The Burnout Map: America’s Most Overworked State

Burnout in America isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s a signal that something deeper is going on.

Search interest in the term has surged to its highest level in five years, according to Google Trends. In November 2025, Americans searched for “burnout” more than at any other point on record, with another spike following in January 2026.

That made us stop and ask ourselves a simple question: where in the country is the pressure really hitting hardest, and could it be affecting you more than you realize?
To find out, in this edition of Profit Trends we conducted the nation's first state-by-state Burnout Report, examining work patterns, financial strain, commute times and other burnout-related search behavior across all 50 states.

Keep reading to uncover the results and see where your state ranks.

Contents

1. Is Your State Suffering From Burnout?
2. States Facing the Most Work Burnout
3. Most Overworked States
4. Best Work–Life Balance States
5. Least Overworked States
6. Methodology
   
   

1. Is Your State Suffering From Burnout?

To identify America’s Most Overworked State, we compared all 50 U.S. states across four indicators associated with workload intensity, financial pressure and signs of burnout. Each state was evaluated using the following metrics:

• Average working hours per week
• Median household income
• Mean travel time to work (minutes)
• “Burnout” searches per 100,000 residents

To ensure comparability across measures with different units and scales, each metric was normalized on a 1–10 scale, where higher scores reflected greater levels of work burden or burnout risk. For income, scoring was adjusted so that lower incomes corresponded to higher strain scores, reflecting increased financial pressure.

After normalization, scores across all four metrics were averaged to calculate an overall Burnout Score for each state. States were then ranked from highest to lowest based on this composite score to determine relative levels of overwork.

So how does your state rank in terms of burnout?

2. States Facing the Most Work Burnout

1. Florida: Burnout score: 2.87/10

Florida ranks as the state facing the highest levels of work burnout, landing at the bottom of the index with a score of just 2.87. Despite its reputation as the Sunshine State, workers here appear to be feeling the strain more than anywhere else in the country.

Employees log some of the longest schedules nationwide, with Florida posting the fourth-highest working hours per week. Long days are worsened by lengthy commutes and elevated interest in the term “burnout,” where the state also ranks among the worst performers.

While household income sits closer to the national average — placing mid-table at 25th — it isn’t enough to offset the pressures of extended hours and travel time, making Florida the most burned-out workforce overall.~

2. Texas: Burnout score: 3.11/10

Texas follows closely behind Florida as one of the states experiencing the highest levels of employee burnout, earning a score of 3.11. While the Lone Star State is known for its strong workforce and booming economy, the data suggests many workers are putting in long hours to keep pace.

Employees clock some of the longest weeks in the country, ranking fifth highest for working hours. Commute times and online searches for “burnout” also sit within the top 10 nationwide, pointing to mounting stress both on and off the clock.

Although median household income lands around the middle of the pack at 27th, it does little to counterbalance the extended schedules and daily travel demands, placing Texas among the most fatigued workforces overall.

3. Nevada: Burnout score: 3.11

Nevada ranks third for work burnout, with employees facing some of the most demanding schedules in the country. While the Silver State is often associated with its fast-paced hospitality and entertainment industries, that always-on economy appears to come at a cost for workers.

The state posts the second-highest working hours per week nationwide, meaning many employees are clocking significantly longer weeks than average. Although commute times are slightly shorter than other high-ranking states and median household income sits closer to the middle of the pack, the sheer volume of hours worked continues to drive fatigue. Together, these pressures push Nevada into the top three most burned-out workforces overall.

3. Most Overworked States 

4. Best Work–Life Balance States

1. Alaska: Burnout score: 7.52/10

Alaska ranks as the best state in the nation for avoiding worker burnout, earning the highest score in the index at 7.52. With shorter working weeks, quick commutes, and strong earnings, employees here appear to benefit from a healthier balance between work and personal life.

The state posts the third-lowest working hours per week, giving residents more time away from the job than most Americans. Travel times are also among the shortest in the country, ranking fifth best, helping reduce the daily stress of long commutes.

Combined with one of the highest median household incomes nationwide and relatively low interest in “burnout” searches, Alaska stands out as the least fatigued and most balanced workforce overall.

2. California: Burnout score: 7.35/10

California ranks among the best states for avoiding worker burnout, earning a strong score of 7.35. Despite its fast-paced economy and large urban centers, workers in the Golden State appear to benefit from higher pay and lower signs of stress compared to much of the country.

The state places fifth best nationwide for median household income, giving many employees greater financial stability. It also records the lowest rate of “burnout” searches per capita, suggesting workers may feel less overwhelmed day to day.

However, longer commutes remain a challenge, with California ranking fifth worst for travel time, which can add pressure to the working week. Even so, strong earnings and lower stress indicators help secure its place as one of the least burned-out workforces overall.

3. North Dakota: Burnout Score: 6.59/10

North Dakota ranks among the states with the lowest levels of worker burnout, posting a healthy score of 6.59. With shorter commutes and steady working hours, employees in the State appear to benefit from a slower, less stressful pace of daily life.

The state stands out most for travel time, ranking best in the nation for the shortest average commute — a factor that can significantly reduce day-to-day strain. Working hours are also relatively moderate compared to higher-burnout states, while household income sits comfortably around the national average.

Combined with low levels of “burnout” search interest, the data suggests North Dakota workers enjoy more balance and fewer pressures outside the workplace.

5. Least Overworked States

Methodology

To identify America’s Most Overworked State, we compared all 50 U.S. states across four indicators associated with workload intensity, financial pressure and signs of burnout: 1) Working Hours, 2) Income Levels, 3) Commute Time and 4) Burnout-Related Search Activity.

Each state was evaluated using the following metrics:

• Average working hours per week.

• Median household income.

• Mean travel time to work (minutes).

• “Burnout” searches per 100,000 residents.

To ensure comparability across measures with different units and scales, each metric was normalized on a 1–10 scale, where higher scores reflected greater levels of work burden or burnout risk. For income, scoring was adjusted so that lower incomes corresponded to higher strain scores, reflecting increased financial pressure.

After normalization, scores across all four metrics were averaged to calculate an overall Burnout Score for each state. States were then ranked from highest to lowest based on this composite score to determine relative levels of overwork.

Metrics

Working Hours (25%)
 Average weekly hours worked per employed resident.

Median Household Income (25%)
 Median annual household income, used as an indicator of financial strain.

Commute Time (25%)
 Mean travel time to work in minutes.

Burnout Search Interest (25%)
 Average monthly Google searches for the term “burnout,” adjusted per 100,000 residents to account for population differences.

Sources

Data were collected as follows:

• Working hours: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024 data).

• Income and commute time: United States Census Bureaulink.

• Burnout search volume: Google Ads keyword search data (2025 averages)