
Director, Global Employment Policy & Special Initiatives, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Published
September 15, 2023
America is facing a worker shortage crisis: There are too many open jobs without people to fill them. The interactive map below shows which states are suffering the most from a labor shortage by comparing their Worker Shortage Index ratios.
The Chamber’s Worker Shortage Index ratio indicates the number of available workers for every job opening. States with a higher ratio have more workers available to fill open jobs. For example, a ratio of 0.39 means a state has just 39 workers for every 100 open jobs. A ratio above 1.0 would indicate a surplus of available workers compared to job openings.
The Worker Shortage Across America - updated September 2023
Explore the interactive map below to see the impact of the worker shortage crisis in each state.
Alabama
Alabama has 48 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.48
Alabama's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 126,000
- Unemployed Workers: 48,605
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.0
- Unemployment Rate: 2.1
- Quit Rate: 2.8
- Hiring Rate: 4.4
Alaska
Alaska has 73 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.73
Alaska's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 24,000
- Unemployed Workers: 14,101
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.2
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9
- Quit Rate: 3.4
- Hiring Rate: 4.9
Arizona
Arizona has 92 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.92
Arizona's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 191,000
- Unemployed Workers: 141,623
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.8
- Unemployment Rate: 3.8
- Quit Rate: 2.9
- Hiring Rate: 4.1
Arkansas
Arkansas has 56 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.56
Arkansas's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 82,000
- Unemployed Workers: 37,285
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.7
- Quit Rate: 2.7
- Hiring Rate: 4.2
California
California has 115 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.15
California's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 962,000
- Unemployed Workers: 894,743
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.4
- Unemployment Rate: 4.6
- Quit Rate: 1.7
- Hiring Rate: 3.5
Colorado
Colorado has 69 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.69
Colorado's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 179,000
- Unemployed Workers: 99,818
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.7
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 3.1
Connecticut
Connecticut has 91 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.91
Connecticut's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 92,000
- Unemployed Workers: 67,331
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.1
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6
- Quit Rate: 2.0
- Hiring Rate: 3.5
Delaware
Delaware has 78 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.78
Delaware's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 33,000
- Unemployed Workers: 20,813
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.3
- Unemployment Rate: 4.1
- Quit Rate: 3.1
- Hiring Rate: 5.2
District of Columbia
District of Columbia has 57 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.57
District of Columbia's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 42,000
- Unemployed Workers: 19,517
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 70.9
- Unemployment Rate: 5.0
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 3.4
Florida
Florida has 68 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.68
Florida's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 552,000
- Unemployed Workers: 303,016
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 59.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.7
- Quit Rate: 2.7
- Hiring Rate: 3.9
Georgia
Georgia has 69 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.69
Georgia's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 311,000
- Unemployed Workers: 174,134
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.4
- Unemployment Rate: 3.3
- Quit Rate: 2.8
- Hiring Rate: 4.8
Hawaii
Hawaii has 76 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.76
Hawaii's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 31,000
- Unemployed Workers: 19,054
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.2
- Unemployment Rate: 2.8
- Quit Rate: 1.9
- Hiring Rate: 3.1
Idaho
Idaho has 65 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.65
Idaho's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 55,000
- Unemployed Workers: 28,955
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.4
- Unemployment Rate: 3.0
- Quit Rate: 2.8
- Hiring Rate: 4.5
Illinois
Illinois has 95 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.95
Illinois's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 348,000
- Unemployed Workers: 266,173
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.4
- Unemployment Rate: 4.1
- Quit Rate: 1.9
- Hiring Rate: 3.6
Indiana
Indiana has 88 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.88
Indiana's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 165,000
- Unemployed Workers: 117,388
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.5
- Unemployment Rate: 3.4
- Quit Rate: 2.6
- Hiring Rate: 4.2
Iowa
Iowa has 80 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.80
Iowa's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 78,000
- Unemployed Workers: 50,220
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.9
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.2
Kansas
Kansas has 64 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.64
Kansas's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 81,000
- Unemployed Workers: 41,807
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 66.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.7
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 3.9
Kentucky
Kentucky has 91 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.91
Kentucky's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 112,000
- Unemployed Workers: 81,966
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.6
- Unemployment Rate: 4.0
- Quit Rate: 2.9
- Hiring Rate: 4.0
Louisiana
Louisiana has 72 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.72
Louisiana's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 119,000
- Unemployed Workers: 68,814
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 59.0
- Unemployment Rate: 3.3
- Quit Rate: 2.9
- Hiring Rate: 5.0
Maine
Maine has 49 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.49
Maine's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 43,000
- Unemployed Workers: 17,145
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 58.6
- Unemployment Rate: 2.5
- Quit Rate: 1.9
- Hiring Rate: 3.4
Maryland
Maryland has 40 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.40
Maryland's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 169,000
- Unemployed Workers: 54,811
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.3
- Unemployment Rate: 1.7
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 4.0
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 50 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.50
Massachusetts's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 242,000
- Unemployed Workers: 98,134
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.5
- Unemployment Rate: 2.6
- Quit Rate: 1.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.2
Michigan
Michigan has 104 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.04
Michigan's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 218,000
- Unemployed Workers: 183,254
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.3
- Unemployment Rate: 3.7
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 3.8
Minnesota
Minnesota has 60 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.60
Minnesota's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 201,000
- Unemployed Workers: 97,038
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 68.5
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1
- Quit Rate: 2.4
- Hiring Rate: 3.6
Mississippi
Mississippi has 61 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.61
Mississippi's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 80,000
- Unemployed Workers: 39,167
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 54.3
- Unemployment Rate: 3.2
- Quit Rate: 3.1
- Hiring Rate: 4.8
Missouri
Missouri has 65 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.65
Missouri's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 167,000
- Unemployed Workers: 87,958
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.8
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.3
Montana
Montana has 53 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.53
Montana's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 34,000
- Unemployed Workers: 14,688
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.5
- Quit Rate: 2.9
- Hiring Rate: 4.7
Nebraska
Nebraska has 48 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.48
Nebraska's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 55,000
- Unemployed Workers: 21,140
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.2
- Unemployment Rate: 2.0
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.6
Nevada
Nevada has 116 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.16
Nevada's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 91,000
- Unemployed Workers: 85,631
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.7
- Unemployment Rate: 5.4
- Quit Rate: 2.5
- Hiring Rate: 4.2
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has 35 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.35
New Hampshire's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 49,000
- Unemployed Workers: 13,783
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.6
- Unemployment Rate: 1.8
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 4.2
New Jersey
New Jersey has 100 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.00
New Jersey's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 251,000
- Unemployed Workers: 203,211
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.5
- Unemployment Rate: 4.2
- Quit Rate: 1.9
- Hiring Rate: 3.2
New Mexico
New Mexico has 75 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.75
New Mexico's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 59,000
- Unemployed Workers: 35,846
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.2
- Unemployment Rate: 3.7
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 4.4
New York
New York has 104 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.04
New York's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 456,000
- Unemployed Workers: 384,731
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.5
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9
- Quit Rate: 1.5
- Hiring Rate: 3.0
North Carolina
North Carolina has 72 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.72
North Carolina's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 300,000
- Unemployed Workers: 173,576
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 60.8
- Unemployment Rate: 3.3
- Quit Rate: 2.6
- Hiring Rate: 3.4
North Dakota
North Dakota has 38 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.38
North Dakota's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 26,000
- Unemployed Workers: 7,888
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.5
- Unemployment Rate: 1.9
- Quit Rate: 2.5
- Hiring Rate: 3.9
Ohio
Ohio has 75 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.75
Ohio's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 321,000
- Unemployed Workers: 195,662
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 62.1
- Unemployment Rate: 3.4
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.4
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has 64 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.64
Oklahoma's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 105,000
- Unemployed Workers: 54,331
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.8
- Unemployment Rate: 2.8
- Quit Rate: 2.8
- Hiring Rate: 4.8
Oregon
Oregon has 84 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.84
Oregon's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 108,000
- Unemployed Workers: 73,539
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.8
- Unemployment Rate: 3.4
- Quit Rate: 2.2
- Hiring Rate: 3.4
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 82 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.82
Pennsylvania's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 340,000
- Unemployed Workers: 226,264
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 61.9
- Unemployment Rate: 3.5
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 2.8
Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 63 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.63
Rhode Island's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 30,000
- Unemployed Workers: 15,209
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 63.3
- Unemployment Rate: 2.7
- Quit Rate: 2.0
- Hiring Rate: 3.6
South Carolina
South Carolina has 54 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.54
South Carolina's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 167,000
- Unemployed Workers: 73,032
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 57.0
- Unemployment Rate: 3.0
- Quit Rate: 2.9
- Hiring Rate: 4.5
South Dakota
South Dakota has 45 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.45
South Dakota's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 25,000
- Unemployed Workers: 9,072
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 67.8
- Unemployment Rate: 1.9
- Quit Rate: 2.6
- Hiring Rate: 3.9
Tennessee
Tennessee has 68 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.68
Tennessee's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 190,000
- Unemployed Workers: 105,115
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 59.4
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1
- Quit Rate: 2.8
- Hiring Rate: 4.9
Texas
Texas has 103 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.03
Texas's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 745,000
- Unemployed Workers: 622,929
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.2
- Unemployment Rate: 4.1
- Quit Rate: 2.6
- Hiring Rate: 3.6
Utah
Utah has 61 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.61
Utah's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 93,000
- Unemployed Workers: 45,782
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 69.8
- Unemployment Rate: 2.5
- Quit Rate: 2.4
- Hiring Rate: 3.7
Vermont
Vermont has 44 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.44
Vermont's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 18,000
- Unemployed Workers: 6,401
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.0
- Unemployment Rate: 1.8
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.6
Virginia
Virginia has 57 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.57
Virginia's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 245,000
- Unemployed Workers: 112,959
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 66.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.5
- Quit Rate: 2.4
- Hiring Rate: 4.2
Washington
Washington has 100 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
1.00
Washington's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 181,000
- Unemployed Workers: 146,118
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.6
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6
- Quit Rate: 2.1
- Hiring Rate: 3.4
West Virginia
West Virginia has 67 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.67
West Virginia's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 52,000
- Unemployed Workers: 28,264
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 54.9
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6
- Quit Rate: 3.3
- Hiring Rate: 5.1
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has 67 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.67
Wisconsin's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 164,000
- Unemployed Workers: 89,487
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 65.7
- Unemployment Rate: 2.9
- Quit Rate: 2.3
- Hiring Rate: 3.2
Wyoming
Wyoming has 60 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
-
0.60
Wyoming's Worker Shortage Index
- Job Openings: 18,000
- Unemployed Workers: 8,740
- Labor Force Participation Rate: 64.5
- Unemployment Rate: 2.9
- Quit Rate: 3.1
- Hiring Rate: 4.5
Workforce Data Definitions (BLS):
- Job Openings: All positions that are unfilled and have available work
- Unemployed Workers: People that do not have a job, have looked for work in the last four weeks, and are currently available and able to work
- Labor Force Participation Rate: The percentage of the population that is working or actively looking for work
- Quit Rate: The number of employees who voluntarily quit as a percent of total employment
- Hire Rate: All additions to payroll as a percentage of total employment
NEW: Read in-depth articles on the labor market and business environment in nine states, with more state profiles coming soon.
More State-by-State Workforce Analysis
There is a national worker shortage affecting the nation, and many states are feeling the impact. The vast majority of states have more job openings today than it had before the pandemic, while labor force participation remains below pre-pandemic levels.

The U.S. has lost millions of workers since the start of the pandemic. As of June 2023, the national labor force participation rate is .7 percentage points below pre-pandemic levels. That equates to 1.9 million workers who have left the workforce since the start of the pandemic in February 2020.

Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia are the only states that have a higher percentage of their labor force working than before the pandemic. The vast majority have seen their labor forces shrink because of early retirements, increased savings, less immigration, among other factors.

The U.S. Chamber and U.S. Chamber Foundation are helping employers discover and develop talent through the America Works Initiative. For more information, contact Stephanie Ferguson at sferguson@uschamber.com.
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About the authors
Lindsay Cates
Lindsay is a manager on the communications and strategy team. She previously worked as a writer and editor at U.S. News and World Report.
