The US states with the best work-life balance
Frances Carruthers
14 October 2019
What’s the work-life balance like in your state?
As the US is often declared to be the most overworked nation in the developed world, and with over half of Americans not using all their vacation days last year, getting a better work-life balance should be a priority. Using data from the US Travel Association’s State of American Vacation Report 2018, we’ve ranked every state and DC based on how many holidays workers take per year – find out how your state stacks up.
Montana: 16.3 vacation days
This mountainous state might have beautiful landscapes galore, but if the numbers are anything to go by, residents aren’t getting enough time to enjoy them. With the average worker taking just 16.3 days off a year – despite having an average holiday allowance of 21.8 days – this state comes in at the bottom of our rankings.
Delaware: 16.5 vacation days
With just a fraction more time taken off than Montana, Delaware comes second lowest in our rankings. The banking industry is one of the state’s biggest employers, a sector notorious for long hours and overtime – so it’s hardly a surprise that many workers feel unable to take their hard-earned time off.
Rhode Island: 16.5 vacation days
The smallest state, Rhode Island has booming tourism and manufacturing industries. With the average employee taking just 16.5 vacation days a year, it’s one of the lowest on our list.
South Dakota: 16.6 vacation days
Many South Dakotans work in agriculture, which may explain the low number of vacation days, as farmers are often reluctant to take time off. The average worker takes just 16.6 vacation days, which works out as little more than three working weeks per year.
Nebraska: 16.7 vacation days
The Cornhusker State may have earned its nickname back in 1945, but agriculture – notably corn and beef production – still make up for the largest business in the state. Which partly goes to explain why the average worker takes a measly 16.7 days off a year.
California: 16.7 vacation days
Tech whizzes migrate to California’s Silicon Valley to earn the big bucks, but the area is also known for its culture of overwork. Since the average amount of vacation taken in the Golden State is just 16.7 days a year, it’s clear that Californians aren’t taking enough much-needed time out to enjoy all that their state has to offer.
Alabama: 16.9 vacation days
Sweet home Alabama? Not so much, if you can’t get enough time off to enjoy it. The Yellowhammer State comes in fairly low in our rankings, with employees averaging just 16.9 vacation days per year.
Utah: 17 vacation days
Despite its reputation for having a high quality of life – according to US News 2019 report, it’s the fourth best state to live in – Utah falls short when it comes to time spent holidaying. With the average worker taking 17 days off a year, it’s clear the state’s employers have a way to go in improving work-life balance.
Kentucky: 17.1 vacation days
The Bluegrass State, which is the original home to a number of famous companies including Jim Beam and KFC, has a poor work-life balance with employees taking 17.1 days off per year on average.
Vermont: 17.1 vacation days
This north eastern state has hit the headlines recently by offering people $10,000 to move there and work remotely – an initiative put in place to address its ageing population. Yet the state’s work-life balance leaves a lot to be desired, with workers taking just 17.1 days off a year.
Arkansas: 17.1 vacation days
The Natural State might be known for its beautiful and diverse landscapes, yet despite all that natural beauty it seems residents have a hard time letting their hair down. Arkansans take on average 17.1 days’ vacation annually.
Tennessee: 17.1 vacation days
With more than 6.6 million people calling Tennessee home, its main industries are car manufacturing, energy and film production. Coming in low in our rankings with residents taking 17.1 days’ holiday each year, The Volunteer State leaves something to be desired when it comes to work-life balance.
Maine: 17.1 vacation days
Retail is the second biggest sector in Maine, employing 6% of the workforce – which might go some way to explain the fact employees take so little time off, as store employees often have to work through public holidays.
Kansas: 17.1 vacation days
The Sunflower State and the country’s biggest wheat producer, many Kansans earn their daily bread through farming this abundant crop. Unfortunately, this doesn’t equate to much in terms of holiday, with the average days taken standing at just 17.1.
Louisiana: 17.2 vacation days
When Louisianans do get their hard-earned time off, they’re most likely to travel to big cities – Los Angeles, New York and Chicago are most popular, according to Expedia data. They’ll have to squeeze their city breaks in where they can, though, as the average person takes 17.2 days off each year.
Oregon: 17.2 vacation days
This Pacific North Western state is famed for its beautiful mountains, lakes and shorelines – yet Oregonians may not get enough time to appreciate them, given the average holiday taken is just 17.2 days a year.
Washington: 17.2 vacation days
Washington’s residents take just 17.2 days off a year. Despite this, it’s the state where workers report highest levels of happiness with their company – along with Arizona – according to the American Vacation Report.
North Carolina: 17.2 vacation days
With growing cities like Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro often rated among the country’s top places to live and work, North Carolina has several burgeoning industries. If employers want to attract more talented workers, they’d do well to increase holiday allowance, as the average is just 17.2 days a year.
North Dakota: 17.3 vacation days
Although North Dakotans take an average of just 17.3 vacation days every year, when they do, they’re likely to get outdoors. According to a 2017 report by the Outdoor Recreation Association, 76% of residents participate in outdoor recreation activities – and with five national parks to explore, it’s not hard to see why.
Alaska: 17.3 vacation days
It will surprise few to know that this snow-capped state is ranked as the most outdoorsy in America according to the Outdoor Recreation Association data. While the average vacation days taken is at just 17.3 per year, residents are clearly making the most of the vacation they do take.
Hawaii: 17.3 vacation days
Laid-back Hawaii may be a top holiday destination for many Americans, but locals are likely too busy working in the booming tourism industry to take time off themselves. On average, Hawaiians take 17.3 vacation days each year.
Nevada: 17.3 vacation days
Home to casinos and hotels galore, Las Vegas, Nevada pulls in tourists from all over the world. Yet if you live and work in the Silver State, we wouldn’t trust your odds of getting much holiday: 17.3 days a year is the state average.
Michigan: 17.3 vacation days
Perhaps employers should start offering more enticing holiday benefits if they wish to attract young workers to Michigan, as it’s got an ageing population, with 23% of residents aged 60 or over. With an average of 17.3 days off taken by workers, the Great Lake State could do better in terms of work-life balance.
Iowa: 17.4 vacation days
In the middle of the pack with residents taking 17.4 days off a year, Iowa is a leading agricultural producer with 92% of the state’s land taken up by farming.
Indiana: 17.4 vacation days
Those who live in Indiana might not take much vacation, but they’re good at getting off the grid. According to the American Vacation Report, six in 10 Indianans say they completely unplug when they go on holiday – for an average of 17.4 days a year.
New Hampshire: 17.4 vacation days
The Granite State, whose largest cities are Manchester, Nashua and Concord, falls in the middle of our rankings with workers taking an average of 17.4 days off a year.
South Carolina: 17.4 vacation days
With residents taking slightly more holiday than their northern neighbours, South Carolina is known for its slow-paced life, affordability and great beaches. Tourism and hospitality industries are growing in the state – hopefully employers will start offering more holidays to workers soon, too.
Pennsylvania: 17.4 vacation days
As far as work-life balance is concerned, Pennsylvania scores pretty much average, with workers taking 17.4 days off per year. With a natural gas and energy boom currently taking place, employment figures are likely to increase in the next decade.
Wyoming: 17.4 vacation days
With Yellowstone National Park on their doorsteps, you’d have thought Wyoming’s residents would be taking holidays all the time. Joining six other states with workers taking 17.4 days off a year, the state’s work-life balance looks to be average at best.
Illinois: 17.4 vacation days
Service industries make up for the biggest share of Illinois’ workforce, with many people working in hotels, law firms, engineering companies and private health care. Vacation clearly isn’t a big priority for many employers though, with the average days off taken by workers sitting at 17.4.
Georgia: 17.5 vacation days
One in seven Georgians works in agriculture, forestry or a related job – industries which are hardly known for their generous holiday allowance. Despite that, residents of the Peach State manage to get in 17.5 vacation days per year.
New York: 17.5 vacation days
The city that never sleeps is renowned for its work-hard, play-hard culture, but whether that constitutes a good work-life balance is a different question altogether. In New York state, workers tend to take an average of 17.5 days off a year.
New Jersey: 17.5 vacation days
Although New Jersians take an average of 17.5 days off each year, they’re the least likely state to get outside, with less than half of residents reporting that they participate in outdoor recreation activities according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2017 report.
Texas: 17.5 vacation days
With a diverse range of industries including petroleum and gas, steel, farming, banking and tourism, Texas has a lot to offer in terms of employment. Those looking for the best work-life balance might be disappointed, however, as Texans take a humdrum 17.5 days off a year.
Massachusetts: 17.5 vacation days
Home to not only a tech industry that rivals Silicon Valley, but also a financial scene to rival Wall Street, Massachusetts isn’t short of high-powered professionals. Workers in the state bag an average of 17.5 days off a year, joining Georgia, New York, New Jersey and Texas with the same number.
Mississippi: 17.6 vacation days
Average household income in Mississippi is just $43,529 – around $16,000 lower than the national average – according to the US Census. As many workers are forced to get by on low wages, paid holiday often fails to be a priority and the average Mississippian takes 17.6 vacation days each year.
Idaho: 17.7 vacation days
As the third most outdoorsy state according to the Outdoor Industry Association, Idaho’s residents are more likely to spend their time off enjoying one of the state’s natural beauties – from waterfalls to hot springs to canyons. With an average of 17.7 vacation days a year, Idahoans are slightly better off than most American workers.
Wisconsin: 17.8 vacation days
It’s known as “America’s Dairyland” and for good reason: Wisconsin is home to more dairy farms than any other state, with the agricultural industry providing 11.9% of the state’s jobs. But when they’re not busy making cheese, Wisconsin’s workforce enjoys an above-average 17.8 days off a year.
Oklahoma: 17.9 vacation days
Around a quarter of Oklahoma’s workers are employed in the growing energy industry, with oil, natural gas and wind farming creating most jobs. If you live in Oklahoma and get more than the state average of 17.9 days off a year, you’re doing well.
Missouri: 18 vacation days
Centrally located Missouri is within a day’s drive of 50% of the US population – making it well-positioned for travelling around the country. With an average of 18 days of vacation a year to play with, Missourians have a good excuse to explore.
West Virginia: 18 vacation days
The Mountain State is a hub for chemical, biotech and energy industries, with workers getting an average of 18 days off a year. That adds up to 3 weeks and 3 days per year.
Florida: 18 vacation days
With Walt Disney World, Florida Keys and Miami on their doorstep, it’s a wonder Floridians aren’t on holiday all the time. Despite the tourism industry employing more than one million people, the state doesn’t lead the way for work-life balance: workers take an average of 18 days off a year.
Washington D.C: 18.1 vacation days
When residents of this tiny district are on holiday, it’s likely they’re checking their emails: only 13% of Washington D.C. residents reported that they turn off their devices while away. With 18.1 days off per year, it’s probably best they kick the habit and enjoy some proper downtime.
Ohio: 18.2 vacation days
This mid-western state sees its workers typically take 18.2 days’ vacation a year. With the automotive, steel and agriculture industries taking up a large share of the workforce, it seems these hard workers are getting to put their feet up.
Maryland: 18.3 vacation days
When Maryland’s residents get their hard-earned time off – an average of 18.3 days a year – there’s an abundance of colonial-era towns and fishing villages scattered along its coastlines, which are ideal spots to enjoy in the summertime.
New Mexico: 18.4 vacation days
Those who live and work in New Mexico are well-placed to enjoy some of America’s favourite holiday spots – California, Mexico and Colorado. With 18.4 days off a year, work-life balance in New Mexico is significantly better than the rest of the country.
Minnesota: 18.4 vacation days
With more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans can enjoy a whole host of water sports and outdoor activities in their free time. Joining New Mexico with 18.4 days a year, the work-life balance here is pretty good.
Connecticut: 18.6 vacation days
It’s home to Yale University, which may contribute to the fact that Connecticut has the fifth highest concentration of scientists and engineers in the country. The state’s bright minds are recompensed with decent holiday, however, with the average employee taking 18.6 days off a year.
Arizona: 18.8 vacation days
Not only do Arizonans get a hearty 18.8 days’ vacation a year, they also report the highest levels of happiness with their company, tied with Washington, according to the survey.
Virginia: 18.9 vacation days
Vacation is a big deal in Virginia. As well as coming second in our rankings for work-life balance, taking 18.9 days off a year, it's the state which travels the most, with residents using an average of 12.2 of their time off to travel.
Colorado: 20.3
Snapping up the top spot is Colorado. Taking an unbeatable 20.3 days off a year, residents make sure that they have plenty of time to relax away from the pressures of work, whether that means enjoying the state’s many beautiful landscapes, or travelling beyond.
Now you've read out about work-life balance, find out The minimum wage in every state and DC
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