Where you start your career may determine how successful you will be earning a living from it, according to WalletHub.
The personal finance website has ranked the best cities in which to start a career, considering factors such as affordability, job availability and quality of life.
Overall, new graduates face a bright employment future, WalletHub said; the unemployment rate was only 3.8% as of March, and employers reportedly plan to hire 17% more graduates from the class of 2019 than they did one year ago.
WalletHub compared the relative market strength and overall livability of 182 U.S. cities, using 29 metrics ranging from availability of entry-level jobs to monthly average starting salary to workforce diversity.
Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for job market entrants. The resulting weighted average was used to rank each of the cities.
Here, in ascending order, are WalletHub’s top 10 best cities to start a career.
10. Denver
Thanks to Denver’s geographical location, it's a regional hub for government and corporate offices, offering opportunities for newly minted college graduates. The city ranks 15th in professional opportunities and 19th in quality of life. Overall Score: 61.70.
9. Boston (tied)
Boston’s many colleges and universities make it an international center of higher education in law, medicine, engineering and business. The city ranked first in percentage of population aged 25 to 34, sixth in professional opportunities, but 45th in quality of life, but the city has one of the highest costs of living in the United States. Overall Score: 61.83.
9. Raleigh, N.C. (tied)
North Carolina’s state capitol is home to the Research Triangle Park, which has created tens of thousands of jobs in science and technology since it was established in 1959. Raleigh ranks 19th in professional opportunities and ninth in quality of life. Overall Score: 61.83.
7. Seattle
Seattle is home to tech giants Microsoft and Amazon and is a commercial, aircraft and shipbuilding center. Many aspiring musicians started their careers in Seattle, the birthplace of grunge. Seattle ranks fifth with the highest population aged 25 to 34 and 11th in both professional opportunities and quality of life. Overall Score: 62.91.
6. Minneapolis
Minneapolis is home to six Fortune 500 companies. Its central location between Seattle and Chicago makes the city and surrounding region a primary business center. Minneapolis ranks 14th in professional opportunities and fourth in quality of life. Overall Score: 63.53.
5. Austin, Texas
Since the 1990s, Austin has emerged as a leader in business and technology. It is also a center for government and education, with a thriving music scene. Austin ranks fifth with the highest average starting salary, seventh in professional opportunities and fifth in quality of life. Overall Score: 64.77.
4. Orlando, Fla.
Known as Hollywood East, Orlando is home to numerous theme parks, movie and music studios, sports teams, and shopping malls. It is also one of the nation’s busiest cities for conferences and conventions. Orlando ranks third in professional opportunities and eighth in quality of life. Overall Score: 67.19.
3. Atlanta
Since hosting the Summer Olympics in 1996, Atlanta has undergone continued gentrification and revitalization of its residential neighborhoods. The city has a diverse economy, with dominant sectors in aerospace, transportation, medical services and information technology. Atlanta ranks second in professional opportunities and 12th in quality of life. Overall Score: 67.20.
2. Pittsburgh
Google, Apple, Facebook and 1,600 other technology firms have locations in Pittsburgh. The city is also a center for federal agencies, 68 colleges and universities, eight Fortune 500 companies and six of the top 300 U.S. law firms. Pittsburgh ranks fourth in professional opportunities and sixth in quality of life. Overall Score: 67.49.
1. Salt Lake City
Historically known as “The Crossroads of the West” for its railroads, Salt Lake City has a service-oriented economy that includes tourism, conventions and major suburban call centers. Salt Lake City ties for first place with the most entry-level jobs per 100,000 working age population and ranks first for professional opportunities and second for quality of life. Overall Score: 70.03.
The full report can be viewed here.
