New data has found that fewer US workers are quitting their jobs, as the national job quit rate reaches the lowest it has been since August 2020. The data also reveals the states with the highest and lowest average job quit rates: Alaskans are quitting the most, and Massachusetts citizens are resigning the least.
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The data and ranking, collated by HR Tech experts SelectSoftware Reviews, shows the average monthly quits rate for each state, which is the number of quits during the entire month as a percentage of the number of people employed. The study also looks at the average number of resignations per month, which is the job quits level. All the data has been gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, using the latest four months’ figures (August 2023 to November 2023) and figures from November 2022 for the national comparison.
The monthly national quits rates from previous years was gathered from the Economic Research Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
In November 2022, the national US job quits rate was 2.70, meaning that 2.70% of all people employed quit their jobs during November 2022. Whereas in November 2023, this percentage dropped to 2.20%. This is the lowest the national rate has been since August 2020, when the quits rate was 2.10.
4,148 individuals quit their jobs in November 2022, which fell to 3,471 workers quitting in November 2023.
Top 5 states quitting the most:
| Rank | State | Average Monthly Quits Rate (% of all employed people) | Average Monthly Quits Level (in thousands) |
| 1 | Alaska | 3.48 | 11 |
| 2 | Montana | 3.38 | 18 |
| 3 | Wyoming | 3.33 | 10 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 3.15 | 62 |
| 5 | West Virginia | 3.13 | 22 |
Alaska takes the top spot for the state with the highest job resignation rate,with a rate of 3.48 -over 1.5 times the national average resignation rate of 2.28.Using the latest figures from August 2023 to November 2023, the study found that an average of 11,000 Alaskans quit their jobs each month during the four-month period.
In second is Montana, with the second-highest resignationrate of 3.38. The study found that on average, 18,000 workers from The Treasure State left their occupations each month, with the quit rate being almost 1.5 times the national average.
Narrowly following behind in bronze medal position is Wyoming. The Equality State has an average resignation rate of 3.33. This puts the state at 1.4 times above the national average resignation rate, with 10,000 Wyoming citizens quitting their jobs every month.
In fourth place is Louisiana. The state’s resignation rate is 3.15, which is just under 1.5 times the national average. Each month in the Pelican State an average of 62,000 people quit their jobs.
Fifth place goes to West Virginia, with an average rate of 3.13. The Mountain State saw a monthly average of 22,000 workers resigning from their employment.
Top 5 states quitting the least:
| Rank | State | Average Monthly Quits Rate (% of all employed people) | Average Monthly Quits Level (in thousands) |
| 1 | Massachusetts | 1.43 | 54 |
| 2 | New York | 1.55 | 150 |
| 3 | California | 1.63 | 298 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 1.70 | 29 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 1.83 | 79 |
Massachusetts takes the gold medal for the state with the lowest job resignation rate,with a rate of 1.43 -over 1.5 times under the national average resignation rate of 2.30.Using the latest figures from July 2023 to October 2023, the study found that an average of 54,000 Bay Staters quit their jobs each month during the four-month period.
In second is New York, with the second-lowest resignationrate of 1.55. The study found that on average, 150,000 workers from The Empire State left their occupations each month, with the quit rate being just under 1.5 times under the national average.
Narrowly following behind is California third. The Golden State’s resignation rate is 1.63. Each month, 298,000 Californians quit their jobs.
In fourth position is Connecticut. The Constitution State has an average resignation rate of 1.70. On average each month, 29,000 Connecticut citizens resign from their jobs.
Rounding off the top five is New Jersey, with an average rate of 1.83. From The Garden State, 79,000 workers have been leaving their jobs per month.
Discussing the findings, Phil Strazzulla, CEO of SelectSoftware Reviews said: “It is reassuring to see that quit rates have decreased quite considerably since the shockingly high rates seen in 2020 and 2021. This could be due to job openings and hiring rates also being down; employees are aware that the job market has become more competitive, and they might not be able to find another position if they were to resign. Or it could be that the workplace is shifting in its attitude towards staff wellbeing. With the workplace continually improving its work-life balance culture, the benefits for both employees and employers includes the fostering of a healthier, more engaged workforce. Companies that prioritize this are more likely to attract talent, experience higher employee retention rates, and enjoy increased productivity and morale.”
