As the threat from the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, Americans are gradually returning to work, a trend that has accelerated in recent months and the number of job seekers has soared.
Although still below pre-pandemic levels, the national labor force participation rate is 62.8% During September.
And the unemployment rate is lower than it was at the height of the pandemic, still next level. 3.4 and 3.8% So far this year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Still, the struggle continues.
Great shift?There will be fewer job openings, fewer people leaving, and power will shift from workers to employers.
Where employers are having the most trouble hiring
WalletHub, a personal finance companyWe analyzed job openings from . Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine which states are having the hardest time hiring workers. The data analyzed includes job opening rates for August and the previous 12 months.
With a vacancy rate of 10.6% last month, Alaska ranked among the top states in the nation struggling to hire. The top 10 states struggling the most are:
- alaska
- west virginia
- south carolina
- georgia
- new mexico
- louisiana
- montana
- mississippi
- colorado
- north carolina
The job offer rate as of the end of August is Increase in 13 states, decrease in 2 states, New Hampshire and New Jersey. According to the bureau, job opening rates have increased nationwide.
See chart:American workers are confident in today’s job market
Workers are confident in the current job market
Data shows that workers are confident in their ability to get a raise. Morning Consult, a nonpartisan survey company. An increasing number of workers say they would increase their pay if their employer asked them to. These positive feelings about worker leverage are especially high among union members, the research firm found.
According to the company, job hunting activity has increased this year.
“This can generally be considered a sign of strength in the labor market, as job changers are able to earn higher wages in a tight labor market.” According to the report.
Paul Davidson contributed to this report
