Although Utah lost its 2023 ranking as America’s happiest state to Hawaii this year in WalletHub’s annual rankings, the Beehive State still has the nation’s best work environment, according to WalletHub’s new rankings as reported by Fortune magazine.
WalletHub’s rankings for the work environment is based on a number of metrics, including commute time, current unemployment rate, economic security, income growth rate and job security. Factors that also contributed to Utah’s top ranking were number of work hours, median credit score, the share of households earning annual incomes above $75,000 and the state’s underemployment rate.
Scores for all metrics weren’t made public, but Utah notably had the fewest work hours, and tied with Alabama and North Dakota for the third-lowest long-term unemployment rate.
Among the secrets to a satisfying career is finding work that uses your unique skills and creates value for someone else, according to Jo Jorgensen, a principal lecturer in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences at Clemson University in South Carolina.
“If you do not have your dream job yet and you are watching the clock and waiting for your workday to end, keep looking for the right job,” Jorgensen said in a news release about the rankings. “Even in prestigious careers, many people are just treading water, focused on watching the calendar for the next vacation or promotion or pay bump. To really enjoy your life, aim for a calling.
“The difference is a focus on helping others or finding meaning in your work, rather than being focused on yourself. It is corny, but yes, if you love your work, working for your whole life can be more than just bearable — it can be rewarding.”
Following Utah in the top five states for best work environments were Vermont, Idaho, Minnesota and Massachusetts. The states with the worst work environments were, from the bottom up, West Virginia, Louisiana, Alaska, Kentucky, New Mexico and California.