No job is perfect, and even dream jobs come with high-stress days. But does where you live impact your overall happiness at work? According to a new report, some employees in certain states are far happier than others.
A new report by human resource platform SelectSoftware Reviews found that Alaska has the most content employees. Georgia, meanwhile, grapples with the lowest job satisfaction levels.
The report was compiled through an analysis of various performance metrics (annual incomes, resignation rates, workplace injuries, commute durations, legislation regarding paid time off (PTO), weekly working hours, and overall state happiness scores) across all 50 states with a max score of 100.
Related: These Are the Most (And Least) Happy States in the U.S. 2023, According to a New Report
Alaska earned the distinction of having the happiest employees, with a total score of 69.96. Factors such as short average workweeks (31.3) and average annual salary of $52,000 (fourth highest across the country) contributed to its No. 1 title.
In second place, Rhode Island boats a total score of 56.64, and stands out due to a modest quit rate of 2.4%. It also has the lowest injury rate among all states, with just five fatal incidents reported in the previous year. Followed by Rhode Island is North Dakota, which clinched the third-place position with a score of 56.40.
As for the unhappiest employees, workers in Georgia take the lead (or lag?) with a score of 29.62. The level of unhappiness is reflected in the state’s quit rate, which was the highest of all 50 states at 3.6%. The state with the second-lowest score for happiness was Texas at 30.36 and also had the highest rate of fatalities per year at 533.
Florida had a total score of 30.46 coming in at No. 3 for the least happiest workers. Despite earning an average wage of $38,470, Floridians contend with a lengthy working week of 41.5 hours, resulting in an average hourly rate of only $18, compared to the $32 earned in Alaska.
Here are the 10 states with the happiest and unhappiest employees, along with their total scores.
Top 10 States With Happiest Employees
1. Alaska
Happiness score: 69.96
2. Rhode Island
Happiness score: 56.64
3. North Dakota
Happiness score: 56.40
4. Colorado
Happiness score: 55.76
5. Minnesota
Happiness score: 55.26
6. Nebraska
Happiness score: 54.91
7. Maine
Happiness score: 53.98
8. Ohio
Happiness score: 52.05
9. Arizona
Happiness score: 51.69
10. Indiana
Happiness score: 48.84
Top 10 States With Unhappiest Employees
1. Georgia
Happiness score: 29.62
2. Texas
Happiness score: 30.36
3. Florida
Happiness score: 30.46
4. South Carolina
Happiness score: 31.65
5. New York
Happiness score: 31.51
6. Alabama
Happiness score: 32.68
7. Pennsylvania
Happiness score: 33.26
8. Virginia
Happiness score: 33.89
9. New Jersey
Happiness score: 34.09
10. New Mexico
Happiness score: 34.25
