The top 10 U.S. cities for job opportunities and earning potential are now being dominated by mid-sized metropolitan areas, according to a new report from Checkr. Despite New York City and Los Angeles not making the list, cities like Nashville, Omaha, and Raleigh offer robust job markets and promising income growth.
Checkr’s analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau, and Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked 100 U.S. cities based on employment opportunity and earning potential. Mid-sized cities were found to be “the big winners” in terms of job opportunities and wages, challenging traditional notions that only large cities offer these benefits.
Cities like Raleigh, Nashville, and Omaha scored high due to their strong health-care, education, and tech sectors, as well as their relatively low cost of living compared to larger cities. For example, the Research Triangle in North Carolina’s Raleigh area offers numerous job opportunities in health care and education, while Nashville is thriving with growth in its logistics, healthcare, and education sectors.
In contrast, cities like Denver and Austin offer high-paying jobs but struggle with rising housing costs, making it difficult for residents to afford a quality of life. Salt Lake City and Portland, Maine, have also gained popularity as hubs for tech and finance, respectively, while offering relatively affordable living costs.
These mid-sized cities are now becoming attractive alternatives to traditional job markets in larger cities, making them worth considering for those seeking better employment opportunities and higher earning potential.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html