States with the Highest Quits Rate
States ranked by 3-month average voluntary quits rate (minimum 20K average quits).
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, Indiana leads on the 3-month average quits rate at 2.9% (about 93K average quits) , against a cohort median of 2.1% (+0.8 pp vs median). Only states with at least 20K average quits in the window appear here ; window ends Dec 2025. Even above that floor, state JOLTS estimates are volatile, so treat the #1 spot as directional rather than definitive.
What This Ranking Tells Us
The quits rate measures voluntary separations as a share of employment. Economists often read it as a worker-confidence signal, but a single month can bounce. This ranking uses a 3-month average among states clearing the 20K average-quits floor, and treats the #1 spot as directional rather than definitive.
Rates come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), state-level series. State totals are typically not seasonally adjusted and carry larger sampling variability than the national release. Differences smaller than roughly ±0.3 percentage points at the state level should be treated as statistically indistinguishable. See our methodology page and the BLS JOLTS state data issues notice.
Bar length shows each state's quits rate as a share of the largest value on this list, hover or focus a bar for the exact share and rank.
| # | State | Quits Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana IN | |
| 2 | Louisiana LA | |
| 3 | Michigan MI | |
| 4 | Mississippi MS | |
| 5 | Idaho ID | |
| 6 | Kansas KS | |
| 7 | Ohio OH | |
| 8 | Oklahoma OK | |
| 9 | South Carolina SC | |
| 10 | Tennessee TN | |
| 11 | Arkansas AR | |
| 12 | Missouri MO | |
| 13 | Utah UT | |
| 14 | Wisconsin WI | |
| 15 | Colorado CO | |
| 16 | Florida FL | |
| 17 | Kentucky KY | |
| 18 | Nebraska NE | |
| 19 | North Carolina NC | |
| 20 | Texas TX | |
| 21 | Arizona AZ | |
| 22 | Iowa IA | |
| 23 | Oregon OR | |
| 24 | Alabama AL | |
| 25 | Georgia GA | |
| 26 | Illinois IL | |
| 27 | Maryland MD | |
| 28 | Pennsylvania PA | |
| 29 | Virginia VA | |
| 30 | Minnesota MN | |
| 31 | Nevada NV | |
| 32 | California CA | |
| 33 | Connecticut CT | |
| 34 | New York NY | |
| 35 | Washington WA | |
| 36 | New Jersey NJ | |
| 37 | Massachusetts MA |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). Values are 3-month averages; floor ≥20K average quits.
Top of the List, State Detail
Quick links to the detail pages for the leading states in this ranking, each page carries the full JOLTS time series and year-over-year context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the quits rate important?
Federal Reserve economists consider the quits rate a leading indicator of labor market health. High voluntary quit rates mean workers feel confident enough to leave their current positions, typically for better pay or conditions. The national quits rate peaked at 3.0% during the "Great Resignation" of 2021-2022 before normalizing.
Do high quits rates mean people are unhappy with their jobs?
Not necessarily. While some quits reflect dissatisfaction, the majority of voluntary separations are driven by better opportunities elsewhere. A high quits rate is generally a positive signal, it means workers have options and the labor market is healthy enough to support job switching.
Which industries have the highest quits rates?
Accommodation and food services, retail trade, and leisure/hospitality consistently have the highest quits rates nationally. These industries feature lower wages, variable schedules, and abundant alternatives, giving workers both motivation and ability to switch jobs frequently.
Explore More Rankings
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), state-level series · Dec 2025 3-month averages; states below 20K average quits are excluded. Not seasonally adjusted. A high rate is not a job-quality ranking.
Every figure on PlainLabor is rendered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS); no number is typed in by an editor. Ranking positions use the displayed JOLTS measure and reference period; they are not recommendations or forecasts. See our editorial standards and corrections policy, methodology, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-17. JOLTS figures are employer-survey openings and turnover rates for a published reference month - not job-quality rankings, hiring recommendations, or real-time vacancy postings.