Thinking about switching jobs this year? Nearly 1 in 4 Americans said their top 2020 career resolution was to look for a new job, according to a survey by workflow automation system Zapier. Clearly, plenty of other people are thinking about making a change.
Before you start searching, though, consider what you want in a new job. Is it higher pay, a better workplace environment, advancement opportunities, or work-life balance? The best jobs typically have all of those attributes. They also tend to be in fields or industries that are growing — which means there are more openings for these jobs. For job seekers, that’s a win-win.
The key, then, is figuring out where those opportunities are available. After all, to land your dream job, you may have to move. The job you want might not be available in the city where you currently live, and even if it is, you might find that you could get paid much more for doing the same thing elsewhere.
To help you with your job search, GOBankingRates identified the best — and worst — cities to score your dream job. First, GOBankingRates looked at U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best jobs in 2020, which includes careers that pay well, offer room for advancement, and provide a good work-life balance. GOBankingRates then used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine which metropolitan statistical areas offer the highest and lowest wages for 50 of those jobs.
For metro areas that encompass more than one city (e.g., San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California), only the first city (San Jose) was used. The study is ordered according to U.S. News & World Report’s ranking. If you’re looking to make more money in 2020, these are the best places to score your dream job.
Software Developer
- Best city to score this job: San Jose, California
- Average annual wage: $144,210
- Worst city to score this job: Lafayette, Louisiana
- Average annual wage: $55,810
Dentist
- Best city to score this job: Eugene, Oregon
- Average annual wage: $207,800
- Worst city to score this job: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Average annual wage: $70,960
Physician Assistant
- Best city to score this job: Danbury, Connecticut
- Average annual wage: $146,000
- Worst city to score this job: Muncie, Indiana
- Average annual wage: $61,230
Orthodontist
- Best city to score this job: Boston
- Average annual wage: $277,770
- Worst city to score this job: Milwaukee
- Average annual wage: $140,350
Nurse Practitioner
- Best city to score this job: New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Average annual wage: $156,980
- Worst city to score this job: Auburn, Alabama
- Average annual wage: $75,620
Statistician
- Best city to score this job: Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Average annual wage: $142,520
- Worst city to score this job: College Station, Texas
- Average annual wage: $50,510
Speech-Language Pathologist
- Best city to score this job: Napa, California
- Average annual wage: $106,620
- Worst city to score this job: Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Average annual wage: $51,300
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Best city to score this job: Washington
- Average annual wage: $283,480
- Worst city to score this job: Oklahoma City
- Average annual wage: $222,140
Veterinarian
- Best city to score this job: Lubbock, Texas
- Average annual wage: $228,450
- Worst city to score this job: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Average annual wage: $59,800
- Best city to score this job: Vallejo, California
- Average annual wage: $157,240
- Worst city to score this job: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
- Average annual wage: $71,890
Information Technology Manager
- Best city to score this job: San Jose, California
- Average annual wage: $205,650
- Worst city to score this job: Morristown, Tennessee
- Average annual wage: $83,060
Registered Nurse
- Best city to score this job: Salinas, California
- Average annual wage: $131,710
- Worst city to score this job: Sebring, Florida
- Average annual wage: $49,100
Mathematician
- Best city to score this job: Washington
- Average annual wage: $138,900
- Worst city to score this job: San Francisco
- Average annual wage: $87,150
Physical Therapist
- Best city to score this job: Ames, Iowa
- Average annual wage: $118,870
- Worst city to score this job: Burlington, North Carolina
- Average annual wage: $68,120
Optometrist
- Best city to score this job: Hartford, Connecticut
- Average annual wage: $203,390
- Worst city to score this job: Tampa, Florida
- Average annual wage: $78,350
Anesthesiologist
- Best city to score this job: Elkhart, Indiana
- Average annual wage: $289,910
- Worst city to score this job: Barnstable Town, Massachusetts
- Average annual wage: $93,080
Surgeon
- Best city to score this job: Greenville, North Carolina
- Average annual wage: $289,460
- Worst city to score this job: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Average annual wage: $86,870
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
- Best city to score this job: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Average annual wage: $288,240
- Worst city to score this job: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Average annual wage: $109,640
Operations Research Analyst
- Best city to score this job: Boulder, Colorado
- Average annual wage: $116,690
- Worst city to score this job: Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Average annual wage: $48,140
Nurse Anesthetist
- Best city to score this job: Akron, Ohio
- Average annual wage: $285,460
- Worst city to score this job: North Port, Florida
- Average annual wage: $71,460
Pediatrician
- Best city to score this job: Montgomery, Alabama
- Average annual wage: $285,070
- Worst city to score this job: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Average annual wage: $63,680
Web Developer
- Best city to score this job: San Francisco
- Average annual wage: $106,940
- Worst city to score this job: Evansville, Indiana
- Average annual wage: $40,140
Dental Hygienist
- Best city to score this job: Fairbanks, Alaska
- Average annual wage: $113,190
- Worst city to score this job: Daphne, Alabama
- Average annual wage: $41,700
Genetic Counselor
- Best city to score this job: San Francisco
- Average annual wage: $102,780
- Worst city to score this job: Baltimore
- Average annual wage: $64,610
- Best city to score this job: Morristown, Tennessee
- Average annual wage: $80,460
- Worst city to score this job: Logan, Utah
- Average annual wage: $33,650
Financial Manager
- Best city to score this job: New York
- Average annual wage: $208,670
- Worst city to score this job: Hinesville, Georgia
- Average annual wage: $65,700
Occupational Therapist
- Best city to score this job: Las Vegas
- Average annual wage: $108,190
- Worst city to score this job: Joplin, Missouri
- Average annual wage: $46,310
Database Administrator
- Best city to score this job: Dover, New Hampshire
- Average annual wage: $113,220
- Worst city to score this job: Billings, Montana
- Average annual wage: $51,990
Financial Advisor
- Best city to score this job: Gainesville, Georgia
- Average annual wage: $215,840
- Worst city to score this job: Florence, South Carolina
- Average annual wage: $49,350
Mechanical Engineer
- Best city to score this job: Anchorage, Alaska
- Average annual wage: $147,570
- Worst city to score this job: Farmington, New Mexico
- Average annual wage: $56,760
Civil Engineer
- Best city to score this job: Anchorage, Alaska
- Average annual wage: $132,680
- Worst city to score this job: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
- Average annual wage: $58,740
Psychiatrist
- Best city to score this job: Seattle
- Average annual wage: $285,030
- Worst city to score this job: Bellingham, Washington
- Average annual wage: $71,450
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
- Best city to score this job: St. George, Utah
- Average annual wage: $75,000
- Worst city to score this job: Terre Haute, Indiana
- Average annual wage: $26,450
School Psychologist
- Best city to score this job: Vallejo, California
- Average annual wage: $119,110
- Worst city to score this job: Columbus, Indiana
- Average annual wage: $43,200
Home Health Aide
- Best city to score this job: Santa Rosa, California
- Average annual wage: $51,680
- Worst city to score this job: Abilene, Texas
- Average annual wage: $18,530
Information Security Analyst
- Best city to score this job: New York
- Average annual wage: $128,420
- Worst city to score this job: Lafayette, Louisiana
- Average annual wage: $54,570
Respiratory Therapist
- Best city to score this job: Salinas, California
- Average annual wage: $97,130
- Worst city to score this job: Decatur, Alabama
- Average annual wage: $44,500
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Best city to score this job: Salinas, California
- Average annual wage: $114,250
- Worst city to score this job: Burlington, North Carolina
- Average annual wage: $44,270
Accountant
- Best city to score this job: New York
- Average annual wage: $99,900
- Worst city to score this job: Carbondale, Illinois
- Average annual wage: $53,680
Market Research Analyst
- Best city to score this job: San Jose, California
- Average annual wage: $97,240
- Worst city to score this job: Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Average annual wage: $33,320
Marketing Manager
- Best city to score this job: San Jose, California
- Average annual wage: $197,130
- Worst city to score this job: Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Average annual wage: $70,320
- Best city to score this job: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Average annual wage: $256,950
- Worst city to score this job: Los Angeles
- Average annual wage: $78,040
Environmental Engineer
- Best city to score this job: Anchorage, Alaska
- Average annual wage: $138,810
- Worst city to score this job: Wheeling, West Virginia
- Average annual wage: $28,080
Social and Community Service Manager
- Best city to score this job: Greeley, Colorado
- Average annual wage: $99,800
- Worst city to score this job: Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Average annual wage: $41,010
Lawyer
- Best city to score this job: San Jose, California
- Average annual wage: $207,950
- Worst city to score this job: Hickory, North Carolina
- Average annual wage: $63,360
Marriage and Family Therapist
- Best city to score this job: Provo, Utah
- Average annual wage: $95,670
- Worst city to score this job: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Average annual wage: $31,330
Medical Assistant
- Best city to score this job: Vallejo, California
- Average annual wage: $46,170
- Worst city to score this job: Laredo, Texas
- Average annual wage: $23,260
Computer Systems Analyst
- Best city to score this job: San Jose, California
- Average annual wage: $120,390
- Worst city to score this job: Decatur, Illinois
- Average annual wage: $54,500
Actuary
- Best city to score this job: Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Average annual wage: $151,300
- Worst city to score this job: Akron, Ohio
- Average annual wage: $70,310
Medical Records Technician
- Best city to score this job: Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Average annual wage: $62,520
- Worst city to score this job: Wichita Falls, Texas
- Average annual wage: $29,800
Methodology: To find the best and worst cities to score your dream job, GOBankingRates looked at U.S. News & World Report’s “100 Best Jobs” 2020 report and selected 50 jobs from the list. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2018 occupational employment statistics were used to find each occupation’s highest and lowest average annual wage by metropolitan statistical area. The MSA that provided the highest average annual wage for each job was designated as the best city to score that job. The MSA that provided the lowest average annual wage for each job was designated as the worst city to score that job. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Jan. 17, 2020, and is subject to change.
Researcher’s note: In cases where multiple cities were represented within one MSA (e.g., San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California), GOBankingRates listed only the first city (San Jose) for clarity and reader experience.