The West Coast is experiencing a significant lag in job openings compared to the rest of the United States, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub. California recorded one of the lowest job openings rates in the country at 3.5%.
Other Western states also showed low rates, with Washington state at 3.3%, Hawaii at 3.5%, and Nevada at 3.6%. Oregon reported a 4.0% job openings rate, while Alaska performed better with 5.4%.
In contrast, Eastern states generally reported higher job openings rates, with none falling below 4.0%. Georgia led the nation with a 5.5% rate.
The job openings rate was calculated by WalletHub by dividing the number of job openings by the sum of employment and job openings, then multiplying the result by 100. The data for this analysis was sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This trend in job availability follows other recent economic indicators for California. A separate study by SmartAsset indicated that Californians would need to earn a minimum of $101,213 annually to support a family on a single income, with one partner staying at home. In major California cities, the cost of living is considerably higher. For a family of four to live comfortably in San Francisco, an annual income of $408,000 would be required, according to the same SmartAsset study. San Jose and Oakland also ranked among the top three cities nationwide for the highest income needed to live comfortably, at $403,000 and $371,000 respectively.
The median household income for a US family of four is reported as $124,999. Additionally, California was not included in a recent list of the best small towns in the country to retire.