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Best 25 Cities in the USA for Jobs

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By Patty Inglish, MS

United States of America

(Public domain)
(Public domain)



Data From Top Flight Organizations

To compile the 2007 city rankings, five data categories have been used by the US Department of Labor, Money Magazine, AT&T, US News and World Reports, Forbes, Kiplinger, and a number of leading Employment Professionals

These categories including Unemployment Rate, Job Growth, Income Growth, Median Household Income, And Cost Of Living. The largest 100 metropolitan areas of America were measured for these data, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The actual data were compiled from Moody's site, Economy.com.

In 2006, Forbes.com used five-year averages for job and income growth, so the 2001 recession was included. In 2007, they used growth data for 2003 through 2006 and the recession is in the past figures. In 2006 New York, San Francisco, and Chicago were all in the bottom 15, but not in 2007.

Overall, in New York and Los Angeles, highly educated job seekers will find opportunities. The major metropolitan areas have high median incomes, but also are fraught with unemployment, expensive housing, and low job growth rates. America's biggest cities have more problems with their education systems and with infrastructure than smaller towns. They also have large urban centers or "inner cities' with economic and crime problems as well as opportunities to develop businesses.

Top 25 Best American Cities for Jobs

#1 Raleigh-Cary, N.C.

Rank Last Year: 7

  • Median Household Income Rank: 30
  • Unemployment Rank: 13
  • Income Growth Rank: 12
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 45
  • Job Growth Rank: 10

North Carolina's housing market has been relatively stable, so Raleigh has few possibilities of an inevitable economic downturn. The three universities in the area, Duke, the University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University, attract more highly educated employees and technology firms.

#2 Phoenix-Mesa- Scottsdale, Ariz.

Rank Last Year: 2

  • Median Household Income Rank: 34
  • Unemployment Rank: 16
  • Income Growth Rank: 2
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 64
  • Job Growth Rank: 5

Phoenix has a good housing market with a lower cost of living. Arizona has attracted many technology companies and especially in biotech. There is substantial migration from southern California into Phoenix at this time, including companies and households. It's like a cheaper way to live in California, and nearby.

#3 Jacksonville, Fla.

Rank last year: 8

  • Median Household Income Rank: 40
  • Unemployment Rank: 15
  • Income Growth Rank: 6
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 49
  • Job Growth Rank: 13

Jacksonville moved up in the rankings with a fair housing market. There is a lot of defense spending in Jacksonville that contributes to job growth in the local area job market.

#4 Orlando-Kissimmee, Fla.

Rank Last Year: 4

  • Median Household Income Rank: 57
  • Unemployment Rank: 6
  • Income Growth Rank: 3
  • Cost of Living Rank: 57
  • Job Growth Rank: 4

Orlando is suffering somewhat from a housing slumps, while travel and tourism keep the local economy vital. The American dollar (USD) will likely remain weak against the Euro, so international tourism to Florida should remain stable or increase.

#5 Washington, D.C.

Rank Last Year: 1

  • Median Household Income Rank: 14
  • Unemployment Rank: 4
  • Income Growth Rank: 19
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 86
  • Job Growth Rank: 15

Federal spending will probably keep Washington's economy strong this year. When the US government outsources work to private companies, many of those jobs stay in the Washington DC-Maryland-Virginia area. The housing market in Washington is starting to slow, and could downturn the city economy as well as that of Maryland and parts of Virginia.

Honolulu

(Photos this page, public domain)
(Photos this page, public domain)

#6 Salt Lake City, Utah

Rank Last Year: 12

  • Median Household Income Rank: 19
  • Unemployment Rank: 33
  • Income Growth Rank: 32
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 38
  • Job Growth Rank: 17

Salt Lake City benefits from high incomes among a very well educated workforce. It has only a small IT sector, but larger logistics and distribution serving the Rocky Mountain west.

#7 Honolulu, Hawaii (tie)

Rank Last Year: 15

  • Median Household Income Rank: 13
  • Unemployment Rank: 1
  • Income Growth Rank: 23
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 87
  • Job Growth Rank: 16

The unemployment rate in Honolulu is extremely low. The major industries are travel and tourism, and these types of companies are having difficulty to finding service employees. However, it should be easy to find work in the service industry there for those who want to migrate in.

#7 Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 3

  • Median Household Income Rank: 46
  • Unemployment Rank: 18
  • Income Growth Rank: 1
  • Cost of Living Rank: 74
  • Job Growth Rank: 1

Las Vegas' economy is strong, with income and job growth up. The housing market produces high risk, because many of the housing units built recently were bought with adjustable rate mortgages. As interest rates rise, many homeowners are in risk of default. Tourism remains strong with increasing numbers of international visitors. The convention business is increasing all the time.

Las Vegas

Hotel Paris
Hotel Paris

Fort Lauderdale

#9 Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Rank Last Year: 25

  • Median Household Income Rank: 48
  • Unemployment Rank: 8
  • Income Growth Rank: 10
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 84
  • Job Growth Rank: 7

Fort Lauderdale made the top ten in 2007, but with a major risk in the housing market. Economic growth should be positive throughout the year.

#10 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.

Rank Last Year: 10

  • Median Household Income Rank: 50
  • Unemployment Rank: 10
  • Income Growth Rank: 37
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 26
  • Job Growth Rank: 37

Job growth in Virginia Beach has increased because of ship building, naval facilities, and increasing tourism. A Ford assembly plant in the metro area will be closing and Virginia Beach may lose a jet fighter wing at Oceana Naval Air Station to Jacksonville. However, one of Altria's Phillip Morris plants will reopen and provide more jobs.

#11 Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick, Md. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 5

  • Median Household Income Rank: 3
  • Unemployment Rank: 2
  • Income Growth Rank: 25
  • Cost of Living Rank: 92
  • Job Growth Rank: 40

Bethesda's economy is accelerated because it is close to Washington, DC. As government spending remains high, the economy should do well. The large aerospace firm Lockheed-Martin has headquarters here, as do other defense and other contractors.

#11 Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Fla. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 26

  • Median Household Income Rank: 64
  • Unemployment Rank: 3
  • Income Growth Rank: 16
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 76
  • Job Growth Rank: 3

Travel and tourism will provide Sarasota strong economic growth. There will be a slowdown in construction, however, and unemployment will start to tick upward as the housing market slows down.


St. Petersburg

Butterfly Garden
Butterfly Garden

#13 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.

Rank Last Year: 29

  • Median Household Income Rank: 75
  • Unemployment Rank: 9
  • Income Growth Rank: 13
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 60
  • Job Growth Rank: 9

Tampa has attracted back-office operations for a number of financial and insurance firms. It is affordable as far as cost of living goes, and it has a large metro area. Income growth and job growth are increasing.

#14 Richmond, Va.

Rank Last Year: 6

  • Median Household Income Rank: 44
  • Unemployment Rank: 5
  • Income Growth Rank: 52
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 41
  • Job Growth Rank: 26

Richmond benefits from its proximity to Washington, DC. Virginia's state government has strong revenue growth. The housing market is still strong in Richmond. Its income growth and job growth rankings slumped a bit this year.

#15 Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 28

  • Median Household Income Rank: 32
  • Unemployment Rank: 17
  • Income Growth Rank: 54
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 12
  • Job Growth Rank: 55

The city has a high median income because of the insurance and banking industries, as well as agribusiness. High corn prices in relation to ethanol have raised the demand for consumer products and financial services.

#16 West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Boynton Beach, Fla.

Rank Last Year: 37

  • Median Household Income Rank: 43
  • Unemployment Rank: 22
  • Income Growth Rank: 14
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 89
  • Job Growth Rank: 8

West Palm Beach is still doing well, but has an excess housing supply. Tourism helps. West Palm Beach is a destination for many domestic and international tourists.

#17 Little Rock-North Little Rock, Ark.

Rank Last Year: 23

  • Median Household Income Rank: 61
  • Unemployment Rank: 40
  • Income Growth Rank: 36
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 10
  • Job Growth Rank: 30

Little Rock has a stable employment in government jobs and the Little Rock Air Force Base. The University of Arkansas is the top employer overall. Outside of the public sector, the economy is diverse. Low business and housing costs are beneficial.

#18 Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Rank Last Year: 24

  • Median Household Income Rank: 63
  • Unemployment Rank: 28
  • Income Growth Rank: 29
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 40
  • Job Growth Rank: 18

The Nashville area is becoming a regional center for offices and transportation. Five or ten years ago, services were not strong, but a strong service economy has popped up.

#19 Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, Calif.

Rank Last Year: 13

  • Median Household Income Rank: 9
  • Unemployment Rank: 7
  • Income Growth Rank: 41
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 98
  • Job Growth Rank: 25

Many foreign firms are headquartered in Orange County, because of its proximity to Los Angeles. The economy is largely about technology, defense, and aerospace. However, it is one of the most expensive places in America.

#20 Tucson, Ariz.

Rank Last Year: 41

  • Median Household Income Rank: 79
  • Unemployment Rank: 32
  • Income Growth Rank: 9
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 51
  • Job Growth Rank: 14

Tucson is anchored by the University of Arizona. Its IT sector is growing, because of the university and city's proximity to the west coast. Tucson also shares a housing slowdown with Phoenix, Las Vegas and the Florida cities.


#21 Oklahoma City, Okla. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 9

  • Median Household Income Rank: 89
  • Unemployment Rank: 20
  • Income Growth Rank: 15
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 14
  • Job Growth Rank: 49

Oklahoma City's economy is built on oil drilling and technology. The airport just had a major innovation and Delta Airlines is adding more jobs. It also enjoys status as a car-rental service hub.

#22 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Ga.

Rank Last Year: 42

  • Median Household Income Rank: 25
  • Unemployment Rank: 41
  • Income Growth Rank: 45
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 46
  • Job Growth Rank: 31

There are many corporate headquarters in Atlanta, and after the recession, many of the companies stopped hiring. Its outlook is stronger now, but there are risks if Delta is acquired and jobs are cut.

#23 Austin-Round Rock, Tex.

Rank Last Year: 51

  • Median Household Income Rank: 74
  • Unemployment Rank: 34
  • Income Growth Rank: 17
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 44
  • Job Growth Rank: 20

Austin rose in the rankings in 2007, due to income and job growth. It enjoys a strong outlook with its University of Texas, good state revenue, and a high quality of life.

#24 Albuquerque, N.M. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 21

  • Median Household Income Rank: 86
  • Unemployment Rank: 43
  • Income Growth Rank: 20
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 22
  • Job Growth Rank: 23

Albuquerque is small and affordable and an attractive place to retire. Its economy is based in research labs and defense installations.

#25 Sacramento, Calif. (tie)

Rank Last Year: 14

  • Median Household Income Rank: 31
  • Unemployment Rank: 44
  • Income Growth Rank: 21
  • Cost Of Living Rank: 77
  • Job Growth Rank: 21

California's capital is a lower-cost alternative to San Francisco. State government provides stability to the economy, providing steady growth. The technology sector has its ups and downs.


Top 100 Cities in America for Jobs (click to enlarge)

Research from the US Census Bureau and Forbes.com
Research from the US Census Bureau and Forbes.com

Additional Hubs of Interest

Comments

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merinda profile image

merinda  says:
2 years ago

how to get a job in america, if u hav good consultant address or contractor jus gimme ,i ll apply on line

Yellowburgandy  says:
2 years ago

If Las Vegas is on the top ten for job growth I would hate to see what the rest of the country is like because they are laying off out here and I've been looking for work for 5 months now with an extensive job history, and other people are in the same boat, we are starving!

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
2 years ago

There are people starving everywhere, especially if their expereince is in a declining job title. To keep working, you may have to enter another field of work. Occupations rise and fall in growth every year.

You may either need to change fields of work or to move.

Yellowburgandy  says:
2 years ago

I have, I even applied at gas stations.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
2 years ago

Go to the Clark County Department of Labor Job-search and Placement Services and keep after them until they get you a job. You may qualify for training funds. See the link is below. When I was laid off form a job after 10 years, I went to my county office and did not leave without answers and help. I think that is the place to make yourself visible and persistently vocal.

http://detr.state.nv.us/ESD%20Pages/job%20seeker%2

Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation2800 E. St. Louis Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89104500 East Third Street - Carson City, NV 89713General Info: (775) 684-3849 - FAX: (775) 684-3850 - TTY: (775) 687-5353

Go to the Human Services Office to help with rent, and food and even transportation out of the county if youhave to move to find work. They advertise plane fare, bus fare, and gaaoline help.The anount of help they can give depends on how much is left in their yearly allowance from the state and federal govt.

http://www.co.clark.nv.us/Social_Service/Default.h

1600 Pinto Lane (main office, they list 3 others)Las Vegas, NV 89106(702) 455-4270Fax (702) 455-5950

Job Nigeria  says:
2 years ago

whooaaaa...you are an angel.....

you help many people with your information....

GBU patty

Regards,

Job NIgeria

http://www.job-nigeria.com

tech for geek  says:
16 months ago

great hub....i guess JN is right..you are an angel....

KSTEAM profile image

KSTEAM  says:
14 months ago

Great topic and information.

I am in Arizona and was very impressed when we moved here with the jobs, opportunites and reasonable cost of living. They are constantly building here, it's great. Extremely Hot summers, but other than that weather is beautiful from around Mid-September until March.

Niki Nemeth  says:
14 months ago

If you notice Clearwater / Tampa area is #13 on the list. This area is not only great for getting a job, but also for affordible housing.

It is an excellent time to buy properties here in the middle of the pre-foreclosure and foreclosure boom. There is no scarcity of great homes for great prices.

Please contact me if you are looking to move into the area and would like to learn about real estate prices.

Niki Nemeth  says:
14 months ago

www.clearwaterdreamhome.com

727-230-9987

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
14 months ago

I hope you will help people find a good value for their investments in housing, Niki. I'm sure readers will look at your site. Thanks.

Shirley Anderson profile image

Shirley Anderson  says:
14 months ago

Any idea Patty, how a Canadian can work in these cities if they're not on the list of people eligible for work visas?

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
14 months ago

If a Canadian can persude an American employer to become their sponsor, offering them work in writing, this might speed things up a bit. How does Canada make up the official list, do you know? I'll look it up as well.

Shirley Anderson profile image

Shirley Anderson  says:
14 months ago

I know that we are not eligible for the Green Card Lottery. Anytime that I've jokingly (sort of) mentioned what you suggest to a business person, they turn tail and run.

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
14 months ago

I had a friend in the US from Canada with a Green Card some years ago...I will look into this in the next few days. Some interesting is going on I think.

Shirley Anderson profile image

Shirley Anderson  says:
14 months ago

Thx, Patti!!

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
14 months ago

I did a Hub on setting up residence in another US State; I'll probably do a Hub for coming to work in America as a companion piece.

Shirley Anderson profile image

Shirley Anderson  says:
14 months ago

Perfect! You may get a ton of traffic for that one, but then I suspect you always do! :)

jessicaasher  says:
13 months ago

i think it;s fanating topic to talk about

Lisa Nance profile image

Lisa Nance  says:
12 months ago

I can understand why Raleigh, NC is number one on the list. I used to live there and it has great weather, great entertainment, great food, great shopping and the big three universities are all within driving distance.

But I'm a little prejudiced since I was born and raised and still live in North Carolina!

great hub, Patty!

Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
12 months ago

Lisa - I remember going to North Carolina three summers in a row for a week in high school, as if it were yasterday. You are fortunate to live in such surroundings, so thanks for the testimonial for our readers!

Patty

jdh351  says:
11 months ago

I would really like to move to D.C. This confirms it! I love that city.

jennifer v.  says:
10 months ago

great hub! i <3 las vegas!

portronics profile image

portronics  says:
7 months ago

Good Data... its useful for anyone who want to get into USA for jobs..

medarj profile image

medarj  says:
4 months ago

yes !! nice hub

joebhoy profile image

joebhoy  says:
4 weeks ago

thanks for sharing.

doodlebugs profile image

doodlebugs  says:
4 weeks ago

Austin was listed at number four on a list of cities most likely to recover from the recession soon. It might have crept up the list since your article was written. Thanks for the excellent information. It is surely going to be helpful to those considering relocation.

Nan  says:
2 days ago

Thanks for the information, I will share with people who want to move, and don't know where it is a better place to move.

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