Nebraska Tops List for Job Market Conditions

WalletHub released a new ranking of all 50 states based on 34 measures of job-market strength and economic health. The analysis, which utilized data collected as of September 30, 2026, placed Nebraska at the top of the list for the best overall conditions for workers.

The state achieved the first-place position with a 3% unemployment rate and steady job growth. Nebraska also recorded the 11th-most job opportunities per capita. The number of available jobs in the state grows by approximately 1.2% annually, which is the fourth-highest growth rate in the nation. The state also ranked third for job security and fourth for the share of workers with private health insurance.

North Dakota secured the second spot in the analysis. The state reported an unemployment rate of 2.6%, one of the lowest figures in the country. It also had the nation's lowest share of discouraged workers, defined as people who stopped actively looking for work due to barriers like age discrimination or a lack of skills. The average commute in North Dakota is about 17 minutes, the second-shortest in the nation. The state ranked eighth for job security.

Tax burdens also factored into the North Dakota ranking. The state has the 10th-lowest income tax burden for individuals earning $25,000 or less per year. For those earning between $25,000 and $50,000, the burden is the second-lowest in the country. North Dakota is also the ninth-best state for working moms.

Minnesota held the third position, supported by strong household incomes and access to employee benefits. The state had the third-highest median household income after adjusting for the cost of living, a figure reported at nearly $88,000. South Dakota and New Hampshire followed, rounding out the top five states in the WalletHub report.

Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, noted that living in these states can provide stable long-term conditions. He stated that these locations make it easier for residents to find and retain jobs. Employers in these states also offer competitive compensation and benefits, according to Lupo. The top-ranked states are also cited as good places for raising a family.

The report drew data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other sources including Indeed.com and Gallup-Healthways. The analysis considered factors beyond salary, such as commute times and job security, to determine which states offer the most favorable environments for job seekers.