The experience of workers across the U.S. varies dramatically from state to state, according to a new report, which also concludes that 2025 has so far been “a year of backsliding” for labor laws and protections.
According to the report published by Oxfam, geographic inequality is widening across the country and many states have rolled back protections especially for low-wage workers, working families and children.
Oxfam found that 17 states have over the past year weakened child labor protections by lowering the age of working, extending the hours that children can work, or removing the requirement for parental consent. It blamed the double whammy of federal action from the Trump administration coupled with a lack of willingness on the part of states to step up and “fill the gap.”
“So far this year, we’ve seen the Trump administration callously slash life-saving programs left and right—from humanitarian and development aid across the world, to Medicaid and food assistance for people here in the U.S.,” said Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America.
“Comprehensive workers’ rights and robust labor policies are part of a larger social safety net that can benefit everyone, and states can and should support their workers in the face of this administration’s attacks on working families and marginalized communities,” she added.
Overall, Oxfam ranked the District of Columbia as the best state for workers in 2025, followed by California, Oregon, New York and Washington. At the other end of the spectrum, North Carolina ranked as the worst with Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee rounding out the bottom five.
Oxfam calculated the index by tracking 27 policies across three dimensions: wages, worker protections, and rights to organize. The ranking, the organization explained, is designed to identify which states have stepped in to fill the gaps left by a lack of federal policies that would or could support low-wage workers and working families. Generally, Oxfam said that states scoring higher also tend to have lower poverty, food insecurity, and infant mortality, and higher household incomes and unionization rates.
Separate to the overall ranking, Oxfam also published an analysis of the best states for women workers. Oregon topped that list, followed by New York, California, the District of Columbia and Illinois. The worst five states for women workers in 2025 were Mississippi, North Carolina, Alabama, Utah and Georgia.
In reference to the overall index, Oxfam specifically raised concerns about developments in Missouri and Nebraska where provisions on sick leave have been “hollowed out” over the last year. The group also noted that, in June this year, Nebraska’s governor signed a bill narrowing the terms of who qualifies for paid sick leave. And last month, Oxfam noted, Missouri’s governor signed a law overturning provisions of Proposition A, which would have provided paid sick leave and raised the minimum wage.