Some states just put in more hours, grind longer, and hustle harder than the rest.
Across the country, work culture varies wildly depending on where you live. In some states, work-life balance is the priority. In others, people seem wired to stay late, take on extra shifts, and power through long hours without blinking. Surprisingly, many of the states with the hardest-working residents aren’t the ones you’d typically expect—and plenty of southern states, often known for a slower pace of life, don’t even make the list.
These states consistently log longer workweeks, juggle multiple jobs, and push through more hours of labor compared to the national average. Whether it’s because of demanding industries, high costs of living, or deeply ingrained work ethics, these 11 states stand out for how hard their people work every single week.
1. Alaska pushes workers to tough it out in extreme conditions.
Alaska’s economy depends heavily on industries like oil, fishing, and construction—fields that require brutal hours and physically demanding labor, according to Dominic Catacora at Allwork. Add in long, harsh winters and remote job sites, and you get a workforce that’s used to working long shifts under challenging conditions.
Many Alaskans also work multiple seasonal jobs to make the most of short work windows, especially in industries tied to tourism or fishing seasons. The state’s unique blend of demanding jobs, high wages, and harsh environments consistently pushes residents to work harder than most of the country.
2. North Dakota’s booming industries keep employees clocking serious hours.
Fueled by oil, agriculture, and energy production, North Dakota’s job market keeps workers putting in long hours to meet demand, as reported by Pallavi Rao at Visual Capitalist. Many of these industries require 10- to 12-hour shifts, often seven days a week during peak seasons, especially in rural areas where labor is in high demand.
The state’s low unemployment rates mean many residents juggle multiple roles or take on overtime to keep up with industry demands. While the income potential is strong, the workload is grueling, making North Dakota one of the states where workers consistently put in above-average hours.
3. Wyoming’s workforce is used to physically intense, long-hour jobs.
Wyoming’s economy is deeply tied to energy, mining, and ranching—industries that demand long workdays, unpredictable schedules, and plenty of physical effort, as stated by the authors at EBN. Many workers spend full days outdoors, dealing with challenging weather while managing physically taxing tasks.
Because so many of these jobs depend on production cycles, seasonal changes, and labor shortages, workers often put in significant overtime during peak periods. Wyoming’s rural nature also means commuting times to worksites add extra hours to already long days.
4. Texas thrives on industries that demand long shifts.
Texas has a booming economy powered by energy, healthcare, technology, and agriculture. Oil fields, in particular, demand extensive shifts that can last 12 hours or longer, often in remote locations with limited downtime between rotations.
Even in major urban centers like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, the culture often leans heavily toward working long hours to stay competitive in fast-growing industries. Texans are known for their strong work ethic, and many embrace the grind as part of the state’s identity and financial success.
5. Nebraska’s agricultural backbone keeps workers constantly busy.
Nebraska’s heavy reliance on agriculture means workers often have to put in extremely long hours during planting and harvest seasons. Many farmers and ranchers work sunup to sundown, seven days a week, managing livestock, maintaining equipment, and handling crop production.
Outside of agriculture, Nebraska’s manufacturing and transportation sectors also demand long shifts, contributing to the state’s consistently high average weekly work hours. For many Nebraskans, hard work is deeply embedded in both their livelihoods and their cultural identity.
6. Colorado’s growing economy has created a nonstop hustle.
Colorado’s booming tech, healthcare, construction, and service industries keep workers hustling, especially in fast-growing cities like Denver and Boulder. Many professionals in these fields regularly work overtime or take on extra freelance projects to keep pace with the cost of living.
On top of regular work hours, many Coloradans juggle side gigs or entrepreneurial ventures, adding even more time to their weekly schedules. The state’s active lifestyle often masks how much time its residents actually spend working to maintain financial stability.
7. Hawaii’s high cost of living forces many to work multiple jobs.
While Hawaii’s laid-back vibe gets plenty of attention, its sky-high living costs push many residents into working multiple jobs just to stay afloat. Tourism, hospitality, and service industry roles often involve long, irregular hours, sometimes with limited time off between shifts.
Many workers balance day jobs with evening or weekend gigs to cover expenses like housing, food, and transportation. Despite the paradise setting, Hawaii’s workforce often faces one of the nation’s highest average weekly work hours due to financial necessity.
8. South Dakota’s workforce stays busy with agriculture and manufacturing.
Agriculture and manufacturing dominate South Dakota’s economy, with workers logging extended hours during peak production seasons. Farmers, ranchers, and factory workers often work long shifts to meet quotas or take advantage of favorable weather conditions.
The state’s strong work ethic is reflected in its consistently high labor force participation rates. Many South Dakotans willingly put in extra time to maintain farms, meet production goals, or manage family-run businesses, leading to long workweeks that rival those of more industrialized states.
9. Iowa’s agricultural demands keep workers constantly on call.
In Iowa, farming is a way of life, and the demands of crop cycles mean long, physically demanding workdays. Planting, harvesting, and livestock care often involve extended shifts that don’t fit into traditional 9-to-5 schedules.
Outside of agriculture, Iowa’s manufacturing and healthcare sectors also contribute to longer work hours, with many employees working multiple shifts or extended rotations. The state’s residents are known for their strong work ethic and dedication to keeping industries running smoothly, even during grueling seasons.
10. Idaho’s fast-growing economy has increased workloads across industries.
Idaho’s rapid population growth has fueled expansion in construction, healthcare, and tech—industries that often demand long hours to meet rising demand. Contractors, healthcare workers, and IT professionals regularly put in overtime to keep up with the state’s fast-paced growth.
In addition, many Idahoans balance multiple income streams through side businesses or seasonal work to maximize their earnings. The strong culture of self-reliance and entrepreneurial spirit means many residents willingly work long hours to build financial security and future opportunities.
11. Montana’s rural industries keep employees constantly grinding.
Montana’s economy is heavily tied to ranching, logging, mining, and seasonal tourism, all of which involve irregular hours, long days, and intense physical labor. Many residents work extended shifts during peak seasons to make the most of limited work windows.
Because many industries depend on weather and natural cycles, Montana workers often push through long work periods knowing they have to capitalize while conditions allow. This leads to one of the highest average weekly work hours in the nation, with residents embracing the tough grind as part of their way of life.