Special Report

Cities Adding the Most Jobs in Every State

Thomas C. Frohlich, Steven Peters

Published: July 11, 2016 9:43 am

Last Updated: January 13, 2020 5:53 am

The improved U.S. labor market has attracted more people to the labor force — defined as those who are employed and those actively seeking work. Because jobs have been added at twice the pace that people joined the labor force, the national unemployment rate reached a near eight-year low, decreasing from 9.1% in the spring of 2011 to 5.0% as of this April.

24/7 Wall St. compared the most recent employment levels in metro areas across the United States with levels five years ago to find the city with the highest employment growth in each state. With the economic recovery, the vast majority of metro areas report at least some job growth over this time. In some cities, the number of jobs has grown dramatically. Employment levels in five metro areas grew by at least 20%, and in St. George, Utah, the five-year employment growth of 26.6% was the fastest in the country.

Although most states report employment growth since April 2011, not all cities within the same state report the same growth. In fact, cities within the same state can have dramatically different job markets. So while employment declined in the Sierra Vista-Douglas metro area, Arizona, the labor market in Prescott, Arizona, improved markedly and was the fastest growing in the state. Improved markedly — the fastest growth in Arizona. Similarly, employment increased by 6.4% in Morgantown, West Virginia in the past five years. However, less than 200 miles away, in Beckley, West Virginia, employment decreased by 8.9%, the largest drop in the nation.

These are cities adding the most jobs in every state. 

Job gains, or losses, in an area are usually tied to particular industries — typically the nation’s largest. Health care and social assistance, retail trade, state and local government, and the professional and business services sectors are the nation’s major industry employers. Likewise, the cities on this list reflect either the nation’s or the state’s major sectors, which tend to be major contributors to the overall state economy.

The largest drivers of job growth in Columbus, Indiana, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, for example, are the two cities’ manufacturing industries. The sector dominates not just these cities but the economies of Indiana and Michigan as a whole.

To identify the city in each state with the most job growth, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed metropolitan statistical areas with the most significant changes in employment from April 2011 through April 2016. Unemployment rates, the size of the labor force, and employment levels are from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly survey of households jointly administered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and U.S. Census Bureau. Industry-specific growth rates for the same period are from the Current Employment Survey (CES), also from the BLS.

These are the cities adding the most jobs in every state.

Source: Thinkstock

1. Auburn-Opelika, Alabama
> Employment Increase: 9.8%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 62,682 (10th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 68,827 (10th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.3% (9th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

2. Anchorage, Alaska
> Employment Increase: 1.0%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 188,381 (20th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 190,290 (21st most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.9% (5th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

Source: Wikimedia Commons

3. Prescott, Arizona
> Employment Increase: 14.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 84,107 (22nd least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 96,166 (21st least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.2% (11th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Thinkstock

4. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas
> Employment Increase: 19.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 215,586 (19th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 257,245 (19th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.8% (7th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

5. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
> Employment Increase: 17.5%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 868,902 (7th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 1.02 million (6th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.9% (21st lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

6. Greeley, Colorado
> Employment Increase: 19.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 121,831 (25th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 145,735 (24th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.7% (18th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Retail trade

Source: Wikimedia Commons

7. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut
> Employment Increase: 4.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 426,309 (16th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 444,523 (16th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.7% (6th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Thinkstock

8. Dover, Delaware
> Employment Increase: 10.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 67,913 (12th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 75,080 (12th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.4% (24th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

Source: Thinkstock

9. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
> Employment Increase: 23.1%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 254,124 (18th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 312,814 (18th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.6% (19th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Wikimedia Commons

10. Gainesville, Georgia
> Employment Increase: 13.7%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 79,363 (20th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 90,267 (20th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.6% (19th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Retail trade

Source: Thinkstock

11. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, Hawaii
> Employment Increase: 11.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 74,343 (18th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 82,729 (17th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.4% (16th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Thinkstock

12. Boise City, Idaho
> Employment Increase: 16.8%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 273,717 (17th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 319,598 (17th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.4% (16th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

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Source: Thinkstock

13. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois
> Employment Increase: 7.5%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 4.36 million (2nd most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 4.69 million (2nd most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 6.4% (2nd highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Wikimedia Commons

14. Columbus, Indiana
> Employment Increase: 20.1%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 36,336 (the least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 43,637 (the least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.8% (19th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Manufacturing

Source: Thinkstock

15. Ames, Iowa
> Employment Increase: 10.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 51,026 (6th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 56,439 (6th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.4% (4th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Government

Source: Wikimedia Commons

16. Manhattan, Kansas
> Employment Increase: 11.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 44,862 (3rd least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 49,943 (3rd least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.9% (8th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Government

Source: Thinkstock

17. Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky
> Employment Increase: 6.8%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 568,316 (13th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 607,126 (14th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.5% (23rd highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Manufacturing

Source: Thinkstock

18. Lake Charles, Louisiana
> Employment Increase: 18.7%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 83,332 (21st least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 98,893 (22nd least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.2% (11th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Construction

Source: Thinkstock

19. Lewiston-Auburn, Maine
> Employment Increase: 2.4%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 51,704 (7th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 52,963 (5th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.2% (11th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

20. Salisbury, Maryland
> Employment Increase: 10.1%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 162,079 (23rd most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 178,432 (22nd most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.7% (6th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Wikimedia Commons

21. New Bedford, Massachusetts
> Employment Increase: 8.1%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 73,178 (16th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 79,125 (14th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 6.1% (4th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

Source: Thinkstock

22. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Michigan
> Employment Increase: 18.0%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 465,163 (15th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 549,002 (15th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.3% (12th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Manufacturing

Source: Thinkstock

23. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota
> Employment Increase: 8.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 1.75 million (3rd most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 1.90 million (4th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.5% (17th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rainchurch/

24. Hattiesburg, Mississippi
> Employment Increase: 3.2%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 62,179 (9th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 64,179 (9th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.3% (9th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Retail trade

Source: Thinkstock

25. Columbia, Missouri
> Employment Increase: 13.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 87,804 (23rd least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 99,475 (23rd least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.1% (9th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Retail trade

Source: Thinkstock

26. Billings, Montana
> Employment Increase: 9.8%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 77,690 (19th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 85,320 (19th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.4% (16th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Thinkstock

27. Lincoln, Nebraska
> Employment Increase: 5.4%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 165,361 (22nd most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 174,372 (23rd most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.8% (7th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

28. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada
> Employment Increase: 14.5%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 860,579 (8th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 985,402 (8th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 6.2% (3rd highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

29. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
> Employment Increase: 9.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 67,284 (11th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 73,573 (11th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.4% (4th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Manufacturing

Source: Thinkstock

30. Trenton, New Jersey
> Employment Increase: 8.8%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 177,482 (21st most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 193,176 (20th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.3% (25th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

31. Farmington, New Mexico
> Employment Increase: 1.9%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 50,401 (4th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 51,365 (4th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 8.2% (the highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Government

Source: Thinkstock

32. New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York
> Employment Increase: 7.7%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 8.95 million (the most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 9.64 million (the most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.9% (16th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

Source: Thinkstock

33. Raleigh, North Carolina
> Employment Increase: 18.0%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 547,378 (14th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 645,733 (11th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.6% (19th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

34. Fargo, North Dakota
> Employment Increase: 11.4%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 118,933 (24th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 132,477 (25th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.5% (5th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

35. Columbus, Ohio
> Employment Increase: 9.7%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 923,387 (5th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 1.01 million (7th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.2% (25th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

36. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
> Employment Increase: 9.2%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 597,090 (11th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 651,816 (10th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.0% (22nd lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Leisure and hospitality

Source: Thinkstock

37. Bend-Redmond, Oregon
> Employment Increase: 20.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 70,710 (15th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 85,033 (18th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.6% (19th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

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Source: Wikimedia Commons

38. Chambersburg-Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
> Employment Increase: 8.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 69,914 (14th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 75,949 (13th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.1% (14th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Manufacturing

Source: Thinkstock

39. Providence-Warwick, Rhode Island
> Employment Increase: 5.4%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 611,724 (10th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 644,880 (12th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.2% (11th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

40. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, South Carolina
> Employment Increase: 16.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 69,509 (13th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 81,042 (15th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.5% (8th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Government

Source: Thinkstock

41. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
> Employment Increase: 12.0%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 128,498 (24th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 143,878 (25th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.1% (the lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

Source: Thinkstock

42. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, Tennessee
> Employment Increase: 13.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 821,185 (9th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 933,139 (9th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.4% (16th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

43. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
> Employment Increase: 18.8%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 892,728 (6th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 1.06 million (5th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.2% (11th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

44. St. George, Utah
> Employment Increase: 26.6%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 50,643 (5th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 64,093 (8th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.2% (25th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Education and health services

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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/redjar/

45. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont
> Employment Increase: 3.0%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 119,152 (25th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 122,674 (24th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 2.4% (4th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Government

Source: Thinkstock

46. Richmond, Virginia
> Employment Increase: 8.5%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 588,231 (12th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 638,507 (13th most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 3.9% (21st lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

47. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
> Employment Increase: 11.7%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 1.70 million (4th most)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 1.90 million (3rd most)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 5.0% (15th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Wikimedia Commons

48. Morgantown, West Virginia
> Employment Increase: 6.4%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 59,021 (8th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 62,814 (7th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.8% (17th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/teamperks/

49. Janesville-Beloit, Wisconsin
> Employment Increase: 12.3%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 73,250 (17th least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 82,251 (16th least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.7% (18th highest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Professional and business services

Source: Thinkstock

50. Cheyenne, Wyoming
> Employment Increase: 4.2%
> Number of jobs April 2011: 44,222 (2nd least)
> Number of jobs April 2016: 46,097 (2nd least)
> Unemployment rate April 2016: 4.2% (25th lowest)
> Industry contributing most to job growth: Retail trade