District of Columbia has 83 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.83
District of Columbia's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 30,000
Unemployed Workers: 24,808
Labor Force Participation Rate: 72.2
Unemployment Rate: 5.9
Quit Rate: 1.6
Hiring Rate: 2.5
Florida
Florida has 107 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.07
Florida's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 386,000
Unemployed Workers: 413,611
Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.9
Unemployment Rate: 3.7
Quit Rate: 2.4
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Georgia
Georgia has 74 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.74
Georgia's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 257,000
Unemployed Workers: 189,026
Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.7
Unemployment Rate: 3.5
Quit Rate: 1.7
Hiring Rate: 3.4
Top Employer Industry: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Learn more: Understanding Georgia's Labor Market
Hawaii
Hawaii has 75 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.75
Hawaii's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 26,000
Unemployed Workers: 19,503
Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.6
Unemployment Rate: 2.8
Quit Rate: 2.0
Hiring Rate: 3.1
Idaho
Idaho has 75 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.75
Idaho's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 49,000
Unemployed Workers: 36,825
Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.5
Unemployment Rate: 3.6
Quit Rate: 2.5
Hiring Rate: 4.4
Illinois
Illinois has 115 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.15
Illinois's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 277,000
Unemployed Workers: 318,553
Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.7
Unemployment Rate: 4.8
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.7
Indiana
Indiana has 91 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.91
Indiana's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 142,000
Unemployed Workers: 128,607
Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.7
Unemployment Rate: 3.7
Quit Rate: 2.5
Hiring Rate: 4.4
Top Employer Industry: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Learn more: Understanding Indiana's Labor Market
Iowa
Iowa has 90 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.90
Iowa's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 69,000
Unemployed Workers: 62,429
Labor Force Participation Rate: 67.3
Unemployment Rate: 3.6
Quit Rate: 1.9
Hiring Rate: 3.3
Kansas
Kansas has 75 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.75
Kansas's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 79,000
Unemployed Workers: 59,388
Labor Force Participation Rate: 67.0
Unemployment Rate: 3.8
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Kentucky
Kentucky has 106 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.06
Kentucky's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 100,000
Unemployed Workers: 106,312
Labor Force Participation Rate: 58.4
Unemployment Rate: 5.0
Quit Rate: 1.9
Hiring Rate: 3.9
Louisiana
Louisiana has 82 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.82
Louisiana's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 113,000
Unemployed Workers: 92,381
Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.9
Unemployment Rate: 4.5
Quit Rate: 2.3
Hiring Rate: 4.1
Maine
Maine has 73 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.73
Maine's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 33,000
Unemployed Workers: 24,186
Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.0
Unemployment Rate: 3.4
Quit Rate: 2.0
Hiring Rate: 3.3
Maryland
Maryland has 71 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.71
Maryland's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 146,000
Unemployed Workers: 104,063
Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.8
Unemployment Rate: 3.2
Quit Rate: 1.7
Hiring Rate: 4.0
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 106 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.06
Massachusetts's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 179,000
Unemployed Workers: 189,708
Labor Force Participation Rate: 66.9
Unemployment Rate: 4.8
Quit Rate: 1.5
Hiring Rate: 3.0
Michigan
Michigan has 129 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.29
Michigan's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 215,000
Unemployed Workers: 276,547
Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.9
Unemployment Rate: 5.4
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 4.6
Minnesota
Minnesota has 56 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.56
Minnesota's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 182,000
Unemployed Workers: 102,809
Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.2
Unemployment Rate: 3.3
Quit Rate: 1.8
Hiring Rate: 3.3
Top Employer Industry: Education and Health Services Learn more: Understanding Minnesota's Labor Market
Mississippi
Mississippi has 84 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.84
Mississippi's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 62,000
Unemployed Workers: 52,231
Labor Force Participation Rate: 56.2
Unemployment Rate: 4.0
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 3.7
Top Employer Industry: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Learn more: Understanding Mississippi's Labor Market
Missouri
Missouri has 87 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.87
Missouri's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 144,000
Unemployed Workers: 125,042
Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.4
Unemployment Rate: 4.0
Quit Rate: 1.9
Hiring Rate: 3.1
Top Employer Industry: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Learn more: Understanding Missouri's Labor Market
Montana
Montana has 55 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.55
Montana's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 29,000
Unemployed Workers: 15,904
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.2
Unemployment Rate: 2.8
Quit Rate: 2.7
Hiring Rate: 5.3
Nebraska
Nebraska has 69 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.69
Nebraska's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 47,000
Unemployed Workers: 32,402
Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.3
Unemployment Rate: 3.0
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.4
Nevada
Nevada has 135 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.35
Nevada's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 68,000
Unemployed Workers: 92,014
Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.0
Unemployment Rate: 5.5
Quit Rate: 1.9
Hiring Rate: 3.9
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has 69 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.69
New Hampshire's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 35,000
Unemployed Workers: 24,211
Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.7
Unemployment Rate: 3.1
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.4
Top Employer Industry: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Learn more: Understanding New Hampshire's Labor Market
New Jersey
New Jersey has 104 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.04
New Jersey's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 226,000
Unemployed Workers: 236,159
Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.8
Unemployment Rate: 4.8
Quit Rate: 1.4
Hiring Rate: 3.3
New Mexico
New Mexico has 87 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.87
New Mexico's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 48,000
Unemployed Workers: 41,914
Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.8
Unemployment Rate: 4.2
Quit Rate: 2.0
Hiring Rate: 3.8
New York
New York has 80 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.80
New York's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 500,000
Unemployed Workers: 399,480
Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.0
Unemployment Rate: 4.0
Quit Rate: 1.8
Hiring Rate: 3.1
North Carolina
North Carolina has 64 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.64
North Carolina's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 309,000
Unemployed Workers: 196,576
Labor Force Participation Rate: 59.5
Unemployment Rate: 3.7
Quit Rate: 1.6
Hiring Rate: 4.4
North Dakota
North Dakota has 49 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.49
North Dakota's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 22,000
Unemployed Workers: 10,829
Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.5
Unemployment Rate: 2.5
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 4.0
Ohio
Ohio has 108 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.08
Ohio's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 273,000
Unemployed Workers: 293,843
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.7
Unemployment Rate: 4.9
Quit Rate: 2.5
Hiring Rate: 3.2
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has 59 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.59
Oklahoma's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 106,000
Unemployed Workers: 62,935
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.6
Unemployment Rate: 3.1
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Oregon
Oregon has 115 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.15
Oregon's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 92,000
Unemployed Workers: 105,348
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.7
Unemployment Rate: 4.8
Quit Rate: 2.3
Hiring Rate: 3.7
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 87 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.87
Pennsylvania's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 296,000
Unemployed Workers: 257,560
Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.6
Unemployment Rate: 3.9
Quit Rate: 1.4
Hiring Rate: 2.1
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 99 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.99
Rhode Island's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 29,000
Unemployed Workers: 28,742
Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.7
Unemployment Rate: 4.9
Quit Rate: 2.1
Hiring Rate: 3.7
South Carolina
South Carolina has 86 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.86
South Carolina's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 123,000
Unemployed Workers: 105,705
Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.5
Unemployment Rate: 4.1
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 4.4
South Dakota
South Dakota has 43 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.43
South Dakota's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 21,000
Unemployed Workers: 9,048
Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.9
Unemployment Rate: 1.8
Quit Rate: 2.3
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Tennessee
Tennessee has 72 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.72
Tennessee's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 167,000
Unemployed Workers: 120,782
Labor Force Participation Rate: 59.8
Unemployment Rate: 3.5
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 3.5
Texas
Texas has 109 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.09
Texas's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 596,000
Unemployed Workers: 647,148
Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.9
Unemployment Rate: 4.1
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 3.5
Utah
Utah has 72 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.72
Utah's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 81,000
Unemployed Workers: 58,220
Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.1
Unemployment Rate: 3.2
Quit Rate: 2.7
Hiring Rate: 3.8
Top Employer Industry: Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Learn more: Understanding Utah's Labor Market
Vermont
Vermont has 54 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.54
Vermont's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 17,000
Unemployed Workers: 9,263
Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.0
Unemployment Rate: 2.6
Quit Rate: 2.2
Hiring Rate: 3.5
Top Employer Industry: Education and Health Services Learn more: Understanding Vermont's Labor Market
Virginia
Virginia has 78 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.78
Virginia's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 199,000
Unemployed Workers: 155,918
Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.2
Unemployment Rate: 3.4
Quit Rate: 1.8
Hiring Rate: 3.3
Top Employer Industry: Professional and Business Services Learn more: Understanding Virginia's Labor Market
Washington
Washington has 162 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
1.62
Washington's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 112,000
Unemployed Workers: 181,214
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.5
Unemployment Rate: 4.5
Quit Rate: 1.7
Hiring Rate: 3.1
West Virginia
West Virginia has 64 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.64
West Virginia's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 46,000
Unemployed Workers: 29,299
Labor Force Participation Rate: 54.3
Unemployment Rate: 3.8
Quit Rate: 2.4
Hiring Rate: 4.7
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 80 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.80
Wisconsin's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 130,000
Unemployed Workers: 104,034
Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.3
Unemployment Rate: 3.3
Quit Rate: 1.7
Hiring Rate: 3.1
Wyoming
Wyoming has 60 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
Last updated May 2025
0.60
Wyoming's Worker Shortage Index
Job Openings: 16,000
Unemployed Workers: 9,565
Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.2
Unemployment Rate: 3.3
Quit Rate: 2.7
Hiring Rate: 4.4 Workforce Data Definitions ( BLS ):
Job Openings:
All positions that are unfilled and have available work
Unemployed Workers:
People who do not have a job, have looked for work in the last four weeks, and are currently available and able to work
Labor Force Participation Rate:
The percentage of the population that is working or actively looking for work
Quit Rate:
The number of employees who voluntarily quit as a percent of total employment
Hire Rate:
All additions to payroll as a percentage of total employment
MORE: Read in-depth articles on the labor market and business environment in 16 states.
More State-by-State Workforce Analysis
There is a national worker shortage affecting the nation, and many states are feeling the impact. The vast majority of states have more job openings today than they had before the pandemic, while labor force participation remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Our national labor force participation rate has been declining for decades. The gap equates to about million workers who have left the workforce since the start of the pandemic in February 2020.
There are some states that have a higher percentage of their labor force working than before the pandemic, but the majority have seen their labor forces shrink because of early retirements, increased savings, and less immigration, among other factors.
Stand Up for Free Enterprise
Join us and become a part of our movement to save the system that will secure our collective future.
Your voice is essential, and your participation is critical.
The U.S. Chamber and U.S. Chamber Foundation are helping employers discover and develop talent through the America Works Initiative . For more information, contact Stephanie Ferguson at sferguson@uschamber.com.
About the authors Lindsay Cates Lindsay is a director on the communications and strategy team. She previously worked as a writer and editor at U.S. News and World Report.
Read more
Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn is the Senior Director of Workforce & International Labor Policy. Her work on the labor shortage has been cited in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Associated Press.
Read more
Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn
