Golden State’s Job Market Plagued by Lowest Job Openings and Hire Rates in the Nation
A new report by business valuation experts Eton Venture Services has revealed that California is the most challenging state in the nation for job seekers in 2025. The study, which analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on job opening and hire rates, found that the Golden State ranks last with a jobseeking score of zero.
California’s poor performance is driven by the lowest job opening rate nationwide at 3.66% and the lowest hire rate at 2.90%.
The Bottom of the Barrel
The study identified the top five most difficult states for job seekers, with Hawaii and Washington following closely behind California.
- California: Ranked 50th, the state recorded a job opening rate of just 3.66% and a hire rate of 2.90%, earning it a total score of zero.
- Hawaii: Ranking 49th, the Aloha State had the second-lowest job opening rate (4.06%) and one of the weakest hire rates (3.23%), resulting in a score of 11.43.
- Washington: The state placed 48th overall, with a low job opening rate of 4.26% and a hire rate of 3.26%, leading to a score of 14.78.
- New York: Earning the 47th spot, New York’s mid-range job opening rate (4.70%) was undercut by the second-lowest hire rate in the country (2.91%).
- Iowa: Ranked 46th, Iowa had a low job opening rate of 4.52% and a hire rate of 3.34%.
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Top States for Job Seekers
In contrast, the study found that Alaska is the best state for those looking for work, receiving a perfect score of 100. Alaska’s success is attributed to the highest nationwide job opening rate (7.01%) and the highest average hire rate (5.94%).
Montana and South Carolina round out the top three, with Montana earning a score of 72.45 and South Carolina a score of 64.99.
According to Chris Walton, President and CEO of Eton Venture Services, the findings provide “valuable insights for job seekers looking to relocate or strategize their career paths.”
The data serves as a guide for both individuals and businesses aiming to attract talent in a competitive market.
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