States That Produce The Most Jobs (Not What You Think)

Overall payroll growth remains subpar and disappointing, but these states, including a few surprise ones, are showing healthy and diverse growth.

For many, the economic recovery won't be real until there's solid job creation every month. Though the pace of hiring picked up in 2011-2012, recent months have been disappointing. June payroll data released July 6 were no different. The economy created 80,000 jobs during the month, below economists' forecasts. Still, in the 12 months between CNBC.com's 2011 and 2012 Top States for Business, the economy has created 1.8 million jobs -- by far the most since the 2006-2007 period.