Statistics show that over 51% of workers have experienced burnout so far in 2024 -- a 15% rise from last year, with stress as the leading cause. More job seekers are including work-life balance, looking for the highest-paying, low-stress jobs as part of their wellness goals. I was curious which states have the most promise for wellness and work-life balance. So, I explored a study that revealed the top U.S. states with the most burnout and the worst states for work-life balance. I was curious about which states might be the least worker-friendly overall and found the following study that analyzes all 50 states, ranking the worst states to work in.

The researchers analyzed all states on various metrics related to financial comfort, work-life balance and overall quality of life for workers. The analysis included disposable income, average commute time, average hours worked per week, workplace safety rank and happiness index. The final composite score for each state was calculated and the states were ranked with higher scores indicating the worse working conditions.

As you can see from the analysis, Hawaii leads the pack with the lowest disposable income, at $5,929. Louisiana has some of the longest work hours (44.3 per week) and one of the lowest happiness scores (34.81). West Virginia ranks last in workplace safety (45) and has the longest average commute time.

Your self-care is top priority, regardless of whether or not you live in one of the worst states to work in. It's important to be apprised of wellness steps you can take to prevent burnout and create a healthy work-live balance, no matter where you live and work.