2025's Best US Cities for Job Opportunities and Earning Potential

As the US economy navigates challenging times and the early impact of AI-driven disruption, many Americans remain focused on financial stability, career resilience, and long-term earning potential.

While inflation has cooled from its peak and job growth has remained steady in key sectors, economic anxiety lingers—especially in the face of rising living costs, student debt burdens, and shifts in how and where we work.

The realities of flexible work, automation, and evolving skill demands have prompted many individuals and families to reassess their financial goals and, in some cases, their location. For some, relocating to a city with stronger job prospects and higher wages isn’t just a smart move—it’s a necessary one to stay competitive in an unpredictable economy.

With these challenges and opportunities in mind, Checkr analyzed new data from the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to identify the cities best positioned for jobs and earning potential in 2025.

We examined seven key metrics across the 100 largest US metro areas—ranging from income growth to unemployment rate—and ranked them to help job seekers, recent graduates, and mobile professionals discover where their next opportunity may await.

To produce the final Employment & Earnings Score, Checkr placed a 50% weight on the Employment Opportunity Score and a 50% weight on the Earning Potential Score.

Now, let’s check out some of the key findings.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best and worst cities in the country for our critical factors.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from sources including the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Bureau of Economic Analysis

The 2025 job market continues to reflect a changing American economy—one shaped by remote work, rising living costs, demographic shifts, and rapid technological transformation. In this landscape, cities that offer a balance of job availability, wage growth, and economic diversity have emerged as the most promising destinations for workers seeking both stability and upward mobility.

Raleigh, NC tops this year’s list, cementing its status as a modern economic powerhouse. Thanks to a strong tech and biotech presence, proximity to top-tier universities, and consistent population growth, Raleigh offers a robust mix of high-wage opportunities and affordable living. Nashville, TN, ranked second, continues to thrive as a healthcare and entertainment capital with a strong startup ecosystem and cultural draw that appeals to young professionals.

In third place is Austin, TX, where tech expansion—despite some industry slowdowns—remains a key driver of high-paying jobs. Austin also benefits from its business-friendly environment and continued investment in innovation, making it one of the fastest-growing job markets in the country.

Salt Lake City, UT and Portland, ME round out the top five. Salt Lake City has evolved into a western tech and finance hub, while Portland stands out as a smaller metro punching above its weight with low unemployment, strong wage growth, and a rising reputation for remote worker integration.

Also in the top ten are Denver, CO, Charlotte, NC, and Charleston, SC—all of which offer expanding economies supported by growth in healthcare, logistics, renewable energy, and finance. Omaha, NE and Indianapolis, IN represent the Midwest with reliable job markets, manageable costs of living, and diversified local economies. These cities may not offer the flash of coastal hubs, but they are increasingly attractive to workers seeking value, opportunity, and a strong sense of economic resilience.

In contrast, cities at the bottom of the rankings continue to face structural economic challenges that hinder job creation and wage advancement. Bakersfield, CA and Fresno, CA, both in California’s Central Valley, struggle with high unemployment, lower educational attainment rates, and industry reliance on agriculture and energy, which can be volatile and offer limited upward mobility.

McAllen, TX and Jackson, MS rank poorly due to persistently low wages and a lack of high-growth industries, while Scranton, PA and Rochester, NY are still recovering from long-term industrial decline and population stagnation. These Rust Belt cities, while rich in history and community, face steep competition in retaining and attracting talent.

Southern metros such as Memphis, TN and Augusta, GA rank low due to limited wage growth and higher poverty rates, while Toledo, OH and Spokane, WA continue to struggle with economic diversification and affordability challenges relative to income levels.

While no city is without its challenges, the top-ranked metros offer a compelling blueprint for success in the modern job market—marked by strong economic ecosystems, livability, and future-forward industries. Conversely, cities at the bottom of the list highlight the continued need for investment in education, infrastructure, and job creation to ensure long-term prosperity and competitiveness.

This year’s rankings serve as both a guide and a reflection of where opportunity is growing, and where it’s being left behind.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from sources including the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Bureau of Economic Analysis

As the labor market evolves in response to technology, mobility, and shifting lifestyle preferences, a new group of standout cities is emerging as the best places to grow a career. These metros combine economic stability, sector diversity, and quality of life—making them top destinations for job seekers in 2025.

Leading the list is Raleigh, NC, a consistent frontrunner thanks to its booming tech and life sciences industries, bolstered by its position in the Research Triangle. With a steady influx of skilled workers from local universities and a strong entrepreneurial culture, Raleigh offers both job security and upward mobility.

Just to the west, Durham, NC is also thriving. Anchored by Duke University and a fast-growing biotech scene, Durham complements Raleigh with a more research-driven economy, giving the region a powerful one-two punch for job creation and innovation.

Further into the Southeast, Charlotte, NC continues to shine as a financial powerhouse. Home to several of the nation’s largest banking institutions, Charlotte is seeing sustained growth in fintech, healthcare, and business services, drawing in a wave of young professionals looking to grow their careers.

Nashville, TN, another Southern success story, remains one of the most dynamic job markets in the US. While long known for music and tourism, Nashville has rapidly diversified into healthcare, education, and logistics, offering an increasingly balanced and opportunity-rich economy.

Heading up the coast, Charleston, SC has transformed into a high-growth metro fueled by port expansion, aerospace manufacturing, and a thriving tech sector. Its economic rise has been accompanied by significant population growth, making it a magnet for both talent and investment.

In the Midwest, Des Moines, IA stands out as a stable, fast-growing city with strengths in finance, insurance, and data services. Its affordability, low unemployment, and expanding corporate presence make it one of the region’s most reliable places for long-term career growth.

Similarly, Omaha, NE continues to impress with its consistent job creation across healthcare, logistics, and business services. Known for its resilience and low cost of living, Omaha offers workers a dependable and livable environment with ample opportunity.

In the heart of the country, Kansas City, MO is making its mark with a revitalized downtown and expanding sectors in technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Its central location and infrastructure investment have made it a critical hub for business and talent.

Out west, Provo, UT represents one of the fastest-growing job markets in the country. Positioned in the heart of Utah’s “Silicon Slopes,” Provo is experiencing a tech-driven boom, supported by a highly educated workforce and business-friendly policies.

Finally, Portland, ME lands in the top 10 with its unique combination of healthcare expansion, remote work appeal, and strong community infrastructure.

Together, these cities illustrate a major shift in where opportunity lives in America. No longer limited to traditional coastal giants, the best job markets of 2025 span the country, offering compelling options for workers seeking both career growth and quality of life.

*Data analyzed by Checkr from sources including the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Bureau of Economic Analysis

As the cost of living continues to rise and workers increasingly seek roles that align with long-term financial goals, earning potential has become one of the most important metrics for evaluating a city’s economic appeal. In 2025, the top metros for earning potential reflect a blend of high-paying industries, strong job growth, and expanding professional sectors, offering ambitious workers a chance to accelerate both income and upward mobility.

At the top of the list is San Jose, CA, the heart of Silicon Valley, where tech remains king. Despite its high cost of living, San Jose offers unmatched average salaries across software, engineering, AI, and biotech fields—making it the nation’s leading metro for raw earning power.

Just to the north, San Francisco, CA remains a powerhouse for high-income opportunities in finance, legal services, venture capital, and technology. While affordability remains a concern, the city continues to attract top-tier talent with six-figure earning potential and a dense network of high-growth employers.

Moving south and inland, Austin, TX ranks among the top for salary growth and startup-driven innovation. A hotbed for tech, clean energy, and corporate relocations, Austin’s relatively lower tax burden and booming job market make it one of the most attractive cities for professionals seeking both earnings and opportunity.

Denver, CO and Seattle, WA follow closely behind—both offering strong wages in tech, healthcare, and engineering, along with highly educated workforces and thriving knowledge economies. These cities also benefit from being lifestyle destinations, helping to attract and retain talent despite rising housing costs.

The Southeast is represented by Nashville, TN and Raleigh, NC, two cities that have steadily climbed the ranks thanks to their fast-growing economies and increasing concentrations of high-paying jobs. Nashville’s healthcare and logistics sectors continue to expand, while Raleigh’s tech and research-driven industries help drive competitive salaries without the sticker shock of coastal metros.

On the East Coast, Bridgeport, CT quietly offers some of the highest median incomes in the country, supported by a strong professional class working in finance, law, and consulting. Proximity to New York City without the full weight of its cost makes Bridgeport a smart choice for those looking to earn big and still save.

Miami, FL, once known more for tourism than tech, has seen a remarkable transformation in recent years. An influx of remote workers, financial firms, and crypto startups has pushed up salaries and created more opportunities for high earners, especially in finance, real estate, and media.

Rounding out the list is Salt Lake City, UT, where wages are climbing quickly thanks to booming sectors in tech, healthcare, and logistics. With its growing reputation as a Western business hub and strong population growth, Salt Lake City offers a compelling mix of income potential and quality of life.

These ten cities underscore a key truth in 2025: The best places to earn a strong paycheck are no longer limited to traditional coastal centers. From Silicon Valley to the Mountain West and Southeastern innovation hubs, today’s top cities for earning potential offer diverse pathways to financial success across the country.

For more information on Check’s research or to request graphics or an interview about this study, please contact press@checkr.com.

To rank America’s best cities for employment opportunities and high earnings, Checkr analyzed seven key factors from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The factors include unemployment rate, size of the labor force, labor force growth, percentage of jobs open, percentage of households making more than $200,000, real per capita personal income, and 10-year income growth. Each factor was weighted appropriately by Checkr and scaled, resulting in the final rankings of the 100 largest cities in the country for employment opportunities and earning potential.

About the author

As Director of Communications, David tells the story of Checkr’s innovative product offerings and company achievements. David has successfully developed beloved brands through public relations at Fastly, Productboard, Ripple, and Dropbox.