The U.S. labor market is cooling, but opportunities are uneven. According to the latest data, seven states stand out:

**Highest Salary**: Massachusetts leads the nation with an average hourly wage of $42.65, followed closely by Connecticut at $39.14.

**Highest Job Vacancy Rate**: Vermont has the highest job vacancy rate at 6.3%, followed by Alaska at 5.8%, and both Virginia and Minnesota at 5.6%. The key point is the low competition—Virginia and Minnesota each have 0.5 unemployed persons per job, significantly lower than the national average.

**Hidden Advantages**: Alaska and New Hampshire have no state income tax, attracting a large number of remote workers. The hourly wage in New Hampshire is $35.72, with a job competition ratio of only 0.6:1.

**But it also depends on**: Vermont has many positions, but the cultural infrastructure is lacking; Massachusetts has a slow development of diversity in high-paying groups. More positions do not equal better opportunities; it depends on long-term development potential.