Figure E
Right-to-work does not buy any advantage in creating jobs for state residents: Prime-age (25–54) employment as a share of population, by RTW and non-RTW states
| Year | Non-RTW | RTW |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 74.4% | 75.1% |
| 1980 | 73.9% | 74.8% |
| 1981 | 74.3% | 75.4% |
| 1982 | 73.2% | 74.0% |
| 1983 | 73.5% | 74.2% |
| 1984 | 75.5% | 76.5% |
| 1985 | 76.4% | 77.3% |
| 1986 | 77.4% | 77.3% |
| 1987 | 78.4% | 78.3% |
| 1988 | 79.2% | 79.2% |
| 1989 | 79.9% | 80.0% |
| 1990 | 79.4% | 80.0% |
| 1991 | 78.1% | 79.3% |
| 1992 | 77.7% | 79.2% |
| 1993 | 77.9% | 79.5% |
| 1994 | 78.6% | 80.2% |
| 1995 | 79.2% | 80.6% |
| 1996 | 79.8% | 80.8% |
| 1997 | 80.6% | 81.2% |
| 1998 | 80.9% | 81.3% |
| 1999 | 81.2% | 81.7% |
| 2000 | 81.4% | 81.6% |
| 2001 | 80.6% | 80.5% |
| 2002 | 79.4% | 79.3% |
| 2003 | 78.7% | 79.0% |
| 2004 | 79.0% | 79.0% |
| 2005 | 79.2% | 79.5% |
| 2006 | 79.9% | 79.7% |
| 2007 | 79.9% | 79.9% |
| 2008 | 79.2% | 78.9% |
| 2009 | 76.0% | 75.5% |
| 2010 | 75.3% | 74.9% |
| 2011 | 75.2% | 75.1% |
| 2012 | 75.7% | 75.8% |
| 2013 | 76.1% | 75.7% |
| 2014 | 76.8% | 76.5% |
| 2015 | 77.7% | 76.7% |
| 2016 | 78.2% | 77.6% |
| 2017 | 78.9% | 78.2% |
| 2018 | 79.8% | 78.9% |
| 2019 | 80.3% | 79.5% |
| 2020 | 75.4% | 75.9% |
| 2021 | 77.5% | 77.7% |
| 2022 | 80.2% | 79.5% |
| 2023 | 81.0% | 80.4% |
| 2024 | 81.1% | 80.2% |
| 2025 | 81.0% | 80.1% |
Note: Lines are weighted averages of two sets of states: those with and without RTW laws. Shaded areas represent recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Economic Policy Institute. 2026. Current Population Survey Extracts, Version 2026.1.14, https://microdata.epi.org.
This chart appears in:
- Michigan RTW 2023
- Why ‘right-to-work’ was always wrong for Michigan: Restoring workers’ rights is key to reversing growing income inequality in Michigan
- Data show anti-union ‘right-to-work’ laws damage state economies: As Michigan’s repeal takes effect, New Hampshire should continue to reject ‘right-to-work’ legislation
- Virginia RTW charts
Previous chart: « Limits on Virginia workers’ right to unionize benefit the rich: Union membership and share of income going to the top 10%, 1978–2024