The South has the highest job opening rate of any U.S. region, at 4.5% as of February 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means a larger share of positions in the South are sitting unfilled compared to the Northeast, Midwest, or West. The Midwest follows at 4.3%, then the Northeast at 3.9%, with the West trailing at 3.7%.
How the Four Regions Compare
The BLS tracks job openings through its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and breaks results into four census regions. The job opening rate measures unfilled positions as a percentage of total employment plus those openings, so it captures demand relative to the size of each region’s workforce rather than just raw counts.
Here’s where each region stands:
- South: 4.5% job opening rate
- Midwest: 4.3%
- Northeast: 3.9%
- West: 3.7%
The South’s lead reflects both its large and growing population base and sustained employer demand across healthcare, logistics, construction, and service industries. The Midwest, despite a smaller overall population, posts a strong rate partly because many employers in manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare struggle to fill roles in less densely populated areas. The West, which includes high-cost states where hiring has slowed in some tech and professional sectors, currently has the lowest rate.
Where You’ll Face the Least Competition
A high job opening rate tells you employers are hiring, but it doesn’t tell you how many other people are chasing those same jobs. For that, the key metric is the number of unemployed persons per job opening. The national average sits at 1.1, meaning there are roughly 1.1 job seekers for every open position. Anything below 1.0 means there are more openings than unemployed people, which tips bargaining power toward workers.
Several states in the South and Midwest post some of the lowest ratios in the country. States with ratios around 0.5 to 0.7 have roughly one open job for every unemployed person, or even more jobs than job seekers. By contrast, some states in the West and Northeast see ratios of 1.5 or higher, meaning you’re competing with more candidates for each role.
As a general pattern, states in the South and Midwest tend to cluster below the national average, while parts of the West and Northeast run above it. If your primary goal is finding a job quickly with less competition, those lower-ratio areas deserve a closer look.
What the Numbers Mean for Your Job Search
Regional data gives you a useful starting point, but these are broad averages across every industry and occupation. A region with a high overall opening rate might still have fierce competition in your specific field, and a lower-rate region might be desperate for workers in your specialty. Healthcare, skilled trades, and logistics positions tend to be widely available across the South and Midwest regardless of broader trends, while tech and finance roles cluster in metro areas that may not reflect their region’s average.
Cost of living matters too. A region with plentiful openings but lower average wages can still leave you better off financially if housing, transportation, and daily expenses are significantly cheaper. Many areas in the South and Midwest where job competition is lightest also have housing costs well below the national median, which stretches a paycheck further than a higher salary in a more expensive market.
If you’re flexible on location, targeting states where the unemployed-per-opening ratio falls below 1.0 gives you genuine leverage. Employers in those markets often offer signing bonuses, faster hiring timelines, and more willingness to train candidates who don’t check every box on the job listing. When the math favors workers, the entire hiring experience tends to move faster and feel less competitive.
How to Use Regional Data Practically
Start by identifying which states within your target region have the strongest demand for your occupation. The BLS publishes state-level JOLTS data and occupational employment statistics that let you drill down beyond the regional average. Pair that with job board searches filtered by location to see actual listings in real time.
If you’re open to relocating, compare the job opening ratio, typical salaries for your role, and cost of living in two or three candidate areas. A state with 0.7 unemployed persons per opening and affordable housing could mean a shorter job search, less stress, and a more comfortable financial position than a state where 1.5 or more people are competing for each role. The South currently offers the best combination of high employer demand and relatively low competition, but the Midwest runs a close second and may be the better fit depending on your industry and lifestyle preferences.