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The Best & Worst Cities for Finding a Job This Year

The Best: Scottsdale, AZ

The Best: Scottsdale, AZ

Picture this: the Sonoran Desert, where job opportunities bloom like cacti after a desert rain. Scottsdale isn't just a city; it's a career oasis. With a job market hotter than the Arizona sun, especially in healthcare and tech, it's where dreams take root and grow.

Scottsdale owes its high ranking to the influential role played by its healthcare sector. Spearheaded by major employer HonorHealth, the city's healthcare industry stands as a formidable force, contributing significantly to the creation of a resilient job market. Boasting an impressive job growth rate of nearly 12%, Scottsdale has become synonymous with quality internships and an attractive quality of life.

The Best: Tampa, FL

The Best: Tampa, FL

Tampa, where the job market is as sunny as its weather! It's not just about career growth; it's about having your cake and eating it too—with affordable living. Tampa's got the perfect recipe for success, blending diverse industries like finance, healthcare, and tech with a lifestyle that won't break the bank.

Tampa secures its place with the fifth-highest count of full-time job openings within companies highly rated on Glassdoor, considering its labor force size. Additionally, it boasts one of the top job security rates in the United States.

The Best: Salt Lake City, UT

The Best: Salt Lake City, UT

In the city where tech dreams come true, Salt Lake City is the Silicon Slopes paradise. Unemployment rates are so low, they're practically underground. Tech, healthcare, finance – take your pick. This city isn't just a place; it's a career buffet.

Salt Lake City's robust job market is influenced by its low 3% unemployment rate, ranking first in net employment outlook. Also highlighted is the city's fair wage practices, as employers are prohibited from inquiring about candidates' previous salaries. Overall, Salt Lake City ranks 14th for job opportunities nationwide.

The Best: Columbia, MD

The Best: Columbia, MD

Ever wanted to work in a place where innovation is the daily special? Columbia, MD, is that spot. From cybersecurity to healthcare, it's the city that says, "Your career is about to blast off." Nestled between Baltimore and D.C., it's not just a location; it's a launchpad.

The city has only a 4.5% unemployment rate, and job growth has increased by 15.4% in the past 10 years. When it comes to the highest median annual income, Columbia stands above the rest—just over $113,000. Not a bad place to start!

(Image via Preservation Maryland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsAustin, TX)

The Best: Austin, TX

The Best: Austin, TX

Welcome to Austin, where tech isn't just an industry; it's a lifestyle. Live music, low unemployment rates, and a business scene so collaborative, it's practically a networking party. In the Silicon Hills, your career isn't just a job; it's a rockstar performance.

Austin ranks 7th when it comes to the job market, and unemployment is at a low 4.2%. However, with such a healthy job market, there is one drawback. There are so many qualified job-seekers it can be hard to get a foot in the door.

The Best: Atlanta, GA

The Best: Atlanta, GA

Atlanta: where careers go from zero to hero. With a booming economy in finance, tech, and healthcare, it's not just a city; it's a career playground. The affordability and cultural richness are just the bonuses that make this southern gem shine.

Atlanta's job base has surged over 5% since early 2020, ranking fifth in the nation. The city boasts the highest concentration of Chief Executive jobs. Projected industry growth includes Wealth and Asset Management, Technology, FinTech, Insurance, Banking, and E-commerce. CFOs can anticipate a 4% increase in full-time employment and a 6.5% revenue growth. 

The Best: Seattle, WA

The Best: Seattle, WA

The city where coffee isn't the only thing brewing. Seattle, where tech and aerospace giants roam, provides job opportunities like raindrops in the Pacific Northwest. Sure, the cost of living is higher, but with innovation, culture, and scenery like this, who's counting?

Seattle has one of the highest monthly average starting salaries, $6,326. It’s also one of the fastest-growing cities, ranking 33rd, making it relatively easy to find a job. Join the rush and move to this booming city!

The Best: Pittsburgh, PA

The Best: Pittsburgh, PA

Once the steel city, now the tech haven. Pittsburgh is where your career evolution gets a reboot. With robotics and AI leading the charge, it's not just a comeback; it's a tech revolution. And hey, the cost of living won't leave your wallet feeling rusty.

Pittsburgh ranks as one of the easiest cities to get a job in, but it’s not due to population growth. In fact, this place is incredibly slow-growing—it just has a lot of job opportunities! So if that’s more your pace, forget Seattle and give Pittsburgh a go.

The Best: Plano, TX

The Best: Plano, TX

 Plano, where corporate dreams come to life. In finance, tech, and healthcare, it's not just a job; it's a boardroom adventure. Proximity to Dallas, family-friendly vibes, and amenities galore – this city is your career's VIP pass.

When it comes to median annual income, Plano ranks in the top tiers—just over $99,000. Here, it’s easy to find a job, and people aren’t flocking to the opportunities. So it’s similar to Pittsburgh in that way. 

(Image via Danny20111993, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Best: Boston, MA

The Best: Boston, MA

Boston, where history meets your future. With finance, healthcare, and biotech leading the charge, it's not just a job; it's a revolutionary experience. Yes, the cost of living is a bit spicy, but in a city rich with culture and innovation, you'll consider it a small price to pay.

Boston ranks 4th in the job market. Unemployment rates have been incredibly low—just 2.7%! The average salary is just under $70,000, and you can expect to start an entry-level job at just under $40,000. 

The Worst: Newark, NJ

The Worst: Newark, NJ

Imagine being the neighbor to NYC but missing out on the job market party. Newark, where the struggle is real. High crime rates and limited career diversity – it's the city that needs a career makeover.

Newark ranked lowest, making it the worst city to find a job in. It’s one of the lowest in employment growth, has one of the highest unemployment rates (7.2%), and has one of the lowest median income salaries ($78, 811). 

The Worst: Las Cruces, NM

The Worst: Las Cruces, NM

Las Cruces, where job opportunities are as scarce as rain in the desert. It's a city with economic challenges that make job growth feel like finding water in a dry creek bed.

Las Cruces holds the title for ranking last place in terms of the job market. The average annual salary in Las Cruces is $52,993. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $25.48 an hour. This is equivalent of $1,019 a week or $4,416 a month.

The Worst: Gulfport, MS

The Worst: Gulfport, MS

Gulfport, where job options are as few as shells on the beach. Limited industries mean fewer opportunities, making it a city that's struggling to be the job paradise you're searching for.

Gulfport ranks next to last for monthly average starting salary, barely beating out Fort Smith. The average annual salary in Gulfport is $48,129. That’s about $23.14 an hour. This is equivalent of $925 a week or $4,010 a month. It’s hard to get a job, and is one of the slowest-growing cities as well—we wonder why!

(Image via Infrogmation, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Worst: San Bernardino, CA

The Worst: San Bernardino, CA

High unemployment rates and economic woes – San Bernardino, where job stability feels as elusive as a California rainstorm. It's a city that needs an economic sun dance.

The average annual salary in San Bernardino is $56,703. That’s just $1,090 a week or $4,725 a month. The unemployment rate is 5%. It’s so bleak that in 2021, the county put together a workforce plan that focused on expanding Transportation and Logistics,  Manufacturing, Healthcare and Social Assistance, Construction, and Professional Services sectors—we’re not seeing much success.

The Worst: Augusta, GA

The Worst: Augusta, GA

Augusta is charming but not so charming for job seekers. With limited industry growth, it's a city where your career might need a bit more sunshine.

The job growth here is basically nonexistent—just an increase of 0.4% over the past decade. In fact, recent job growth shows a decline. The current unemployment rate is 5.2%, which is actually surprising given the limited amount of jobs. 

The Worst: Bakersfield, CA

The Worst: Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, where economic fluctuations hit as hard as a country ballad. Limited industry diversity means your career playlist might be missing a few beats.

With one of the worst job markets in the country, Bakersfield is a place you don’t want to live. It’s one of the most difficult places to find a job and one of the slowest-growing cities. We guess people aren’t rushing to get in line at the unemployment office. 

The Worst: Memphis, TN

The Worst: Memphis, TN

Memph is known for its tunes, but the job market's not singing the same song. Economic challenges make it a city where job opportunities might need a remix.

Memphis currently has a not-so-stellar 8% unemployment rate. In fact, recent job growth has declined by 6.9%. Worse yet, there has been no job growth over the past decade, instead a decrease of 0.4%

The Worst: Columbus, GA

The Worst: Columbus, GA

Columbus, where some industries are a bit camera-shy. Limited growth means your career might need a spotlight it's struggling to find.

The current unemployment rate is 5.3%, which isn’t as bad as some of the cities on this list. However, options are still bleak as the recent job growth is actually in decline by 4%. The past decade has only seen an increase in job growth by less than 1%. So, if you’re hoping for a job here, don’t hold your breath.

The Worst: Bridgeport, CT

The Worst: Bridgeport, CT

Bridgeport, where the cost of living is as high as its aspirations. Economic struggles make it a city where job opportunities might be asking for a discount.

It has one of the lowest median incomes, boasting a measly $50,597. It’s also the slowest-growing city on the list, making it impossible for new job opportunities. If you want to set the bar low for your first job search, we guess try Bridgeport. Good luck.

(Image via User:Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Worst: New Haven, CT

The Worst: New Haven, CT

New Haven, where the cost of living is high, and job opportunities might feel like a treasure hunt. Economic struggles make it a city where your career aspirations might need a roadmap.

To end on a more positive note, it does rank in the top five for the shortest work and commute time! The few people who do hold a job don’t have to wake up extra early to beat the morning rush. The bad news is, it’s because the median household income of a New Haven resident is $48,973 a year, and no one wants to work for that low pay!