With March 1 being observed as Employee Appreciation Day and Americans working an average of 1,811 hours per year, more than people in most other industrialized countries, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on 2024’s Hardest-Working Cities in America, as well as expert commentary, to celebrate those who contribute the most to our economy.
In order to determine where Americans work the hardest, WalletHub compared the 116 largest cities across 11 key metrics. The data set ranges from the employment rate to average weekly work hours to the share of workers with multiple jobs. Only one California city – San Francisco – made it into the top 20, coming in at number eight overall, while nine of the top 20 cities are in Texas.
Top 20 Hardest-Working Cities in America
Washington, DC was in the top spot, number one on the list. Number two was Irving, TX, followed by Cheyenne, WY; Virgina Beach, VA; Anchorage, AK; Norfolk, VA; Dallas, TX; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; and, rounding out the top 10, Austin, TX.
Rated number 11 through 20 were: Sioux Falls, SD; Corpus Christi, TX; Plano, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Arlington, TX; Chesapeake, VA; Aurora, CO; Laredo, TX; Garland, TX and, at number 20, Nashville, TN.
Key Stats
Irving, Texas, has the lowest share of households where no adults work, which is 3.6 times lower than in Detroit, the city with the highest.
New York City has the longest average commute time, which is 2.6 times longer than in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Fargo, North Dakota, the cities with the shortest.
Baltimore contributes the most annual volunteer hours per resident, which is 5.9 times more than in Jacksonville, Florida, the city that contributes the fewest.
Boston, Massachusetts, has the lowest share of idle youth 16- to 24-years-old, which is 2.8 times lower than in Memphis, Tennessee, the city with the highest.
To view the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/hardest-working-cities-in-america/10424
“Hard work is one of the main reasons why America has become so successful, but it can also lead to negative consequences if it crosses into overwork territory. In other words, even though people in the hardest-working cities are the backbone of our economy, they shouldn’t forget to take the occasional break for their mental and physical health,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst. “Washington, D.C. is the hardest-working city in the U.S., in part because it has the highest share of workers who leave vacation time unused, at 64 percent. Residents of the nation’s capital also work the third-most hours per week on average.”
Expert Commentary
Research shows that Americans work 25 percent more hours than their counterparts in Europe. Why do Americans work so much more, and is it worth it?
“Indeed, Americans work more than Europeans, although they work less than workers in China and India. We work more than Europeans for a mix of legal and cultural reasons – for example, EU countries require employers to provide paid time off for vacations, parental leave, and sick leave. There are no corresponding federal laws in the United States. Most American workers have no protection from arbitrary discharge from employment because of the at-will rule, which creates fear in some workforces about the risks of being seen as a ‘slacker.’ Some have referred to this as America’s culture of presenteeism. A smaller percentage of American workers than those in Europe have union representation and union workers are more likely to have better pay and benefits than their non-union counterparts. We are also a country that celebrates consumerism and the acquisition of wealth. Our brand of capitalism is much more individualistic and laissez-faire than European versions. Many American workers do not think the long hours are worth it. According to surveys, many would prefer to work less even if it meant they earned less. There are serious health risks associated with working long hours.”
Michael J. Yelnosky – Professor, Roger Williams University
Does working more hours always translate into higher productivity? Does this vary by industry or job type?
“Overworked Americans are not necessarily more productive. The cumulative effects of stress, lost sleep, and time away from family and friends tend to mount as the workweek grinds on. The overworked employee is also an employee who is more likely to burn out, suffer ill health effects, and leave the job. The categories of jobs that demand ‘extreme hours’ have changed over time. Whereas blue-collar workers in the mid-twentieth century logged in more time at the factory, today’s white-collar jobs are now more likely to demand round-the-clock hustle. The same dynamic can be found in the retail and service sectors. In contrast to previous generations, low-wage American workers today frequently have to string together multiple jobs just to make ends meet.”
Keith Cunningham-Parmeter – Professor, Lewis & Clark Law School
What policies should governments and firms adopt to improve the quality of life of American workers?
“All employers can provide clear expectations to employees, along with prompt and constructive feedback. Similarly, all employers can recognize employee accomplishments, seek employee input, respect all employees, and provide learning opportunities for employees. All employers can help employees understand how their work furthers the mission of the employer. All employers could provide some opportunity to engage in volunteer activities that benefit the community. Finally, equity and respect for all workers are essential in every workplace. Regardless of the job, every worker contributes to the mission and should feel valued for that contribution. In addition, paid leave for illness, childcare and other caregiving responsibilities, whether by government mandate or voluntarily by employers, would significantly improve quality of life and provide greater work-life balance for employees. Finding the balance of remote and in-person work that fits the needs of the employer and employees is challenging and will depend on the particular workplace. Where some or all employees work remotely, employers need to provide opportunities for employees to develop relationships and for newer employees to find workplace mentors that will help them advance in their careers.”
Ann C. Hodges – Professor Emerita; Program Chair, Paralegal Studies, University of Richmond
