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:

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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:

Best cities for job seekers ranked by unemployment rate

This table shows all the best cities for jobs ranked in order by unemployment rate:

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.