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Utah isn\u2019t just the birthplace of JW Marriott<\/a>, land of \u201cAmerica\u2019s First Department Store,\u201d<\/a> and the unlikely launchpad of Kentucky Fried Chicken<\/a> (yes, you read that correctly). The Beehive State also has the nation\u2019s best work environment, according to WalletHub rankings released Monday.<\/p>\n As its name suggests, the personal finance company\u2019s annual Happiest States in America<\/a> list measures merriment in each of the 50 states. But WalletHub gauged happiness using 30 metrics across three categories: physical and emotional well-being, whose metrics included sleep adequacy<\/a> and sports participation; community and environment, whose metrics included leisure time and ideal weather; and work environment<\/a>, whose metrics included job security and median credit score.<\/p>\n While Utah<\/a>, 2023\u2019s happiest state, lost to Hawaii this year in the overall rankings<\/a>, it maintained its reign atop the work environment<\/a> and community and environment categories. West Virginia<\/a>, ranked last year\u2019s worst work environment, remained at the bottom of the list this time around.<\/p>\n Work environment included these metrics:<\/p>\n Scores for all metrics weren\u2019t made public, but Utah notably had the fewest work hours, and tied with Alabama and North Dakota for the third-lowest long-term unemployment rate.<\/p>\n Among the secrets to a satisfying career is finding work that uses your unique skills and creates value for someone else, according to Jo Jorgensen, PhD<\/a>, a principal lecturer in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences at Clemson University<\/a> in South Carolina.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do not have your dream job<\/a> yet and you are watching the clock and waiting for your workday to end, keep looking for the right job<\/a>,\u201d Jorgensen said in a news release about the rankings. \u201cEven in prestigious careers, many people are just treading water, focused on watching the calendar for the next vacation or promotion or pay bump. To really enjoy your life, aim for a calling.<\/p>\n \u201cThe difference is a focus on helping others or finding meaning in your work, rather than being focused on yourself. It is corny, but yes, if you love your work, working for your whole life can be more than just bearable\u2014it can be rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n 1. Utah<\/strong> (same as 2023) 50. West Virginia<\/strong> (same as 2023) Fewest work hours<\/strong> Most work hours<\/strong> Perhaps unsurprisingly, money fails to increase happiness<\/a> as much as you might think, said Jorgensen, who has been teaching a course called Pursuing Happiness for 15 years.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter 10 minutes in a cold pool, you adjust, and it no longer feels cold. We adapt to wealth in the same way,\u201d she said in the news release. \u201cWe tend to think that if we just had a slightly larger house or a nicer car or could go on expensive vacations, then we will finally \u2018really be happy.\u2019 But it never ends.<\/p>\n \u201cEven financially successful people with a mansion and a fleet of cars along with a 100-foot yacht often think they will \u2018finally become happy\u2019 if they could just get a 150-foot yacht. If you do not know how to appreciate what you have, having more will not change that.\u201d<\/p>\n Highest income growth<\/strong> Lowest income growth<\/strong> No. 1 Idaho\u2019s income growth was triple that of No. 50 Alaska.<\/p>\n Lowest long-term unemployment rates Highest long-term unemployment rates No. 50 New Jersey\u2019s long-term unemployment rate was seven times worse than that of No. 1 South Dakota.<\/p>\n For more on the workplace:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. <\/span>Sign up<\/span><\/a> for free today.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n10 states with best work environments<\/h2>\n
2. Vermont <\/strong>(up from No. 10)
3. Idaho<\/strong> (up from No. 6)
4. Minnesota<\/strong> (down from No. 3)
5. Massachusetts<\/strong> (up from No. 16)
6. Montana <\/strong>(down from No. 2)
7. Nebraska<\/strong> (same as 2023)
8. Rhode Island <\/strong>(up from No. 12)
9. New Hampshire<\/strong> (up from No. 19)
10. Maryland<\/strong> (down from No. 4)<\/p>\n10 states with worst work environments<\/h2>\n
49. Louisiana<\/strong> (same as 2023)
48. Alaska<\/strong> (same as 2023)
47. New Mexico<\/strong> (down from No. 45)
46. Kentucky<\/strong> (down from No. 41)
45. California<\/strong> (down from No. 34)
44. Nevada<\/strong> (up from No. 46)
43. Arkansas<\/strong> (down from No. 42)
42. New York <\/strong>(down from No. 39)
41. Indiana<\/strong> (down from No. 27)<\/p>\nStates with most, fewest work hours<\/h2>\n
1. Utah
2. Vermont
3. Rhode Island
4. Oregon
T-5. Connecticut
T-5. Massachusetts<\/p>\n
50. Alaska
T-48. Wyoming
T-48. Texas
T-45. South Dakota
T-45. Louisiana<\/p>\nStates with highest, lowest income growth<\/h2>\n
1. Idaho
2. Arizona
3. California
4. Oregon
5. Washington<\/p>\n
50. Alaska
49. Wyoming
48. North Dakota
47. Connecticut
46. Oklahoma<\/p>\nStates with highest, lowest long-term unemployment rates<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>1. South Dakota
2. Nebraska
T-3. Alabama
T-3. North Dakota
T-3. Utah<\/p>\n
<\/strong>50. New Jersey
T-48. New York
T-48. California
47. Illinois
46. Rhode Island<\/p>\n\n