Workers in Oklahoma have been ranked among the most stressed employees in the United States, according to new workplace research that examined employment conditions across all 50 states.
The study, conducted by hemp industry experts at Olofly using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, placed Oklahoma as the 11th most stressful state to work in, with an overall stress score of 54.5 out of 100.
Researchers assessed several workplace factors including average hourly pay, weekly working hours, injury rates, unemployment levels, commuting times and access to remote working opportunities in order to identify which states offered the most and least stressful environments for employees.
Louisiana topped the national rankings as the most stressful state for workers, recording a stress score of 73.8 out of 100, while Minnesota was named the least stressful at 32.6.
According to the findings, Oklahoma employees work an average of 34.6 hours per week and earn approximately $29.99 per hour. The state also recorded a fatal workplace injury rate of 4.0 per 100,000 workers.
Despite those figures, Oklahoma’s unemployment rate remains relatively low at 3.5%, indicating what researchers described as a stable labour market. Employees in the state also benefit from comparatively short commute times, averaging 22.3 minutes.
However, the report highlighted limited flexible working arrangements as a possible contributor to stress levels. Only 7.4% of employees in Oklahoma currently work remotely, significantly below levels seen in several lower-ranked states.
The wider study revealed a strong concentration of workplace stress across southern U.S. states. West Virginia ranked second with a stress score of 71.1, followed by Mississippi at 69.2 and Kentucky at 64.1.
Louisiana’s top ranking was linked to the country’s longest average workweek, with employees working 36.5 hours per week on average. Only 6.2% of workers in the state were reported to have access to remote working arrangements.
West Virginia’s position was influenced by a workplace injury rate of 6.8 per 100,000 workers, which researchers said was 58.1% higher than the national average. The state also reported relatively low hourly earnings of $30.32.
Mississippi, ranked third overall, recorded the lowest proportion of employees working from home at just 4.5%. Workers in the state also received the lowest average hourly earnings in the study at $27.91.
Kentucky and Nevada completed the top five most stressful states. Kentucky reported an unemployment rate of 4.5%, while Nevada recorded one of the highest unemployment rates in the research at 5.2%.
Texas ranked seventh overall, with researchers pointing to long commuting times as a contributing factor. Employees in the state spend an average of 26.6 minutes travelling to work, the highest among the top 10 most stressed states.
At the opposite end of the rankings, Minnesota emerged as the least stressful workplace environment in the country. Workers there average a 33-hour working week and earn $40.04 per hour, while 13.6% of employees work remotely.
Vermont ranked second for least stressful workplaces with a score of 34.2, supported by one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates at 2.6%. Utah placed third with a score of 36.6, benefiting from strong wages, shorter commute times and higher levels of remote working.
Speaking on the findings, Mike Rollins, COO of Olofly, commented,
“Stress has become one of the most common issues in the workplace. From long hours to underpaid staff, employees are facing unprecedented levels of pressure. Stressed employees are disengaged and more prone to errors, accidents, and even burnout. Companies must take proactive steps to create a healthier work culture to combat this if they want to retain their staff.
“Oklahoma’s place just outside the top 10 may be linked to its relatively high fatal work injury rate and limited access to remote working opportunities. With many employees working in industries that require in-person attendance, such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation, workers may face greater day-to-day pressures despite the state’s relatively low unemployment rate and short commute times.
“Promoting open communication can make a world of difference, as staff who feel supported are more likely to collaborate effectively and succeed at their jobs. Employers must prioritize mental well-being, recognizing that a healthy work-life balance is a necessity.
“Making sure employees have adequate breaks throughout the day and have time to switch off from their jobs is the simplest way to lower stress, so employers should look at the day-to-day and take steps to improve the work environment.”
The findings reflect growing concerns among employers and policymakers over workplace wellbeing and employee retention, particularly in sectors that continue to rely heavily on in-person labour. Researchers suggested that improving flexibility, reducing excessive workloads and strengthening support for employee wellbeing could play an important role in lowering stress levels across the workforce.
