Identifying the Most Hardworking US States
A study conducted by Wallethub in July 2024 has revealed the hardest-working states in the U.S. The study, which was visualized by Pallavi Rao of Visual Capitalist, used a scoring system out of 100 to rank the states.
Understanding the Methodology
To measure and compare the level of hard work across the states, Wallethub used a data analysis approach. The study analyzed each state based on 10 indicators, each assigned different weights. These indicators were then categorized into two groups: "Direct Work" and "Indirect Work". The "Direct Work" category contributed 80 points to the total score, while the "Indirect Work" indicators accounted for the remaining 20 points. Therefore, states that performed better on higher-weighted indicators ended up with a higher overall score.
Ranking the Hardest-Working States in America
According to the Wallethub study, North Dakota emerged as the hardest-working state in America, with a rounded score of 67 out of 100. The state's high employment rate of 98% played a significant role in securing its top position. Following North Dakota, Alaska ranked second with a score of 64 points. This high score was largely due to its average workweek exceeding the standard 40-hour metric, making it the only state in the study to do so. Nebraska came in third with a score of 60 points, with more than 7% of its workforce holding multiple jobs, the third-highest among all states.
Geographical Distribution of Hard Work
A closer look at the map reveals a pattern: the states in the middle of the country, which also happen to be America's farming regions, are the hardest-working. The scores tend to decrease as one moves towards the east and west. Another interesting observation is that Alaska and North Dakota, despite having high direct work ranks, score low in the indirect work category.
Nebraska's Balanced Performance
Nebraska stands out for its balanced performance in both direct and indirect work categories. The state has a low percentage of idle youth and boasts the fifth-highest volunteer hours per capita in the country.
Cost of Living and Hard Work
Interestingly, many of the hardest-working states in America have a lower cost of living. This correlation can be further explored in the data provided in "The Income an Individual Needs to Live Comfortably in the States".
Bottom Line
This study provides a unique perspective on the work ethic across different U.S. states. It's fascinating to see how factors such as employment rate, average workweek hours, and the percentage of the workforce with multiple jobs can influence a state's ranking. What are your thoughts on these findings? Do you agree with the rankings? Share this article with your friends and start a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6 pm.
