GEORGIA — Georgia residents are putting in some of the hardest work in the nation, according to a new study that ranks the Peach State among the top 10 hardest-working states in America.
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WalletHub ranked Georgia No. 10 overall in its 2026 list of the Hardest-Working States in America. The ranking compared all 50 states using 10 metrics, including average workweek hours, employment rates, workers holding multiple jobs and daily leisure time.
Georgia earned a total score of 52.36, placing it behind Tennessee at No. 9 and ahead of Virginia at No. 11.
WalletHub said the rankings reflect both direct work factors, such as hours worked and employment rates, and indirect factors, including leisure time and workforce participation. Georgia ranked ninth nationally in direct work factors and 28th in indirect work factors.
South Dakota claimed the top spot as the nation’s hardest-working state, followed by North Dakota, Alaska, Hawaii and Wyoming.
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Texas ranked seventh overall, while Tennessee was ninth, making Georgia one of several Southern states to land in the top 10.
At the other end of the list, Michigan ranked last, followed by Oregon, New Jersey, Ohio and Nevada.
According to WalletHub, Americans work an average of about 1,800 hours each year. The study also noted that many workers leave vacation time unused, with nearly half of employees not expecting to take all of their allotted days off.
“It’s undeniable that America has fostered a culture of hard work,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. “Working hard is commendable, but people in the hardest-working states may need to consider taking a break once in a while, as a lack of leisure time can have a negative impact on people’s physical and mental health.”
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