WORK
Which US states commit the most hours to work?
While a strong work ethic remains a cornerstone of American identity, new data suggests mor eare searching for a balance of life and work.
The American work ethic remains a defining characteristic of the nation’s culture, but recent data suggests that not all states embody this trait equally. A staggering 94% of U.S. service professionals report working more than 50 hours per week, far exceeding the standard 40-hour workweek.
A new study by WalletHub has shed light on which states awork the longest, while also raising questions about work-life balance across the country.
North Dakota emerged as the hardest-working state in America, boasting an impressive employment rate of over 98% for individuals aged 16 to 64. The state’s workforce clocks an average of 39.7 hours per week, ranking third nationally in this category. However, this commitment comes at a cost, with North Dakota recording the second-lowest amount of daily leisure time among all states.
Alaska secured the second position, with residents working an average of 41.6 hours per week – the highest in the nation. The state also ranked ninth in terms of workers holding multiple jobs, indicating a strong work ethic but potentially highlighting economic pressures.
Nebraska rounded out the top three, with 7.4% of its workforce juggling multiple jobs. The state also jas the fifth-highest volunteer hours per capita.
The study revealed some striking disparities across states:
- Alaska’s average workweek is 12% longer than Utah’s, which has the shortest.
- New York’s average commute time is 1.9 times longer than South Dakota’s, the shortest in the nation.
- Mississippi has the highest share of workers leaving vacation time unused, 1.6 times higher than Ohio, which has the lowest.
- Maine leads in workers with multiple jobs, with a rate 2.5 times higher than Florida’s, the lowest in this category.
Work-life balance concerns
Despite the strong work ethic displayed by many states, the study raises concerns about work-life balance. Only 48% of Americans reported using all of their paid time off last year.
Younger generations appear to be particularly affected by this imbalance with a striking 83% of millennials and Gen Z individuals in America reported feeling they did not have it. A Deloitte study also showed that balancing workj and life is the top concern of Gen Zers.