Best States for Older Workers 2025

A record 11.2 million Americans ages 65 and older are currently in the workforce, a number expected to climb to 14.8 million by 2033. That’s up a whopping 10 million people in just two decades.

The projected growth in the coming years will be largely driven by a 79% surge in workers ages 75 and up, but also a 22.4% increase among those ages 65 to 74, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This means that by 2033, roughly one in 12 American workers will be 65 or older.

That’s not exactly a bad thing. While financial necessity plays a role in keeping many seniors employed, others choose to extend their careers for personal fulfillment, mental stimulation and the social connections their jobs provide.

With people living and staying active longer in life, many older adults are still at the top of their game, professionally speaking. According to the most recently available data, 22.8% of employer businesses are owned by someone 65 or older.

That’s why Seniorly analyzed the best states for older workers in 2025. We looked at the most recent data across six categories, including age-related discrimination, labor force participation, income, and remote work among older adults, which can be an indicator of how flexible and self-directed their jobs are. We also included income taxes and new business growth to shed light on how easy it is to do business in a state.

Overall across the U.S., 30.2% of older adults are in the labor force, while senior householders are bringing in $56,038 per year, on average, and 17% of older employees are working from home, according to Census Bureau data.

But they are also facing challenges in the workplace, with 98 complaints of age discrimination per 100,000 eligible workers.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the states, there is no one perfect location for older workers – but several stood out as especially senior-friendly. Here’s what we found.

Key Findings

• Washington is the Best State for Older Workers: Driven by an exceptional business environment, with no personal income tax and the highest rate of new business growth last year (88.6%). It also has a high income for senior households ($63,963) and an above-average share of older employees who work from home (22.4%).
• Mississippi is the Worst State for Older Workers: It has one of the highest rates of age-related discrimination reported in the workplace (188 per 100,000 eligible workers), as well as low labor force participation among older adults (25.6%) and few remote work opportunities (7.4% of older workers).
• Regional Trends Were Strong: The Southeastern U.S. dominated the worst 10 states, with the Carolinas, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, and more landing at the bottom. Meanwhile, four New England states made the top 10, including New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont.
• Even Weak and Strong States Overall Had Exceptions: While West Virginia ranked in the bottom five states, it had one of the lowest rates of age-related workplace discrimination in the U.S. (44 complaints per 100k). And Utah, which scored in the top 10, had one of the worst years for business growth, with new applications dropping by 10.4%.

Best States

Washington ranked first due to its strong business environment, with no personal income tax and the highest rate of new business growth last year (88.6%). It also has a high median income for senior households ($63,963) and a strong work-from-home culture (22.4% of older adults are remote).

Next up were No. 2 New Hampshire, No. 3 Alaska, No. 4 Maryland and No. 5. Colorado. They tended to score highly on labor force participation, remote work and household income – implying that many older adults are in senior, versatile roles. Notably, two also have no personal income tax (New Hampshire and Alaska) and two saw new business growth in the past year (Alaska at 4.9% and Colorado at 3.1%).

Worst States

Mississippi ranked last, driven by its high rate of age-related discrimination in the workplace (188 complaints per 100,000 eligible workers), as well as low labor force participation among older adults (25.6%) and few remote work opportunities (7.4% of older employees work from home).

Rounding out the bottom five were No. 50 Arkansas, No. 49 Alabama, No. 48 West Virginia, No. 47 Kentucky, and No. 46 Louisiana. They tended to have higher rates of age discrimination at work, the lowest household incomes in the U.S. and few remote workers among older adults – coupled with a poor entrepreneurial environment.

West Virginia was a noteworthy exception on discrimination, with 44 complaints per 100,000 eligible workers – one of the lowest rates in the country. And while it fared poorly on most other measures, Kentucky did have a below-average personal income tax rate, at 4% maximum.

Top and Bottom States Across the Metrics

Compare how the top- and bottom-ranking states stack up across the six key metrics we used to determine the best states for older workers.

10 Top Industries for Older Adults

Older adults remain an essential part of the U.S. workforce, with many continuing to work in education, healthcare and service industries. In 2024, K-12 schools employed the most workers aged 65 and older, followed by hospitals and real estate offices, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Industries like legal services, consulting, and social assistance also attract significant numbers of older employees, reflecting both expertise-driven roles and personal service fields.

The chart below highlights the top industries employing workers ages 65 and up, the share of the older workforce in those roles, and the industries’ median ages.

How to Find a Job as an Older Adult

Finding a job as an older adult requires a strategic approach that highlights your experience while adapting to today’s job market. Here are five key steps to help you land the right role:  

1. Identify your priorities. Decide whether you want full-time, part-time, remote or flexible work. For more high-level jobs, look to industries like consulting, education, health care and customer service, which often value experienced workers.
2. Update your resume and online presence. Keep your resume concise and focused on your relevant skills. Be sure to update your LinkedIn profile and engage with professional groups to increase visibility.
3. Use senior-friendly job boards. Look for job opportunities on sites tailored for older workers, such as the AARP Job Board, RetirementJobs.com, FlexJobs and Remote.co.
4. Leverage your network. Many jobs are filled through referrals, so reconnect with former colleagues and industry contacts. Joining professional organizations or attending networking events can also open doors.
5. Stay open to new skills and work styles. Many jobs now require basic tech skills or remote work experience. Taking online courses, for example through Coursera or LinkedIn Learning, and practicing virtual interviews can help you stay competitive.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the right state for you and your family depends on your individual priorities, whether that’s continuing your career, maximizing financial benefits or transitioning to retirement easily. By prioritizing workplaces that value experience and offer flexibility, older adults can find fulfilling job opportunities that align with their skills and lifestyle – in any state.

Methodology

We used the most recent data for six metrics to determine the best and worst states for older workers. We used a Z-score distribution to scale each metric relative to the mean across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and capped outliers at +/-3. We multiplied these scores by -1 if it was better to have a lower rate, including discrimination complaints and income tax. A state’s overall ranking was calculated using its average Z-score across the six metrics. Here’s a closer look at the metrics we used:

• Age-related workplace discrimination complaints per 100,000 workers 45+, 2020-2024 (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Labor force participation rate among adults 60+, 2023 (Census Bureau)
• Median household income for adults 65+, 2023 (Census Bureau)
• Share of working adults age 65+ who work remotely, 2023 (Censu Bureau)
• Top state personal income tax rate, 2024 (Federation of Tax Administrators)
• New business growth rate, Feb. 2024-Feb. 2025 (Census Bureau)