(Credit: Image forest / AdobeStock)
Americans might be working more than at any point in recent history. According to a new analysis by MyPerfectResume®, cumulative national work hours rose 10.7% between Q1 2007 and Q4 2024, reaching 296.7 billion hours at the end of last year.
Unlike traditional employment statistics, which measure the number of people with jobs, this analysis focuses on labor volume — the total hours worked nationwide. The results highlight how second jobs, longer shifts, gig work, and blurred work-life boundaries are driving up hours worked even as wages and benefits remain largely stagnant.
State-by-state breakdown
Texas recorded the largest increase, with hours worked climbing 34% since 2007. North Dakota (+31%), Utah (+29%), Idaho (+28%), and Arizona (+23%) rounded out the top five. The report's authors attribute the disproportionate rise in these states to regional trends like population growth, expanding industries, and ongoing labor shortages.
Some states actually saw declines in cumulative work hours:New Mexico (–3%), Vermont (–3%), Alaska (–4%), West Virginia (–5%), and Wyoming (–6%). These decreases may reflect slower economic recoveries, aging workforces, or shifts away from labor-intensive industries.
Factors driving longer hours
Several dynamics appear to be fueling the growth in hours worked. Stagnant wages have forced many employees to take on overtime or additional jobs to cover basic expenses. At the same time, widespread staffing shortages mean existing workers are often asked to carry heavier workloads.
The rise of remote and hybrid work has further blurred the boundaries between professional and personal time, stretching workdays into evenings and weekends. On top of this, a rising cost of living has pushed more Americans into gig and freelance roles, adding even more hours to the total labor picture.
By focusing on total hours rather than headcount, the analysis highlights how American workers are shouldering more labor overall. In many cases, increased hours are linked not to higher productivity or better pay, but to economic pressures and structural shifts in the labor market. The record-high totals suggest a workforce stretched thin, raising questions about sustainability, work-life balance, and the long-term impact on employee wellbeing.
This article originally appeared on Benefits Pro and may not be reprinted.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.