When you’ve worked hard to grow professionally and become one of the best in your field, you’ll find options open up for you. As a highly competitive engineering or technical candidate, you’ll typically be able to work in the city of your choice.


But even if you’re new to a field and ready to propel your career forward, our technical recruiters work with engineering professionals daily to help launch their careers near or far. 


Every year WalletHub studies and ranks the best and worst cities in the country to work in, and we organize those results into this accessible guide. 


So, if you’re thinking of making a move that launches your career to the next level, this may be your year. Find a better job with One Tech. Give us a call to make your big move today! 

Key Location Indicators to Consider

Engineering recruiters consider a wide range of indicators when considering what makes a city more livable for job seekers. Job opportunities include factors such as the overall number of job openings per population while accounting for the unemployment rate. 


Annual job growth rate per working-age population is also considered. Additionally, job opportunities can include monthly average starting salary and benefits, overall job security, risk of automation, and number of engaged workers. Factors like disability friendliness and number of workers living in poverty are also considered. 


But job outlook isn’t the only factor to consider when making a move. Experts also weigh socioeconomic indicators, including income averages adjusted for cost of living, workday length, commute time, transit costs, and transit accessibility. Other factors include housing affordability, family-friendliness, recreation, and safety. 


According to recruiting experts, these are a few of the best cities to work in based on average starting salary, employment growth, job opportunities, and other key indicators:

Most Job Opportunities

  • Columbia, SC

  • Charleston, WV

  • St. Louis, MO

  • Orlando, FL

  • Birmingham, AL

Highest Employment Growth

  • Scottsdale, AZ

  • Aurora, IL

  • Tempe, AZ

  • San Antonio, TX

  • Hialeah, FL

Best Cities to Find a Job & Enjoy It All

As stated, not every place that has job opportunities or high employment growth is going to be the right fit for you when other factors are in the mix. 


For a clearer picture of a few locations that hit the mark on both job growth and quality of living, here’s what we found.

Scottsdale, AZ


With the nation’s highest job growth at 12%, Scottsdale is the best city to find a job and work in. It is growing in nearly all sectors and is also ranked first in internship positions, making it an ideal location for seasoned professionals and people just starting their careers. 


Additionally, Scottsdale maintains a high quality of living, with the fifth-highest median annual income in the nation. With an emphasis on recreation, families, and well-being, this city fosters a good quality of life in many regards. 

Tampa, FL


Tampa makes the list as the second-best city for jobs due to the quality of the companies located there. Most companies are rated highly on career recruiting sites, and they have a lot of full-time openings. 


Plus, Tampa is known for job security with one of the highest ranks in the country, so once you find a job, you’ll be able to keep it. 

Salt Lake City, UT


Salt Lake City makes the list as the third-best city for jobs due to its low unemployment rate at just 3% and because it ranks first in net employment outlook. This means more employers anticipate adding jobs quarterly, and fewer are looking to downsize. 


Salt Lake City has also put a ban on employers asking job seekers for their previous salaries. The intent is to create fairer wages for everyone and to eliminate the pay gap women and people of color often experience, and so far, it’s working. 

Make Your Move With Technical Recruiting Services

Are you ready to make a change? Talk to our technical recruiters to discuss placement opportunities and get the best possible deal to kick-start your career change. 


With nationwide placement and a competitive benefits package, this is the career move you’ve been waiting for. To make the change now, call and speak with our engineering and technical recruiters at 952.884.9199, or contact us to discuss the cities you want to live in.