Best Places To Find A Job

Congratulations, Plano – You’ve Made The Top Ten!

Finding a job can be difficult. Especially, in a big city like DFW area. It’s not easy to set yourself in the spotlight among many applicants. But, knowing the best places to look just got easier. WalletHub asked the experts and did some calculating to compile a list of best cities to job hunt to make your options a little clearer.

Best Places to Find a Job

Overall Rank

(1 = Best)

City

Total Score

‘Job Market’ Rank

‘Socio-economics’ Rank

1

Scottsdale, AZ

66.58

2

6

2

Columbia, MD

65.78

4

5

3

Orlando, FL

64.76

1

48

4

San Francisco, CA

64.67

3

25

5

Colorado Springs, CO

62.85

6

42

6

Portland, ME

62.81

8

36

7

Plano, TX

62.62

5

55

8

Washington, DC

61.79

11

32

9

Boston, MA

61.70

7

73

10

Chandler, AZ

61.65

14

11

11

South Burlington, VT

61.45

15

10

12

Minneapolis, MN

60.98

20

3

13

Denver, CO

60.63

13

40

14

Tempe, AZ

60.41

19

9

15

Pittsburgh, PA

59.84

34

2

16

Austin, TX

59.73

17

27

17

Madison, WI

59.44

41

4

18

Atlanta, GA

59.40

16

49

19

Portland, OR

59.23

24

24

20

Overland Park, KS

58.94

31

17

21

Irving, TX

58.84

9

128

22

Seattle, WA

58.80

36

16

23

Nashua, NH

58.49

39

18

24

Fremont, CA

58.28

27

47

25

St. Paul, MN

58.26

43

19

26

Dallas, TX

58.23

12

117

27

Charleston, SC

58.23

33

26

28

San Diego, CA

58.00

37

28

29

Virginia Beach, VA

57.96

32

37

30

Boise, ID

57.95

52

7

31

Miami, FL

57.90

10

164

32

San Jose, CA

57.83

28

59

33

Salt Lake City, UT

57.78

38

35

34

Irvine, CA

57.71

44

23

35

Manchester, NH

57.59

30

52

36

Grand Prairie, TX

57.51

29

75

37

Tampa, FL

57.22

49

30

38

Burlington, VT

57.04

75

1

39

Gilbert, AZ

56.84

35

67

40

Pearl City, HI

56.80

23

87

41

Peoria, AZ

56.67

40

68

42

Jacksonville, FL

56.62

21

109

43

Fort Lauderdale, FL

56.41

18

135

44

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

56.37

57

20

45

Amarillo, TX

55.64

45

82

46

Garland, TX

55.61

26

133

47

Warwick, RI

55.58

65

31

48

Aurora, CO

55.48

22

148

49

Fargo, ND

55.46

80

13

50

Omaha, NE

55.44

79

14

51

Lincoln, NE

55.36

87

12

52

Grand Rapids, MI

55.35

62

43

53

Phoenix, AZ

55.25

54

66

54

Cedar Rapids, IA

55.16

90

8

55

Salem, OR

55.09

55

64

56

Sacramento, CA

55.08

56

60

57

Arlington, TX

55.05

25

153

58

Fort Worth, TX

55.01

42

114

59

Vancouver, WA

54.98

48

104

60

Des Moines, IA

54.64

70

53

61

Nashville, TN

54.54

50

105

62

Honolulu, HI

54.54

78

37

63

Raleigh, NC

54.49

68

57

64

Reno, NV

54.48

67

58

65

Mesa, AZ

54.36

58

77

66

St. Petersburg, FL

54.33

61

72

67

Chesapeake, VA

54.29

60

74

68

Glendale, AZ

54.26

47

126

69

Cincinnati, OH

53.94

81

50

70

Richmond, VA

53.67

66

101

71

Huntington Beach, CA

53.63

89

44

72

Chattanooga, TN

53.56

46

160

73

Columbus, OH

53.53

97

33

74

Tacoma, WA

53.51

69

90

75

Tallahassee, FL

53.48

76

70

76

West Valley City, UT

53.38

98

29

77

Bismarck, ND

53.30

107

15

78

Huntsville, AL

53.17

64

102

79

Pembroke Pines, FL

52.97

72

103

80

Little Rock, AR

52.86

51

154

81

Los Angeles, CA

52.83

73

93

82

Houston, TX

52.78

59

127

83

Newport News, VA

52.44

63

143

84

Sioux Falls, SD

52.43

119

22

85

New York, NY

52.40

85

86

86

San Antonio, TX

52.30

86

88

87

Santa Rosa, CA

52.23

74

113

88

Dover, DE

52.08

82

98

89

Baltimore, MD

51.70

53

173

90

Lexington-Fayette, KY

51.65

104

62

91

Lewiston, ME

51.60

95

91

92

Lubbock, TX

51.58

71

140

93

Durham, NC

51.56

83

116

94

Billings, MT

51.51

116

54

95

Columbia, SC

51.48

93

106

96

Rapid City, SD

51.36

123

41

97

Milwaukee, WI

51.35

94

108

98

Ontario, CA

51.23

88

124

99

Spokane, WA

51.14

102

85

100

Port St. Lucie, FL

51.08

92

118

101

Oceanside, CA

51.05

84

145

102

Charlotte, NC

50.87

101

94

103

Garden Grove, CA

50.70

128

34

104

Cheyenne, WY

50.70

127

45

105

Tucson, AZ

50.66

115

78

106

St. Louis, MO

50.66

100

112

107

Oakland, CA

50.61

77

158

108

Providence, RI

50.60

108

83

109

Fontana, CA

50.49

124

69

110

Glendale, CA

50.33

110

89

111

Worcester, MA

50.16

110

95

112

Knoxville, TN

49.87

120

99

113

Birmingham, AL

49.73

91

171

114

Las Vegas, NV

49.60

137

39

115

Norfolk, VA

49.54

96

162

116

Riverside, CA

49.53

106

119

117

Tulsa, OK

49.43

103

141

118

Long Beach, CA

49.39

105

125

119

Wilmington, DE

49.36

122

107

120

Indianapolis, IN

49.23

99

165

121

Kansas City, MO

49.22

121

110

122

Anaheim, CA

49.17

113

130

123

Chula Vista, CA

49.15

112

132

124

Baton Rouge, LA

49.10

114

139

125

Santa Ana, CA

49.02

118

123

126

Casper, WY

49.01

153

21

127

Nampa, ID

48.94

117

144

128

Juneau, AK

48.71

144

61

129

Louisville, KY

48.64

134

84

130

Santa Clarita, CA

48.55

136

79

131

Corpus Christi, TX

48.53

109

147

132

Chicago, IL

48.44

149

56

133

El Paso, TX

48.23

132

97

134

Oklahoma City, OK

48.21

139

81

135

Jersey City, NJ

47.82

157

46

136

Aurora, IL

47.56

154

65

137

Missoula, MT

47.51

159

51

138

Charleston, WV

47.22

133

138

139

Fort Smith, AR

47.06

126

167

140

Albuquerque, NM

47.06

143

111

141

Henderson, NV

47.05

158

63

142

Greensboro, NC

46.94

140

121

143

Akron, OH

46.88

142

122

144

Fort Wayne, IN

46.76

135

142

145

Cape Coral, FL

46.74

152

92

146

Rochester, NY

46.61

156

80

147

Wichita, KS

46.34

131

166

148

Montgomery, AL

46.30

130

168

149

Yonkers, NY

46.20

162

71

150

Moreno Valley, CA

45.94

141

157

151

Springfield, MO

45.92

146

151

152

Memphis, TN

45.82

129

181

153

Laredo, TX

45.77

145

150

154

Philadelphia, PA

45.74

151

134

155

Buffalo, NY

45.62

163

76

156

Columbus, GA

45.50

148

155

157

Modesto, CA

45.45

155

131

158

Mobile, AL

45.38

138

172

159

Hialeah, FL

45.07

125

182

160

Augusta, GA

44.61

150

178

161

Jackson, MS

44.54

147

177

162

Huntington, WV

43.90

165

136

163

Bridgeport, CT

43.68

164

149

164

San Bernardino, CA

43.64

160

163

165

New Haven, CT

43.50

174

96

166

Anchorage, AK

43.32

169

129

167

Oxnard, CA

43.23

172

115

168

Bakersfield, CA

42.88

175

120

169

Winston-Salem, NC

42.62

167

169

170

Cleveland, OH

42.45

168

161

171

New Orleans, LA

42.42

173

146

172

Gulfport, MS

42.32

166

175

173

Detroit, MI

42.19

161

180

174

North Las Vegas, NV

41.77

178

137

175

Fresno, CA

41.76

176

159

176

Stockton, CA

41.30

170

176

177

Brownsville, TX

41.25

177

156

178

Shreveport, LA

40.64

171

179

179

Toledo, OH

40.56

179

170

180

Newark, NJ

39.01

180

152

181

Las Cruces, NM

38.88

182

100

182

Fayetteville, NC

36.91

181

174

Most Difficult to Find…Easiest to Find a Job…MixedWest Valley City, UTScottsdale, AZSan Francisco, CAPlano, TXChandler, AZDenver, COAustin, TXPortland, ORSeattle, WASt. Paul, MNSan Diego, CAMiami, FLIrvine, CATampa, FLFort Lauderdale, FLGarland, TXFargo, NDGrand Rapids, MISalem, ORFort Worth, TXNashville, TNReno, NVChesapeake, VARichmond, VAColumbus, OHPembroke Pines, FLHouston, TXNew York, NYBillings, MTMilwaukee, WIPort St. Lucie, FLGarden Grove, CASt. Louis, MOFontana, CAKnoxville, TNNorfolk, VALong Beach, CAKansas City, MOBaton Rouge, LANampa, IDSanta Clarita, CAEl Paso, TXAurora, ILFort Smith, ARGreensboro, NCCape Coral, FLMontgomery, ALSpringfield, MOPhiladelphia, PAModesto, CAAugusta, GABridgeport, CTAnchorage, AKWinston-Salem, NCGulfport, MSFresno, CAShreveport, LALas Cruces, NM0501001502…0150300450600Best & Worst Cities for Jobs RankFastest Growing Cities Rank

State

Best & Worst Cities for Jobs Rank

Fastest Growing Cities Rank

Category

West Valley City, UT

76

307

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Scottsdale, AZ

1

59

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

San Francisco, CA

4

62

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Plano, TX

7

200

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Chandler, AZ

10

300

Mixed

Denver, CO

13

34

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Austin, TX

16

18

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Portland, OR

19

140

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Seattle, WA

22

25

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

St. Paul, MN

25

247

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

San Diego, CA

28

186

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Miami, FL

31

19

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Irvine, CA

34

10

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Tampa, FL

37

106

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Pearl City, HI

40

NaN

Mixed

Fort Lauderdale, FL

43

190

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Garland, TX

46

260

Mixed

Fargo, ND

49

47

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Grand Rapids, MI

52

48

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Salem, OR

55

112

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Fort Worth, TX

58

35

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Nashville, TN

61

43

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Reno, NV

64

74

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Chesapeake, VA

67

278

Mixed

Richmond, VA

70

157

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Columbus, OH

73

143

Easiest to Find a Job & Fastest Growing

Pembroke Pines, FL

79

127

Mixed

Houston, TX

82

255

Mixed

New York, NY

85

325

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Dover, DE

88

NaN

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Lewiston, ME

91

NaN

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Billings, MT

94

219

Mixed

Milwaukee, WI

97

446

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Port St. Lucie, FL

100

80

Mixed

Garden Grove, CA

103

337

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

St. Louis, MO

106

366

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Fontana, CA

109

166

Mixed

Knoxville, TN

112

389

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Norfolk, VA

115

412

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Long Beach, CA

118

284

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Kansas City, MO

121

306

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Baton Rouge, LA

124

504

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Nampa, ID

127

57

Mixed

Santa Clarita, CA

130

23

Mixed

El Paso, TX

133

399

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Aurora, IL

136

380

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Fort Smith, AR

139

459

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Greensboro, NC

142

355

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Cape Coral, FL

145

24

Mixed

Montgomery, AL

148

509

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Springfield, MO

151

359

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Philadelphia, PA

154

358

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Modesto, CA

157

111

Mixed

Augusta, GA

160

481

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Bridgeport, CT

163

449

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Anchorage, AK

166

501

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Winston-Salem, NC

169

257

Mixed

Gulfport, MS

172

441

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Fresno, CA

175

191

Mixed

Shreveport, LA

178

514

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Las Cruces, NM

181

489

Most Difficult to Find a Job & Slowest Growing

Ask the Experts

Although the employment projections for 2019 appear to be promising, the job-hunting process can still be scary, especially for those entering the workforce for the first time or facing particular obstacles. 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 2019?
  • What impact will the current administration’s policies have on job growth?
  • 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?
  • What are the most common mistakes job seekers make when seeking employment?
  • What types of programs have proven effective in helping unemployed individuals find work?
  • Should unemployed people be required to do something in order to earn their unemployment benefits? If so, what?

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 30 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 percentage of jobs at risk for automation.
  • Job Security: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
    Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in 2017 – Number of Employees in 2016) / Number of Employees in 2016.
  • 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*: Full Weight (~3.27 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.
  • 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 Job Opportunities per Total People in Labor Force: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
    Note: This metric measures the number of 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 percentage of employed residents whose incomes are below the poverty line.
  • Disability-Friendliness of Employers: Full Weight (~3.27 Points)
    Note: This metric measures the percentage 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.

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