Right-to-Work State?

(option to join or support a union)

Description

This variable assesses whether or not a state allows employees to be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment. States receive their rank based on either a “yes” for the presence of a right-to-work law or a “no” for the lack thereof. This information comes from the National Right to Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, Inc. Right-to-work status is as of January 1, 2024.

Current (2024)

Current values and ranks for the 2024 edition of Rich States, Poor States.

Right-to-Work State? Rank

Worst Best

ME 50

VT 50

NH 50

WA 50

ID 1

MT 50

ND 1

MN 50

IL 50

WI 1

MI 50

NY 50

RI 50

MA 50

OR 50

NV 1

WY 1

SD 1

IA 1

IN 1

OH 50

PA 50

NJ 50

CT 50

CA 50

UT 1

CO 50

NE 1

MO 50

KY 1

WV 1

VA 1

MD 50

DE 50

AZ 1

NM 50

KS 1

AR 1

TN 1

NC 1

SC 1

OK 1

LA 1

MS 1

AL 1

GA 1

AK 50

HI 50

TX 1

FL 1

State	Value	Rank
Alabama	Yes	1^st
Alaska	No	50^th
Arizona	Yes	1^st
Arkansas	Yes	1^st
California	No	50^th
Colorado	No	50^th
Connecticut	No	50^th
Delaware	No	50^th
Florida	Yes	1^st
Georgia	Yes	1^st
Hawaii	No	50^th
Idaho	Yes	1^st
Illinois	No	50^th
Indiana	Yes	1^st
Iowa	Yes	1^st
Kansas	Yes	1^st
Kentucky	Yes	1^st
Louisiana	Yes	1^st
Maine	No	50^th
Maryland	No	50^th
Massachusetts	No	50^th
Michigan	No	50^th
Minnesota	No	50^th
Mississippi	Yes	1^st
Missouri	No	50^th
Montana	No	50^th
Nebraska	Yes	1^st
Nevada	Yes	1^st
New Hampshire	No	50^th
New Jersey	No	50^th
New Mexico	No	50^th
New York	No	50^th
North Carolina	Yes	1^st
North Dakota	Yes	1^st
Ohio	No	50^th
Oklahoma	Yes	1^st
Oregon	No	50^th
Pennsylvania	No	50^th
Rhode Island	No	50^th
South Carolina	Yes	1^st
South Dakota	Yes	1^st
Tennessee	Yes	1^st
Texas	Yes	1^st
Utah	Yes	1^st
Vermont	No	50^th
Virginia	Yes	1^st
Washington	No	50^th
West Virginia	Yes	1^st
Wisconsin	Yes	1^st
Wyoming	Yes	1^st

U.S. Trends

Overview of states' Right-to-Work State? over time.

Historical Ranks

Historical state ranks for Right-to-Work State? across editions of the Rich States, Poor States.

State	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Alabama	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Alaska	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Arizona	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Arkansas	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
California	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Colorado	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Connecticut	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Delaware	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Florida	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Georgia	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Hawaii	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Idaho	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Illinois	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Indiana	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Iowa	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Kansas	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Kentucky	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Louisiana	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Maine	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Maryland	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Massachusetts	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Michigan	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	50^th
Minnesota	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Mississippi	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Missouri	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	1^st	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Montana	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Nebraska	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Nevada	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
New Hampshire	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
New Jersey	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
New Mexico	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
New York	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
North Carolina	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
North Dakota	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Ohio	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Oklahoma	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Oregon	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Pennsylvania	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Rhode Island	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
South Carolina	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
South Dakota	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Tennessee	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Texas	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Utah	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Vermont	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
Virginia	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Washington	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th
West Virginia	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Wisconsin	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	50^th	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st
Wyoming	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st	1^st

Historical Values

Historical values for Right-to-Work State?. The years listed correspond to the actual data years, not necessarily the publication of Rich States, Poor States.

State	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Alabama	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alaska	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Arizona	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arkansas	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
California	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Colorado	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Connecticut	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Delaware	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Florida	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Georgia	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hawaii	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Idaho	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Illinois	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Indiana	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Iowa	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kansas	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kentucky	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Louisiana	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maine	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Maryland	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Massachusetts	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Michigan	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Minnesota	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Mississippi	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Missouri	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No
Montana	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Nebraska	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Nevada	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
New Hampshire	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
New Jersey	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
New Mexico	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
New York	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
North Carolina	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
North Dakota	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ohio	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Oklahoma	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Oregon	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Pennsylvania	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Rhode Island	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
South Carolina	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
South Dakota	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tennessee	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Texas	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Utah	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vermont	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
Virginia	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Washington	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
West Virginia	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wisconsin	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wyoming	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Description

Current (2024)

U.S. Trends

Historical Ranks

Historical Values

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Rich States, Poor States 17th Edition

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