Where the Work Is

There's no two ways about it: The economy is depressing. But like any grim situation, it has its silver lining.

Despite high unemployment rates, major job losses and decreasing employment numbers, the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics* showed 25 states recording measurably lower unemployment rates than the national average (6.7 percent) in November 2008.

Wyoming recorded the lowest unemployment rate, 3.2 percent, followed closely by North Dakota and South Dakota, at 3.3 and 3.4 percent, respectively.

Five states recorded lower over-the-month unemployment rates, while nine states saw an increase in employment. Although some of these states have higher unemployment rates than the national average, Washington, Texas, Oklahoma and Alaska saw the largest gains in employment over the month. Regarding percentage gains in employment, Alaska reported the largest increase, followed by Washington and Hawaii, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

Since 2007, employment has risen in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Wyoming had the largest increase in employment over the year (2.8 percent), followed by Texas, North Dakota, Alaska, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Only five states posted jobless rates in November 2008 that were much different than last year.

If you're among the millions of people looking for work, here are 25 states where you might want to start your job search, as they have lower unemployment rates than the national average:

1. Arkansas ... 5.7 percent

Total employment: 1,379,300

Mean annual salary: $32,450**

2. Colorado ... 5.8 percent

Total employment: 2,749,200

Mean annual salary: $43,100

3. Delaware ... 5.6 percent

Total employment: 445,500

Mean annual salary: $43,020

4. Hawaii ... 4.9 percent

Total employment: 660,400

Mean annual salary: $40,200

5. Idaho ... 5.7 percent

Total employment: 760,700

Mean annual salary: $35,310

6. Iowa ... 4.3 percent

Total employment: 1,679,000

Mean annual salary: $34,650

7. Kansas ... 4.9 percent

Total employment: 1,503,800

Mean annual salary: $36,300

8. Louisiana ... 5.3 percent

Total employment: 2,051,300

Mean annual salary: $34,060

9. Maryland ... 5.3 percent

Total employment: 2,995,500

Mean annual salary: $45,780

10. Massachusetts ... 5.9 percent

Total employment: 3,442,800

Mean annual salary: $49,070

11. Montana ... 4.9 percent

Total employment: 505,400

Mean annual salary: $32,640

12. Nebraska ... 3.7 percent

Total employment: 998,500

Mean annual salary: $35,270

13. New Hampshire ... 4.3 percent

Total employment: 743,000

Mean annual salary: $40,780

14. New Mexico ... 4.3 percent

Total employment: 960,500

Mean annual salary: $35,790

15. New York ... 6.1 percent

Total employment: 9,623,700

Mean annual salary: $47,610

16. North Dakota ... 3.3 percent

Total employment: 371,400

Mean annual salary: $33,650

17. Oklahoma ... 4.7 percent

Total employment: 1,770,500

Mean annual salary: $33,720

18. South Dakota ... 3.4 percent

Total employment: 446,000

Mean annual salary: $31,540

19. Texas ... 5.7 percent

Total employment: 11,849,300

Mean annual salary: $37,880

20. Utah ... 3.7 percent

Total employment: 1,382,600

Mean annual salary: $37,080

21. Vermont ... 5.7 percent

Total employment: 357,000

Mean annual salary: $38,060

22. Virginia ... 4.8 percent

Total employment: 4,151,700

Mean annual salary: $42,880

23. West Virginia ... 4.6 percent

Total employment: 805,700

Mean annual salary: $32,310

24. Wisconsin ... 5.6 percent

Total employment: 3,091,100

Mean annual salary: $38,070

25. Wyoming ... 3.2 percent

Total employment: 293,400

Mean annual salary: $36,110

*According to the most recent numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on December 19, 2008.

**Mean annual salary in state, according to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, May 2007, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.