- Minnesota is the top state for job seekers amid rising layoffs, seeing a high job opening rate of 5.6%.
- Southern states dominate the list of best places for job seekers, each offering more than 80K vacancies.
- New York stands out with nearly twice as many job openings as any other state, offering 500K available positions.
Following recent news of Microsoft’s announcement to cut over 10K jobs, many workers are facing increased uncertainty in the labor market. A recent study by Yijin Hardware set out to evaluate the best U.S. states for job seekers amid rising layoffs. The study looked at key factors such as the rate of recent job losses, the proportion of job openings compared to the workforce, and the number of unemployed individuals per available job. Additionally, it examined the total number of job openings and the overall number of layoffs to assess job loss levels. Each factor on job market conditions was taken into account to calculate a score on a 1–100 scale, ranking states with the most job opportunities.
Here is the summary of the findings:
| State | Layoffs and Discharges Rate | Layoffs and discharges level (in thousands) | Job openings rate | Job openings level (in thousands) | Unemployed persons per job opening | Job Opportunity Index |
| Minnesota | 0.8% | 23 | 5.6% | 182 | 0.5 | 100 |
| North Carolina | 1.2% | 63 | 5.7% | 309 | 0.6 | 86 |
| Oklahoma | 1.1% | 19 | 5.6% | 106 | 0.6 | 80 |
| New York | 1.0% | 98 | 4.8% | 500 | 0.8 | 77 |
| West Virginia | 1.4% | 10 | 6.0% | 46 | 0.6 | 73 |
| Rhode Island | 1.4% | 7 | 5.3% | 29 | 1 | 72 |
| Idaho | 1.0% | 9 | 5.3% | 49 | 0.8 | 69 |
| Alabama | 1.0% | 23 | 4.9% | 113 | 0.7 | 67 |
| Kansas | 1.0% | 15 | 5.1% | 79 | 0.8 | 66 |
| Louisiana | 1.2% | 24 | 5.4% | 113 | 0.8 | 65 |
Research by https://yijinsolution.com/
Minnesota is the top state for job seekers amid rising layoffs, having the strongest job market. Job opening rates reach a high of 182K. Competition is low, as there are twice as many jobs as unemployed people in the state. It is also the safest place for employees, with the lowest layoff rate at just 0.8%.
North Carolina follows in second with a job opportunity index of 86. With the country’s second-highest job opening rate at 5.7%, the state offers 300K available positions. Similar to Minnesota, North Carolina sees very low competition, with roughly 6 people per 10 job openings.
Oklahoma comes in third on the list of the top employment markets in the US. The state sees the same job opening rates as Minnesota (5.6%), and there are 106K available positions. Only 19K individuals are laid off from work, one of the lowest in the ranking. Those let go are offered a strong market with more vacancies than job-seekers.
New York follows in fourth with a job opportunity index of 77. With 20% more open vacancies than unemployed people, New York ensures a high chance of work. There are 500K available positions, with a job opening rate of roughly 4.8%.
West Virginia rounds out the top five best states for job hunters as layoffs surge, with a job opportunity index of 73. Similar to North Carolina and Oklahoma, West Virginia provides almost twice as many vacancies as there are unemployed (0.6 people per opening), ensuring low competition. It faces one of the highest layoff rates at 1.4% in the top 10, yet stands out for the highest job opening rate at 6% of the total workforce.
Rhode Island comes in close, with a final score of 72, placing it in sixth place. It has a 5.3% vacancy growth, ensuring 29K open positions. With a one-to-one ratio of unemployed to job openings, the state shows demand and availability in the job sector.
Idaho follows in seventh place in the race for the top states for job seekers. The state offers 49K job vacancies and more jobs than currently unemployed. It balances a layoff rate of
1% with a 5.3% job openings growth, earning its final job opportunity index of 69.
1% with a 5.3% job openings growth, earning its final job opportunity index of 69.
Alabama ranks eighth in the race for the top states for job seekers. Alabama offers 113K new vacancies, the third biggest job market in the ranking. Alabama experiences a 1% layoff rate alongside a nearly 5% job opening rate, giving the state a ratio of 7 workers for 10 vacancies.
Kansas comes in ninth place with an opportunity score of 66. There are 79K available positions and 20% more new jobs than unemployed people. Kansas also combines a 1% layoff rate with a 5.1% job opening rate, remaining a steady and accessible labor market for those seeking employment.
Louisiana rounds out the list of the top states for job seekers amid rising layoffs. It hosts the same number of available positions as Alabama, at 113K vacancies. The state is also similar to New York, featuring the same unemployed persons per job availability rate at 0.8. Louisiana offers a 5.4% opening rate, earning a score of 65.
Gavin Yi, a CEO of Yijin Hardware commented, “With so many people facing layoffs right now, it’s more important than ever to know where the job opportunities are. Some states are managing to keep more openings available, giving job seekers a better chance to get back on their feet. While the job market is tough, there are places where the balance between job losses and new positions still works in favor of workers. Staying informed about these trends can make a real difference for anyone looking to make their next move.”
