Job Growth by State (2024)
California, Texas, and New York, which are among the states with the largest number of small businesses, are also the three states that added the largest number of jobs in May 2024 (from the previous month). But what about growth in terms of percentage increase? Which state has the highest job growth?
Here’s a look at the rankings of job growth by state.
Job growth by state in May 2024 (month-on-month): top 10
|
State |
May 2024 monthly job growth |
|
1. Idaho |
0.9% |
|
2. Montana |
0.6% |
|
3. Ohio |
0.4% |
|
4. New Jersey |
0.4% |
|
5. Washington |
0.4% |
|
6. West Virginia |
0.4% |
|
7. North Dakota |
0.4% |
|
8. Texas |
0.3% |
|
9. Pennsylvania |
0.3% |
|
10. North Carolina |
0.3% |
According to the latest state job growth rankings, Idaho saw the biggest increase in job creation from April 2024 to May 2024. This refers to jobs gained represented as a percentage of the state’s total employment. In May 2024, Idaho added 0.9% more jobs than the previous month.
This is followed by Montaha, which gained 0.6% more jobs. In joint third on the list ranking job growth rate by state are Ohio, New Jersey, Washington, West Virginia, and North Dakota—all five states saw increases of 0.4%. Texas, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina round out the 10 states with the highest month-on-month job growth in May 2024, with 0.3%.
Job growth by state in May 2024 (year-on-year): top 10
|
State |
May 2024 annual job growth |
|
1. Alaska |
3.5% |
|
2. South Carolina |
3.5% |
|
3. Nevada |
3.3% |
|
4. Idaho |
3.1% |
|
5. Missouri |
2.8% |
|
6. Montana |
2.7% |
|
7. Florida |
2.3% |
|
8. Arizona |
2.3% |
|
9. Texas |
2.3% |
|
10. Alabama |
2.2% |
In terms of annual job growth, Alaska and South Carolina top the chart, with a 3.5% increase in May 2024 over the previous year’s figure. It is followed by Nevada and Idaho, with 3.3% and 3.1%, respectively. Missouri completes the top five states with the largest year-on-year job growth, adding 2.8% more jobs.
State job growth rankings in May 2024 (month-on-month: Bottom 10
|
State |
May 2024 monthly job growth |
|
50. Minnesota |
-0.3% |
|
49. Delaware |
-0.2% |
|
48. Rhode Island |
-0.2% |
|
47. Arkansas |
-0.2% |
|
46. Louisiana |
-0.2% |
|
45. Kansas |
0.0% |
|
44. Maine |
0.0% |
|
43. Vermont |
0.0% |
|
42. Iowa |
0.0% |
|
41. Oklahoma |
0.0% |
Looking at the bottom end of the list ranking job growth by state, we see that five states experienced month-on-month decreases in job creation in 2024. Minnesota saw a dip of 0.3%, while Delaware, Rhode Island, Arkansas, and Louisiana, had marginal falls of 0.2% from April 2024.
The remaining five on the list are Kansas, Maine, Vermont, Iowa, and Oklahoma, which saw negligible changes from the previous month.
State job growth rankings in May 2024 (year-on-year): Bottom 10
|
State |
May 2024 annual job growth |
|
50. Oregon |
+0.1% |
|
49. Tennessee |
+0.2% |
|
48. Maryland |
+0.2% |
|
47. Louisiana |
+0.3% |
|
46. Massachusetts |
+0.6% |
|
45. Hawaii |
+0.6% |
|
44. Illinois |
+0.7% |
|
43. Michigan |
+0.9% |
|
42. Ohio |
+0.9% |
|
41. Wisconsin |
+1.0% |
Annual job growth by state rankings show Oregon experienced the smallest increase in May 2024, increasing employment by just 0.1%. Tennessee and Maryland added 0.2% more jobs, while Louisiana added 0.3% year on year.
Massachusetts and Hawaii experienced a 0.6% annual rise, and Illinois added 0.7%. Meanwhile, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin saw employment rise by around 1% from May 2023 to May 2024.