What Is The Hardest-Working State In America? New Jersey residents are good, hard-working people who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, but are we among the hardest-working states in the nation? We are ranked as the 40th hardest-working state in America. The bad news is that the Garden State ranks in the # 41 spot when it comes to Direct Work Factors. The experts have determined that the hardest-working state in the country is North Dakota, with a total score that almost doubles the score New Jersey received.