[These graphics have been updated.]
The Great Resignation's impact on states is continuing to develop as ongoing elevated quits levels have led to increased job openings. The interplay between hires, quits, job openings and unemployment rates gives a state-by-state look at the jobs market in August 2023, the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data available.
Turnover has not been distributed evenly across the country. The South has the highest percentage of workers quitting their jobs, at 2.8 percent. Meanwhile, 2.5 percent of workers have quit in the Midwest, followed by 2.1 percent of workers in the West. Only 1.4 percent of workers in the Northeast have quit.
The South also led all regions in hiring workers, with a rate of 4.3 percent. Meanwhile, the Midwest saw a hires rate of 3.6 percent, the Northeast saw a rate of 3.4 percent, and the West saw a rate of 3.2 percent.
Job openings have remained elevated in the South, at 6.1 percent. Meanwhile, the Midwest saw a job openings rate of 5.8 percent, the West saw a rate of 5.7 percent, and the Northeast saw a rate of 5.2 percent.
The unemployment rate was highest in Nevada, at 5.4 percent, followed by the District of Columbia, at 5 percent. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate was lowest in Maryland, at 1.7 percent, followed by New Hampshire and Vermont, both at 1.8 percent.
For more information on the Great Resignation, see SHRM's Resource Hub page on Turnover and Retention.