Map Reveals the Best and Worst US States To Work In

The United States is one of the most stressed countries in the world, according to recent Gallup polls.

More than a quarter of U.S. adults report feeling too stressed to function most days, according to a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association in 2022, with 77 percent of U.S. workers reporting work-related stress in the last month.

However, these stressors are not equal across the country. So which states top the list for the most stressful workplaces?

New research by personal injury attorneys at Premier Law Group analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau across the country to identify which states offer the best and worst working conditions when it comes to employee stress levels.

Their analysis considered factors such as average hourly earnings, working hours, injury rates, unemployment rates, commute times, and remote working to produce an overall “stress score” out of 100.

The map below shows how stressed-out workers are in each state, according to this analysis.

Chronic high levels of stress can have negative repercussions for both our mental and physical well-being, including anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, asthma and diabetes. It can also negatively impact employee productivity.

The top 10 states with the most stressful jobs are as follows:

1. Louisiana
2. West Virginia
3. Mississippi
4. Kentucky
5. Nevada
6. Arkansas
7. Texas
8. South Carolina
9. New Mexico
10. Tennessee

Louisiana, with the highest stress score, had the longest average workweek in the U.S., with employees clocking an average 36.5 hours per week. Average hourly wages of $28.98 were 14.3 percent below the national average, and only 6.2 percent of workers have the option to work from home. Commuters spend on average 26 minutes travelling to work and unemployment lies at 3.9 percent.

The state also reported a 6.4 fatal work-related injuries per 100,000 workers, 32.7 percent higher than the national average.

At the other end of the spectrum, the following states were ranked as having the least stressed out workforce:

1. Minnesota
2. Vermont
3. Utah
4. New Hampshire
5. Connecticut
6. Massachusetts
7. Colorado
8. Wisonsin
9. South Dakota
10. Montana

Minnesota, ranked as the least stressful state for workers, clocked in an average 33 working hours per week with an average hourly wage of $37.51, 13.1 percent above the national average. 13.6 percent of employees work from home, unemployment rates are roughly half that of Louisiana, and fatal workplace injuries were 53.5 percent below the national average, at 2.8 per 100,000 workers.

One notable pattern that emerged through this analysis was that 8 out of the 10 most stressed-out states were Republican, while 7 of the 10 least stressed states were Democratic.

“Stress has become an all-too-common companion in the workplace,” experts from Premier Law Group said in a statement in response to their findings.

“From long hours to underpaid staff, employees are facing unprecedented levels of pressure. A stressed employee is disengaged and more prone to errors, accidents, and even burnout.

“Companies must take proactive steps to create a healthier work culture to combat this. Promoting open communication can make a world of difference, as staff who feel supported are more likely to collaborate effectively.

“Employers must prioritize mental well-being, recognizing that a healthy work-life balance is not a luxury but a necessity.”

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