Best and worst cities for job growth in 2013

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By Jessica Bosari

As Americans emerge from the long recession, it is as if we are awakening from a long hibernation. We are hungry. There still aren’t enough jobs to go around, but 2013 promises significant growth in some areas. The number of new jobs is increasing, but the competition remains fierce, even for minimum wage jobs. Skilled and professional workers face markets that are even more competitive.

Westward Ho!!

Location is everything during the slow growth that has not spread to all areas equally. It seems that traveling west may make sense for many. Six out of seven of the top cities for new job openings are in the Western United States. Some of the fastest growing areas are in Arizona. Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa Arizona are all enjoying up to 20 percent increase in job creation and Phoenix is expected to continue job growth at a rate of 8-10 percent for the next five years.

Washington

Seattle, Washington will also have a 16 percent increase in jobs in 2012. Unfortunately, the prosperity has not spread to Spokane where growth is at a dead standstill. These kinds of mixed results are common for many states. Some cities may be among the best while nearby cities are among the worst. Growth after the recession is still sporadic and painfully slow.

Some states missed the recession

In Salt Lake City, they say, “What recession?” Utah boasts of an unemployment rate of only 5.2 percent overall. Salt Lake City is growing and offering 18 percent more jobs in 2013. North Dakota also remains unaware there is a problem. They are maintaining a very low unemployment rate of 3.2. There may not be a lot of highly specialized jobs, but everything there remains very stable. South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming and Oklahoma also have unemployment rates of around 5 percent or less. Tulsa anticipates a 16 percent increase in jobs in 2013. This is definitely a promising region.

California here we come!

California is recovering quickly, not only are available jobs up by 19 percent in San Francisco, but there are more skilled and professional positions open. The pay scale is much higher in California. Beware though, cost of living, housing costs and property tax rates are among the highest in the country as well. If you are looking at Sunny California, consider San Francisco as a top choice. The Silicon Valley is seeking techies again as well. San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara are good options for code heads, developers and the electronically inclined. Vallejo California is currently offering top pay for registered nurses, electricians and bus drivers.

Bigger and better in Texas

Business is good in Texas, with 260,800 new jobs added in 2012. The trend is expected to grow throughout 2013, with new jobs and a surge in profitable enterprises. El Paso, Austen and Round Neck, Texas are experiencing a job growth rate of around 17 percent, while San Antonio Texas will grow 16 percent more jobs this year.

Nevada still down

Unfortunately, Nevada still holds some of the worst hit areas including Paradise and Las Vegas. Nevada now has an unemployment rate of 10.2. That is the highest in the U.S.A. Things seem to be improving a bit though. A decrease in unemployment of .6 percent in December marked the first gain in many years, but it’s still no place to look for a job. There aren’t nearly enough, even for the locals.

For East coast jobs, try sunny Florida

Florida is the brightest spot on the Eastern Sea board. Cape Coral and Fort Myers report their first quarter outlook for jobs to be the best in the nation with 23 percent more jobs in the area. Lake Winter Haven’s more modest 14 percent increase is still impressive compared to the rest of the recession stricken South. Unfortunately, Jacksonville Florida, further north, is not enjoying the same success. Jacksonville scored as the fifth worst city for seeking a job. Their hiring is down by one full percent.

The South still suffering

Only Ohio and Nevada are more affected by the recession than the Southern States, but there are still a few bright spots in an otherwise dark picture. While all the Southern States are over the national average for unemployment, A few Cities like Charlotte, Gastonia and Concord, North Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, Birmingham and Hoover, Alabama and even New Orléans are expecting a job growth rate of 14 to 16 percent. These are a few bright spots in the otherwise crushing economic stagnation that is still controlling the South.

The struggling North

New York City, Long Island and Northern New Jersey project only 1 percent job growth in 2013. Wages are high, but so is the cost of living, and there are very few new jobs to be had. The market is extremely competitive in all fields. Only those with impressive resumes and incredible luck need apply.

Long recession still striking Ohio and Pennsylvania

Ohio and Pennsylvania are still going through trials. The recession certainly began in Ohio. While the rest of the country was enjoying the prosperity of the Clinton years, the people of Ohio were already suffering one of the worst jobless rates since the 1930s. After about 15 years of severe unemployment in Ohio, and some areas of Pennsylvania, recovery is slowly reaching the area.

Even now, Youngstown, Warren and Boardman are struggling along and hoping for 1 percent more jobs this year. Cincinnati, Scranton, Wilkes and Barre are hoping to grow by a modest 2 percent. Norwalk, Bridgeport and Stamford Connecticut may be the best of the lot with 3 percent more jobs. Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Dayton expect a slightly heartier 4 percent increase. This growth may offer some relief for at least some of the resident unemployed. Unemployment rates are already dropping but they still have a long way to go for a full recovery.

Northern stars

There are a few bright spots in the north though. Boston, Cambridge and Quincy Massachusetts expect 14 percent more jobs in 2013. Sheboygan, Wisconsin offers some great opportunities for insurance sales and mechanical engineers. Sioux City, Iowa is now offering top pay for physical therapists and software developers. Washington D.C. is ranking near the top for good pay.

About the author: Jessica Bosari writes about topics important to the manufacturing industry for power generators supplier, Allight.