The 40 Best Cities for US Job Seekers in 2023
Relocating for a job can be a great way to gain access to new career opportunities. Many cities around the nation have robust job markets and offer additional perks to job seekers. Knowing the best cities for jobs for you to consider can help you narrow down your relocation list and help you find the best location for your career.
In this article, we list the 40 best cities for job seekers, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Best cities for job seekers
If you're looking for a change of scenery or relocation, these cities are ranked as generally being the best cities for jobs. Out of 395 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States, 40 cities have a higher-than-average job growth rate of 4% or higher, an average annual salary of more than $50,000 and a low unemployment rate of 4% or under, with all employment data coming from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Here are the top 15 cities for job seekers, ranked by job growth:
Metropolitan statistical areas | Job growth % | Average annual salary | Unemployment rate % |
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 7.9 | $53,980 | 3.9 |
Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 6.5 | $51,850 | 3.1 |
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 6.5 | $58,020 | 3.4 |
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN | 5.9 | $53,730 | 2.7 |
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 5.7 | $57,270 | 3.7 |
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 5.4 | $55,050 | 3.9 |
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5.4 | $59,100 | 2.9 |
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 5.4 | $64,330 | 3.7 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 5.2 | $54,790 | 2.3 |
Portland-South Portland, ME | 5.2 | $57,060 | 2.9 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5.1 | $99,430 | 2.2 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 5.1 | $53,270 | 2.6 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.1 | $51,240 | 3.5 |
Raleigh, NC | 5.1 | $58,550 | 3.3 |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 4.9 | $50,770 | 2.8 |
1. Atlantic City-Hammonton, New Jersey
Known for its boardwalks and beaches, Atlantic City’s economy was rebuilt by the convention and tourism industry in the 1980s and ’90s. Non-casino industries in the city transportation, retail, real estate development and sales and office occupations. Atlantic City’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 7.9%
Average annual salary: $53,980
Unemployment rate: 3.9%
Number of people employed: 116,010
2. Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina
The historical harbourside city of Charleston is also a center for commerce, providing jobs for a variety of professionals. You can find jobs in industries like aerospace, automotive, defense, technology, life sciences and logistics. Charleston’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 6.5%
Average annual salary: $51,850
Unemployment rate: 3.1%
Number of people employed: 339,320
3. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
The Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area in Texas is home to thousands of companies in various industries, such as energy, health care, technology, aviation and manufacturing. In addition, many large companies with national and global operations have their corporate headquarters in the DFW area. Dallas’ employment statistics include:
Job growth: 6.5%
Average annual salary: $58,020
Unemployment rate: 3.4%
Number of people employed: 3,588,960
Find jobs in Dallas-Fort Worth
Related: Craving a Location Change? These 10 U.S. Cities Offer Perks If You Move There
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tennessee
Nashville and its surrounding communities are home to the headquarters of many regional, national and international companies. Known as a hub for country music and entertainment, Nashville is also home to a variety of industries including health care, hospitality and telecommunications. Nashville’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.9%
Average annual salary: $53,730
Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Number of people employed: 976,900
5. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina-South Carolina
The Charlotte metropolitan area, sometimes referred to as Metrolina, is home to headquarters for some of the nation's largest institutions. A hub to states in the north and south of the East Coast, this metropolitan area continues to attract manufacturing and financial businesses, along with various consumer goods companies. Charlotte’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.7%
Average annual salary: $57,270
Unemployment rate: 3.7%
Number of people employed: 1,209,890
6. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, California
This MSA, often called the Inland Empire, is bordered by Los Angeles and Orange counties on the west and the states of Nevada and Arizona on the east. The leading industries in the area include tourism, international trade, higher education, transportation and health services. Riverside’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.4%
Average annual salary: $55,050
Unemployment rate: 3.9%
Number of people employed: 1,529,990
Related: Top 15 Cities With the Best Job Markets in the US
7. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and offers a diverse range of job opportunities spanning across many sectors like film, logistics, transportation, health care, manufacturing and finance. With so much variety, there are many corporate headquarters that reside in the city. Atlanta's employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.4%
Average annual salary: $59,100
Unemployment rate: 2.9%
Number of people employed: 2,587,890
8. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Oregon-Washington
This Pacific Northwest metro area is located along the Columbia River on the border between northwest Oregon and Washington. The largest industries in the Portland include health care and social assistance, manufacturing and retail. Portland’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.4%
Average annual salary: $64,330
Unemployment rate: 3.7%
Number of people employed: 1,122,440
9. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida
Miami is a coastal city in the south of Florida. Many companies base their headquarters in Miami due to the pleasant weather and opportunity to grow in several industries, like tourism, restaurants, aerospace and agriculture. Miami's employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.2%
Average annual salary: $54,790
Unemployment rate: 2.3%
Number of people employed: 2,452,420
Related: Top Job Markets and Cities to Find a Career In
10. Portland-South Portland, Maine
The region commonly known as Greater Portland or the Portland metropolitan area is set on a peninsula extending into Casco Bay. Portland has an active waterfront that supports fishing and commercial shipping, and its economy relies mostly on the service sector and tourism. Portland’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.2%
Average annual salary: $57,060
Unemployment rate: 2.9%
Number of people employed: 197,790
11. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
San Jose is located south of San Francisco and is considered a part of the greater Bay Area. It's also part of the geographical region known as Silicon Valley, recognized for producing and housing a large number of technology companies. San Jose's employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.1%
Average annual salary: $99,430
Unemployment rate: 2.2%
Number of people employed: 1,068,620
12. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
The Tampa Bay area is a major populated area surrounding Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida. Tampa offers employment opportunities in several industries, such as health care, finance and retail. Tampa’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.1%
Average annual salary: $53,270
Unemployment rate: 2.6%
Number of people employed: 1,289,900
Related: Your Guide To Relocating for a Job
13. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois
This MSA is also known as the Quad Cities and is considered part of the Great Lakes megalopolis. Top industries of this area include manufacturing, retail, health care and education. Davenport’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.1%
Average annual salary: $51,240
Unemployment rate: 3.5%
Number of people employed: 171,440
14. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is part of a region of North Carolina known as the Research Triangle, which includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. With several academic institutions and the burgeoning biotech industry, there's a wide array of jobs available. Raleigh's employment statistics include:
Job growth: 5.1%
Average annual salary: $58,550
Unemployment rate: 3.3%
Number of people employed: 633,260
15. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
Located in Central Florida, Orlando has a variety of companies with career opportunities for interested candidates. It has many industries including health care, hospitality, entertainment, education and more. Orlando’s employment statistics include:
Job growth: 4.9%
Average annual salary: $50,770
Unemployment rate: 2.8%
Number of people employed: 1,173,560
Related: How To Find the Best Job for You in 6 Steps
Best cities for job seekers ranked by job growth rate
This table shows all 40 best cities for jobs ranked in order by job growth rate:
Rank | MSAs | Job growth % | Average annual salary | Unemployment rate % |
1 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 7.9 | $53,980 | 3.9 |
2 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 6.5 | $51,850 | 3.1 |
3 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 6.5 | $58,020 | 3.4 |
4 | Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN | 5.9 | $53,730 | 2.7 |
5 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 5.7 | $57,270 | 3.7 |
6 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 5.4 | $55,050 | 3.9 |
7 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5.4 | $59,100 | 2.9 |
8 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 5.4 | $64,330 | 3.7 |
9 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 5.2 | $54,790 | 2.3 |
10 | Portland-South Portland, ME | 5.2 | $57,060 | 2.9 |
11 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5.1 | $99,430 | 2.2 |
12 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 5.1 | $53,270 | 2.6 |
13 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.1 | $51,240 | 3.5 |
14 | Raleigh, NC | 5.1 | $58,550 | 3.3 |
15 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 4.9 | $50,770 | 2.8 |
16 | Jacksonville, FL | 4.8 | $51,910 | 2.5 |
17 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 4.8 | $50,770 | 3.3 |
18 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 4.8 | $54,370 | 2.7 |
19 | Austin-Round Rock, TX | 4.7 | $60,260 | 2.8 |
20 | Anchorage, AK | 4.6 | $63,710 | 3.4 |
21 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 4.6 | $51,590 | 2.0 |
22 | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 4.6 | $86,590 | 2.6 |
23 | Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 4.6 | $55,970 | 3.9 |
24 | Midland, TX | 4.6 | $59,000 | 2.9 |
25 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 4.6 | $51,740 | 3.5 |
26 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4.5 | $65,930 | 4.0 |
27 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4.5 | $76,170 | 3.3 |
28 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 4.4 | $56,570 | 3.6 |
29 | Provo-Orem, UT | 4.4 | $52,100 | 1.9 |
30 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 4.3 | $61,550 | 3.3 |
31 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 4.3 | $61,860 | 3.4 |
32 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 4.3 | $74,150 | 3.7 |
33 | Corvallis, OR | 4.3 | $62,910 | 3.6 |
34 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 4.2 | $76,850 | 2.8 |
35 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 4.2 | $63,990 | 1.7 |
36 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 4.1 | $62,020 | 2.8 |
37 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 4.1 | $66,750 | 3.5 |
38 | Bloomington, IN | 4.1 | $52,000 | 2.9 |
39 | Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 4 | $56,610 | 3.5 |
40 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 4 | $52,310 | 3.2 |
Related: 18 Best Cities for Remote Workers in the US
Best cities for job seekers ranked by average annual salary
This table shows the best cities for jobs ranked in order by average annual salary:
Rank | MSAs | Average annual salary | Job growth % | Unemployment rate % |
1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,430 | 5.1 | 2.2 |
2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $86,590 | 4.6 | 2.6 |
3 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,850 | 4.2 | 2.8 |
4 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,170 | 4.5 | 3.3 |
5 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,150 | 4.3 | 3.7 |
6 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $66,750 | 4.1 | 3.5 |
7 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,930 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
8 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $64,330 | 5.4 | 3.7 |
9 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $63,990 | 4.2 | 1.7 |
10 | Anchorage, AK | $63,710 | 4.6 | 3.4 |
11 | Corvallis, OR | $62,910 | 4.3 | 3.6 |
12 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $62,020 | 4.1 | 2.8 |
13 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $61,860 | 4.3 | 3.4 |
14 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $61,550 | 4.3 | 3.3 |
15 | Austin-Round Rock, TX | $60,260 | 4.7 | 2.8 |
16 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $59,100 | 5.4 | 2.9 |
17 | Midland, TX | $59,000 | 4.6 | 2.9 |
18 | Raleigh, NC | $58,550 | 5.1 | 3.3 |
19 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $58,020 | 6.5 | 3.4 |
20 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $57,060 | 5.2 | 2.9 |
21 | Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $56,610 | 4 | 3.5 |
22 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $56,570 | 4.4 | 3.6 |
23 | Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | $55,970 | 4.6 | 3.9 |
24 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,050 | 5.4 | 3.9 |
25 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $54,790 | 5.2 | 2.3 |
26 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $54,370 | 4.8 | 2.7 |
27 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $53,980 | 7.9 | 3.9 |
28 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $53,730 | 5.9 | 2.7 |
29 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $53,270 | 5.1 | 2.6 |
30 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $52,310 | 4 | 3.2 |
31 | Provo-Orem, UT | $52,100 | 4.4 | 1.9 |
32 | Bloomington, IN | $52,000 | 4.1 | 2.9 |
33 | Jacksonville, FL | $51,910 | 4.8 | 2.5 |
34 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $51,850 | 6.5 | 3.1 |
35 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $51,740 | 4.6 | 3.5 |
36 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | $51,590 | 4.6 | 2.0 |
37 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,240 | 5.1 | 3.5 |
38 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $50,770 | 4.9 | 2.8 |
39 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $50,770 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
40 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $57,270 | 5.7 | 3.7 |
Related: How to Get a Job Before You Move
Best cities for job seekers ranked by unemployment rate
This table shows all the best cities for jobs ranked in order by unemployment rate:
Rank | MSAs | Unemployment rate % | Job growth % | Average annual salary |
1 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1.7 | 4.2 | $63,990 |
2 | Provo-Orem, UT | 1.9 | 4.4 | $52,100 |
3 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 2.0 | 4.6 | $51,590 |
4 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2.2 | 5.1 | $99,430 |
5 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 2.3 | 5.2 | $54,790 |
6 | Jacksonville, FL | 2.5 | 4.8 | $51,910 |
7 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 2.6 | 5.1 | $53,270 |
8 | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 2.6 | 4.6 | $86,590 |
9 | Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN | 2.7 | 5.9 | $53,730 |
10 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 2.7 | 4.8 | $54,370 |
11 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 2.8 | 4.9 | $50,770 |
12 | Austin-Round Rock, TX | 2.8 | 4.7 | $60,260 |
13 | Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 2.8 | 4.2 | $76,850 |
14 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 2.8 | 4.1 | $62,020 |
15 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2.9 | 5.4 | $59,100 |
16 | Portland-South Portland, ME | 2.9 | 5.2 | $57,060 |
17 | Midland, TX | 2.9 | 4.6 | $59,000 |
18 | Bloomington, IN | 2.9 | 4.1 | $52,000 |
19 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 3.1 | 6.5 | $51,850 |
20 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 3.2 | 4 | $52,310 |
21 | Raleigh, NC | 3.3 | 5.1 | $58,550 |
22 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 3.3 | 4.8 | $50,770 |
23 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3.3 | 4.5 | $76,170 |
24 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 3.3 | 4.3 | $61,550 |
25 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 3.4 | 6.5 | $58,020 |
26 | Anchorage, AK | 3.4 | 4.6 | $63,710 |
27 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 3.4 | 4.3 | $61,860 |
28 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.5 | 5.1 | $51,240 |
29 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 3.5 | 4.6 | $51,740 |
30 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 3.5 | 4.1 | $66,750 |
31 | Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 3.5 | 4 | $56,610 |
32 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 3.6 | 4.4 | $56,570 |
33 | Corvallis, OR | 3.6 | 4.3 | $62,910 |
34 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3.7 | 5.7 | $57,270 |
35 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3.7 | 5.4 | $64,330 |
36 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 3.7 | 4.3 | $74,150 |
37 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 3.9 | 7.9 | $53,980 |
38 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 3.9 | 5.4 | $55,050 |
39 | Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 3.9 | 4.6 | $55,970 |
40 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4.0 | 4.5 | $65,930 |
Related: Top 100 Remote Work Companies to Watch in 2022
Methodology
In order to determine the best cities for job seekers, Indeed compared three key factors: job growth rate, average annual salary and unemployment rate. Each metropolitan statistical area listed has a job growth rate of at least 4%, an average annual salary of $50,000 or higher and an unemployment rate of 4% or lower. An MSA consists of one or more counties that contain a city of 50,000 or more inhabitants.
Job growth rate of 4% or higher: Having a high job growth rate reflects the increased chances of finding a job in a particular area. Overall, the U.S. is expected to have a 0.5% growth rate annually between 2021 and 2031, according to the BLS, so ideally, a city would have that amount of growth or higher.
Average annual salary of $50,000 and up: The average annual salary of a city reflects high-paying jobs in the area. According to the BLS, the average mean wage of all employees in the U.S. was $58,260 per year in May 2021.
Unemployment rate of 4% or lower: A low unemployment rate usually reflects an increase in hiring and efficiency in economic operation capabilities. Ideally, a city would have a lower unemployment rate than the national average, which was 3.7% in November 2022, according to the BLS.
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