By Hank Russell
A recent study has shown that, despite a high starting salary and an outstanding growth in employment, New York State is almost at the bottom when it comes to job security and near the bottom for job opportunities.
According to WalletHub, New York State was the 29th best state to find a job. The top five states were Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and New Hampshire. However, the state has the 32nd-best job market (Massachusetts had the best) and was 29th in economic environment (Washington was No. 1).
When it comes to finding — or keeping — a job, New York is not the place to be. WalletHub listed The Empire State 45th in job opportunities and 38th in job security. Vermont had the best opportunities, followed by New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Virginia.
One bright spot was that the state was sixth in employment growth; the top five were Connecticut, Mississippi, Illinois, Massachusetts and Vermont. Even better, New York had the second-highest monthly average starting salary. Further, New York had the 18th highest median annual income.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly salary was $1,540, while Suffolk residents, on average, earned $1,563 a week. Both were below the national average of $1,589 a week and way below the state average of $2.213.
When it comes to the commute, New York is dead last, having the longest commute times. South Dakota had the shortest commute. According to WalletHub, New York’s commute time was twice as long as South Dakota’s. Additionally, New York was in the top five when it comes to the number of hours worked in a week.
(Exact figures for some of these categories were not supplied.)
“Living in one of the best states for jobs can provide stable conditions for the long-term, helping you ride out the fluctuations that the economy will experience in the future,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best states for jobs make it easier for residents to find and retain jobs, and employers in these states also offer very competitive compensation and benefits. In addition, the top states are great places for people looking to raise a family, ranking among the best states for working parents.”