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Key Takeaways
- Iowa had the fastest-growing quit rate, rising 0.8% from 1.8% in February to 2.6% in March.
- Illinois saw the second-largest increase with a 0.5% rise, reaching 2.4% in March.
- Connecticut’s quit rate jumped 0.4% after a dip earlier in the year, landing at 2.1% in March.
- California and Colorado each posted a 0.3% increase in quit rates, showing moderate growth in job switching.
- Louisiana ranked last with the largest drop in quit rates, falling 0.5%, from 2.8% in February to 2.3% in March.
New Study Reveals Which States Are Seeing the Biggest Surge in Job Quits
A new study has found Iowa has the fastest-rising job resignation rate of any state in the nation.
The study by RemotePeople used public US data on quit rates for the first quarter of 2025. By comparing February and March figures, they calculated the change in quit rates across all US states to find where people were quitting their jobs the fastest.
Iowa
Workers in Iowa are quitting their jobs at the fastest rate in the country according to new data. The state saw a sharp rise in its job quit rate from 1.8% in February to 2.6% in March. That 0.8% increase was the largest among all states and pushed Iowa to the top of the rankings.
Illinois
Illinois came in second with a 0.5% increase. The quit rate there rose from 1.9% in February to 2.4% in March. This jump suggests growing turnover in the Illinois labor market after holding steady for at least a month.
Connecticut
Connecticut ranked third. Its quit rate increased from 1.7% in February to 2.1% in March which is a 0.4% rise. Connecticut had previously seen a dip from January to February before recovering in March.
California
California placed fourth with a 0.3% increase. The state’s quit rate climbed from 1.7% to 2%. That small but steady growth shows a modest rise in job switching among workers in the country’s most populous state.
Colorado
Colorado also saw a 0.3% jump. Its quit rate went from 1.8% in February to 2.1% in March. The state had started the year at a higher 2.4% in January indicating some volatility in recent months.
Kansas
Kansas matched Colorado with a 0.3% increase. Its rate rose from 2.1% to 2.4% suggesting that job turnover remains high in the state after a slight drop the previous month.
Delaware
Delaware posted a smaller 0.2% rise moving from 2% to 2.2%. Although the increase is modest it was enough to place the state seventh in the national rankings for March.
Indiana
Indiana also recorded a 0.2% increase. The state’s quit rate climbed from 2.7% to 2.9%. That rate is among the highest overall showing that workers in Indiana are consistently leaving jobs at a high pace.
Maryland
Maryland saw a rise from 1.9% in February to 2.1% in March, a 0.2% increase. This followed a 0.2% increase the month before indicating a slow but steady rise over time.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts experienced the same 0.2% increase. Its rate moved from 1.6% to 1.8%. The state still remains on the lower end of quit rates nationally despite the recent uptick.
Minnesota, New Mexico, and Ohio
Minnesota, New Mexico, and Ohio each saw a 0.2% increase in quit rates from February to March. Minnesota and New Mexico rose from 1.9% to 2.1%, while Ohio increased from 2% to 2.2%.
Complete Ranking of States by Workforce Turnover
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Rising Quit Rates Reveal About the U.S. Workforce
The rise in quit rates across states like Iowa, Illinois, and Connecticut highlights a changing labor landscape in early 2025. While some states are seeing only minor shifts, others are experiencing a notable uptick in resignations—reflecting increased job confidence, changing priorities, or dissatisfaction with current roles. Conversely, declines in places like Louisiana may signal greater job stability or fewer alternatives in the local market.
For employers, these trends reinforce the need to invest in retention, understand regional dynamics, and adapt to evolving employee expectations. Monitoring quit rates by state isn’t just about tracking turnover—it’s about anticipating change and staying competitive in a fluid workforce environment.
For job seekers, rising quit rates can offer insight into market momentum. High turnover may suggest strong demand for talent, more job opportunities, or increased bargaining power for workers. However, it can also point to instability or dissatisfaction within certain sectors.
Whether you’re an employer or an employee, tracking these shifts at the state level can help guide smarter hiring strategies, career decisions, and workforce planning in the months ahead.