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January 07, 2015 at 06:45 AM
If you’ve been looking for a job for a while, you know it can be a challenge to find the right position. While 2015 seems like a good time to be on the hunt, where you live can affect how difficult it will be to find that next job.
WalletHub analyzed 150 of the most populated cities using 16 key metrics such as employment growth, lowest median starting salary, the highest unemployment rate for high school and college graduates, and the lowest median annual income.
The study, released this week, identified the top cities for jobseekers as well as the cities where job hunting will be more of a challenge.
Of course, location isn’t the only factor at play here. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says several professions and industries have strong projected growth rates for this year and beyond.
“For specific occupations, dental hygienists, home health aides, marketing research analysts, medical secretaries, personal care aides and physical therapists all have a projected growth rate of 30% or greater,” explains David M. Tirpak, assistant director, career and employment counseling for Howard Community College. “With regard to career industries, cybersecurity, engineering, higher education, computing, health and technology careers all have excellent occupational forecasts.”
Out of work? Here are the cities where finding a new position will take some work and perseverance.
141. Newark, New Jersey
Newark has one of the highest unemployment rates for high school graduates, and the lowest median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living). It ranks 149th for housing affordability behind Honolulu, Hawaii (150).
142. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
The city ranks 145th in terms of the job market, but is ranked slightly higher at 123 for its socioeconomic environment.
143. Tucson, Arizona
While Tucson ranks 143rd for finding a job, three other cities in Arizona: Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale, ranked in the top 10 places to find one.
144. Modesto, California
The city is the first of four California cities to make the top 10 worst cities for finding a job.
145. Fresno, California
The city ranks 144th when it comes to the lowest monthly median starting salary.
