Does it surprise you that California and New York don’t even crack the top ten list of states with the best job opportunities in 2025?
That’s just one of the eye-opening findings in MyPerfectResume’s latest analysis of January 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which looked at which states offer the strongest job markets for Americans across 49 states. The District of Columbia was not included in the study for reasons unstated.
Each studied state was scored across six labor indicators; percent of hires relative to employment, percent of job openings relative to total employment, unemployed persons per job opening, layoffs and discharge rates, labor participation rates, and average hourly wages.
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Top ten states
Topping the list is Virginia, with low unemployment per job opening (0.5 unemployed per opening), a strong job openings rate (5.7 percent), and above-average wages ($36.26).
Second is Vermont for its high hire rate (4.8 percent), and job openings rate (6.3 percent), followed by Connecticut, which combines strong average wages ($39.14), and job market stability, with one of the lowest layoff rates in the country.
Massachusetts comes in fourth as the state ranks #1 in wages, ($42.65), and fourth in job stability.
Known for its high labor participation (68.1 percent) and low job competition (0.5 unemployed per opening), Minnesota comes in fifth place, followed by Alaska, which has a high hire rate (4.7 percent), and a high number of job openings (5.8 percent).
Achieving moderate results across all categories was New Hampshire in seventh place, with low unemployment and strong wages, while Rhode Island which follows, had similarly balanced performance in job availability, stability, and compensation.
North Dakota has the highest labor participation rate (69.4 percent) in the country, nabbing it spot nine in the rankings, and lastly, Wisconsin rounds out the top ten for its competitive job market with low unemployment per opening, and steady labor participation.
States beyond the stats
It may be surprising to see smaller Northeastern states rank so highly –– five make the top 10, but these states benefit from substantial public-sector employment, healthcare infrastructure, and education-driven economies.
With these factors combined, the result is lower unemployment, higher wages, and overall job quality.
Alaska may seem a more obvious inclusion, as we know it has high demand for workers due to its high job availability per capita. North Dakota is similar. Both states have low unemployment, and demand in key industries like healthcare, transportation, and energy.
And though usually ranking closer to the bottom in national economic rankings, Vest Virginia nabs spot 22 in this analysis. This is credited to recent growth in remote work, healthcare, and infrastructure investment.
States in the Sunbelt and Mountain West, including Arizona (11), Florida (15), Texas (17) Georgia (18), Utah (19), North Carolina (20), and Colorado (21) all did well.
All demonstrated strong job market fundamentals, thanks to population growth, the migration of technology companies, and a diverse economic landscape.
As for California and New York, they landed in positions 38 and 29, respectively, mainly due to diversified economies, but particularly due to opportunities in tech, healthcare, and media.
“Job seekers often focus on roles and industries—but where you live can be just as important,” says Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume.
“This report highlights how some states are pulling ahead in hiring, job availability, and stability. If you’re considering a career move, these insights can help you align your goals with the places offering the best chances to thrive in 2025.”
However, if moving isn’t on the cards for you this year, these figures might at least be a comfort if you’re finding the job market a struggle in your state at the moment.
One tactic you can take is to look for organizations based in these states but who are hiring for remote or hybrid roles. Your state might just be in their catchment area.
If that’s the case, visit The Hill’s Job Board today, where you’ll find a mix of roles across the U.S., but with special focus on Washington D.C..
Ready to find a new role? Browse thousands of jobs on The Hill Job Board
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