Working outdoors no doubt has its perks; access to fresh air, sunshine, and nature makes many outdoor jobs enticing. The reality of outdoor work, however, is often harsher than one might imagine. Postal workers in many northern cities deliver mail on foot in freezing temperatures. Loggers in the Pacific Northwest are currently felling hazardous trees in the midst of raging wildfires. (Here are the 25 most dangerous jobs in America.)
Obviously, location and climate have a large impact on the desirability of outdoor jobs. 24/7 Tempo has compiled the 50 best cities for outdoor jobs using a ranking formulated by LawnStarter, a lawn-care startup that frequently researches city and state amenities. LawnStarter compared the 200 most populous cities across 26 metrics including air quality, average temperature (and temperature extremes), precipitation, outdoor job opportunities, cost of living, transit access, and rate of work-related injuries.
Click here to see the best cities for outdoor jobs in 2021.
Cities in Texas, Arizona, and Washington dominate the top 10. Milder climates and lack of precipitation contributed to the high rankings of both Texas and Arizona, with many cities in Arizona also receiving high job opportunity and safety scores. Some cities in Washington earned high scores for public transit access, high minimum wage, and affordability — factors that overcame Seattle’s high precipitation rate to move it into third place. (It’s one of the 25 cities with the highest paying jobs.)
Cities in the sweltering Deep South and the far north tended to have lower scores based on their extreme temperatures, while many cities in California scored low in the air quality and natural hazards metrics.
Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / Getty Images
50. St. Paul, Minnesota
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 663.3 — 25th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.3
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 15
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 153
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
49. New York, New York
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 30.6 — the lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 2.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 15
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 82
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
48. Tampa, Florida
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 368.4 — 21st lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 58.1
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 87
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 2
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
47. Washington, District of Columbia
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 342.1 — 20th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 21.9
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 36
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 67
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
46. Thornton, Colorado
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1902.6 — 2nd highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 8.8
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 36
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 155
Source: NicolasMcComber / Getty Images
45. San Jose, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 174.7 — 9th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.1
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 2
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0
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Source: StevenGaertner / Getty Images
44. Minneapolis, Minnesota
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 474.2 — 23rd lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 15
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 153
Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images
43. Overland Park, Kansas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 740.3 — 21st highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 14.4
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 37
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 108
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
42. Miramar, Florida
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1354.4 — 7th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 4.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 68
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0
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Source: Art Wager / Getty Images
41. Honolulu, Hawaii
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 125.8 — 5th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 3.0
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 24
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0
Source: marekuliasz / Getty Images
40. Fort Collins, Colorado
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 232.5 — 13th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 27.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 36
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 155
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Source: Sanfranman59 / Wikimedia Commons
39. Santa Rosa, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 185.3 — 11th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.7
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 21
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0.5
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
38. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 125.3 — 4th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 53.3
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 23
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 164
Source: trekandshoot / Getty Images
37. Glendale, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1321.5 — 8th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.6
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 21
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0.5
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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwilson1949/
36. Naperville, Illinois
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1455.6 — 5th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 9.6
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 17
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 128
Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
35. Pembroke Pines, Florida
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1120.7 — 13th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 7.9
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 68
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
34. Grand Rapids, Michigan
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 335.7 — 19th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.3
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 10
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 139
Source: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com
33. Alexandria, Virginia
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1295.6 — 10th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 2.3
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 36
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 67
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
32. Austin, Texas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 158.4 — 6th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 22.6
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 114
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 17
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Source: Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com
31. Sunnyvale, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1166.5 — 12th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.0
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 2
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0
Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images
30. Jersey City, New Jersey
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1018.6 — 15th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 10.8
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 23
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 92
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Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images
29. Lincoln, Nebraska
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 109.9 — 2nd lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 31.4
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 42
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 143
Source: MCCAIG / Getty Images
28. Irvine, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 698.5 — 24th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.9
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 21
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0.5
Source: typhoonski / Getty Images
27. Irving, Texas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1252.8 — 11th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 32.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 103
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 31
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Source: Samson1976 / Getty Images
26. Eugene, Oregon
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 160.4 — 8th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.7
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 16
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 53
Source: Joecho-16 / Getty Images
25. Boise City, Idaho
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 270.7 — 15th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 32.3
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 48
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 119
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Source: rappensuncle / Getty Images
24. North Las Vegas, Nevada
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 307.0 — 18th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.1
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 135
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 26
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23. Grand Prairie, Texas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1470.7 — 4th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 41.4
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 103
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 31
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
22. St. Petersburg, Florida
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 443.1 — 22nd lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 23.4
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 87
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 2
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
21. Arlington, Virginia
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 965.0 — 17th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 36
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 67
Source: Oliver Kawwass / Getty Images
20. Virginia Beach, Virginia
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 158.8 — 7th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.4
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 33
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 49
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
19. Orange, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 2001.6 — the highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.9
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 21
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0.5
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Source: DCorn / iStock via Getty Images
18. Glendale, Arizona
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 966.9 — 16th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 169
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 8
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
17. Mesa, Arizona
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 478.1 — 24th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 169
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 8
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Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/
16. Cary, North Carolina
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 729.5 — 22nd highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.0
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 44
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 73
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
15. Las Vegas, Nevada
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 117.0 — 3rd lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 2.0
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 135
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 26
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
14. Portland, Oregon
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 204.9 — 12th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 1.7
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 12
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 38
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
13. Boston, Massachusetts
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 291.8 — 17th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 14.8
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 13
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 97
Source: dhughes9 / Getty Images
12. McKinney, Texas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 655.3 — 25th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 25.8
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 103
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 31
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Source: Nicolas McComber / Getty Images
11. San Francisco, California
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 181.4 — 10th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 2
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 0
Source: SEASTOCK / Getty Images
10. Bellevue, Washington
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1473.0 — 3rd highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.0
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 3
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 32
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Source: Gary Fink / iStock via Getty Images
9. Plano, Texas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 811.7 — 20th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 14.3
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 103
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 31
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
8. Chandler, Arizona
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 829.5 — 19th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 3.6
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 169
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 8
Source: freebilly / iStock via Getty Images
7. Vancouver, Washington
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 699.5 — 23rd highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.7
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 12
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 38
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Source: dszc / Getty Images
6. Tempe, Arizona
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1357.7 — 6th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.6
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 169
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 8
Source: Wikimedia Commons
5. Gilbert, Arizona
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 863.7 — 18th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.6
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 169
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 8
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Source: BCFC / Getty Images
4. Scottsdale, Arizona
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1031.5 — 14th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.9
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 169
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 8
Source: july7th / Getty Images
3. Seattle, Washington
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 286.6 — 16th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.8
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 3
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 32
Source: LPETTET / Getty Images
2. Henderson, Nevada
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 246.9 — 14th lowest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 0.4
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 135
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 26
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Source: Madison Berndt / Flickr
1. Frisco, Texas
> Outdoor job opportunities per 100,000 residents: 1297.0 — 9th highest
> Work-related severe injuries per 100,000 workers: 25.5
> Average yearly total of very hot days: 103
> Average yearly total of very cold days: 31
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