Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, analyzed by HR software company Techr, reveals that while layoffs are a concern nationwide, workers in certain states face significantly higher risks of job loss. Techr's analysis, which compared layoff data through April of this year against each state's workforce size, highlights where workers are most vulnerable.
Interestingly, geographically small and predominantly rural states dominate the list of those with the highest layoff rates. Larger, more populous states like California, New York, and Texas, despite highly publicized layoffs from major companies within their borders, are notably absent from the top 10.
Techr suggests these layoffs may be "linked to broader economic shifts," a sentiment echoed by many economists and business leaders who point to fears of further economic uncertainty driven by tariffs and high costs of living. With a wide range of industries, including tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, entertainment companies like Disney, and financial institutions like Citigroup, announcing job cuts, job seekers across the country should brace for potential instability. As a Techr spokesperson noted, "These changes are not just numbers; they represent lives impacted and rising insecurity for thousands of households."
Top 10 States with the Highest Layoff Rates (as of April)
Here are the states with the highest layoff rates per 100,000 workers:
New Jersey: 1,843 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 81,000 layoffs)
Vermont: 1,594 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 5,000 layoffs)
Virginia: 1,521 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 5,000 layoffs)
Florida: 1,490 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 150,000 layoffs)
New Hampshire: 1,410 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 10,000 layoffs)
Connecticut: 1,398 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 24,000 layoffs)
West Virginia: 1,396 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 10,000 layoffs)
Arkansas: 1,378 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 19,000 layoffs)
Rhode Island: 1,357 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 7,000 layoffs)
Wyoming: 1,347 layoffs per 100,000 workers (Total: 4,000 layoffs)
While widespread mass layoffs haven't occurred across the entire economy, job security remains precarious. The ongoing impact of tariffs continues to affect businesses of all sizes, leading to higher prices and subsequent job cuts. Furthermore, there's a growing concern that many of these eliminated positions may eventually be replaced by AI.