State-by-State Look Where Americans Work the Longest and Hardest
South Dakota ranked No. 1 because of its nearly 98% employment rate and 6.5% share of workers with multiple jobs, WalletHub said.
- On Monday, WalletHub released its 2026 list of the hardest-working states in America, ranking Nebraska sixth among all 50 states based on work metrics and employment data.
- WalletHub compared all 50 states across 10 indicators grouped into "Direct Work Factors" and "Indirect Work Factors," including average weekly hours, employment rates, and the share of residents holding multiple jobs.
- South Dakota topped the list with a nearly 98% employment rate, while North Dakota ranked second with more than 97% employment and Alaska placed third, averaging 41.4 hours of work per week.
- Americans average 1,800 work hours annually, significantly exceeding developed nations, and WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo noted nearly half of American workers do not expect to use all their allotted vacation days.
- Lupo warned that a lack of leisure time can negatively impact physical and mental health, suggesting residents in the hardest-working states should consider taking periodic breaks to protect their wellbeing.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Whitmer’s Legacy: Michigan remains least 'hardest working' state in America - The Midwesterner
Michigan remains the least hardest working state in America, with the Great Lakes State coming in dead last in an annual analysis for the second year in a row. “It’s undeniable that America has fostered a culture of hard work, with people working longer hours than residents of other developed countries and often leaving vacation time on the table,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “Working hard is commendable, but people in the hardest-working …
STUDY: Indiana ranked 19th hardest working state in the country
FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The individuals at WalletHub, the personal finance company, have put out this year's Hardest-Working States in America report. According to the news release, nearly half of Americans are not expected to use all of their paid time off in 2026 and instead are putting in an average of 1,800 hours a year. [...]
fredericksburg.com
Report: Oregon Is the Second-Least Hard-Working State
Oregon is the second-second-least hard-working state, according to a new WalletHub study comparing all 50 U.S. states across 10 key metrics. The analysis considered factors ranging from average workweek hours to the share of workers with multiple jobs to average…
Helena Independent Record
Report: Nebraska Is the Sixth-Hardest-Working State
Nebraska is the sixth-sixth-hardest-working state, according to a new WalletHub study comparing all 50 U.S. states across 10 key metrics. The analysis considered factors ranging from average workweek hours to the share of workers with multiple jobs to average leisure…
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