2015 Best (And Worst) States For Hiring Top Talent

Where The Talent Is -- And Isn't

Finding the best managerial, professional and technical talent is one of the biggest challenges faced by any solution provider -- especially fast-growing ones.

As part of the 2015 Best States To Grow A Solution Provider Business analysis, we've ranked the states according to the percentage of manager, professional and technical jobs as a share of the state's total private-sector jobs.

The rankings are based on information provided in a report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. On average in the U.S., managerial, professional and technical positions make up 30.1 percent of the workforce.

The states with the highest percentage of managerial, professional and technical workers are listed from No. 10 to No. 1. The states with the lowest percentage of such talent are then listed from No. 41 (out of all 50 states) to No. 50.

Best States No. 10: New Jersey

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 32.9 percent of the total workforce in the Garden State. (Tied with Delaware.)

New Jersey was No. 20 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 9: Delaware

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 32.9 percent of the total workforce in the First State. (Tied with New Jersey.)

Delaware was No. 19 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 8: Vermont

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 33.1 percent of the total workforce in the Green Mountain State.

Vermont was No. 35 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 7: California

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 33.2 percent of the total workforce in the Golden State.

California was No. 10 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 6: Colorado

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 33.4 percent of the total workforce in the Centennial State.

Colorado was No. 1 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 5: Washington

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 34.2 percent of the total workforce in the Evergreen State.

Washington was No. 2 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 4: Connecticut

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 35.3 percent of the total workforce in the Constitution State. (Tied with Virginia.)

Connecticut was No. 25 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 3: Virginia

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 35.3 percent of the total workforce in the Old Dominion State. (Tied with Connecticut.)

Virginia was No. 3 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 2: Maryland

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 37.1 percent of the total workforce in the Old Line State.

Maryland was No. 11 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Best States No. 1: Massachusetts

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 38.6 percent of the total workforce in the Bay State.

Massachusetts was No. 7 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 41: Kentucky

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 27.3 percent of the total workforce in the Bluegrass State.

Kentucky was No. 40 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 42: South Carolina

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 27.1 percent of the total workforce in the Palmetto State.

South Carolina was No. 28 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 43: Wyoming

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 26.8 percent of the total workforce in the Equality State.

Wyoming was No. 44 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 44: South Dakota

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 26.6 percent of the total workforce in the Mount Rushmore State. (Tied with Indiana and Arkansas.)

South Dakota was No. 39 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 45: Indiana

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 26.6 percent of the total workforce in the Hoosier State. (Tied with South Dakota and Arkansas.)

Indiana was No. 27 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 46: Arkansas

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 26.6 percent of the total workforce in the Natural State. (Tied with Indiana and South Dakota.)

Arkansas was No. 47 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 47: Louisiana

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 26.5 percent of the total workforce in the Pelican State.

Louisiana was No. 38 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 48: North Dakota

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 25.9 percent of the total workforce in the Peace Garden State.

North Dakota was No. 18 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 49: Mississippi

Managerial, professional and technical workers account for 25.5 percent of the total workforce in the Magnolia State.

Mississippi was No. 49 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.

Worst States No. 50: Nevada

Nevada may be great for gambling. But you don't want to gamble when it comes to hiring. Managerial, professional and technical workers account for only 22.7 percent of the total workforce in the Silver State.

Nevada was No. 42 overall in our analysis of the best states in which to grow a solution provider business.