Top States for Employee Happiness

New research relays which states are best for work in America. In a 2025 study, Wave Connect draws on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Gallup to determine where employees like to work and why. Along with their own statistical analysis of factors—annual salary, work-life balance, employee engagement rate, and state happiness index—the rankings reveal how states can better retain quality workers. 

In the cleaning industry, a topic that factors into all facets of operation is labor. Prospective employees consider a variety of factors when looking for employment, yet financial security continues to drive decision-making. As affirmed by MSN, economic uncertainty and increasing inflation impacts individuals directly. Financial security is pertinent to janitorial staff because many work more than one job in an effort to gain better financial positioning. 

Alongside salary expectations, work-life balance has become an essential element for the workforce. Corroborated by a Randstad’s Workmonitor report, about 80 percent of workers among all generations believe it is as important or more than pay. This indicates a shift in mentality post-pandemic, as people are now more likely to accept a position that appeals to their professional and personal aspirations. 

Overall, Wave Connect’s study showed employee happiness is most commonly found in the Northeast, as seven out of nine states are listed in the top 10. The commonalities between states in this region are higher salaries and consistent work hours, Wave Connect reports. These states also share a high employee retention and engagement rate, which lends to their overall employee happiness score. Of course, employee retention remains an issue across the cleaning industry. 

The final rankings provide management with crucial insight into present and future employment trends.