50-State Rankings for February 2020-February 2022

State Job Recovery Trends as of February 2022

Nebraska (+1.2%), Washington (+0.9%), Wyoming (+0.9%), New Hampshire (+0.8%), and South Carolina (+0.8%) led February job growth in percentage gains.
California (+138,100), Texas (+77,800), Florida (+51,000), Pennsylvania (+34,400), and Washington (+31,700) had the most absolute job creation in February.

The US lost 22 million jobs from February 2020-April 2020.
The US is currently 2.1 million jobs below pre-pandemic levels, a 1.4% net decline.

State recovery leaders impose fewer economic restrictions, lower taxes, and embrace policies that attract families and businesses.
Idaho, Montana, Arkansas, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, and Colorado each cut taxes or spending in 2021. Tennessee cut taxes in 2022.
Colorado became the eleventh state to exceed its pre-pandemic jobs count in February 2022.
Uncompetitive states face heightened competition for workers and businesses in the new era of remote work.
Large states like New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois are suffering through an unnecessarily slow labor market recovery.
Dozens of states are considering tax cuts in 2022 to increase their competitiveness for attracting mobile businesses and remote workers.