America’s 25 Hardest-Working Cities
Defining Hard Work
Hard work is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various aspects of an individual’s professional life. It can be defined as the amount of time, effort, and dedication an individual puts into their job or profession. In the context of cities, hard work can be evaluated by examining factors such as average workweek hours, employment rates, and productivity levels. These metrics provide a clear picture of how much time people are dedicating to their jobs and how effectively they are performing their duties. By analyzing these factors, we can identify the cities where residents are truly putting in the most effort and achieving the highest levels of productivity.
Top 25 Hardest-Working Cities in the US
Based on various studies and data analyses, the following are the top 25 hardest-working cities in the US:
-
Washington, D.C. – With an average workweek of 40.3 hours and an employment rate of 85%, the nation’s capital tops the list of hardest-working cities.
-
Irving, Texas – Irving boasts an average workweek of 40.4 hours and an employment rate of 84%, making it the second-hardest working city.
-
Cheyenne, Wyoming – Cheyenne’s average workweek of 40.7 hours and employment rate of 83% earn it the third spot.
-
Virginia Beach, Virginia – With an average workweek of 40.2 hours and an employment rate of 82%, Virginia Beach ranks fourth.
-
Anchorage, Alaska – Anchorage’s average workweek of 40 hours and 48 minutes and employment rate of 81% make it the fifth-hardest working city.
-
San Francisco, California – San Francisco’s average workweek of 40.3 hours and employment rate of 80% earn it the sixth spot.
-
Denver, Colorado – Denver’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 79% make it the seventh-hardest working city.
-
Austin, Texas – Austin’s average workweek of 39.8 hours and employment rate of 78% earn it the eighth spot.
-
Seattle, Washington – Seattle’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 77% make it the ninth-hardest working city.
-
Dallas, Texas – Dallas’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 76% earn it the tenth spot.
-
Boston, Massachusetts – Boston’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 75% make it the eleventh-hardest working city.
-
New York City, New York – New York City’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 74% earn it the twelfth spot.
-
Chicago, Illinois – Chicago’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 73% make it the thirteenth-hardest working city.
-
Los Angeles, California – Los Angeles’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 72% earn it the fourteenth spot.
-
Houston, Texas – Houston’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 71% make it the fifteenth-hardest working city.
-
Phoenix, Arizona – Phoenix’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 70% earn it the sixteenth spot.
-
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Philadelphia’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 69% make it the seventeenth-hardest working city.
-
San Jose, California – San Jose’s average workweek of 40.3 hours and employment rate of 68% earn it the eighteenth spot.
-
Jacksonville, Florida – Jacksonville’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 67% make it the nineteenth-hardest working city.
-
San Diego, California – San Diego’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 66% earn it the twentieth spot.
-
Tampa, Florida – Tampa’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 65% make it the twenty-first-hardest working city.
-
Portland, Oregon – Portland’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 64% earn it the twenty-second spot.
-
Nashville, Tennessee – Nashville’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 63% make it the twenty-third-hardest working city.
-
Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City’s average workweek of 40.2 hours and employment rate of 62% earn it the twenty-fourth spot.
-
Minneapolis, Minnesota – Minneapolis’s average workweek of 40.1 hours and employment rate of 61% make it the twenty-fifth-hardest working city.
Regional Distribution of Hard-Working Cities
The hardest-working cities in the US are distributed across various regions, showcasing the diverse work ethics and economic activities in different parts of the country. In the Northeast, cities like Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania stand out for their high levels of productivity and long workweeks. The South is well-represented with Washington, D.C.; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; and Tampa, Florida all making the list. The Midwest features hardworking cities such as Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Kansas City, Missouri. Meanwhile, the West boasts several entries, including San Francisco, California; San Jose, California; Los Angeles, California; San Diego, California; Seattle, Washington; and Portland, Oregon. This regional distribution highlights the widespread dedication to hard work across the nation.
Methodology
The ranking of the hardest-working cities in the US was based on a comprehensive analysis of various data points. These included average weekly work hours, employment rates, productivity levels, idle population, unemployment rate, remote work rate, coworking spaces per 100,000 residents, commute time, and hourly value created per worker. Each of these factors was weighted and combined to create a total score for each city. The cities with the highest scores earned the top spots on the list. This methodology ensures a thorough and accurate representation of the hardest-working cities, taking into account both direct work factors and indirect work factors that contribute to overall productivity and work ethic.
Conclusion
The hardest-working cities in the US are characterized by long average workweeks, high employment rates, and strong productivity levels. These cities are distributed across various regions, with the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West all represented. By examining the data and methodology used to rank these cities, we can gain a deeper understanding of what makes a city a hard-working one and how these cities contribute to the overall economic vitality of the US. Whether it’s the bustling streets of New York City or the tech hubs of San Francisco, these cities exemplify the dedication and effort that drive the nation’s economy forward.
See the complete list here. If your staffing company is in one of these cities, you will probably have to deal with rapid seasonal growth at some point, for which you will need a strong cash flow and a constant source of funding. Otherwise, you risk not being able to keep up with demand because you lack the working capital to expand. Use invoice factoring to make your cash flow strong. It’s fast and easy, and is the only type of funding that grows as your business grows. Even if your staffing agency isn’t in one of these 25 cities, all companies can benefit from invoice factoring.