25 Worst States to Live and Work In

3. Louisiana

Ranking 3rd in our list of the worst states to live and work in is Louisiana. The state doesn’t have its own state-wide minimum wage legislation, thus adhering to the federal minimum wage. As of August 2023, this federal rate stood at $7.25 per hour for eligible, nonexempt employees. The current unemployment rate in Louisiana stands at 3.30%, which is a slight improvement compared to the previous month’s rate of 3.40% and last year’s rate of 3.50%. Notably, this figure is lower than the long-term average of 6.85%.

Louisiana recorded some of the highest crime rates in the country in 2o23. Violent crime rates in the state increased, and a significant portion of Louisiana residents expressed concerns regarding the possibility of encountering gun violence or violent crime.

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