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The Hardest-Working Cities in America

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The Hardest-Working Cities in America

Achieving the American Dream is the goal of many Americans. Work hard, play hard – right? America is a very hard-working country. According to WalletHub, “the average U.S. worker puts in 1,786 hours per year – 106 hours more than the average in Japan, 248 more than the U.K. and 403 more than Germany.”

WalletHub recently ranked the biggest cities across the United States from most to least hardworking. The most surprising find is that New York City and Los Angeles didn’t even make the top 20!

Two key dimensions, “Direct Work Factors” and “Indirect Work Factors”, were used to compare 116 of the most populated cities in the country. At least one city from every state was represented. WalletHub evaluated those dimensions using 11 key metrics. Average workweek hours, employment rate, share of households where no adults work, share of workers leaving vacation time unused, share of engaged workers, and idle youth were the metrics used to evaluate the Direct Work Factors. The Indirect Work Factors WalletHub were average commute time, share of workers with multiple jobs, annual volunteer hours per resident, share of residents who participate in local groups or organizations, and average leisure time spent per day. Each metric used a 100-point scale, with a 100 representing the “hardest working.”

Where do you think your city ranks on the list?

Anchorage, AK

Anchorage, Alaska takes the top spot on this list! Anchorage is home to 42% of Alaska’s population and 47% of the state’s jobs.

Anchorage ranked #4 in direct work factors, meaning average workweek hours and labor-force participation were both extremely high.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is considered the commercial and cultural center of northern California.

This city is known for long work weeks due to the innovative startup culture that has emerged.

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is the most populous city in the commonwealth of Virginia.

Tourism is a major contributing factor in the local economy, but the city is also a major port for the United State’s military.

Cheyenne, WY

As the capital and most populous city in Wyoming, Cheyenne makes it into the top 5.

This city has a low overall unemployment rate and it has the shortest average commute time at 14.40 minutes.

(Image via Facebook)

Irving, TX

Irving has the lowest share of households where no adults work, 11.75 percent, which is 3.6 times lower than in Detroit, the city with the highest at 41.87 percent.

(Image via Facebook)

Norfolk, VA

Norfolk ranks #4 for both the average workweek hours and the annual volunteer hours per resident.

(Image via Facebook)

Corpus Christi, TX

Corpus Christi is located in the Gulf region of Texas and thrives in the oil/petrochemical and transportation industries.

(Image via Facebook)

Washington, DC

As the United State’s capital city, it should be no surprise Washington, DC made the list. The federal government accounts for over 29% of the city’s jobs.

Austin, TX

Austin is the fastest growing large city in the United States, and it is also among the top hardest working cities in the country.

Plano, TX

The economy in Plano is thriving.

Plano’s high level of workers over the age of 65 boosted its ranking on this list.

Denver, CO

Denver offers immense economic and employment opportunities.

It is the largest city within 500 miles and is home to many large corporations in the United States.

Dallas, TX

Dallas is home to several large companies including AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Energy Transfer Equity. It’s no wonder Dallas made the list!

Nashville, TN

Nashville residents are putting in over 39 hours of work per week and have a higher than average senior workforce at 22.4 percent.

Fort Worth, TX

Texans must work hard! Fort Worth is the sixth city of Texas to make it into the top 20. Fort Worth earns #14 spot in direct factors but ranks #60 in indirect factors.

Honolulu, HI

Honolulu ranks second for highest employment rate in the United States.

Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls houses about 30% of South Dakota’s entire population.

The city has transformed from an agriculture-based economy to a diversified service-based economy.

Billings, MT

Billings, Montana earned a spot on this list by ranking #5 in Indirect Work Factors.

(Image via Facebook)

Aurora, CO

(Image via Facebook)

Chesapeake, VA

(Image via Facebook)

Portland, ME

Author Alot Careers Team Last Updated: May 18, 2020