The Work Week Myth — It Doesn’t Average 40 Hours

Yes, some of us still work a 40 hour week. In fact, many of us work way more than that number of hours. The averages, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, however, tell a much different story. No state in the union has a work week averaging 40 hours. The figures for most states sit under way under 40 hours. In some states the average work week is around 32 hours.

The energy sector — oil, gas, electricity, etc. — is adds to the hours worked per week in some states. Shift work is the standard and the need for constant operation drives up hours worked and makes that sector the one with the most hours worked per week.

These are the five states where people work the most hours. The PIA Western Alliance state of Alaska sits at number 5 with a 35.3 hour average work week.

1. Louisiana — 36.3 hours

2. Texas — 35.9 hours

3. Alabama — 35.8 hours

4. District of Columbia — 35.4 hours

5. Alaska — 35.3 hours

Work in finance, healthcare, education, tourism and professional services have more standardized work schedules and the work hours drop.

These are the states where people work the fewest hours. The PIA Western Alliance state of Hawaii ranks 50th with a 32.5 hour work week. Only people in Delaware work fewer hours.

47. Maine — 32.7 hours

48. Minnesota — 32.7 hours

49. South Dakota — 32.6 hours

50. Hawaii — 32.5 hours

51. Delaware — 32.4 hours

The work week averages for the 10 PIA Western Alliance states:

Alaska — 35.3 hours

Arizona — 33.9 hours

California — 32.9 hours

Hawaii — 32.5 hours

Idaho — 34.4 hours

Montana — 33.1 hours

Nevada — 34.7 hours

New Mexico — 34.1 hours

Oregon — 32.9 hours

Washington — 34.5 hours

Source link: Mental Floss — https://bit.ly/3R7iItn