PlainLabor

States with the Lowest Quits Rate

States ranked by lowest 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, Massachusetts leads on the 3-month average quits rate at 1.3% (about 48K 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.

0%8%Cohort median2%1.3%
Massachusetts quits rate versus the 3-month cohort median among states that clear the 20K quits floor

What This Ranking Tells Us

Low quits rates can signal satisfaction and stability, or limited alternatives that discourage job switching. The 3-month average and 20K floor keep thin one-month readings from defining the bottom of the list.

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 Massachusetts MA
1.3%
2 New Jersey NJ
1.4%
3 California CA
1.6%
4 Connecticut CT
1.6%
5 New York NY
1.6%
6 Washington WA
1.6%
7 Minnesota MN
1.8%
8 Nevada NV
1.8%
9 Alabama AL
1.9%
10 Georgia GA
1.9%
11 Illinois IL
1.9%
12 Maryland MD
1.9%
13 Pennsylvania PA
1.9%
14 Virginia VA
1.9%
15 Arizona AZ
2.0%
16 Iowa IA
2.0%
17 Oregon OR
2.0%
18 Colorado CO
2.1%
19 Florida FL
2.1%
20 Kentucky KY
2.1%
21 Nebraska NE
2.1%
22 North Carolina NC
2.1%
23 Texas TX
2.1%
24 Arkansas AR
2.2%
25 Missouri MO
2.2%
26 Utah UT
2.2%
27 Wisconsin WI
2.2%
28 Idaho ID
2.3%
29 Kansas KS
2.3%
30 Ohio OH
2.3%
31 Oklahoma OK
2.3%
32 South Carolina SC
2.3%
33 Tennessee TN
2.3%
34 Mississippi MS
2.4%
35 Louisiana LA
2.6%
36 Michigan MI
2.6%
37 Indiana IN
2.9%

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

Is a low quits rate good or bad?

It depends on context. In a healthy economy, low quits can mean workers are satisfied and well-compensated. But if paired with low openings and high unemployment, it suggests workers feel trapped, they want to leave but can't find alternatives. The interpretation requires looking at multiple JOLTS metrics together.

What does a low quits rate mean for employers?

Lower turnover reduces recruiting and training costs. However, it can also mean less fresh talent entering the organization and potentially stagnant wages if competitive pressure to retain workers is low. Some employers in low-quits states may face complacency risks.

Explore More Rankings

Highest Openings Rate Lowest Openings Rate Highest Quits Rate Highest Hires Rate Highest Layoff Rate
All States
JOLTS data by state
Industries
JOLTS data by industry
Guides
Understanding labor market data

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →

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.