PastaPilot 17 Posted February 16, 2009 Here are 15 states with unemployment rates higher than the national average and that have seen momentous rate increases since last year. If you're having trouble finding a job and you live in one of the following states, know that you might not be the (only) reason behind your unemployment: 1. Michigan ... 10.6 percent December 2007: 7.4 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.2 percent Mean annual salary: $42,210 2. Rhode Island ... 10.0 percent December 2007: 5.2 percent Over-the-year rate change: 4.8 percent Mean annual salary: $42,210 3. South Carolina ... 9.5 percent December 2007: 6.2 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.3 percent Mean annual salary: $34,650 4. California ... 9.3 percent December 2007: 5.9 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.4 percent Mean annual salary: $45,990 5. Nevada ... 9.1 percent December 2007: 5.2 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.9 percent Mean annual salary: $16,750 6. Oregon ... 9.0 percent December 2007: 5.4 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.6 percent Mean annual salary: $40,040 7. District of Columbia ... 8.8 percent December 2007: 5.7 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.1 percent Mean annual salary: $64,150 8. North Carolina ... 8.7 percent December 2007: 4.7 percent Over-the-year rate change: 4.0 percent Mean annual salary: $36,900 9. Florida ... 8.1 percent December 2007: 4.5 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.6 percent Mean annual salary: $37,260 10. Georgia ... 8.1 percent December 2007: 4.5 percent Over-the-year rate change: 3.6 percent Mean annual salary: $38,320 11. Mississippi ... 8.0 percent December 2007: 6.3 percent Over-the-year rate change: 1.7 percent Mean annual salary: $31,730 12. Tennessee ... 7.9 percent December 2007: 5.0 percent Over-the-year rate change: 2.9 percent Mean annual salary: $35,380 13. Kentucky ... 7.8 percent December 2007: 5.1 percent Over-the-year rate change: 1.9 percent Mean annual salary: $34,950 14. Ohio ... 7.8 percent December 2007: 5.8 percent Over-the-year rate change: 2.0 percent Mean annual salary: $38,640 15. Illinois ... 7.6 percent December 2007: 5.3 percent Over-the-year rate change: 2.3 percent Mean annual salary: $43,050 *According to the most recent numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Jan. 27, 2009. **Mean annual salary per state, according to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2007, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastaPilot 17 Posted February 16, 2009 If you're among the millions of people looking for work, here are 22 states where you might want to start your job search, as they have lower unemployment rates than the national average: 1. Wyoming ... 3.4 percent Total employment: 293,900 Mean annual salary: $36,110** 2. North Dakota ... 3.5 percent Total employment: 371,500 Mean annual salary: $33,650 3. South Dakota ... 3.9 percent Total employment: 445,900 Mean annual salary: $31,540 4. Nebraska ... 4.0 percent Total employment: 997,600 Mean annual salary: $35,270 5. Utah ... 4.3 percent Total employment: 1,383,000 Mean annual salary: $37,080 6. Iowa ... 4.6 percent Total employment: 1,671,900 Mean annual salary: $34,650 7. New Hampshire ... 4.6 percent Total employment: 739,500 Mean annual salary: $40,780 8. New Mexico ... 4.9 percent Total employment: 966,100 Mean annual salary: $35,790 9. Oklahoma ... 4.9 percent Total employment: 1,768,900 Mean annual salary: $33,720 10. West Virginia ... 4.9 percent Total employment: 800,000 Mean annual salary: $32,310 11. Kansas ... 5.2 percent Total employment: 1,506,600 Mean annual salary: $36,300 12. Montana ... 5.4 percent Total employment: 505,700 Mean annual salary: $32,640 13. Virginia ... 5.4 percent Total employment: 4,159,500 Mean annual salary: $42,880 14. Hawaii ... 5.5 percent Total employment: 661,700 Mean annual salary: $40,200 15. Maryland ... 5.8 percent Total employment: 2,995,600 Mean annual salary: $45,780 16. Louisiana ... 5.9 percent Total employment: 2,061,100 Mean annual salary: $34,060 17. Texas ... 6.0 percent Total employment: 11,853,800 Mean annual salary: $37,880 18. Colorado ... 6.1 percent Total employment: 2,750,100 Mean annual salary: $43,100 19. Arkansas ... 6.2 percent Total employment: 1,370,300 Mean annual salary: $32,450 20. Delaware ... 6.2 percent Total employment: 445,300 Mean annual salary: $43,020 21. Wisconsin ... 6.2 percent Total employment: 3,094,300 Mean annual salary: $38,070 22. Vermont ... 6.4 percent Total employment: 356,900 Mean annual salary: $38,060 *According to the most recent numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Jan. 27, 2009. **Mean annual salary in state, according to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2007, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaynen 0 Posted February 17, 2009 California is killer, when my buddy in Indianapolis can make 2/3rds what I make in income and essentially have more money while having a wife who stays home full time and a kid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 561 Posted February 17, 2009 It's strange, but even though I am employed and I go to work everyday, I still feel unemployed. Especially at payday time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastaPilot 17 Posted February 17, 2009 Mimi, Any luck at Fry's? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roostingu 0 Posted February 17, 2009 I am still looking and I am not included in those statistics as I don't recieve unemployment and I am sure there are a lot more like me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted February 17, 2009 I am still looking and I am not included in those statistics as I don't recieve unemployment and I am sure there are a lot more like me. exactly right... neither is Mimi as an "underemployed" person... also not incuded are all of the part timers with reduced hours...hang in there folks; hopefully we are near bottom and the next 15 years will be a boom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 561 Posted February 18, 2009 Mimi, Any luck at Fry's? No, or any any of the other dozens of places I applied at lately. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 561 Posted February 18, 2009 exactly right... neither is Mimi as an "underemployed" person... also not incuded are all of the part timers with reduced hours...hang in there folks; hopefully we are near bottom and the next 15 years will be a boom I don't know about a boom. I read this morning that the worst is yet to come and that Americans will be facing a permanent change in their lifestyles. My lifestyle wasn't all that lavish to begin with, the most lavish part of it was being able to afford my motorcycles. I sure don't see any more bikes in my future. I think that there won't be so much buying of things with credit from now on. That's for sure. Americans means are getting too small and uncertain to live beyond by borrowing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted February 18, 2009 I think breaking the credit debt crunch is a good thing... House? Sure! Cars? Probably! Bikes? uh... maybe buy 'em cash? i saw a credit card commercial last night... you know... a helicopter ride; $800... dinner for the chase crew... $100... living in shame forever... priceless... one of those ones... except... it was a credit card commercial... for buying groceries! i looked at my wife, and said, THAT'S when you know the economy is going south, and people are missing a big piece of the puzzle... credit card debt (and I DO have my fair share) is a killer as for the "boom"... I said "hopefully"... not that I anticipate it... i hope Obama and his group can do what they vowed to do, and jumpstart the economy. I'm no economist, but to me, if everybody would stop expecting double digit growth on their investments, (for sitting money in a fund or 401(k)) and just relax a little, the economy might rebound by itself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
