Payload Logo

The 5 best states in America for senior workers — and the 5 worst

By Ben Kesslen
Published

A record 11.2 million Americans over 65 are currently in the workforce — and this number is only expected to rise.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as retirement becomes more out of reach and people continue to live longer, the country is set to see a massive 79% increase in workers above 75, and a 22.4% increase among those ages 65 to 74.

Seniorly, a senior living technology company, set out to find the best and worst states for employed older Americans by analyzing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau, and the Federation of Tax Administrators.

The firm looked at a series of factors, including age-related discrimination, labor-force participation, and income. It also looked at remote work rates among older adults, income taxes, and new business growth.


Continue reading to see which five states are the best for senior workers — and which five are the worst.

5th Best: Colorado

4th Best: Maryland

3rd Best: Alaska

2nd Best: New Hampshire

Best: Washington

5th Worst: Kentucky

4th Worst: West Virginia

3rd Worst: Alabama

2nd Worst: Arkansas

Worst: Mississippi

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.