Mapping the American Grind: Which States Work the Hardest

The rankings, which weigh factors ranging from average workweek hours and employment rates to volunteer engagement and idle youth populations, position South Dakota at the top of the national list. South Dakota’s lead is driven by the country’s highest employment rate, a high frequency of multiple-job holders, and a workweek that ranks among the longest in the nation. North Dakota follows closely, securing the second spot by balancing a robust 97% employment rate with surprisingly high daily leisure time, despite its citizens maintaining one of the most demanding direct work schedules.

At the other end of the spectrum, Michigan occupies the bottom of the list for the second consecutive year, hindered by low employment rates and limited engagement. The study highlights that geography often dictates the nature of the grind: states like Alaska rely on the longest average workweeks in the country to climb the rankings, while others, such as Hawaii, leverage high employment density to secure a top-five position. By synthesizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US Census Bureau, and Gallup, the report illustrates that the definition of a "hard-working" state is as much about the efficiency of its workforce as it is about the hours spent on the clock.