Map Shows States With Unhappiest Shift Workers, According to Study

The unhappiest shift workers have been found, and many live in North Dakota, New Mexico and Vermont, according to a newly released report.

Workforce management platform Deputy’s 2025 Shift Pulse Report revealed significant divides in how shift workers feel about their jobs, based on both the states and industries in which they work.

Why It Matters

Workers’ happiness levels contribute significantly to companies’ success and productivity, while employee satisfaction prevents high turnover rates and allows employers to attract top talent.

Multiple factors may be at play in why certain states see higher shift worker happiness, with each state’s prominent industries, workers’ protections and company culture all having a role.

Shift workers are employees who occupy roles beyond the typical 9-to-5 workday and are vital in keeping hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants and other community businesses running.

What To Know

North Dakota, New Mexico and Vermont had the lowest net happiness scores for shift workers, with some of the states falling behind the national average by over 20 percentage points.

In North Dakota, one in five shift workers said they were unhappy—higher than any other state in the country. The report attributed this to a “mismatch between employment opportunities and job satisfaction in rural or resource-driven economies.”

“That’s likely due to economic instability, limited job opportunities, and a higher dependency on government assistance,” Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek. “These conditions create a tougher environment for shift workers to thrive.”

Vermont and West Virginia also had high levels of dissatisfaction, likely a result of aging workforces and stagnating wages.

Oklahoma, Louisiana and Indiana also made the top 10 list for unhappy shift workers.

South Carolinian workers, conversely, had the highest satisfaction levels, with 98 percent of workers saying they have nearly no negative feelings about their jobs. Other Southern states performed well, like Kentucky, Florida and Georgia, which could reflect the region’s larger focus on hospitality and work flexibility.

“You’ve got these southern states like South Carolina and Kentucky absolutely crushing it, while places like Vermont and North Dakota are struggling,” Michael Ryan, finance expert and founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek. “I think it comes down to cost of living, honestly. In South Carolina, your dollar goes further, housing’s cheaper, and there’s probably less of that crushing economic anxiety that makes every bad day at work feel like the end of the world.”

America’s Happiest Shift Employees Work In the Marijuana Industry

The report also tracked the happiest and unhappiest workers by industry, and the tobacco, e-cigarette and marijuana sector rose to the top. A whopping 91.87 percent of shift workers had a positive sentiment in that industry, perhaps due to workplace culture and competitive wages, as it’s a newer field.

“When you think about it, it makes perfect sense,” Ryan said. “These are newer, regulated industries that are still figuring things out, so they’re probably trying harder to keep good people. Plus, let’s be real. The margins are better, so they can afford to treat workers well.”

Catering and coffee shop shift workers were the next happiest, with dentist offices, gyms and child care centers also displaying high satisfaction levels.

Health care workers, meanwhile, were some of the unhappiest, with only 73.56 percent of workers reporting positive sentiment. It also had the highest Unhappy score, at 8.25 percent.

“These are the people we literally depend on, and they’re drowning. We’re talking about folks who’ve been running on fumes since 2020, dealing with staffing shortages, angry customers, and life-or-death pressure every single day,” Ryan said. “No wonder they’re burnt out.”

What People Are Saying

Ryan also told Newsweek: “What this whole thing really shows me is that where you work and what you do matters way more than we give it credit for. A shift worker in a South Carolina café is having a different experience than someone doing the same job in Vermont. That’s not just about the work – that’s about everything around it.”

Thompson added to Newsweek: “Much of the sentiment data reflects deeper economic and quality-of-life dynamics across states. It’s no surprise that states like South Carolina rank high — a combination of coastal lifestyle, lower cost of living, and a booming regional economy likely contributes to greater overall satisfaction among shift workers.”

Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “States like North Dakota and New Mexico ranking lower may surprise some, but it comes from market conditions in those areas. Less populous locations can deal with employees having to take on more responsibilities at the same pay with little chance for promotion. When you feel trapped in your job with little support, it’s difficult to be satisfied with your position.”

HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “States with the unhappiest workers are often dealing with weak labor protections, poor childcare access, and industries that are chronically understaffed and underpaying.”

What Happens Next

Quality of life and the cost of living will continue playing significant roles in worker sentiment across the country.

“States with desirable amenities like beaches or mountains, coupled with a lower cost of living, tend to attract individuals with more financial resources,” Thompson said. “This can boost overall sentiment scores, but it doesn’t always reflect the experience of lower-income shift workers. For instance, I’ve had clients move to New Mexico specifically for the mountain resorts and scenic lifestyle — but that move is typically only viable for those with significant means.”

Many of the lower-ranked states are experiencing an aging population, with younger workers flocking to regions with stronger job markets.

“Over time, this trend creates a growing divide between areas with opportunity and those without — reinforcing a cycle that can be hard to break,” Thompson said.