Best Cities for Jobs (2023)

With 2021 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 jobs market made quite a bit of recovery in 2021 after it took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the most recent jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%, far belowTest the high of 14.7% seen during 2020. Many companies are now actually facing a labor shortage, which puts peoTest ple looking for jobs in a position of leverage when it comes to negotiating their compensation and benefits.
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College graduates from the Class of 2022 should expect to see a big boost in hiring compared to the previous class, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Employers plan to hire 26.6% more new graduates from the Class of 2022 than they did from the class of 2021.

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 to employment growth to monthly average starting salary.

Table of Contents

Main FindingsAsk the ExpertsMethodology

Main Findings

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(Video) Top 5 Cities With The Hottest Job Market

Best Places to Find a Job

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Job Market	Socio-economics
1	Columbia, MD	68.41	2	1
2	Salt Lake City, UT	66.81	1	23
3	San Francisco, CA	65.24	3	6
4	Portland, ME	64.46	10	4
5	Austin, TX	63.60	8	15
6	Orlando, FL	63.54	4	24
7	Seattle, WA	63.44	11	9
8	Scottsdale, AZ	63.43	7	17
9	San Jose, CA	62.63	9	37
10	Nashua, NH	62.19	17	10
11	Plano, TX	61.97	12	32
12	Pittsburgh, PA	61.69	19	13
13	South Burlington, VT	61.57	27	7
14	Columbia, SC	61.42	5	98
15	Overland Park, KS	61.35	28	8
16	Chandler, AZ	61.34	16	19
17	Boise, ID	61.18	24	14
18	Warwick, RI	61.05	23	16
19	Charleston, SC	60.55	14	63
20	Des Moines, IA	60.22	21	49
21	Huntsville, AL	60.20	6	122
22	West Valley City, UT	60.20	22	46
23	Tempe, AZ	59.83	30	20
24	Minneapolis, MN	59.73	58	5
25	Madison, WI	59.57	72	2
26	Spokane, WA	59.52	20	76
27	Atlanta, GA	59.49	15	97
28	St. Louis, MO	59.15	13	119
29	Raleigh, NC	58.99	42	22
30	Tacoma, WA	58.80	26	84
31	Gilbert, AZ	58.78	31	55
32	Washington, DC	58.72	40	33
33	Virginia Beach, VA	58.56	45	30
34	Boston, MA	58.52	32	60
35	Irving, TX	58.49	18	109
36	Miami, FL	58.35	24	101
37	Tampa, FL	58.07	48	45
38	Fremont, CA	58.02	52	41
39	Pearl City, HI	57.98	34	67
40	Portland, OR	57.62	78	11
41	Reno, NV	57.59	55	51
42	Grand Prairie, TX	57.57	35	92
43	Denver, CO	57.49	69	18
44	Cedar Rapids, IA	57.32	64	28
45	Vancouver, WA	56.84	41	102
46	Charlotte, NC	56.81	38	103
47	Fort Lauderdale, FL	56.76	51	87
48	Manchester, NH	56.73	65	50
49	Glendale, AZ	56.66	46	94
50	Cheyenne, WY	56.57	71	42
51	Juneau, AK	56.52	76	39
52	Peoria, AZ	56.52	53	91
53	Durham, NC	56.47	47	96
54	Knoxville, TN	56.43	44	111
55	St. Petersburg, FL	56.43	63	62
56	Irvine, CA	56.35	86	21
57	Dallas, TX	56.26	33	135
58	Lincoln, NE	56.16	95	12
59	Jacksonville, FL	56.14	50	114
60	Providence, RI	56.13	67	68
61	Mesa, AZ	55.80	57	110
62	Omaha, NE	55.77	89	26
63	Lewiston, ME	55.76	75	65
64	Sacramento, CA	55.66	74	69
65	Baltimore, MD	55.63	29	162
66	Chesapeake, VA	55.43	61	105
67	Garland, TX	55.39	43	143
68	Cincinnati, OH	55.33	88	47
69	San Diego, CA	55.31	90	40
70	Newport News, VA	55.30	37	157
71	Nashville, TN	55.29	56	130
72	Bismarck, ND	55.21	92	35
73	Wilmington, DE	55.18	79	80
74	San Antonio, TX	55.14	73	90
75	Phoenix, AZ	55.04	68	104
76	Huntington Beach, CA	55.00	91	38
77	Honolulu, HI	54.92	100	25
78	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	54.90	81	86
79	Arlington, TX	54.86	49	148
80	Fargo, ND	54.82	97	34
81	Chattanooga, TN	54.81	36	168
82	Santa Rosa, CA	54.58	85	81
83	Sioux Falls, SD	54.52	103	29
84	Tulsa, OK	54.47	60	140
85	Kansas City, MO	54.42	66	127
86	Little Rock, AR	54.26	54	161
87	Richmond, VA	53.90	80	134
88	Tucson, AZ	53.88	96	64
89	Amarillo, TX	53.86	70	136
90	Aurora, CO	53.82	77	128
91	Charleston, WV	53.81	39	173
92	Grand Rapids, MI	53.78	105	48
93	Las Vegas, NV	53.55	106	56
94	Fort Worth, TX	53.52	87	116
95	St. Paul, MN	53.46	118	31
96	Billings, MT	53.43	98	78
97	Tallahassee, FL	53.39	94	82
98	Colorado Springs, CO	53.28	102	70
99	Pembroke Pines, FL	53.10	101	85
100	Jersey City, NJ	52.98	127	27
101	Burlington, VT	52.93	154	3
102	Mobile, AL	52.74	62	172
103	Norfolk, VA	52.69	82	149
104	Casper, WY	52.69	93	113
105	Henderson, NV	52.59	111	66
106	Columbus, OH	52.54	126	43
107	Birmingham, AL	52.30	59	180
108	Worcester, MA	52.15	114	79
109	Springfield, MO	52.13	82	166
110	Salem, OR	52.06	121	75
111	Santa Ana, CA	52.04	108	100
112	Louisville, KY	51.94	104	118
113	Wichita, KS	51.86	84	163
114	Aurora, IL	51.83	130	57
115	Garden Grove, CA	51.76	137	44
116	New Haven, CT	51.51	128	74
117	Rochester, NY	51.48	133	61
118	Port St. Lucie, FL	51.39	107	124
119	Greensboro, NC	51.34	99	151
120	Anaheim, CA	51.07	123	108
121	Santa Clarita, CA	50.99	142	54
122	Milwaukee, WI	50.81	124	117
123	Nampa, ID	50.79	113	131
124	Houston, TX	50.77	119	120
125	Albuquerque, NM	50.66	141	72
126	Oklahoma City, OK	50.59	135	88
127	Rapid City, SD	50.58	147	53
128	Oceanside, CA	50.45	122	132
129	Cleveland, OH	50.45	109	152
130	Yonkers, NY	50.20	159	36
131	Lexington-Fayette, KY	50.20	151	58
132	Oakland, CA	50.08	120	141
133	Riverside, CA	50.07	125	133
134	Los Angeles, CA	49.99	140	99
135	Fontana, CA	49.99	129	126
136	Ontario, CA	49.95	117	154
137	Glendale, CA	49.68	150	71
138	Missoula, MT	49.66	164	52
139	Fort Wayne, IN	49.65	116	150
140	El Paso, TX	49.44	162	59
141	Modesto, CA	49.27	138	129
142	Dover, DE	49.26	115	160
143	Hialeah, FL	49.01	112	167
144	Fort Smith, AR	49.00	110	169
145	Corpus Christi, TX	48.83	136	138
146	Lubbock, TX	48.74	132	145
147	Cape Coral, FL	48.67	156	93
148	Bridgeport, CT	48.59	158	95
149	Chicago, IL	48.43	167	73
150	Long Beach, CA	48.33	149	121
151	Anchorage, AK	48.13	161	107
152	Fresno, CA	48.00	143	153
153	Winston-Salem, NC	47.90	144	155
154	Bakersfield, CA	47.78	148	139
155	Indianapolis, IN	47.69	139	164
156	Philadelphia, PA	47.58	160	125
157	Buffalo, NY	47.57	168	77
158	Akron, OH	47.44	155	142
159	Montgomery, AL	47.35	134	170
160	New Orleans, LA	47.28	153	146
161	Huntington, WV	47.09	131	175
162	Laredo, TX	46.98	172	83
163	Fayetteville, NC	46.63	165	147
164	New York, NY	46.57	170	106
165	Augusta, GA	46.36	145	179
166	North Las Vegas, NV	46.35	163	156
167	Toledo, OH	46.09	166	159
168	Columbus, GA	45.82	146	177
168	Jackson, MS	45.82	152	174
170	Chula Vista, CA	45.81	171	123
171	Memphis, TN	45.03	157	181
172	Moreno Valley, CA	44.97	169	158
173	Baton Rouge, LA	44.83	174	144
174	Oxnard, CA	44.72	178	115
175	Las Cruces, NM	44.07	182	89
176	Brownsville, TX	43.60	181	112
177	Stockton, CA	43.53	175	165
178	Newark, NJ	43.47	179	137
179	Detroit, MI	42.35	173	182
180	Shreveport, LA	42.20	176	178
181	San Bernardino, CA	42.06	177	176
182	Gulfport, MS	41.19	180	171

Ask the Experts

The job-hunting process can still be scary, especially during the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 2022? Do you think the unemployment rate will come close to the pre-pandemic 3.5%?
Will the US be back to full employment in 2022?
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?

Ask the Experts

John Winters
Ph.D. – Professor, Department of Economics – Iowa State University
Read More

Gordon Lafer
Ph.D. – Professor and Director, Labor Education & Research Center – University of Oregon
Read More

(Video) Top 10 Cities for Tech Jobs in 2021.

Ming D. Leung
Associate Professor, Paul Merage School of Business – University of California, Irvine
Read More

Thomas J. Norman
Ph.D. – Professor of Management, CSUDH Foundation Board Member – California State University, Dominguez Hills
Read More

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.

Job Market – Total Points: 80

Job Opportunities: Double Weight (~6.81 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 (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric measures the rate of annual job growth adjusted by the working-age population growth.
Monthly Average Starting Salary: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Industry Variety: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Employment Outlook: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
Automation Risk: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of jobs at risk for automation.
Job Security: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in September 2021 – Number of Employees in September 2020) / Number of Employees in September 2020.
Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Share of Engaged Workers*: Full Weight (~3.40 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 (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric considers only employer-based retirement plans.
Access to Employee Benefits: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of employees with private health insurance.
Presence of Work-Share Programs*: Half Weight (~1.70 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 (~1.70 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of salary history bans in a state.
Full-Time Employment: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of part-time employees for every 100 full-time employees.
4+ Star Full Time Job Opportunities per Total People in Labor Force: Full Weight (~3.40 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 (~1.70 Points)
Note: Apprentice-trainee jobs refers to on-the-job training.
Share of Workers in Poverty: Double Weight (~6.81 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of employed residents whose incomes are below the poverty line.
Disability-Friendliness of Employers: Full Weight (~3.40 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of persons with disabilities who are employed.

Socio-economics – Total Points: 20

Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living.
Average Work & Commute Time: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric measures the average length of a workday and the average commute time.
Transit Accessibility of Workplace: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of jobs accessible by a 30-minute transit ride per total civilian workforce.
Transit Score: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: Transit Score is a patented measure of how well a location is served by public transit.
Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~1.67 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 (~1.67 Points)
Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated: Double Weight (~3.33 Points)
Safety: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric measures the crime rate.
Family-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “” ranking.
Dating-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “” ranking.
Recreation-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “” ranking.

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected 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, Glassdoor, ManpowerGroup, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Gallup-Sharecare, Industry Dive, Walk Score, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and WalletHub research.

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(Video) 2022’s Best Cities for Jobs

Best Cities for Jobs (2023)

Main Findings

Best Places to Find a Job

Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Methodology

Job Market – Total Points: 80

Socio-economics – Total Points: 20

Supporting Video Files:

Videos