Long gone are the “Leave It to Beaver” days, with dad working and mom staying home and running the house — all while wearing pearls and a dress.
With Father’s Day coming up fast — Sunday, June 21 — personal finance company WalletHub analyzed data using 22 key indicators to determine the best and worst states across America for working dads.
Florida was far from the top, but did miss being ranked in the bottom 10 … barely.
Here’s what the study showed.
Amazon gifts for dad
When is Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, making it Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Father’s Day 2026 coincides with summer solstice
This year, the summer solstice also happens to fall on Father’s Day.
With the Earth tilted toward the sun, it’ll be the longest day of the year on June 21 in the northern hemisphere.
Where did Florida rank in US for working dads?
When it came to the best place for working dads to work, Florida was far from the top, coming in at No. 38.
What are the Top 10 best states for working dads?
To identify the best states for men “balancing the dual responsibilities of parent and provider,” WalletHub compared all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
The analysis considered such factors as how long the average work day, childcare costs, and the percentage of men in good health.
The Top 10 best states for working dads were:
What were the worst states for working dads?
Coming in at the bottom, as the worst states for working dads, according to WalletHub, were:
Working dads have to worry about more than just income
“Working dads have to worry about much more than just how much income they’re bringing home to support their kids,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst.
“They also have to make sure that their children’s childcare and education are adequate, their health is properly looked after, and they get enough quality time with their father.
“The best states for working dads provide the conditions for all these needs to be met, while also helping dads maintain their own physical and mental health.”
How dads’ roles have changed in US
“There has been a lot of change for dads in a relatively short period of time,” Scott Behson, author of “The Working Dad’s Survival Guide,” said on parent.com.
“Dads today work as many hours as previous generations, but do three times the childcare and twice the housework as dads a generation ago. It’s a challenging time for dads.”
“Between 1948 and 2001, the percentage of working age women employed or looking for work nearly doubled — from less than 33 percent to more than 60 percent,” according to the American Psychological Association.
Methodology used in WalletHub ranking
To determine the best and worst states for working dads, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across four dimensions:
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best, worst states for working dads? Where Florida landed on the list
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
