Should Labor Unions Dominate Like They Do in These States?

VaselineAugust 28, 2024

0 11 minutes read

Should Labor Unions Dominate Like They Do in These States?

24/7 Wall St. Insights

North and South Carolina, alternately, are the two states with the lowest unionization at 2.3% and 2.7% of the state’s population respectively.
Unions usually help workers to achieve better wages, better working conditions, and better policies – but could also increase labor costs.
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The Boston University Graduate Workers Union has been on strike for over five months, marking it as the longest strike from college or university student employees in a decade, if not longer. This union-backed strike aims to address systemic issues facing the student employees. In particular, the BUGWU claims that the University is trying to replace student employees with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, that unfair labor practices mean that the student employees are subject to harassment and violence, and that the minimum pay stipend is lower than it should be. Right now, it’s still unclear how this strike might affect the upcoming Boston University semester. (Is Boston University a top-tier school? Here are the top colleges and universities in the U.S., ranked.)

Much like the BUGWU, workers across the country have sought to join unions to protect workers’ rights and interests against the oversight and interests of overarching employers. Unions advocate for a better quality of life for workers, higher pay, and stronger negotiation. However, critics suggest that labor unions often reduce productivity and increase costs. This is mirrored in the breakdown of union membership across the United States. Notably, rising union membership did not keep pace with overall employment growth. Even as the ranks of unionized workers expanded, the share of working Americans who belong to a labor union fell by a tenth of a percentage point in 2023. (These are the states with the best and worst working conditions.)

Declining unionization rates represent the continuation of a long-term trend going back decades in the United States. Currently, only 10% of workers in the U.S. are union members, the smallest share since the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) records began in 1983, when 20.1% of workers were in a union. Still, in many parts of the country, organized labor remains a powerful force.

Using data from the BLS, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the strongest labor unions. We ranked all 50 states on the share of workers who were members of an organized labor union in 2023. Supplemental data on unemployment and median annual earnings for all workers is from the BLS and the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. This is the most up-to-date information available at the time of publication.

Depending on the state, union membership ranges from 2.3% of the workforce to 24.1%. Historically, the collective bargaining power of labor unions have resulted in improved working conditions and higher wages — and it may be no coincidence that incomes tend to be higher in many of the most unionized states. In each of the five states with the highest median earnings, the share of workers who belong to a labor union exceeds the 10% national average.

Unionization rates in a given state are largely a product of the local political landscape. Many states have implemented “right-to-work” laws. In these places, workers cannot be compelled to join a union as a necessary condition of their employment. Each of the 15 states with the lowest unionization rates have right-to-work laws on the books, while the 15 states with the strongest union participation do not.

Why We Need to Talk About This

Should Labor Unions Dominate Like They Do in These States?

Unions shape America in multiple ways, from economic impact to politics and policies. Recognizing where unionization is strongest provides some insight into workers’ rights and the economic layout of an area. In some areas of the country, unions remain a powerful force. In others, membership has sharply declined. Identifying the patterns in economic trends and unionization provides a look into each area’s unique situation and potential future.

Here are the most unionized states in America, ranked:

50. South Carolina

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 2.3% (49,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +40.0% (+14,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,964 (11th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.0%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

49. North Carolina

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 2.7% (125,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: None
Median annual wage, all workers: $42,499 (16th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.6%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

48. South Dakota

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 3.6% (15,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +15.4% (+2,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,167 (21st lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.1%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

47. Utah

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.1% (65,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +8.3% (+5,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,138 (19th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.8%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

46. Arizona

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.2% (133,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -21.3% (-36,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $45,065 (22nd highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.2%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

45. Louisiana

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.3% (76,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: None
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,753 (10th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.0%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

44. Virginia

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.3% (176,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +20.5% (+30,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $51,477 (8th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.0%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

43. Idaho

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.5% (37,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -5.1% (-2,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,441 (7th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.3%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

42. Texas

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.5% (586,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +13.1% (+68,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,951 (24th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.9%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

41. Georgia

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.6% (211,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +5.5% (+11,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,485 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.2%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

40. Florida

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 4.7% (442,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +6.8% (+28,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $41,481 (12th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.1%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

39. Arkansas

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 5.1% (62,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +5.1% (+3,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $39,165 (3rd lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.7%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

38. Wyoming

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 5.6% (14,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: None
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,156 (20th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.9%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

37. Tennessee

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 6.0% (178,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +9.2% (+15,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $41,920 (14th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.4%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

36. North Dakota

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 6.2% (22,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -4.3% (-1,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $46,181 (18th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 1.9%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

35. Oklahoma

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 6.8% (115,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +30.7% (+27,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $39,859 (4th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.5%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

34. Colorado

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 6.9% (189,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +6.2% (+11,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $52,024 (7th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.3%
Right-to-work state?: No

33. Mississippi

Mississippi | Jackson Mississippi Skyline

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 7.0% (75,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +21.0% (+13,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $37,958 (the lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.2%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

32. Iowa

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 7.2% (107,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +1.9% (+2,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $44,626 (23rd highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.0%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

31. Nebraska

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 7.3% (68,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +13.3% (+8,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,934 (25th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.5%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

30. Wisconsin

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 7.4% (205,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +9.6% (+18,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $45,886 (19th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.4%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

29. New Mexico

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 7.5% (60,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -15.5% (-11,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $38,723 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.0%
Right-to-work state?: No

28. Alabama

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 7.5% (156,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +4.7% (+7,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,316 (6th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.8%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

27. Indiana

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 8.0% (245,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +9.9% (+22,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,119 (18th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.5%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

26. West Virginia

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 8.7% (60,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -6.3% (-4,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,567 (8th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.3%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

25. Delaware

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 8.8% (38,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: None
Median annual wage, all workers: $47,459 (15th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.1%
Right-to-work state?: No

24. Kentucky

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 8.8% (152,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +7.8% (+11,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,718 (9th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.3%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

23. Kansas

Kansas | Wichita, Kansas, USA Downtown Skyline

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 8.9% (120,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -7.0% (-9,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,051 (17th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.6%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

22. Maine

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 9.2% (52,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +8.3% (+4,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,863 (24th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.4%
Right-to-work state?: No

21. New Hampshire

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 9.3% (62,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -11.4% (-8,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $52,044 (6th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.6%
Right-to-work state?: No

20. Missouri

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 9.3% (255,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -0.8% (-2,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $42,093 (15th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.3%
Right-to-work state?: No

19. Maryland

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 10.7% (302,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -7.6% (-25,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $55,537 (2nd highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.2%
Right-to-work state?: No

18. Montana

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 11.8% (56,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +7.7% (+4,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $40,272 (5th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.3%
Right-to-work state?: No

17. Rhode Island

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.3% (62,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -23.5% (-19,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $51,123 (10th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.4%
Right-to-work state?: No

16. Nevada

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.4% (171,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +17.1% (+25,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $41,774 (13th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 5.3%
Right-to-work state?: Yes

15. Ohio

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.5% (641,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: None
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,875 (25th lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.6%
Right-to-work state?: No

14. Massachusetts

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.6% (412,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -0.2% (-1,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $56,828 (the highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.2%
Right-to-work state?: No

13. Michigan

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.8% (564,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -4.2% (-25,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $43,223 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.1%
Right-to-work state?: No

12. Illinois

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.8% (708,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -3.7% (-27,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $48,217 (14th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.7%
Right-to-work state?: No

11. Pennsylvania

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 12.9% (749,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +4.8% (+34,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $46,836 (17th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.4%
Right-to-work state?: No

10. Minnesota

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 13.3% (356,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -6.8% (-26,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $50,801 (12th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.7%
Right-to-work state?: No

9. Oregon

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 14.1% (255,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -9.3% (-26,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $45,456 (21st highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.0%
Right-to-work state?: No

8. Vermont

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 14.3% (43,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +26.5% (+9,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $45,692 (20th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 2.3%
Right-to-work state?: No

7. Alaska

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 14.8% (45,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -6.3% (-3,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $51,079 (11th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.6%
Right-to-work state?: No

6. California

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 15.4% (2,514,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -3.9% (-103,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $49,320 (13th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 5.1%
Right-to-work state?: No

5. Connecticut

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 15.9% (255,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +8.1% (+19,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $53,626 (5th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.2%
Right-to-work state?: No

4. New Jersey

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 16.1% (679,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +9.7% (+60,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $54,939 (3rd highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.8%
Right-to-work state?: No

3. Washington

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 16.5% (576,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: -6.3% (-39,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $54,910 (4th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.4%
Right-to-work state?: No

2. New York

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 20.6% (1,711,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +1.9% (+32,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $51,155 (9th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 4.6%
Right-to-work state?: No

1. Hawaii

Workers in a labor union, 2023: 24.1% (138,000 total)
1-yr. change in union membership: +10.4% (+13,000 workers)
Median annual wage, all workers: $47,340 (16th highest of 50 states)
December 2023 unemployment rate: 3.0%
Right-to-work state?: No

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