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It's not hard to find a job in Abilene, let alone in the Lone Star State. Now, what I keep hearing in the media and from business owners is that there are not enough people to fill those jobs in the state of Texas.

However, those of us that are working are setting some pretty impressive employment records throughout Texas. Furthermore, we Texans should be very proud of the fact that we are also setting some work records across the United States of America as well.

For example, WalletHub has just released the hardest working states in America poll, and Texas placed in the top five. While we did not place first, Texas did land at an impressive place 4. In the 'Hardest-Working States in the U.S.' poll, these are the top five followed by the lowest five in the WalletHub poll.

Highest States

1. Alaska
T-2. Wyoming
T-2. North Dakota
4. Texas
5. Louisiana

Lowest States

46. Alaska
47. New Mexico
48. New York
49. Nevada
50. California

So, what makes Texas and other states that topped the list so hardworking? The fact is that the average worker puts in about 1,791 hours per year working as of 2021. According to the World Economic Forum, that’s about 442 hours per year more than Germans work, but 337 fewer hours than Mexicos workers.

Interestingly enough, when Americans are given the chance to work hard the majority over 50% would rather not. However, those Americans that prefer to work harder and longer relinquished an average of 4.6 paydays off in 2021. That's leaving valuable vacation time on the table. While the poll does not reveal why Americans give back so much PTO it says something about America's work ethics.

When employees are given the opportunity to take time off from work, many don’t. Texans forfeited an average of 4.6 paid days off in 2021. While leaving vacation time on the table may seem strange to some workers, there are a lot of reasons why those that don't choose to. Researchers say that fear of looking less dedicated to the job, some worry of being laid-off or worse yet being fired.

Source: WalletHub

Hardest-Working States in the U.S.

Overall Rank*StateTotal ScoreDirect Work FactorsIndirect Work Factors
1North Dakota67.80146
2Alaska67.4424
3Nebraska62.43310
4South Dakota60.47421
5Texas57.91533
6Virginia55.30108
7Oklahoma54.68837
8Kansas54.33744
9New Hampshire53.98129
10Wyoming53.42650
11Georgia52.45940
12Colorado51.811317
13Tennessee50.921138
14Maryland50.84212
15Hawaii50.542013
16Utah50.22281
17Indiana49.871818
18Minnesota49.34237
19Alabama48.481541
20Arkansas48.381443
21Louisiana48.361736
22Iowa48.141928
23Mississippi46.931649
24Wisconsin46.88295
25Idaho46.332520
26Vermont46.133011
27North Carolina45.952426
28South Carolina45.402245
29Missouri44.862627
30Maine44.64353
31Montana44.403215
32Kentucky43.802730
33Arizona43.583322
34Washington43.003614
35Florida40.943148
36Delaware40.843429
37Nevada38.643734
38Pennsylvania38.444212
39Illinois37.793832
40California37.423935
41Oregon37.28466
42Ohio36.904024
43New Jersey36.544125
44Massachusetts36.474419
45Connecticut34.774816
46West Virginia34.244342
47Michigan33.054539
48New York32.515023
49Rhode Island32.304931
50New Mexico31.264747

Note: No. *1 = Hardest Working
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category. Source: WalletHubNews

If you need a job, you don't have to look far. Abilene and San Angelo are fortunate to have the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The TWC is located at 500 Chestnut Street, Suite #1100, in Abilene, or reach them online at TWC.org or call (325) 795-4200. In San Angelo, TWC is located at 202 Henry O Flipper, in San Angelo, or call (325)  653-2321.

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