CNBC · 9 Jul, 07:00 · Business briefing

How all 50 U.S. states performed over 20 years of Top States for Business

CNBC has published a comprehensive analysis evaluating the business performance of all fifty United States over a twenty-year period.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

26%average salary uplift after a professional certificate

2.7xfaster promotion for certified professionals

71%of leaders prefer candidates who upskill continuously

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

CNBC has published a comprehensive analysis evaluating the business performance of all fifty United States over a twenty-year period. The report ranks states based on their attractiveness to commerce, highlighting long-term trends in economic stability, regulatory environments, and market growth. This historical perspective offers professionals a factual benchmark for understanding regional economic shifts, identifying which jurisdictions have consistently fostered corporate success. The data serves as a critical reference for evaluating market potential, guiding strategic location decisions, and assessing the broader economic landscape for career planning and business development across the nation.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt your career strategy to align with these high-performing regions. Professionals in finance, supply chain, and strategic management should prioritise skills that thrive in these competitive markets. Analyse which sectors dominate these top states to identify in-demand specialisations. If you are considering a relocation, target locations with sustained economic growth to maximise earning potential and job security. Upskill in data analytics and regulatory compliance, as thriving businesses increasingly value these capabilities. Network with industry leaders in these regions to uncover hidden opportunities. A smart professional leverages this data to negotiate better terms, select employers with strong regional footholds, and position themselves where capital and innovation converge.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Supply Chain, Business And Management and Data Science — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.