Hard Work Pays Off: North Dakota Leads Nation in Employment and Work Ethic

North Dakota has once again claimed the top spot as the hardest-working state in America, according to WalletHub’s 2025 rankings. The study, which weighs factors like average workweek hours, employment rates, and volunteerism, highlights North Dakota’s nearly 98 percent employment rate, its 39.6-hour average workweek, and its reputation for leaving vacation days unused. This marks the fourth consecutive year the state has taken first place. Alaska followed closely in second with the longest average workweek in the nation at 41.6 hours, while South Dakota ranked third, boasting the highest overall employment rate. Rounding out the top 10 hardest-working states are Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Maryland, and Nebraska. On the opposite end of the spectrum, states like Michigan, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Nevada, and New York were found to have the lowest rankings. WalletHub analysts note that while these trends reflect America’s strong culture of productivity, they also raise concerns about burnout and the need for balance.