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10 Best Cities for Job Seekers in 2008

"A recent analysis of statistics compiled by journalists and government agencies revealed ten of the most attractive cities for job seekers. For a majority of these urban areas, nurses and teachers ranked high on the list of high demand occupations, as did financial planners and bankers. Overall, the data indicated that job seekers willing to work in regions that need specialized help may have a significant advantage.

#1. Phoenix
A warm climate and an army of HVAC technicians have helped Phoenix rise to the top of numerous ""top cities"" surveys. Though retirees flock to a region known for its golf courses and spas, young families have discovered affordable housing and safe neighborhoods. Bolstered by a strong manufacturing industry and a growing aerospace industry, Phoenix offers job seekers both opportunities and amenities.

Key Statistics: Phoenix, AZ
• Cost of living: 50% less than New York City
• Population: 4,039,000
• Average annual income: $37,130

Top Job Listings in Phoenix, AZ
• Manufacturing Sales Representatives
• Elementary School Teachers
• Registered Nurses

#2. Las Vegas
""What happens in Vegas"" isn't the only thing that's staying in Vegas. The city's booming hospitality industry has spawned growth in outlying suburbs that demand quality housing, education, and health care. Simple corporate regulations make it easier to launch new businesses in Nevada, making Las Vegas an attractive hub for both entrepreneurs and tourists.

Key Statistics: Las Vegas, NV
• Cost of living: 46% less than New York City
• Population: 1,778,000
• Average annual income: $35,510

Top Job Listings in Las Vegas, NV
• Hospitality / Hotel / Restaurant
• Elementary School Teachers
• Registered Nurses

#3. Orlando
Consistently high on Forbes' list of metro areas with high job growth, Orlando has outgrown its tourist roots to become a financial powerhouse in the Southeast. Banks and real estate operations make their headquarters in this growing city. However, an abundance of colleges and universities make the region attractive to students who attend class by day and work the region's many hospitality jobs by night.

Key Statistics: Orlando, FL
• Cost of living: 47% less than New York City
• Population: 1,985,000
• Average annual income: $34,930

Top Job Listings in Orlando, FL
• Hospitality / Hotel / Restaurant
• Financial Operations
• Registered Nurses

#4. Riverside, CA
The home of the ""Dixie Cup"" has grown beyond its citrus and manufacturing roots into a bustling home of Southern California's ""creative class."" Between Los Angeles and San Diego, Riverside offers residents an alternative to suburban sprawl, making it an attractive area for families.

Key Statistics: Riverside, CA
• Cost of living: 43% less than New York City
• Population: 4,026,000
• Average annual income: $37,950

Top Job Listings in Riverside, CA
• Registered Nurses
• Elementary School Teachers
• Secondary School Teachers

#5. Austin, TX
This classic college town combines a fun and funky nightlife with a high-tech infrastructure that fuels modern business. Though Fortune 500 companies have staffed computer support centers in Austin for years, a new surge of business in the region has created opportunities for bankers, financial analysts, and computer programmers.

Key Statistics: Austin, TX
• Cost of living: 53% less than New York City
• Population: 1,514,000
• Average annual income: $39,910

Top Job Listings in Austin, TX
• Computer Support Specialists
• Financial Managers
• Sales Representatives

#6. Dallas, TX
Once a hub for cattle and oil, Dallas has grown into a world-class center of finance and technology. New urban development has attracted creative professionals and their families from all over the country. Over the past ten years, the population of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area has grown by nearly a third, helping banking and engineering businesses soar.

Key Statistics: Dallas, TX
• Cost of living: 53% less than New York City
• Population: 4,019,000
• Average annual income: $39,930

Top Job Listings in Dallas, TX
• Financial Managers
• Registered Nurses
• Engineers

#7. Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City's unique location and climate combine to produce a service economy with strong links to banking, industry, and tourism. With roots in the mining and railroad industries, Salt Lake City has evolved into a financial capital of the western United States. Its airport hub serves business leaders in the region, as well as visitors to nearby parks and ski resorts.

Key Statistics: Salt Lake City, UT
• Cost of living: 53% less than New York City
• Population: 1,068,000
• Average annual income: $37,900

Top Job Listings in Salt Lake City, UT
• Financial Managers
• Sales Representatives
• Hospitality / Hotel / Restaurant

#8. Ft. Lauderdale, FL
One of Florida's more established cities, Fort Lauderdale watched its population slowly erode until a surge of real estate investment and a high-tech boom revived the community in the 1990's. Since then, the region's highly active retirees have lent guidance and capital to numerous technology startups. As a result, job seekers in both the engineering and the health care fields often find success in South Florida.

Key Statistics: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Cost of living: 43% less than New York City
• Population: 1,788,000
• Average annual income: $38,040

Top Job Listings in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Financial Managers
• Computer Engineers
• Registered Nurses

#9. Ocala, FL
The smallest of the ten best cities for job seekers boasts an ideal location for retirees as well as for entrepreneurs. Interstate 75 allows Ocala residents easy access to Disney World, and connects the city to Atlanta, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, and Detroit. This connectivity has made Ocala a center for sales and manufacturing operations.

Key Statistics: Ocala, FL
• Cost of living: 47% less than New York City
• Population: 316,000
• Average annual income: $31,540

Top Job Listings in Ocala, FL
• Loan Officers
• Registered Nurses
• Sales Representatives

#10. Wichita, KS
Wichita's heritage as home to one of the largest Air Force bases in the country has helped create a region rich with opportunity for engineers and marketers. Large employers in the area include major aircraft manufacturers, as well as other aviation-oriented companies. Despite a focus on industrial business, Wichita maintains strong cultural attractions and educational institutions that make it a highly desirable place to raise a family.

Key Statistics: Wichita, KS
• Cost of living: 60% less than New York City
• Population: 592,000
• Average annual income: $35,760

Top Job Listings in Wichita, KS
• Sales Representatives
• Construction Engineers
• Financial Managers

These diverse and geographically varied cities offer solid economic and cultural advantages to job seekers willing to pack their bags and move where the jobs are."

Article Source: http://www.dummiesguideto.com

Kelli Smith is the editor of Edu411. Edu411 is a career education directory for finding colleges and universities, training schools, and technical institutes. For more information about careers, online and campus based career programs, please visit us at edu411.

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