Yahoo Finance The 20 hardest-working cities in the U.S.
If you ever think you do too much, you’re right.
Turns out, the average American worker is a shocking 400 percent more productive than the average worker in 1950, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You read that right: 400 percent.
And of these hardworking Americans, the hardest-working are living in Anchorage, Alaska, according to WalletHub, which examined the 116 most populated cities in the country to see who’s working the hardest. They based their rankings on average weekly work hours, labor force participation rate and number of workers with multiple jobs.
Apparently Alaskans, whose productivity has been on the rise over the past decade, have some of the highest rates of labor force participation, along with the longest workweeks. Still, that averages out to just above 40 hours a week. Regionally, the northwestern section of the U.S. has the highest labor force participation, with states like Washington, Montana and the Dakotas leading the way.
Texans worked the longest hours.
Being the hardest-working may not be worth bragging about. WalletHub also noted that the hardest-working cities had the least amount of sleep per night, less leisure time, longer commutes and worked multiple jobs.
“My sense is that the productivity of American workers has increased over the recession and the (jobless) recovery,” says Michael C. Duff, a law professor with University of Wyoming College of Law. “But we should be very clear about what that means. If the same work is accomplished with fewer workers, productivity has, on paper, increased. But this is illusory productivity, in that it is cost savings without what I consider to be true added value.”
Plus, not everyone gets to enjoy the fruit of their labors. When compared to European countries, which are less productive but also have more regulated hours and time off, the hard work of U.S. employees doesn’t necessarily pay off.
“The productivity in the United States is higher than that in Europe, but the fruits of the productivity are not evenly distributed leading to the most wealth and income inequality in the U.S. since the 1970’s,” says Ariana Levinson, professor of law at Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.
A team of experts culled by Wallet Hub agreed that a 40-hour workweek may even be too much, and for many Americans that’s really not a reality.
“Ideally, considering that many households are now dual income and that increased workloads for both parents takes time away from the importance of parenting, a more ideal aspiration would be 30 hours a week with a living wage,” Levinson says.
These are the places that work the hardest—whether they wear it as a badge of honor or feel trapped by it.
20. Houston, Texas
Average work hours per week: 39.8
Labor force participation: 74.9 percent
Texas makes several appearances on this list, so it’s safe to say that Texas as a whole may be the hardest-working state.
19. Seattle, Washington
Average work hours per week: 38
Labor force participation: 80.53 percent
The tech boom in Seattle seems to translate to more jobs, and more hours worked.
18. Norfolk, Virginia
Average work hours per week: 39.6
Labor force participation: 72.7 percent
It’s probably a good thing the people of Norfolk work hard: It’s the center of Naval Station Norfolk, the largest Navy base in the world.
17. Scottsdale, Arizona
Average work hours per week: 40.2
Labor force participation: 78.1 percent
Even though Arizona is known as a retirement haven for snow birds, the people of Scottsdale are largely employed.
16. Aurora, Colorado
Average work hours per week: 38.5
Labor force participation: 78.63 percent
The Denver suburb boasts higher-than-average labor force participation, though it’s not working as hard as Denver.
15. Dallas, Texas
Average work hours per week: 39.8
Labor force participation: 74.3 percent
As one of the fastest-growing metros in the area, Dallas-Fort Worth was recently named one of WalletHub's top five best places to find a job. Forth Worth specifically was the best place, according to WalletHub.
14. Arlington, Texas
Average work hours per week: 39.2
Labor force participation: 77.8 percent
Nearby Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys, ranked as No. 4 on the WalletHub list of best places to find a job.
13. Charlotte, North Carolina
Average work hours per week: 39.4
Labor force participation: 79 percent
Besides Virginia’s multiple appearances on this list, North Carolina is the only other East Coast state to make it.
12. Gilbert, Arizona
Average work hours per week: 39.4 percent
Labor force participation: 79.2 percent
Phoenix itself did not make the list, but this suburb did. Gilbert’s population has grown rapidly in the past three decades, from 5,700 people in 1980 to more than 200,000 in 2010, according to the 2010 Census.
11. Washington, D.C.
Average work hours per week: 40
Labor force participation: 75.3 percent
Despite Congress’ lackadaisical approach to work, the city as a whole works pretty hard.
10. Chesapeake, Virginia
Average work hours per week: 39.3
Labor force participation :75 percent
The home of the Great Dismal Swamp, Chesapeake, a city near Norfolk, has a robust workforce.
9. Denver, Colorado
Average work hours per week: 38.9
Labor force participation: 78.5 percent
The legalization of marijuana has not affected the work ethic of the people of Denver.
8. San Francisco, California
Average work hours per week: 39.6
Labor force participation: 79.1 percent
San Franciscans probably have to work hard for their skyrocketing rent.
6. Garland, Texas (tie)
Average work hours per week: 39.5
Labor force participation: 78.25 percent
A suburb of Dallas, Garland inspired former resident Mike Judge's TV show "King of the Hill."
6. Jersey City, New Jersey (tie)
Average work hours per week: 39.5
Labor force participation: 75 percent
We're sure the residents of Jersey City are proud of being able to turn their noses up at New York City's lazier residents.
5. Irving, Texas
Average work hours per week: 40.1
Labor force participation: 78.5 percent
Irving isn't even the last suburb of Dallas on the list. Apparently the city's explosive growth over the past 20 years has been a lot of hard work.
4. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Average work hours per week: 39.8
Labor force participation: 78.1 percent
Climbers work hard to get to the top of Devil's Tower outside Cheyenne, just like the people of Cheyenne work hard during the week.
3. Plano, Texas
Average work hours per week: 40.6
Labor force participation: 78.7 percent
Yet another suburb of Dallas, Plano is the last town in Texas, we swear.
2. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Average work hours per week: 40.1
Labor force participation: 77.8 percent
The tourist town is apparently full of hard workers year-round.
1. Anchorage, Alaska
Average work hours per week: 40.7
Alaska is also apparently the state boasting the highest sense of well-being. At least they're working with a purpose.
Labor force participation: 79.2 percent
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