JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans lost their jobs and experienced financial difficulties due to unemployment. Now, for many employers, the shoe is on the other foot. Lots of businesses are struggling to hire enough workers, which has sometimes led to delays in services and reduced business hours.
Just a year ago, unemployment was at 6.7 percent, nationwide, with 10 million fewer people employed than pre-pandemic. Experts speculated it would take years for the labor market to recover.
Then, the economy experienced a pair of unforeseen shockers. First, demand for workers returned at a fevered pace almost never before seen. Second, despite companies going all out to hire in the post-pandemic boom, workers are either retiring early or staying on the sidelines.
Some businesses aren’t even able to keep the employees they already have—as Americans are quitting their jobs at record rates in what’s been dubbed the “Great Resignation.”
With the labor force participation rate experiencing the slowest recovery of any recession since World War II, WalletHub this week released its report on 2022’s States Where Employers Are Struggling the Most in Hiring.
In order to see where employers are struggling the most in hiring, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the rate of job openings for both the latest month and the last 12 months.
Wyoming Hiring Struggle Stats
- Job openings rate during the latest month: 8.90%
- Job openings rate in the past 12 months: 6.80%
- Overall rank: 3rd biggest hiring struggle in the country
