Best (and worst) states for jobs in America, 2018

When it comes to the best and worst states in America for jobs, Arizona (No. 25) and Iowa (No. 26) sit right in the middle, with Maine (No. 24) and Connecticut (No. 23) coming in slightly closer to the top. That’s based on a WalletHub study, which takes in median annual income, employment growth, to average commute time.

In the study, Washington ranked as the best state in America for jobs in 2018, coming in at No. 1. Colorado followed at No. 2 with Minnesota at No. 3 and West Virginia finished last of the 50 states.

As the study digs deeper, it shows Utah ranks 4th, followed by New Hampshire, Tennessee, Vermont, Massachusetts, Florida, and Texas.

Best (and worst) states for jobs in America, 2018

1. Washington
Total Score: 71.45
Job Market Rank: 7
Economic Environment Rank: 1

2. Colorado
Total Score: 70.04
Job Market Rank: 1
Economic Environment Rank: 19

3. Minnesota
Total Score: 65.13
Job Market Rank: 4
Economic Environment Rank: 18

4. Utah
Total Score: 64.00
Job Market Rank: 2
Economic Environment Rank: 21

5. New Hampshire
Total Score: 62.41
Job Market Rank: 15
Economic Environment Rank: 9

6. Tennessee
Total Score: 61.84
Job Market Rank: 14
Economic Environment Rank: 10

7. Vermont
Total Score: 61.34
Job Market Rank: 16
Economic Environment Rank: 11

8. Massachusetts
Total Score: 61.23
Job Market Rank: 5
Economic Environment Rank: 29

9. Florida
Total Score: 60.67
Job Market Rank: 17
Economic Environment Rank: 13

10. Texas
Total Score: 59.96
Job Market Rank: 25
Economic Environment Rank: 6

11. Nebraska
Total Score: 59.74
Job Market Rank: 20
Economic Environment Rank: 16

12. North Dakota
Total Score: 59.59
Job Market Rank: 30
Economic Environment Rank: 3

13. South Dakota
Total Score: 59.21
Job Market Rank: 26
Economic Environment Rank: 7

14. New Jersey
Total Score: 59.14
Job Market Rank: 31
Economic Environment Rank: 4

15. Nevada
Total Score: 59.13
Job Market Rank: 22
Economic Environment Rank: 14

16. Wisconsin
Total Score: 59.13
Job Market Rank: 8
Economic Environment Rank: 27

17. California
Total Score: 58.81
Job Market Rank: 10
Economic Environment Rank: 26

18. Virginia
Total Score: 58.42
Job Market Rank: 9
Economic Environment Rank: 30

19. Maryland
Total Score: 57.79
Job Market Rank: 3
Economic Environment Rank: 40

20. Delaware
Total Score: 57.73
Job Market Rank: 24
Economic Environment Rank: 17

21. Rhode Island
Total Score: 57.35
Job Market Rank: 27
Economic Environment Rank: 15

22. Kansas
Total Score: 57.13
Job Market Rank: 35
Economic Environment Rank: 8

23. Connecticut
Total Score: 56.97
Job Market Rank: 32
Economic Environment Rank: 12

24. Maine
Total Score: 56.84
Job Market Rank: 12
Economic Environment Rank: 33

25. Arizona
Total Score: 56.36
Job Market Rank: 19
Economic Environment Rank: 28

26. Iowa
Total Score: 56.06
Job Market Rank: 21
Economic Environment Rank: 23

27. Idaho
Total Score: 55.85
Job Market Rank: 13
Economic Environment Rank: 37

28. New York
Total Score: 53.80
Job Market Rank: 23
Economic Environment Rank: 31

29. Oregon
Total Score: 53.08
Job Market Rank: 6
Economic Environment Rank: 48

30. Georgia
Total Score: 52.72
Job Market Rank: 11
Economic Environment Rank: 44

31. Illinois
Total Score: 51.81
Job Market Rank: 40
Economic Environment Rank: 20

32. Hawaii
Total Score: 50.09
Job Market Rank: 18
Economic Environment Rank: 45

33. Indiana
Total Score: 49.80
Job Market Rank: 33
Economic Environment Rank: 38

34. Michigan
Total Score: 49.79
Job Market Rank: 36
Economic Environment Rank: 34

35. Montana
Total Score: 49.16
Job Market Rank: 43
Economic Environment Rank: 24

36. Missouri
Total Score: 49.13
Job Market Rank: 34
Economic Environment Rank: 39

37. Ohio
Total Score: 48.93
Job Market Rank: 38
Economic Environment Rank: 36

38. South Carolina
Total Score: 48.60
Job Market Rank: 39
Economic Environment Rank: 35

39. Oklahoma
Total Score: 48.00
Job Market Rank: 44
Economic Environment Rank: 25

40. Arkansas
Total Score: 47.88
Job Market Rank: 28
Economic Environment Rank: 43

41. Wyoming
Total Score: 47.06
Job Market Rank: 49
Economic Environment Rank: 2

42. North Carolina
Total Score: 46.41
Job Market Rank: 29
Economic Environment Rank: 46

43. New Mexico
Total Score: 44.60
Job Market Rank: 46
Economic Environment Rank: 22

44. Alaska
Total Score: 44.05
Job Market Rank: 50
Economic Environment Rank: 5

45. Alabama
Total Score: 43.52
Job Market Rank: 42
Economic Environment Rank: 42

46. Pennsylvania
Total Score: 41.94
Job Market Rank: 41
Economic Environment Rank: 47

47. Louisiana
Total Score: 41.38
Job Market Rank: 47
Economic Environment Rank: 32

48. Kentucky
Total Score: 40.18
Job Market Rank: 37
Economic Environment Rank: 50

49. Mississippi
Total Score: 39.92
Job Market Rank: 45
Economic Environment Rank: 41

50. West Virginia
Total Score: 33.61
Job Market Rank: 48
Economic Environment Rank: 49