A new study has revealed the most and least overworked states. The study, by personal injury lawyers DeMayo Law Office, analyzed employment data for 2024 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, looking at weekly hours worked for every state to determine which states work the most throughout the year. Researchers also compared figures to the average hours worked in 2014 to determine which states are experiencing the greatest changes in working patterns.
Arizona tied for for being the ninth overworked state in the U.S. With 38.8 average hours worked per week or 1.810 hours worked so far this year. That is 43 more hours worked so far this year than the national average. Compared to 2014, Arizonans now work 16 extra hours annually, equal to two full eight-hour workdays.
The ten states working the highest number of hours annually:
| Rank | State | 2024 – Average weekly hours worked (to date) | 2024 – Average annual hours worked (to date) | 2024 – Annual hours worked compared to national average (to date) | 2024 – Annual hours worked percentage difference compared to national average (to date) |
| 1. | Louisiana | 36.80 | 1,914 | +147 | +8.35% |
| 2. | Texas | 35.90 | 1,867 | +101 | +5.70% |
| 3. | North Dakota | 35.70 | 1,856 | +90 | +5.11% |
| 4. | West Virginia | 35.30 | 1,836 | +69 | +3.93% |
| 5. (=) | Kentucky | 35.00 | 1,820 | +54 | +3.05% |
| 5. (=) | Mississippi | 35.00 | 1,820 | +54 | +3.05% |
| 5. (=) | Oklahoma | 35.00 | 1,820 | +54 | +3.05% |
| 8. | Arkansas | 34.90 | 1,815 | +49 | +2.76% |
| 9. (=) | Arizona | 34.80 | 1,810 | +43 | +2.46% |
| 9. (=) | Wyoming | 34.80 | 1,810 | +43 | +2.46% |
| United States | 33.96 | 1,766 | N/A | N/A |
Ninth place is a two-way tie between Arizona and Wyoming. On average, Arizonans and Wyomingites work 1,810 hours annually—43 hours more annually than the average American.
Compared to 2014, Arizonans work 16 extra hours annually, equal to two full eight-hour workdays. Wyomingites, on the other hand, work 10 hours less on average than they did ten years ago.
In first place is Louisiana, with residents working an average of 1,914 hours annually. Louisianans were found to work almost 10% more (8.35%) than the national average, with the average American working 1,766 hours per year. That’s 147 hours, or over half a month (18 eight-hour workdays), of extra time spent working per year. Compared to ten years ago, residents of Louisiana are putting in more hours at work, averaging an additional 68 hours annually compared to 2014.
Second place goes to Texas, with Texans working an average of 1,867 hours annually. Texans saw a slight reduction in working hours compared to ten years ago, working five fewer hours annually than in 2014. However, the Texas workforce still works far more than the average American, working an extra 101 hours annually.
North Dakota takes the third spot on the list, with residents working an average of 1,856 hours annually—90 hours more per year than the average American. Compared to ten years ago, in 2014, the people of North Dakota now work far more, an extra 78 hours per year—equal to almost ten extra full eight-hour workdays.
In fourth place is West Virginia, with West Virginians working an average of 1,836 hours annually. West Virginians are working far more than they were ten years ago, with the average West Virginian working 1,763 hours in 2014—73 hours less than in 2024 (to date). However, they’re still working more than the average American, putting in an extra 69 hours per year—equal to just over eight and a half full eight-hour workdays per year.
Fifth place is a three-way tie between Kentucky, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. The residents of each state work an average of 1,820 hours annually—54 hours more than the average American’s annual work hours, or almost seven full eight-hour workdays.
Compared to 2014, Kentuckians work 68 more hours, Mississippians work 26 hours less, and Oklahomans work the same number of hours.
The remainder of the top ten features Arkansas in eighth place, with Arkansans working an average of 1,815 hours annually.
Of all 50 states, Delaware was found to work the fewest hours annually, at just 1,664 hours. Compared to Louisiana, the people of Delaware work 250 hours less per year. Assuming an 8-hour workday, this means the people of Delaware work just over 31 fewer days per year than Louisianans.
Interestingly, throughout the nation, Americans are found to be working more than they were ten years ago. In 2014, Americans worked 33.8 hours weekly, which equates to 1,759.26 hours annually, compared to 33.96 hours weekly in 2024 (to date), which equates to 1,766.13 hours annually. This equates to Americans working just under seven hours per year more than compared to ten years ago.
Americans were found to work more hours annually on average than many other countries, including Canada (1,696 hours), the United Kingdom (1,670 hours), Spain (1,686 hours), and Germany (1,353 hours).
“The study offers a revealing glimpse into the varied workloads experienced nationwide, said Michael DeMayo, of DeMayo Law Office. “It underscores the distinctiveness of labor patterns across different states, highlighting potential work-life balance and productivity disparities. Such insights could help spark discussions on workplace policies and initiatives that promote healthier work environments and work-life balance nationwide.”
