Best Cities for Jobs (2024)

Originally posted here: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-jobs/2173.

With 2023 behind us, it’s time to think about fresh starts, whether that means small changes or a complete life overhaul. For many people, finding a new or better job will be a top resolution.

The job market remained strong in 2023, and the unemployment rate is back around pre-pandemic levels. Some companies have even experienced labor shortages, which puts people looking for jobs in a position of leverage when it comes to negotiating their compensation and benefits.

Ultimately, your luck of finding work depends largely on location. To help you with the job hunt, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 31 key indicators of job-market strength. They range from job opportunities per job seeker to employment growth to the monthly average starting salary.

“With the U.S. experiencing a low unemployment rate and many employers still having labor shortages, now is an ideal time to find a job. Currently, workers have a lot of negotiating power. Well-qualified job candidates are in a great position to acquire competitive salaries and benefits.”

CASSANDRA HAPPE, WALLETHUB ANALYST

Table of Contents

Main Findings In-Depth Look at the Best Cities for Jobs Ask the Experts Tips Methodology

Main Findings

11182182

City	Rank
Scottsdale, AZ	1
Tampa, FL	2
Salt Lake City, UT	3
Columbia, MD	4
Austin, TX	5
Atlanta, GA	6
Seattle, WA	7
Pittsburgh, PA	8
Plano, TX	9
Boston, MA	10
South Burlington, VT	11
Portland, ME	12
Tempe, AZ	13
Orlando, FL	14
Denver, CO	15
Miami, FL	16
Washington, DC	17
San Jose, CA	18
Madison, WI	19
Minneapolis, MN	20
Columbia, SC	21
Charleston, SC	22
Grand Rapids, MI	23
San Francisco, CA	24
Overland Park, KS	25
Chandler, AZ	26
Boise, ID	27
St. Louis, MO	28
Charleston, WV	29
St. Petersburg, FL	30
Raleigh, NC	31
Virginia Beach, VA	32
Huntsville, AL	33
Bismarck, ND	34
Irving, TX	35
Lewiston, ME	36
Phoenix, AZ	37
West Valley City, UT	38
Charlotte, NC	39
Fremont, CA	40
San Antonio, TX	41
Fort Lauderdale, FL	42
Omaha, NE	43
Richmond, VA	44
Dallas, TX	45
Des Moines, IA	46
Warwick, RI	47
Gilbert, AZ	48
Casper, WY	49
Baltimore, MD	50
Fort Worth, TX	51
Manchester, NH	52
Grand Prairie, TX	53
Huntington Beach, CA	54
Honolulu, HI	55
Mesa, AZ	56
Lincoln, NE	57
Chesapeake, VA	58
Rapid City, SD	59
Knoxville, TN	60
Fargo, ND	61
Portland, OR	62
Colorado Springs, CO	63
Nashua, NH	64
San Diego, CA	65
Columbus, OH	66
Cheyenne, WY	67
Chattanooga, TN	68
Jacksonville, FL	69
Aurora, CO	70
Arlington, TX	71
Wilmington, DE	72
Cincinnati, OH	73
Glendale, AZ	74
Juneau, AK	75
Pearl City, HI	76
Burlington, VT	77
Aurora, IL	78
Durham, NC	79
Tulsa, OK	80
Sioux Falls, SD	81
Birmingham, AL	82
Port St. Lucie, FL	83
Spokane, WA	84
Providence, RI	84
Norfolk, VA	86
Reno, NV	87
Kansas City, MO	88
Sacramento, CA	89
Pembroke Pines, FL	90
Little Rock, AR	91
Chicago, IL	92
Las Vegas, NV	93
St. Paul, MN	94
Garland, TX	95
Nashville, TN	96
Garden Grove, CA	97
Rancho Cucamonga, CA	98
Tacoma, WA	99
Santa Ana, CA	100
Irvine, CA	101
Amarillo, TX	102
Missoula, MT	103
Henderson, NV	104
Houston, TX	105
Cedar Rapids, IA	106
Cape Coral, FL	107
Tallahassee, FL	108
Newport News, VA	109
Mobile, AL	110
Salem, OR	111
Los Angeles, CA	112
New Orleans, LA	113
Peoria, AZ	114
Oklahoma City, OK	115
Louisville, KY	116
Wichita, KS	117
Rochester, NY	118
Albuquerque, NM	119
Tucson, AZ	120
Nampa, ID	121
Lexington-Fayette, KY	122
Anaheim, CA	123
Riverside, CA	124
Milwaukee, WI	125
Fontana, CA	126
Jersey City, NJ	127
Santa Rosa, CA	128
Ontario, CA	129
Dover, DE	130
Greensboro, NC	131
Lubbock, TX	132
Anchorage, AK	133
Worcester, MA	134
Corpus Christi, TX	135
Glendale, CA	136
Billings, MT	137
Toledo, OH	138
Yonkers, NY	139
Cleveland, OH	140
Springfield, MO	141
Philadelphia, PA	142
Fort Wayne, IN	143
Oakland, CA	144
New Haven, CT	145
New York, NY	146
Akron, OH	147
Oceanside, CA	148
Hialeah, FL	149
Vancouver, WA	150
Montgomery, AL	151
Laredo, TX	152
Buffalo, NY	153
Fort Smith, AR	154
El Paso, TX	155
Winston-Salem, NC	156
Santa Clarita, CA	157
Oxnard, CA	158
Indianapolis, IN	159
Long Beach, CA	160
Chula Vista, CA	161
Huntington, WV	162
Fresno, CA	163
Moreno Valley, CA	164
Fayetteville, NC	165
Jackson, MS	166
Modesto, CA	167
Brownsville, TX	168
North Las Vegas, NV	169
Detroit, MI	170
Shreveport, LA	171
Baton Rouge, LA	172
Bridgeport, CT	173
Columbus, GA	174
Memphis, TN	175
Bakersfield, CA	176
Stockton, CA	177
Augusta, GA	178
San Bernardino, CA	179
Gulfport, MS	180
Las Cruces, NM	181
Newark, NJ	182

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Best Places to Find a Job

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Job Market Rank	Socio-economics Rank
1	Scottsdale, AZ	66.05	1	6
2	Tampa, FL	63.14	5	25
3	Salt Lake City, UT	62.97	3	51
4	Columbia, MD	62.97	12	8
5	Austin, TX	62.92	7	16
6	Atlanta, GA	62.83	6	22
7	Seattle, WA	62.66	8	21
8	Pittsburgh, PA	62.11	19	5
9	Plano, TX	62.09	9	33
10	Boston, MA	61.97	4	63
11	South Burlington, VT	61.95	24	2
12	Portland, ME	61.83	17	10
13	Tempe, AZ	61.79	13	35
14	Orlando, FL	61.38	11	50
15	Denver, CO	61.28	14	39
16	Miami, FL	61.00	2	136
17	Washington, DC	60.78	18	30
18	San Jose, CA	60.15	15	61
19	Madison, WI	59.86	48	1
20	Minneapolis, MN	59.76	44	4
21	Columbia, SC	59.76	10	108
22	Charleston, SC	59.71	27	32
23	Grand Rapids, MI	59.11	25	58
24	San Francisco, CA	58.95	51	7
25	Overland Park, KS	58.80	38	23
26	Chandler, AZ	58.74	43	17
27	Boise, ID	58.35	57	9
28	St. Louis, MO	58.32	21	98
29	Charleston, WV	58.31	35	47
30	St. Petersburg, FL	58.25	34	53
31	Raleigh, NC	58.03	30	65
32	Virginia Beach, VA	57.81	42	48
33	Huntsville, AL	57.79	31	69
34	Bismarck, ND	57.65	74	3
35	Irving, TX	57.53	22	116
36	Lewiston, ME	57.24	40	67
37	Phoenix, AZ	57.23	36	73
38	West Valley City, UT	57.18	56	41
39	Charlotte, NC	57.10	26	112
40	Fremont, CA	56.91	45	68
41	San Antonio, TX	56.87	23	130
42	Fort Lauderdale, FL	56.79	28	117
43	Omaha, NE	56.65	60	46
44	Richmond, VA	56.56	47	81
45	Dallas, TX	56.53	20	153
46	Des Moines, IA	56.29	61	56
47	Warwick, RI	56.29	63	45
48	Gilbert, AZ	56.27	53	64
49	Casper, WY	56.11	71	31
50	Baltimore, MD	56.10	16	174
51	Fort Worth, TX	56.08	41	100
52	Manchester, NH	56.00	58	70
53	Grand Prairie, TX	55.95	52	86
54	Huntington Beach, CA	55.92	72	26
55	Honolulu, HI	55.76	83	20
56	Mesa, AZ	55.73	49	93
57	Lincoln, NE	55.72	93	11
58	Chesapeake, VA	55.70	59	74
59	Rapid City, SD	55.67	73	36
60	Knoxville, TN	55.63	39	121
61	Fargo, ND	55.41	87	18
62	Portland, OR	55.24	84	34
63	Colorado Springs, CO	55.20	67	59
64	Nashua, NH	55.05	96	15
65	San Diego, CA	54.98	94	19
66	Columbus, OH	54.82	78	52
67	Cheyenne, WY	54.80	89	28
68	Chattanooga, TN	54.72	29	171
69	Jacksonville, FL	54.69	50	123
70	Aurora, CO	54.63	33	156
71	Arlington, TX	54.53	37	151
72	Wilmington, DE	54.53	66	88
73	Cincinnati, OH	54.29	88	49
74	Glendale, AZ	54.12	64	104
75	Juneau, AK	54.03	104	29
76	Pearl City, HI	54.01	82	66
77	Burlington, VT	53.91	123	12
78	Aurora, IL	53.84	85	72
79	Durham, NC	53.79	54	135
80	Tulsa, OK	53.77	68	105
81	Sioux Falls, SD	53.72	111	24
82	Birmingham, AL	53.63	32	175
83	Port St. Lucie, FL	53.61	80	84
84	Spokane, WA	53.55	86	77
84	Providence, RI	53.55	92	62
86	Norfolk, VA	53.55	55	148
87	Reno, NV	53.52	107	42
88	Kansas City, MO	53.40	69	113
89	Sacramento, CA	53.22	102	54
90	Pembroke Pines, FL	53.21	75	111
91	Little Rock, AR	53.19	46	173
92	Chicago, IL	53.17	112	43
93	Las Vegas, NV	53.17	118	37
94	St. Paul, MN	53.08	117	40
95	Garland, TX	52.99	62	144
96	Nashville, TN	52.84	65	145
97	Garden Grove, CA	52.48	113	57
98	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	52.45	99	87
99	Tacoma, WA	52.38	76	142
100	Santa Ana, CA	52.23	90	106
101	Irvine, CA	52.20	137	27
102	Amarillo, TX	52.15	95	107
103	Missoula, MT	52.10	127	55
104	Henderson, NV	52.08	131	44
105	Houston, TX	51.85	81	138
106	Cedar Rapids, IA	51.71	151	13
107	Cape Coral, FL	51.71	100	110
108	Tallahassee, FL	51.69	105	92
109	Newport News, VA	51.65	77	152
110	Mobile, AL	51.64	70	163
111	Salem, OR	51.58	119	78
112	Los Angeles, CA	51.53	109	95
113	New Orleans, LA	51.38	79	154
114	Peoria, AZ	51.37	116	91
115	Oklahoma City, OK	51.36	125	76
116	Louisville, KY	51.07	103	114
117	Wichita, KS	51.04	98	128
118	Rochester, NY	50.96	122	97
119	Albuquerque, NM	50.86	121	99
120	Tucson, AZ	50.68	129	90
121	Nampa, ID	50.45	134	83
122	Lexington-Fayette, KY	50.36	140	71
123	Anaheim, CA	50.34	115	122
124	Riverside, CA	50.33	108	133
125	Milwaukee, WI	50.30	110	125
126	Fontana, CA	50.28	138	79
127	Jersey City, NJ	50.06	164	14
128	Santa Rosa, CA	49.97	135	94
129	Ontario, CA	49.83	124	129
130	Dover, DE	49.82	91	164
131	Greensboro, NC	49.61	106	160
132	Lubbock, TX	49.58	120	127
133	Anchorage, AK	49.55	136	102
134	Worcester, MA	49.55	144	85
135	Corpus Christi, TX	49.51	114	141
136	Glendale, CA	49.32	150	80
137	Billings, MT	49.27	162	38
138	Toledo, OH	49.23	133	124
139	Yonkers, NY	49.16	155	60
140	Cleveland, OH	49.01	101	172
141	Springfield, MO	48.70	132	150
142	Philadelphia, PA	48.65	143	115
143	Fort Wayne, IN	48.60	130	139
144	Oakland, CA	48.58	126	155
145	New Haven, CT	48.47	141	132
146	New York, NY	48.25	149	120
147	Akron, OH	48.08	139	146
148	Oceanside, CA	47.86	153	119
149	Hialeah, FL	47.82	97	180
150	Vancouver, WA	47.70	147	143
151	Montgomery, AL	47.68	128	169
152	Laredo, TX	47.60	159	89
153	Buffalo, NY	47.57	158	96
154	Fort Smith, AR	47.16	146	158
155	El Paso, TX	46.92	168	82
156	Winston-Salem, NC	46.90	142	168
157	Santa Clarita, CA	46.88	170	75
158	Oxnard, CA	46.70	167	101
159	Indianapolis, IN	46.64	145	166
160	Long Beach, CA	46.62	156	139
161	Chula Vista, CA	46.58	161	118
162	Huntington, WV	45.92	166	126
163	Fresno, CA	45.50	157	161
164	Moreno Valley, CA	45.50	165	147
165	Fayetteville, NC	45.11	163	162
166	Jackson, MS	45.06	148	179
167	Modesto, CA	44.78	176	109
168	Brownsville, TX	44.63	172	137
169	North Las Vegas, NV	44.48	173	131
170	Detroit, MI	44.26	152	181
171	Shreveport, LA	44.00	160	177
172	Baton Rouge, LA	43.97	169	165
173	Bridgeport, CT	43.95	171	159
174	Columbus, GA	43.86	174	149
175	Memphis, TN	43.76	154	182
176	Bakersfield, CA	43.10	180	134
177	Stockton, CA	42.67	177	157
178	Augusta, GA	42.62	175	176
179	San Bernardino, CA	41.72	179	167
180	Gulfport, MS	40.97	178	178
181	Las Cruces, NM	40.06	182	103
182	Newark, NJ	39.37	181	170

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

In-Depth Look at the Best Cities for Jobs

Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ is the best city for jobs in 2024, in large part because it boasts the highest job growth in the nation, at nearly 12%. This ensures there will be plenty of hiring opportunities for people entering the workforce. Scottsdale ranks first when it comes to internship opportunities as well, so it’s great for people looking for workforce experience during school.

Scottsdale doesn’t just deliver quantity when it comes to jobs, though – it has quality as well, as evidenced by the fact that it has the fifth-highest median annual income in the country, when adjusted for the cost of living. It also provides a good quality of life, ranking high among the best cities for both families and recreation.

Tampa, FL

The second-best city for jobs is Tampa, FL, which stands out because of the quality of its companies. Tampa has the fifth-highest number of full-time job opportunities at companies rated 4.5+ stars on Glassdoor relative to the size of its labor force.

Once you have a job in Tampa, it’s likely you’ll be able to keep it as well, since the city has one of the best job-security rates in the country. Its employment growth rate is not too shabby, either, ranking sixth at slightly over 10%.

If looking for love is a priority on top of finding a job, you’ll also be happy to know that Tampa is the seventh-best city for singles.

Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City ranks as the third-best city for jobs, and one of the major contributing factors is that it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, at just 3%. It also ranks first when it comes to net employment outlook, which measures the quarterly percentage of employers who expect to add employees minus the percentage who expect to have fewer of them.

One especially good feature of the job market in Salt Lake City is that employers are banned from asking about candidates’ previous salaries. This measure helps ensure that people are offered fair wages and that women and people of color in particular are less likely to experience systemic pay gaps.

Job Opportunities

Most

1. Columbia, SC
2. Charleston, WV
3. St. Louis, MO
4. Orlando, FL
5. Birmingham, AL

Fewest

175. Los Angeles, CA
176. Stockton, CA
177. Detroit, MI
178. Santa Clarita, CA
179. North Las Vegas, NV

Employment Growth

Highest

1. Scottsdale, AZ
2. Aurora, IL
3. Tempe, AZ
4. San Antonio, TX
5. Hialeah, FL

Lowest

176. Buffalo, NY
177. Newark, NJ
178. Jersey City, NJ
179. Worcester, MA
180. Irvine, CA

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*Note: Adjusted for cost of livingEasiest to Find a…Easiest to Find a…Most Difficult to F…Most Difficult to F…Scottsdale, AZSeattle, WAPittsburgh, PATempe, AZOrlando, FLDenver, COFremont, CASt. Louis, MORaleigh, NCManchester, NHBoise, IDMadison, WIPhoenix, AZColumbia, MDDes Moines, IAWilmington, DEOmaha, NEGrand Prairie, TXRichmond, VAAurora, ILChesapeake, VAReno, NVSt. Paul, MNKnoxville, TNPlano, TXJacksonville, FLRiverside, CAArlington, TXOntario, CABaltimore, MDBirmingham, ALGarland, TXChicago, ILSioux Falls, SDNew Orleans, LAPort St. Lucie, FLNashville, TNGlendale, CALittle Rock, ARCape Coral, FLTulsa, OKNewport News, VAYonkers, NYTucson, AZAlbuquerque, NMChula Vista, CASanta Clarita, CAOxnard, CAMobile, ALAnaheim, CASpringfield, MOLong Beach, CACleveland, OHEl Paso, TXAkron, OHBakersfield, CABridgeport, CTStockton, CABaton Rouge, LABrownsville, TXGulfport, MS0501001502…0100200300400500600Best & Worst Cities for Jobs RankFastest Growing Cities Rank

State	Best & Worst Cities for Jobs Rank	Fastest Growing Cities Rank	Category
Scottsdale, AZ	1	73	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Seattle, WA	7	33	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Pittsburgh, PA	8	380	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Tempe, AZ	13	25	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Orlando, FL	14	43	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Denver, CO	15	41	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Fremont, CA	40	134	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
St. Louis, MO	28	469	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Raleigh, NC	31	150	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Manchester, NH	52	342	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Boise, ID	27	156	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Madison, WI	19	197	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Phoenix, AZ	37	93	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Columbia, MD	4	471	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Des Moines, IA	46	274	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Wilmington, DE	72	394	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Omaha, NE	43	193	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Grand Prairie, TX	53	214	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Richmond, VA	44	183	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Aurora, IL	78	400	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Chesapeake, VA	58	335	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Reno, NV	87	55	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
St. Paul, MN	94	269	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Knoxville, TN	60	373	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Plano, TX	9	289	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Jacksonville, FL	69	130	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Riverside, CA	124	185	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Arlington, TX	71	227	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Ontario, CA	129	46	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Baltimore, MD	50	479	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Birmingham, AL	82	398	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Garland, TX	95	278	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Chicago, IL	92	367	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Sioux Falls, SD	81	198	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
New Orleans, LA	113	337	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Port St. Lucie, FL	83	15	Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Nashville, TN	96	109	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Glendale, CA	136	257	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Little Rock, AR	91	407	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Cape Coral, FL	107	14	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Tulsa, OK	80	456	Easiest to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Newport News, VA	109	483	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Yonkers, NY	139	468	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Tucson, AZ	120	314	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Albuquerque, NM	119	437	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Chula Vista, CA	161	92	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Santa Clarita, CA	157	29	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Oxnard, CA	158	305	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Mobile, AL	110	443	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Anaheim, CA	123	263	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Springfield, MO	141	306	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Long Beach, CA	160	307	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Cleveland, OH	140	470	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
El Paso, TX	155	390	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Akron, OH	147	460	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Bakersfield, CA	176	300	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Bridgeport, CT	173	503	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Stockton, CA	177	135	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Fastest Growing
Baton Rouge, LA	172	501	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Brownsville, TX	168	406	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing
Gulfport, MS	180	476	Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

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Ask the Experts

The job-hunting process can still be scary, especially during the stress of high inflation. To ease the burden on job seekers, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What is your prediction for the job market in 2024?
Which fields are expected to grow the most in the coming years?
Recent evidence suggests fewer people are moving across state lines in search for work – why do you think this is and what can be done to increase geographic mobility?
Which are the most common mistakes job seekers make when seeking employment?

Ralph E. McKinney
Associate Professor of Management at the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business at the Lewis College of Business – Marshall University
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Sean Walker
Ph.D., MBA – Faculty Representative, UT Board of Trustees – ERS Committee; Secretary, University Faculty Council (2023-2024 AY); Chair, Personnel Policies Committee (2023-2024 AY); Professor of Behavioral Management, College of Business and Global Affairs – University of Tennessee at Martin
READ MORE

Dr. Ashley Hicks
Director of Employer Recruitment and Engagement, Northwestern Career Advancement – Northwestern University
READ MORE

Dr. Melissa Gutworth
Associate Professor of Management, Feliciano School of Business – Montclair State University
READ MORE

Alper Kayaalp
Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology – University of Houston – Clear Lake
READ MORE

John W. Spadaccini
M.S. – Director of Career Services – Ave Maria University
READ MORE

Tips for Finding a Good Job

Look in cities that provide the best conditions: Begin your job search in cities with high job growth rates, substantial median incomes, and a diverse range of industries. However, make sure that any city you consider not only offers career opportunities but also fits your needs when it comes to things like safety, recreation and climate.
Consider online jobs: Many positions in the post-pandemic era now allow you to work from home, eliminating the need to move altogether and saving you money by not requiring a commute.
Use job-finding resources: College alumni networks and job portals can be valuable assets. Posting your resume on online platforms and networking on sites like LinkedIn broadens your visibility. Just look at any unsolicited offers you receive carefully to make sure they’re legitimate.
Expand outside your field: Your knowledge and skills, especially transferable skills such as technological proficiency, effective communication, and creativity, may prove beneficial in adjacent industries. Exploring diverse fields can lead you to career paths you might not normally have considered where your expertise remains relevant.
Negotiate to be paid what you’re worth: Given current labor shortages in certain industries, recognize your bargaining power as a job-seeker. Before accepting an offer, negotiate to secure a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Methodology

In order to determine the best job markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Job Market” and “Socio-economics.” We assigned a heavier weight to the former, considering the fact that factors in that category most heavily influence a job seeker’s decision in terms of relocation for employment.

We then evaluated the two dimensions using 31 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for job seekers. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at state level only.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case, excluding cities in the surrounding metro area.

Job Market – Total Points: 80

Job Opportunities: Double Weight (~6.53 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Number of Job Openings per Number of Population in Labor Force Minus Unemployment Rate.
Employment Growth: Double Weight (~6.53 Points)
Note: This metric measures the rate of annual job growth adjusted by the working-age population growth.
Monthly Average Starting Salary: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~6.53 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Industry Variety: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Employment Outlook: Double Weight (~6.53 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
Automation Risk: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of jobs at risk for automation.
Job Security: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in August 2023 – Number of Employees in August 2022) / Number of Employees in August 2022.
Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Share of Engaged Workers*: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Gallup’s “State of the American Workplace” report. Gallup defines engaged employees as those who are involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace.
Retirement Access & Participation: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric considers only employer-based retirement plans.
Access to Employee Benefits: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of employees with private health insurance.
Presence of Work-Share Programs*: Half Weight (~1.63 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of state programs that allow employers to temporarily reduce work hours of employees instead of laying them off during economic downturns.
State’s Statute on Hiring Based on Salary History*: Half Weight (~1.63 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of salary history bans in a state.
Full-Time Employment: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of part-time employees for every 100 full-time employees.
Access to Internships: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of internships per total civilian population aged 16 to 24 in the labor force.
4+ Star Full Time Job Opportunities per Total People in Labor Force: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of full time job opportunities at 4+ star rated companies on Glasssdoor.com per the total people in the labor force.
Apprentice-Trainee Jobs as Share of Total Jobs Posted on Glassdoor.com: Half Weight (~1.63 Points)
Note: Apprentice-trainee jobs refers to on-the-job training.
Share of Workers in Poverty: Double Weight (~6.53 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of employed residents whose incomes are below the poverty line.
Disability-Friendliness of Employers: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of persons with disabilities who are employed.

Socio-economics – Total Points: 20

Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
Average Work & Commute Time: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the average length of a workday and the average commute time.
Transit Accessibility of Workplace: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of jobs accessible by a 30-minute transit ride per total civilian workforce.
Transit Score: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: Transit Score is a patented measure of how well a location is served by public transit.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Housing Costs (accounts for both rental and sale prices) / Median Annual Household Income.
Annual Transportation Costs: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Safety: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the crime rate.
Family-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family” ranking.
Dating-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Singles” ranking.
Recreation-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of November 29, 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Council for Community and Economic Research, Indeed, Center for Neighborhood Technology, The Pew Charitable Trusts, National Conference of State Legislatures, Chegg Internships, Glassdoor, ManpowerGroup, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Gallup-Sharecare, Industry Dive, Walk Score and WalletHub research.