If you’re chasing career growth and solid income potential, you might want to look beyond the usual big-city hotspots. Mid-sized metro areas like Nashville and Omaha are making waves for job opportunities and rising wages.
A new report from HR technology company Checkr ranks the 100 largest U.S. cities by employment opportunities and earning potential, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
To determine a city’s employment opportunity score, Checkr considered factors like unemployment rates, labor force growth, and the share of open jobs. For earning potential, they looked at real per capita income, 10-year income growth, and the percentage of households making over $200,000.
According to Sam Radbil, a research and content strategist at Checkr, mid-sized cities are the real standouts in this study, bucking the trend of big-city dominance.
“The geography of opportunity is shifting,” Radbil explains. “A strong salary in a city like Madison, Des Moines, or Raleigh can stretch much further than in a major metro — even if the paycheck is a bit smaller.”
The Top 10 U.S. Cities for Jobs and Earning Potential
1. Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is part of North Carolina’s famed Research Triangle, anchored by NC State, Duke, and UNC-Chapel Hill. This tech and science hub fuels strong job growth in health care, education, and research.
2. Nashville, TN
Beyond its country music roots, Nashville is booming in health care, education, and logistics. Job growth has been “huge,” putting it in the same conversation as Austin.
3. Austin, TX
The influx of tech companies makes Austin a high-paying job market, but rising living costs can quickly chip away at those salaries.
4. Salt Lake City, UT
Once a hidden gem, Salt Lake City is now a growing hub for tech and finance, attracting both jobs and new residents.
5. Portland, ME
This small but mighty city is attracting remote workers with its affordability and low housing costs, all while offering a high quality of life.
6. Denver, CO
Denver’s job market and wages continue to climb. While housing costs are rising, it’s still not “terribly expensive” compared to coastal cities.
7. Omaha, NE
Omaha is welcoming new businesses and jobs, boosting wages while maintaining a very affordable cost of living.
8. Charlotte, NC
With a labor force that’s grown over 10% in five years, Charlotte thrives as a financial hub with strong employment opportunities.
9. Charleston, SC
Charleston’s economy is diversifying, with growth in finance, tech, and health care, and more residents are joining the $200,000+ income bracket.
10. Indianapolis, IN
Indy may fly under the radar, but it offers stable employment, solid wages, and an affordable Midwest lifestyle — a combination that appeals to both workers and businesses.