Most Overworked and Underpaid Workers: Mississippi and Lousiana Head the List
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The most overworked and underpaid state in the U.S. is Mississippi, where workers face the double burden of low wages and extended working hours.
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Employees in Louisiana clock the longest workweeks and endure some of the most tiring commutes, increasing the risk of burnout.
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Most of the overworked and underpaid states are in the South, where long hours and low wages create work-life challenges.
A recent study by Eskimoz ranked the top ten most overworked and underpaid states in the U.S. by analyzing work hours, income, and well-being. The study calculated total weekly hours by combining working hours and commute time, then measured how much residents work relative to their income using a work-to-income ratio. A composite score was created by weighting this ratio alongside happiness levels, with scores scaled from 1 to 100. States were ranked based on these scores, with higher rankings indicating longer working hours, lower relative income, and lower happiness levels.
Here are the key findings:
| State | Working hours + commute | Weekly median income per capita | Happiness index | Score |
| Mississippi | 45.7 | $943 | 39.6 | 100.0 |
| Louisiana | 49.1 | $1,069 | 34.8 | 89.2 |
| West Virginia | 44.9 | $1,023 | 33.8 | 80.3 |
| Delaware | 45.4 | $1,036 | 55.2 | 79.7 |
| Kentucky | 45.1 | $1,033 | 38.4 | 79.2 |
| Alabama | 46.1 | $1,066 | 39.3 | 77.5 |
| Indiana | 44.9 | $1,042 | 47.4 | 76.5 |
| New Mexico | 41.0 | $955 | 43.6 | 76.0 |
| Tennessee | 44.6 | $1,039 | 43.4 | 75.9 |
| Iowa | 43.0 | $1,013 | 55.6 | 73.5 |
You can see the full research by the link.
Mississippi ranks 1st with a score of 100 as the most overworked and underpaid state in the U.S. Workers spend 45.7 hours per week on the job (including commuting) while earning one of the lowest weekly incomes at $943. The state’s happiness index is also on the lower end, reflecting the toll of long work hours and insufficient pay.
Louisiana ranks 2nd with 89 as one of the most labor-intensive and undercompensated states in the country. Workers here spend the most time on the job (49.1 hours) among all top 10 states, 3.4 hours more than Mississippi. Despite having a higher income at $1,068 per week, the state’s low happiness index at 34 suggests that extra pay does little to offset overwork and burnout.
West Virginia ranks 3rd, scoring 80. The state maintains a more efficient workweek than Louisiana at 44.9 hours while offering a weekly income of $1,022. It also reports the lowest happiness index at 33, indicating potential challenges in overall life satisfaction.
Delaware ranks 4th with a score of 79. With similar working hours to Mississippi, Delaware workers earn $92.07 more weekly and report a higher happiness index of 55.2 compared to Mississippi’s 39.6.
Coming in 5th, Kentucky scores 79. The state’s metrics closely align with Delaware’s, though with slightly lower working hours at 45.1 and marginally less income at $1,032.
Ranking 6th with a score of 77, Alabama workers clock 46.1 hours per week, making it one of the most demanding workweeks in the top 10. Despite earning the second-highest weekly income ($1,065.50) among the overworked states, job strain remains high, with a happiness index of just 39.3.
Indiana ranks 7th, scoring 76. The state matches West Virginia’s working hours (44.9) but shows a better quality of life with a happiness index of 47.4 compared to West Virginia’s 33.8.
Ranking 8th, New Mexico scores 76. Standing out from the previous ones, the state features the shortest workweek (41.0 hours) among all top 10 states – 5.1 hours less than Alabama. However, this comes with lower compensation, earning $110.90 less than Alabama weekly.
Tennessee ranks 9th, scoring 75. Compared to New Mexico, Tennessee workers spend 3.6 more hours weekly but are compensated with an additional $84.62 in weekly income.
Iowa rounds out the top ten with a score of 73. The state shares the highest happiness index (55.6) with Delaware while maintaining a 43.0-hour workweek and earning $1,013.27 weekly. These metrics demonstrate Iowa’s success in balancing work demands with quality of life.
A spokesperson from Eskimoz commented on the study: “When workers are stuck in a cycle of long hours and low wages, it’s not just their paychecks that suffer—it’s their overall quality of life. Financial stress, lack of downtime, and long commutes create burnout, leaving little room for career advancement or personal well-being. In states where job demands outpace compensation, workers often take on second jobs or extra shifts just to stay afloat, worsening the cycle of overwork. Addressing this issue requires more than just higher wages; improving work conditions, reducing commute burdens, and increasing job stability are just as critical.”
story credit: https://www.eskimoz.co.uk/
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
