States with the Most and Fewest Members of the Military

The United States is a military power. It possesses war capabilities such as state-of-the-art, homemade armaments and formidable armed forces. The United States Department of Defense (DOD) is among the US government’s biggest units. In fiscal year 2023, this federal agency has almost US$1.8 trillion in budget. The DOD is just behind the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of the Treasury in terms of yearly spending. The US Defense Department is an employer to 2.7 million workers. Roughly one out of each US$11-bill in the Pentagon’s budget is allocated for payroll. These salaried American laborers consist of over 1.1 million active-duty service members.

Each of the 50 US states employs thousands of DOD workers. They include reservists, enlisted troops of each of the military’s six branches, and the civilian staff. In this article, CEOWorld Magazine enlightens readers about the US states with the most DOD workers. The publication’s researchers utilized the information they gathered from the DOD report, Defense Spending By State Fiscal Year 2021. Readers will find the US states ranked according to the number of DOD laborers in every state, from the area with the greatest number of workers to the least.

1. California
   The US state of California is the most populated of all the 50 states, with 39,237,836 inhabitants. Its military personnel total 277,943 workers, 56.6 percent of who are on active duty. In terms of payroll spending, the DOD spends a total of US$17.2 billion in California, making this state the second recipient of the Defense Department’s highest allocation out of the 50 states. California has 41,018 Air Force laborers, or 14.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank third on the list of US states with the most Air Force personnel out of the 50 states. Furthermore, there are 46,196 Army workers in California, or 16.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making this region rank seventh out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, 66.2 percent of the military laborers in California, or 183,945 workers, are in the Navy and Marine Corps, which is the greatest number out of the 50 states. The US Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is California’s major military base.
2. Virginia
   Second in CEOWorld Magazine’s list of US States with the Most Military Human Resources is Virginia. This state is the 12th most populated in America, with a population of 8,642,274 residents. Virginia has 251,230 military personnel, 50.3 percent of who are on active duty. This state has 22,800 Air Force workers – or 9.1 percent of the military personnel in this state – making it rank seventh out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, 21.3 percent of the military personnel in Virginia, or 53,504 workers, are in the Army, making this region rank fifth out of the 50 states. Virginia is home to the US Navy base, Naval Station Norfolk. This state has 148,077 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 58.9 percent of military personnel in this state, placing it in the second spot among the 50 states. Virginia ranks the highest out of the 50 states in terms of the total DOD payroll spending with US$20.1 billion allocated for it.
3. Texas
   Texas is the second most populated state in America with a total population of 29,527,941 people. Its total military personnel is 221,892 workers, 52.7 percent of who are on active duty. Texas has 62,575 Air Force personnel, or 28.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, which is the greatest of all the 50 states. Additionally, there are 134,806 Army personnel in Texas, or 60.8 percent of military workers in this state, which is also the greatest of all the 50 states. Texas is the site of the US Army base Fort Hood, which is this state’s major military facility. In terms of Texas’s Navy and Marine Corps workforce, this area has 18,899 laborers, or 8.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, making Texas rank 10th out of the 50 states. The DOD’s payroll spending for Texas totals US$12.2 billion, making this state rank third out of the 50 states.
4. North Carolina
   The ninth most populated state in the United States is North Carolina, with a total population of 10,551,162 people. There are 143,448 military workers in this state, 69.1 percent of who are on active duty. The Army personnel in North Carolina total 70,897 staff members – or 49.4 percent of the military personnel in this state – making it rank third out of the 50 states. Furthermore, the US Army base Fort Bragg is in this state, which is its major military installation. As for North Carolina’s Air Force personnel, it ranks 20th out of the 50 states, with 10,427 workers, or 7.3 percent of the military personnel in this state. Meanwhile, with 56,157 Navy and Marine Corps staff members, or 39.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, North Carolina places third out of the 50 states with regard to these two military service branches’ personnel count. The total DOD payroll spending in North Carolina is US$7.6 billion. This figure makes this state place sixth out of the 50 states in terms of the Defense Department’s budget allocation.
5. Florida
   Florida is the third most populated state in the United States with 21,781,128 inhabitants. It has 135,855 military workers – 47.2 percent of who are on active duty. Florida’s Marine Corps and Navy personnel total 55,958 staff members, or 41.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking it fourth out of the 50 states. The major military installation in Florida is the US Navy’s Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville. As for the Air Force laborers in Florida, they number 46,463 workers, or 34.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it second out of the 50 states. Moreover, there are 30,509 Army personnel – or 22.5 percent of the military personnel in this state – placing it in the 13th spot out of the 50 states. The DOD’s payroll spending for Florida totals US$8.4 billion, making this region place fourth out of the 50 states.
6. Georgia
   Georgia is a state in the southeastern United States with a population totaling 10,799,566 people. This figure makes this area the eighth most populated in the country. In terms of the total number of military laborers, Georgia has 132,311 workers, 52.4 percent of who are on active duty. Fort Benning is the major military base in Georgia, which is a US Army installation. The state has 83,819 Army personnel, or 63.3 percent of the military personnel in the state, ranking it second out of the 50 states in terms of Army workers. Meanwhile, Georgia has 30,646 Air Force staff members, or 23.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking it fourth out of the 50 states. Additionally, 10.7 percent of the military personnel in Georgia, or 14,157 staff members are Marine Corps and Navy personnel, making this state place 11th out of the 50 states. The DOD spends a total of US$7.3 billion in payroll spending for Georgia, which makes this state the eighth recipient of such high allocation out of the 50 states.
7. Washington
   The 13th most populated state in America is Washington with 7,738,692 inhabitants. It has 110,887 military personnel, 55.7 percent of who are on active duty. The major military base in Washington is Fort Lewis, which is a US Army facility. Washington has 47,733 Army personnel, or 43 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the sixth position out of the 50 states. As for the Navy and Marine Corps laborers, Washington ranks fifth out of the 50 states, with 49,309 personnel or 44.5 percent of the military personnel in this state. Furthermore, the 12,001 Air Force personnel, or 10.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, place Washington in the 17th spot out of the 50 states. This state in America’s Pacific Northwest region receives US$7.4 billion in payroll spending from the DOD, making it rank seventh out of the 50 states.
8. Maryland
   With a total population of 6,165,129 people, Maryland is the 19th most populated state in America. It has 96,310 military laborers, 30.3 percent of who are on active duty. Maryland gets US$8.3 billion in payroll allocation from the DOD. This amount is the fifth-highest allocation out of the 50 states. Maryland’s Army personnel total 35,771 staff members – or 37.1 percent of the military personnel in this state – placing the region in the 11th spot out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, Maryland is the site of Fort George G. Meade, a US Army base that is the state’s major military installation. As for Maryland’s Air Force personnel, it ranks 12th out of the 50 states, with 15,638 workers, or 16.2 percent of the military personnel in this state. Finally, there are 34,829 Marine Corps and Navy personnel in Maryland, or 36.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the sixth spot out of the 50 states.
9. Hawaii
   Hawaii’s population is 1,441,553 residents, which puts it in the 11th position on the list of US states with the smallest populace. This state has a total of 70,484 military workers, 57.4 percent of who are on active duty. The major armed forces installation in Hawaii is the US Army’s Schofield Barracks. Hawaii has 26,178 Army personnel, or 37.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it 16th out of the 50 states in terms of the number of Army workers. As for the Navy and Marine Corps, Hawaii has 32,615 personnel, or 46.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking it seventh out of the 50 states. There are 9,883 Air Force staff members in Hawaii, or 14 percent of the military personnel in this state, which places it in the 21st spot out of the 50 states in terms of Air Force workers count. The total DOD payroll spending in Hawaii is US$5.3 billion, making it the ninth state out of the 50 states with the highest allocation from the federal agency.
10. South Carolina
    South Carolina has 5,190,705 inhabitants, making it the 23rd most populated US state. Its total military personnel is 66,589 laborers, 56.3 percent of who are on active duty. The US Army has an installation in South Carolina: Fort Jackson, which is the major military base in this state. There are 26,105 Army workers in South Carolina, or 39.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 17th spot out of the 50 states in terms of Army laborer count. Additionally, South Carolina has 14,705 Air Force personnel, or 22.1 percent of the military staff members in this region, making it the 14th state with the most Air Force service members. As for the Marine Corps and Navy personnel, South Carolina places eighth out of the 50 states, with 24,539 workers, or 36.9 percent of the military personnel in this state. The DOD’s total payroll spending for South Carolina is US$3.1 billion, placing this state in the 16th position out of the 50 states in terms of the federal agency’s budget allocation.
11. Colorado
    Colorado is the 21st most populated state in America with 5,812,069 residents. Its total military personnel is 64,103 laborers, 58.7 percent of who are on active duty. Colorado is the site of Fort Carson. This US Army installation is the major military base in the state. Colorado has 39,730 Army personnel, or 62 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank ninth out of the 50 states. Furthermore, there are 20,295 Air Force laborers in Colorado, or 31.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the eighth spot out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, Colorado has 2,657 Marine Corps and Navy workers, or 4.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting this region in the 25th position on the list of US states with the fewest personnel of these two military service branches. The DOD pays US$4 billion in payroll spending in Colorado, making it the 10th recipient of the highest allocation out of the 50 states.
12. Ohio
    The seventh most populated state in America is Ohio with 11,780,017 people. This state has 61,589 total military personnel, 10.6 percent of who are on active duty. Ohio receives US$3.6 billion from the DOD in payroll spending, making it the 11th highest allocation recipient out of the 50 states. This area has 18,759 Army workers, or 30.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 22nd position out of the 50 states. Moreover, Ohio has 30,013 Air Force personnel, or 48.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the fifth spot out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, there are 2,776 Navy and Marine Corps staff members in Ohio, or 4.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 25th spot out of the 50 states. The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is in Ohio and it is the major military installation in this region.
13. Oklahoma
    Oklahoma ranks 23rd on the list of US states with small populations, having 3,986,639 inhabitants. It has 60,790 military workers, 35.2 percent of who are on active duty. Oklahoma receives US$3.3 billion as total DOD payroll spending, placing it in the 13th position out of the 50 states. As for the Army personnel, Oklahoma has 25,745 workers, or 42.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 18th spot out of the 50 states. The US Army base of Fort Sill is in Oklahoma, which is the major military installation in this area. Furthermore, there are 29,470 Air Force personnel in Oklahoma, or 48.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the sixth position out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, Oklahoma has 3,144 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 5.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it in the 24th spot out of the 50 states.
14. New York
    In terms of population, New York places fourth out of the 50 states, with 19,835,913 million inhabitants. The Empire State has 60,056 total military personnel, 32.5 percent of who are on active duty. CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers found that this region has 42,701 Army staff members, or 71.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the eighth spot out of the 50 states. US Army base Fort Drum is in New York, which is this state’s major military installation. As for the Marine Corps and Navy workers, there are 5,102 staff members in New York, or 8.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing the Big Apple in the 20th spot out of the 50 states. In terms of Air Force laborers, New York has 9,631 personnel, or 16 percent of the military workers in this state, ranking 24th out of the 50 states. The DOD pays US$3 billion to New York when it comes to payroll spending, which puts the state in the 17th position out of the 50 states in terms of high allocation.
15. Illinois
    There are 12,671,469 inhabitants in Illinois, making it the sixth most populated state in America. This area has 58,960 total military personnel, 36.5 percent of who are on active duty. The US Navy installation Naval Station Great Lakes is in Illinois, which is the major military base in this state. Illinois has 20,797 Navy and Marine Corps workers – or 35.3 percent of the military personnel in this state – placing it in the ninth position out of the 50 states. Additionally, Illinois has 24,555 Army staff members, or 41.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it in the 19th spot out of the 50 states. As for the Air Force laborers, Illinois has 11,843 workers, or 20.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 18th spot out of the 50 states. The total DOD payroll spending in Illinois is US$2.5 billion, making this state rank 18th out of the 50 states in terms of high allocation by the federal agency.
16. Kentucky
    Kentucky ranks 25th in terms of the US states with small populations. It is inhabited by 4,509,394 people. In terms of the total military personnel, there are 57,462 workers in Kentucky, 61 percent of who are on active duty. The US Army has a base in Kentucky, which is Fort Campbell, and it is the major military installation in this state. Kentucky has 53,961 Army personnel, or 93.9 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the fourth position out of the 50 states when it comes to the number of Army staff members. There are 593 Marine Corps and Navy laborers in Kentucky, or 1 percent of the military personnel in this state, making this area the 14th region with the fewest of these workers out of the 50 states. Additionally, Kentucky has 1,678 Air Force personnel, or 2.9 percent of the military staff members in this state, putting it on the sixth spot of the list of US states with the fewest of these workers out of the 50 states. The total DOD payroll spending in Kentucky is US$3.2 billion, placing it in the 14th spot out of the 50 states.
17. Pennsylvania
    Pennsylvania has a total population of 12,964,056 inhabitants, making it the fifth most populated US state. Its total military personnel is 56,573 workers, 3.9 percent of who are on active duty. In terms of Navy and Marine Corps staff members, Pennsylvania ranks 12th out of the 50 states, with 10,716 workers, or 18.9 percent of the military personnel in this state. There are 30,005 Army laborers in Pennsylvania, or 53 percent of its military personnel, ranking 14th out of the 50 states. The Carlisle Barracks is a US Army installation and is Pennsylvania’s major military facility. As for the Air Force personnel, Pennsylvania has 6,643 workers, or 11.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 19th position on the list of states with the fewest Air Force workers. The DOD pays Pennsylvania US$3.1 billion for payroll, putting this state in the 15th position out of the 50 states.
18. Alabama
    Alabama is the 24th most populated state in America, with a total population of 5,039,877 residents. Its total military personnel is 51,606 workers, 15 percent of who are on active duty. The Army personnel in Alabama total 36,937 workers, or 71.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it in the 10th position out of the 50 states. The US Army base of Fort Rucker is a major military installation in Alabama. This state ranks 25th in terms of the states with the fewest Air Force personnel, with merely 9,084 workers, or 17.6 percent of the military personnel in this state. Additionally, Alabama ranks 19th when it comes to the states with the fewest Marine Corps and Navy laborers, totaling 1,296 staff members, which is 2.5 percent of the military personnel in this state. The total DOD payroll spending in Alabama is US$3.5 billion, making it the 12th recipient of such high allocation out of the 50 states.
19. Arizona
    The 14th most populated state in America is Arizona, with 7,276,316 inhabitants. This region’s military personnel total 44,233 workers, with 42.9 percent on active duty. Arizona has 19,588 Air Force staff members, or 44.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 10th position out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, there are 17,083 Army workers in Arizona, or 38.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 23rd position out of the 50 states. The Navy and Marine Corps laborers total 5,856 workers – or 13.2 percent of the military personnel in this state – putting Arizona in the 17th position out of the 50 states. The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is the major military installation in Arizona. The total DOD payroll spending for this state is US$2.3 billion, which ranks this area as the 19th recipient of such high allocation by the federal agency out of the 50 states.
20. Missouri
    Missouri’s total population is 6,168,187 people, making it the 18th most populated state in America. In this region, there are 42,815 military workers, 36.3 percent of who are on active duty. Missouri has 29,371 Army staff members, or 68.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 15th position out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, there are 8,662 Air Force workers in Missouri, or 20.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank 23rd out of the 50 states with the fewest Air Force personnel. As for the Marine Corps and the Navy, Missouri has 3,600 personnel, or 8.4 percent of the military laborers in this state, placing it in the 23rd spot out of the 50 states. Missouri is the state where the US Army base Fort Leonard Wood is, which is the major military installation in this area. The total DOD payroll spending in Missouri amounts to US$1.7 billion, putting this state in the 25th position on the list of US states with the lowest DOD payroll spending.
21. Kansas
    In terms of population, Kansas is the 16th smallest out of the 50 states with 2,934,582 inhabitants. Its military personnel total 39,055 workers, 55.4 percent of who are on active duty. Kansas is home to Fort Riley, a US Army base that is this state’s major military installation. There are 30,843 Army personnel in Kansas, or 79 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 12th position out of the 50 states. Moreover, CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers discovered that Kansas has 7,071 Air Force staff members, or 18.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 21st position on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. There are 526 Marine Corps and Navy personnel in Kansas, or 1.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking it as the 13th state with the fewest of these military workers out of the 50 states. The DOD spends a total of US$2.2 billion in Kansas for payroll, making this state the 20th highest recipient out of the 50 states.
22. Louisiana
    Louisiana ranks as the 25th most populated state in America with 4,624,047 residents. It has 37,571 military personnel, 38.2 percent of who are on active duty. There are 9,547 Air Force staff members in Louisiana, or 25.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 25th position out of the 50 states. The US Army has a base in Louisiana, which is Fort Polk. It is the state’s major military installation. 61.5 percent of the military personnel in Louisiana – or 23,102 people – are Army workers. This figure places the area in the 20th position out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, there are 4,248 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 11.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 22nd position out of the 50 states. Louisiana receives US$1.9 billion in terms of payroll from the DOD, putting it in the 24th position out of the 50 states.
23. Mississippi
    Mississippi has a small population relative to the other bigger states on this list, with 2,949,965 inhabitants, making this state the 17th area with the smallest populace out of the 50 states. 36,538 military personnel are in Mississippi, 31.2 percent of who are on active duty. 12,532 workers are in the Air Force, or 34.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 16th position out of the 50 states. Mississippi has 14,659 Army personnel, or 40.1 percent of the military staff members in this state, ranking 23rd on the list of US states with the fewest Army laborers out of the 50 states. As for the Marine Corps and Navy, Mississippi has 8,603 workers, or 23.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking 13th out of the 50 states. The total DOD payroll spending in Mississippi is US$1.8 billion, making this state the 25th region with the highest allocation out of the 50 states. Mississippi is home to the Keesler Air Force Base, the state’s major military installation.
24. New Jersey
    The 11th most populated state in America is New Jersey, with 9,267,130 residents. The total military personnel in this state is 34,586 workers, 18.7 percent of who are on active duty. New Jersey is the site of the McGuire Air Force Base, which is this state’s major military installation. It has 16,352 Army laborers, or 47.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 24th position out of the 50 states. In New Jersey, 11,598 workers are Air Force staff members, or 33.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking 19th out of the 50 states. Additionally, New Jersey has 5,685 Navy and Marine Corps personnel, or 16.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 19th position out of the 50 states. The DOD spends US$2 billion in payroll for New Jersey, putting this state in the 21st position with high allocation from the federal agency out of the 50 states.
25. Utah
    In terms of population, Utah is the 21st on the list of US states with a small number of inhabitants, having 3,337,975 people. This state has 32,842 military personnel, 14.1 percent of who are on active duty. Utah has 818 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 2.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 16th position on the list of US states with the fewest workers in these two military service branches. Additionally, Utah has 10,669 Army personnel, or 32.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it on the 18th spot of the list of US states with the fewest workers for this military service branch. Meanwhile, 19,688 personnel are in the Air Force, or 59.9 percent of the military personnel in Utah, putting this state in the ninth position out of the 50 states. The total DOD payroll spending in Utah is US$2 billion, placing it in the 22nd position out of the 50 states. The Hill Air Force Base is Utah’s major military installation.
26. Indiana
    Indiana has 31,044 military personnel, and 3.3 percent are on active duty. It has 4,324 Air Force personnel, or 13.9 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the 12th state with the fewest workers in this military service branch out of the 50 states. As for the Army personnel, Indiana has 16,072 staff members – or 51.8 percent of military personnel in this state – which translates to this region being the 25th out of the 50 states with the fewest Army workers. There are 5,791 Navy and Marine Corps personnel in Indiana, which is 18.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, which makes this region rank 18th out of the 50 states. In terms of payroll expenses, the DOD spends US$1.5 billion in Indiana, which makes the area rank 24th on the list of US States receiving a low allocation from the federal agency. Indiana has 6,805,985 people and its population is the 17th largest out of the 50 states. The Defense Department has an installation in this state, which is the Defense Finance and Accounting Service or DFAS Indianapolis Center.
27. Alaska
    Alaska has 732,673 inhabitants, making it the third state with the smallest population in America. It has a US Army base – Fort Jonathan Wainwright – in Fairbanks. Alaska has a total of 29,193 military personnel, 64.8 percent of who are on active duty. This region has 13,733 Air Force personnel, or 47 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it in the 15th position out of the 50 states. As for Alaska’s Army personnel, this state has 14,532 laborers, or 49.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the 22nd state with the fewest Army workers out of the 50 states. There are 215 Navy and Marine Corps personnel in Alaska, or 0.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it place sixth on the list of US states with the fewest workers for these two military service branches. In Alaska, the DOD spends US$1.9 billion in payroll, making this state rank 23rd out of the 50 states.
28. Tennessee
    In Tennessee, the DOD spends a total of US$1.2 billion in payroll, making this state rank 19th in the list of US states with the lowest allocation. Tennessee has 26,752 military personnel, 8.8 percent of who are on active duty. Additionally, there are 4,654 Air Force staff members, or 17.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, making Tennessee the 14th state with the fewest workers in this military service branch. As for the Army personnel, there are 16,083 service members, or 60.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, making Tennessee rank 25th out of the 50 states. There are 5,038 Navy and Marine Corps workers – or 18.8 percent of the military personnel in this state – which makes it rank 21st out of the 50 states. Tennessee’s total population is 6,975,218 people, which makes it the 16th most populated region out of the 50 states. The Naval Support Activity Mid-South for the US Navy is the state’s major military base.
29. Michigan
    Michigan’s total military personnel is 26,133 service members, 3.7 percent of who are on active duty. It has 3,281 Air Force staff members, or 12.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the 11th state with the fewest Air Force workers. In terms of Army personnel, Michigan has 18,965 laborers, or 72.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank 21st out of the 50 states. There are 2,015 Navy and Marine Corps personnel in Michigan, or 7.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the 23rd region with the fewest of these workers out of the 50 states. Michigan has 10,050,811 inhabitants, making it the 10th largest of the 50 states, population-wise. In terms of payroll spending, the DOD spends a total of US$1.4 billion for this state, making this area the 22nd region with the lowest allocation out of the 50 states. The US Army’s Detroit Arsenal is the major military installation in Michigan.
30. New Mexico
    In this list of US States with the Most Military Human Resources by CEOWorld Magazine, researchers recorded New Mexico being the 15th US state with a small population. This state has 2,115,877 inhabitants. New Mexico has 24,553 total military personnel, 51.5 percent of who are on active duty. Meanwhile, 17,254 workers serve in the Air Force, or 70.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing this region in the 11th spot out of the 50 states. In terms of Army staff members, New Mexico has 6,237 laborers – or 25.4 percent of the military personnel in this state – ranking 14th on the list of US states with the fewest Army workers. Additionally, there are 475 Navy and Marine Corps staff members in New Mexico, or 1.9 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it on the 12th spot of the list of US states with the fewest laborers on these two military service branches. The DOD spends US$1.5 billion in New Mexico in terms of payroll, putting this state in the 23rd position on the list of US states with the low DOD payroll spending. The Cannon Air Force Base is the major military installation in New Mexico.
31. Nevada
    Nevada is the 19th state on the list of US states with small populations, with 3,143,991 people. It has 23,404 military personnel, 52.8 percent of who are on active duty. Nevada has 15,151 Air Force personnel, or 64.7 percent of the military staff members in this state, placing it in the 13th spot out of the 50 states. Moreover, 5,475 people work for the Army, or 23.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 11th position on the list of US states with the fewest workers in this military service branch. Nevada has 2,406 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 10.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking 24th on the list of US states with the fewest workers for these two military service branches. The Nellis Air Force Base is in Nevada, which is this region’s major military base. The state receives US$1.3 billion, putting it in the 21st position on the list of US states with the lowest DOD payroll spending.
32. Massachusetts
    Massachusetts ranks 15th in the list of the most populated US states with a total population of 6,984,723 residents. The Hanscom Air Force Base is this state’s major military installation. Massachusetts has 23,304 military workers, 9 percent of who are on active duty. It has 8,764 Air Force personnel, or 37.6 percent of the military staff members in this state, placing 24th on the list of US states with the fewest workers in this military service branch. Meanwhile, there are 11,576 Army workers, or 49.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the 20th state on the list with the fewest Army personnel. Massachusetts has 1,772 Marine Corps and Navy workers, or 7.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking 22nd in the list of US states with the fewest workers on these two military service branches. The total DOD payroll spending for Massachusetts is US$1.2 billion, putting this state in the 20th spot among the US states receiving low DOD payroll allocation.
33. Minnesota
    Minnesota is the 22nd state with the largest population, with 5,707,390 inhabitants. It has 21,636 total military personnel, 2.4 percent of who are on active duty. The US Army has a military base in Minnesota, which is Fort Snelling, the major military installation in this state. There are 15,260 Army personnel in Minnesota, or 70.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 24th spot on the list of US states with the fewest workers in this military branch. The Air Force has 4,508 laborers in Minnesota, or 20.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 13th spot on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. Meanwhile, 1,270 staff members are in the Marine Corps and Navy, or 5.9 percent of the military personnel in Minnesota, placing it in the 18th position on the list of US states with the fewest workers for these two military service branches. The DOD’s payroll spending for Minnesota amounts to US$695.7 million, putting it in the 13th spot on the list of US states receiving a low allocation from the Defense Department.
34. Arkansas
    Arkansas’s total population is 3,025,891 people, making it place 18th on the list of US states with small populations. The total military personnel in this region is 18,531 workers, 20.6 percent of who are on active duty. The Little Rock Air Force Base is in Arkansas, which is this state’s major military installation. There are 6,940 Air Force staff members, or 37.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank 20th on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. As for the Army, Arkansas has 10,877 personnel, or 58.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 19th spot on the list of US states with the fewest Army laborers. There are merely 388 Navy and Marine Corps workers in Arkansas, or 2.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 11th position on the list of US states with the fewest laborers for these two military service branches. The total DOD payroll spending in Arkansas is US$768.1 million, making this state rank 14th on the list of US states receiving a low allocation from the federal agency.
35. Wisconsin
    In terms of population, Wisconsin is the 20th largest with 5,895,908 inhabitants. The total military personnel in this state is 17,384 laborers, 4.3 percent of who are on active duty. US Army base Fort McCoy is in Wisconsin, which is this state’s major military installation. The DOD’s total payroll spending for Wisconsin is US$593.9 million, making this state rank 11th on the list of US states receiving a low allocation from the Defense Department. The Army has 13,104 workers in Wisconsin, or 75.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the 21st region on the list of US states with the fewest Army staff members. Meanwhile, there are 2,792 Air Force personnel in Wisconsin, or 16.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the ninth spot on the list of US states with the fewest workers in this military service branch. In Wisconsin, 1,046 laborers serve in the Navy and Marine Corps, or 6 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it 17th on the roster of US states with the fewest workers for these two military service branches.
36. Nebraska
    Nebraska is the 14th state with the smallest population, having 1,963,692 people. Its total military personnel are 16,608 workers, 38.1 percent of who are on active duty. Nebraska is the site of Offutt Air Force Base, which is this state’s major military installation. It ranks 18th on the list of US states receiving the lowest payroll allocation from the DOD, with US$965.9 million. There are 9,759 Air Force personnel in Nebraska, or 58.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 23rd position out of the 50 states. As for the Army, there are 5,833 workers in Nebraska, or 35.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 13th spot on the list of US states with the fewest Army laborers. Finally, Nebraska has 752 Navy and Marine Corps workers, or 4.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it on the 15th spot of the list of US states with the fewest personnel working on these two military service branches.
37. Connecticut
    US states with small populations include Connecticut with 3,605,597 people, putting it in the 22nd spot of the list of US states with a low number of inhabitants. The total military personnel in Connecticut is 15,939 workers, 40.1 percent of who are on active duty. Connecticut receives US$875.2 million from the DOD in terms of payroll, putting it in the 16th position on the list of US states receiving low allocations. The US Navy has a base in this state, which is the Naval Submarine Base New London, the area’s major military installation. Connecticut has 8,113 Navy and Marine Corps staff members, or 50.9 percent of the military laborers in this state, putting it in the 15th spot out of the 50 states. Furthermore, there are 1,379 Air Force workers, or 8.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing Connecticut in the fourth spot on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force personnel. Finally, there are 5,600 workers in the Army, or 35.1 percent of the military personnel in Connecticut, putting it in the 12th position on the list of US states with the fewest laborers in this military service branch.
38. North Dakota
    With 774,948 inhabitants, North Dakota ranks fourth in the list of US states with small populations. Its total military personnel is 13,925 laborers, 53.9 percent of who are on active duty. The Minot Air Force Base is the major military installation in North Dakota. This state receives US$691.2 million from the DOD in terms of payroll spending. This allocation places North Dakota in the 12th position on the list of US states receiving low payroll allocation from the Defense Department. Meanwhile, North Dakota’s Air Force workers amount to 9,782, or 70.2 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting this area in the 22nd spot out of the 50 states. There are 3,739 Army personnel, or 26.9 percent of the military personnel in North Dakota, putting it in the eighth position on the list of US states with the fewest Army workers. North Dakota merely has 156 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 1.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking fourth on the list of US states with the fewest workers in these two military service branches.
39. Iowa
    Iowa’s total population is 3,193,079 people, ranking 20th on the list of US states with a small number of inhabitants. The total military personnel in this state is 13,155 workers, 1.8 percent of who are on active duty. There is no major military installation in Iowa. The Defense Department allocates US$444.3 million for this state in terms of payroll, making this area rank seventh in the list of US states with low payroll allocation from the federal agency. Iowa has 10,037 Army workers, or 76.3 percent of the military personnel in this area, making it the 17th state on the list of US states with the fewest Army staff members. Meanwhile, there are 2,287 Air Force personnel, or 17.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, making Iowa the seventh state on the list of US states with the fewest laborers on this military service branch. As for the Marine Corps and Navy, Iowa has 356 workers, or 2.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank 10th on the list of US states with the fewest laborers on these two military service branches.
40. Oregon
    Oregon is among the US states with the smallest population. It has 4,246,155 people, making it rank 24th on the list of US states with a low population count. Oregon does not have a major military installation, similar to Iowa. The total DOD payroll spending for this state is US$577 million, making this area rank 10th on the list of US states receiving low allocations from the federal agency. Oregon has 13,091 military workers, 6.7 percent of who are on active duty. It has 8,306 Army laborers, or 63.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank 16th on the list of US states with the fewest workers in this military service branch. Meanwhile, there are 2,979 Air Force staff members in Oregon, or 22.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 10th position on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force laborers. Oregon has 1,447 Navy and Marine Corps personnel, or 11.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking 20th on the list of US states with the fewest workers in these two military service branches.
41. Rhode Island
    With 1,095,610 inhabitants, Rhode Island ranks seventh on the list of US states with small populations. The total military personnel in this area is 12,871 workers, 25.3 percent of who are on active duty. Rhode Island has a US Navy base: the Naval Station Newport which is its major military installation. The DOD’s payroll spending for this state is US$923.2 million, putting this region in the 17th spot on the list of US states with low allocation from the Defense Department. The Air Force personnel in Rhode Island total 1,232 workers, or 9.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the fewest out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps and Navy workers in Rhode Island total 8,354 personnel, or 64.9 percent of the military staff members in this state, making it rank 14th out of the 50 states. Rhode Island has 2,974 Army laborers, or 23.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the fifth position on the list of US states with the fewest workers in this military service branch.
42. Maine
    Maine ranks ninth on the list of US states with a low population, with 1,372,247 people. It has 12,696 military workers, 1.6 percent of who are on active duty. Maine has a US Navy base, which is the Naval Air Station Brunswick, the major military installation in this area. The DOD’s total payroll spending in this state amounts to US$842.8 million, placing this region in the 15th position on the list of US states with the lowest payroll allocation. In Maine, 1,267 personnel work in the Air Force, or 10 percent of the military laborers in this state, making it rank second in the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. Furthermore, Maine has 2,634 Army personnel, or 20.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank fourth in the list of US states with the fewest laborers in this military service branch. There are 7,787 Navy and Marine Corps workers in Maine, or 61.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it in the 16th spot out of the 50 states.
43. Idaho
    Idaho has 1,900,923 inhabitants, making it rank 13th on the list of US states with small populations. It has 10,753 military workers, 33.5 percent of who are on active duty. The Mountain Home Air Force Base is the major military installation in Idaho. The DOD’s total payroll spending for this state is US$470 million, placing this area in the eighth spot on the list of US states receiving low payroll allocation from the federal agency. Idaho, indeed, has very few military workers. It has 5,500 Air Force personnel, or 51.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing 18th on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. Meanwhile, there are 4,668 Army laborers in Idaho, or 43.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 10th spot on the list of US states with the fewest laborers in this military service branch. As for the Marine Corps and Navy workers, Idaho has 338, or 3.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it eighth on the list of US states with the fewest Navy and Marine Corps staff members.
44. Delaware
    With a total population of 1,003,384 people, Delaware is the sixth state on the list of US states with small populations. It has 10,303 military workers, 35.2 percent of who are on active duty. The total DOD payroll spending in Delaware amounts to US$476.2 million, making it rank ninth on the list of US states with the lowest allocation. Delaware is home to the Dover Air Force Base, which is this state’s major military installation. The Marine Corps and Navy workers in Delaware amount to 352, or 3.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the ninth position on the list of US states with the fewest workers in these two military branches. As for the Air Force personnel, there are 7,153 workers, or 69.4 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking 22nd on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. Finally, Delaware has 2,512 Army personnel, or 24.4 percent of the military personnel in the state, making it second on the list of US states with the fewest staff members in this military service branch.
45. West Virginia
    West Virginia’s total population is 1,782,959 people. This figure ranks this state 12th on the list of US states with small populations. There are 9,728 military personnel in West Virginia, 1.2 percent of who are on active duty. West Virginia has no major military installations. The DOD’s total payroll spending in this state is US$379.8 million, ranking it fourth on the list of US states with the lowest allocation. 25.7 percent of the military personnel in West Virginia, or 2,498 workers, are in the Air Force, placing this region in the eighth spot on the list of US states with the fewest laborers in this military service branch. Meanwhile, there are 6,724 Army personnel in West Virginia, or 69.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 15th position on the list of US states with the fewest Army workers. Finally, West Virginia has 190 Marine Corps and Navy personnel, or 2 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank fifth on the list of US states with the fewest laborers on these two military service branches.
46. South Dakota
    The fifth US state with a small population is South Dakota, with 895,376 people. Its total military personnel is 9,638 workers, 36.2 percent of who are on active duty. South Dakota’s major military installation is the Ellsworth Air Force Base. In terms of payroll spending, the DOD allocates US$417.7 million in this region, ranking it sixth on the list of US states with low payroll spending from the Defense Department. South Dakota has 5,178 Air Force workers, or 53.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it 16th on the list of US states with the fewest laborers in this military service branch. Meanwhile, there are 4,118 Army staff members, or 42.7 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank ninth on the list of US states with the fewest Army workers. South Dakota has 90 Marine Corps and Navy laborers, or 0.9 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the third spot on the list of US states with the fewest workers in these two military service branches.
47. Montana
    Montana is the eighth smallest US state in terms of population with 1,104,271 inhabitants. 37.4 percent of its 8,982 military personnel are on active duty. The Malmstrom Air Force Base is in Montana and this facility is the state’s major military installation. The total DOD payroll spending in Montana amounts to US$400.5 million, ranking the state fifth on the list of US states with low allocation from the federal agency. Montana has 4,968 Air Force workers, or 55.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it rank 15th on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force laborers. Meanwhile, 3,547 workers serve in the Army, or 39.5 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking it seventh on the list of US states with the fewest Army staff members. Montana has 251 Navy and Marine Corps workers, or 2.8 percent of the military personnel in this state, placing it seventh on the list of US states with the fewest personnel on these two military service branches.
48. Wyoming
    Wyoming has the lowest population in America, with 578,803 people. There are 7,345 military laborers in this state, 43.2 percent of who are on active duty. CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers found that Wyoming’s major military installation is the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. The DOD’s total payroll spending in Wyoming is US$350.9 million, placing this area in the third spot on the list of US states with low DOD allocation. The Air Force personnel in Wyoming total 5,240 laborers, or 71.3 percent of the military personnel in this state, putting it in the 17th spot on the list of US states with the fewest Air Force workers. Additionally, 26.4 percent of the military personnel in Wyoming, or 1,937 laborers, serve in the Army, making this state have the fewest workers in this military service branch. Finally, there are merely 69 Marine Corps and Navy laborers in Wyoming, or 0.9 percent of the military personnel in this state, ranking it second on the list of US states with the fewest personnel in these two military service branches.
49. New Hampshire
    In New Hampshire, the total military workers is 6,298 workers, 18.6 percent of who are on active duty. This state has 1,392 Air Force personnel, which is 22.1 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it the fifth state with the fewest Air Force service members out of the 50 states. As for the Army laborers, New Hampshire has 3,030 staff members, or 48.1 percent of military personnel in this state, making it the sixth area with the fewest of these workers out of the 50 states. There are 1,534 Navy and Marine Corps staff members in this region in the Northeastern United States, or 24.4 percent of military personnel in this state. This number makes New Hampshire the 21st state with the fewest Navy and Marine service members out of the 50 states. New Hampshire is the second lowest out of the 50 states in terms of the total DOD payroll spending, which amounts to US$311.2 million. This area’s total population is 1,388,992, which is the 10th smallest of the 50 states. New Hampshire’s major military base is the US Navy’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
50. Vermont
    Vermont has the least military personnel in the United States. Its military service members total 4,214 workers, 3 percent of who are on active duty. Vermont, which has a total population of 645,570 inhabitants – making it the second smallest of the 50 states, population-wise – has 1,288 Air Force personnel, or 30.6 percent of the military personnel in this state. This figure makes Vermont the third state with the fewest Air Force personnel out of the 50 states. Meanwhile, the region has 2,617 Army personnel, which is 62.1 percent of the military workers in this area. This number makes Vermont the third state with the fewest Army service members out of the 50 states. As for the Navy and Marine Corps personnel, Vermont merely has 66 staff members, or 1.6 percent of the military personnel in this state, making it have the fewest of these military workers out of the 50 states. The total DOD payroll spending in Vermont is US$196.2 million, and this figure is the lowest out of the 50 states. Vermont’s major military installation is the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport-Air Guard Station (IAP-AGS), which the US Air Force uses. This article by CEOWorld Magazine gives readers an idea about the US states with the most military human resources. California has the greatest number, while Vermont has the least. To complete this rankings list of US States with the Most Military Human Resources, CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers used information from the Defense Spending By State Fiscal Year 2021. This report released by the DOD helped the publication’s researchers determine the states with the most military workers. They utilized the supplementary information on DOD payroll spending by state.

Furthermore, CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers used the personnel figures for every major military service branch, which comprises active-duty and civilian staff members. Additional details were used from the 2019 DOD report Demographics Profile of the Military Community. The information gathered aided in identifying the major military installations in every state. No facility is listed for the states where there is no DOD office with at least 100 active-duty battalions.

CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers ranked the states according to the number of DOD personnel in each of them, consisting of active-duty service members, civilian staff, and reservists. The presence of DOD personnel, including active-duty military service members, reservists, and civilian employees, has an important economic effect on America’s 50 states. In more than half of these areas, payroll alone for these workers brought in more than US$1 billion in 2021.

Learning about these states’ DOD worker composition enables readers to understand how massive the US military forces are and how the government is supporting this industry. Readers also become guided about where the government will source manpower in case of disasters, national emergencies, and international wars.

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