California 'underemployment' among worst in nation - SGVTribune.com

California and four other states - Nevada, Florida, Michigan and Mississippi - all ranked in the above-average underemployment category of 21 percent to 24 percent. Gallup defines underemployment as someone who is out of work or employed part time (less than 30 hours per week) who would prefer to be working full-time.

Other economists have expanded that definition to include someone who is working for less money than they should be making, considering their skills or abilities.

The Gallup poll lists an average range of underemployment as being 15.6 percent to 20.9 percent, and the below-average range as 6 percent to 15.5 percent.