Top 10 U.S. States with Poor Work-Life Balance and High Burnout Rates, Based on Survey Findings

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Top 10 U.S. States with Poor Work-Life Balance and High Burnout Rates, Based on Survey Findings

As the year-end festivities draw near, the strain of work can significantly impact employee wellbeing. One of the major reasons for worker stress is the lack of harmony between job responsibilities and personal life. Astonishing figures indicate that over half of the workforce (51%) reported experiencing burnout in 2024, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Stress emerged as the primary driver, with more job seekers integrating work-life balance and the pursuit of high-paying, low-stress jobs in their wellness aspirations. However, the level of work-life harmony may depend on one's location. A recent investigation exposed the U.S. states with the highest burnout rates and poor work-life balance.

Leading U.S. States Struggling with Work-Life Harmony and Burnout

MattressNextDay undertook an analysis to rank all U.S. states based on seven factors: average work hours, employment rate, prevalence of mental health issues, percentage of nicotine users, propensity of entrepreneurs, frequency of "side hustle" web queries, and social media sentiment for "hustle culture."

  1. Louisiana emerged as the state with the highest burnout cases, as citizens labor for an average of 36.2 hours weekly. To add to the sad situation, Louisiana recorded the lowest positive sentiment towards "hustle culture," with a zero rating. Moreover, the state shares the third-highest smoking population (18.3%) among citizens in 2022.
  2. West Virginia ranks second in burnout cases. Similar to Louisiana, both shared the lowest positive sentiment towards "hustle culture," with a zero rating. Moreover, 22.4% of West Virginia's population smoked in 2022, the highest in any state. West Virginians put in the third-highest weekly hours (35.5 hours) and grappled with the fourth-highest mental health issues (20.7%).
  3. Arkansas occupies the third position for burnout cases. With residents working an average of 34.8 hours weekly, Arkansas shares the seventh-highest smoking population (17%) and a zero positive sentiment towards "hustle culture." This finding suggests that employers are not very receptive or understanding towards individuals conducting their own businesses on the side.
  4. Tennessee has citizens working an average of 35.1 hours weekly, placing the state fourth in terms of burnout. Positively, 96.6% of its population is in employment. However, in 2022, 19.2% of the population grappled with mental health issues, highlighting the stresses associated with heavy workloads.
  5. Texas concludes the top five burnout states. Its citizens labor for an average of 35.8 hours weekly, sharing the second-highest percentage of new entrepreneurs with California (0.47%). Texans put in the second-longest workweeks and have searched for "side hustles" a staggering 132,500 times yearly, revealing a strong desire to engage in side jobs.
  6. North Dakota ranks sixth in terms of burnout. It enjoys one of the highest employment rates (97.9%) second only to South Dakota. Yet, 19.1% of the population suffers from mental health issues, and North Dakotans work long weeks (35 hours). Moreover, the sentiment towards "hustle culture" remains negative, indicating employers are not overly supportive of employees holding down extra jobs in their free time.
  7. Florida ranks seventh in terms of burnout, with an average workweek of 34.1 hours. It has the highest percentage of entrepreneurs becoming full-time business owners, with around 0.6% of the working population transitioning in a given month. Florida has the fourth highest search volume for "side hustles" at 106,000, suggesting a strong desire for side businesses.
  8. Vermont takes the eighth place for burnout, tying with Oregon for the highest mental health issue prevalence (21.8%). Vermont's citizens work an average of 33.2 hours weekly, with zero positive sentiment towards "hustle culture." This finding suggests that employers are not particularly enthusiastic about employees taking on additional tasks when off the clock.
  9. Maine ranks ninth in terms of burnout, sharing a zero positive sentiment score towards "hustle culture" and an average workweek of 33.5 hours. Employment rates are high in Maine, as 97.4% of the working populace has a job. However, 19.2% of the population suffers from mental health issues, which may indicate a correlation with work-related stress.
  10. Georgia concludes the top 10 most burnt-out states in the U.S., with employees working an average of 34.5 hours weekly. Georgia shares the fourth-highest percentage of new entrepreneurs with Tennessee (0.46%). Georgia has had the fifth most searches for "side hustle" (58,500), underlining its interest in side business opportunities.

Conclusion: Most Burned-Out States and Poor Work-Life Balance

As stated by MattressNextDay's senior sleep expert and CEO, Martin Seeley, “Getting wrapped up in the hustle culture’s whirlpool can be all too easy, and these stats serve as a stark reminder of the states pushing themselves too hard in the realm of work.”

Seeley brings up the point that job pressure and the struggle to strike a balance between work and personal life can negatively influence sleep. Over an extended period, this sleep disruption due to prolonged sleep deprivation can disrupt your circadian rhythm, adversely affecting your physical and mental well-being.

Seeley acknowledges the benefits of side hustles in enhancing income and fostering entrepreneurship. However, if you're frequently overwhelmed by deadlines and workloads, it can lead to heightened feelings of stress, anger, and even depression.

Regardless of where you reside in terms of work-life balance and job burnout, the seven factors identified in the study can serve as a guide for preventing burnout and establishing and preserving a work-life balance. For more tactics to ward off job burnout, check out this resource. If you're seeking advice on attaining a healthy work-life balance, check out this other resource.

In light of the findings, it's crucial for leaders in these high-burnout states to prioritize workplace wellness initiatives to reduce stress and promote work-life harmony. This could include implementing flexible work arrangements, providing mental health resources, and encouraging regular breaks and time off.

Moreover, career consultants and coaches in these areas could focus on guiding individuals towards careers that offer better work-life balance, lower stress, and higher job satisfaction. This could include highlighting industries with lower burnout rates and helping job seekers develop skills that are in demand for such roles.

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