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Graduation season is here, or even over, for college students and it’s time to figure out what to do with your degree. There are plenty of options to pursue after your undergraduate years–some of your friends will be pursuing more advanced degrees, some will train for a specific profession and some will be traveling–but many recent college grads are looking for full-time jobs right now.
It’s easy to get hung up on asking yourself “What do I want to do?” but when building your new post-grad life, there is another question that often gets overlooked and may be equally as important: “Where do I want to do it?” Certain careers may lead you to gravitate towards certain places, but if you’re flexible on location, it’s worth listening to some advice on where you may want to kickstart your career. WalletHub assigned each state in the U.S. an employment outlook score based on Gallup’s job creation index. The score takes into account whether workers say that their place of employment is increasing or decreasing its number of employees and the best score is 42.
With that in mind, here are the top 10 states for finding a job in 2018.
Texas
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjlGqTBhPQC/?tagged=austinskyline
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $60,008
Unemployment rate: 4.3%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 8.37%
Employment outlook score: 30
Texas is home to growing cities, “The Live Music Capital of the World” (Austin), some fantastic BBQ and strong sports teams (along with thousands of dedicated sports fanatics). There is an extremely strong sense of state pride and the warm weather is a plus, too!
Florida
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjm21sdBZ3T/?tagged=pensacolabeach
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $49,245
Unemployment rate: 4.2%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 7.77%
Employment outlook score: 34
There’s no snow here, either! If you love the beach, this is the place to be. (I highly recommend relaxing in Pensacola–it’s beautiful there!) If you’re into water sports, theme parks or growing your own oranges, this is the state for you.
Massachusetts
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjmo0zbAz0e/?tagged=boston
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $53,389
Unemployment rate: 3.7%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 4.64%
Employment outlook score: 34
Boston is an awesome city for young professionals to live in–there are art museums and concerts, there are many universities (a.k.a. many young people) and the beer is always flowing. Massachusetts is full of history since the first English settlements there are 400 years old, so if you’re into history and culture, it’s a great place to be.
Vermont
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjkKoMLD8WO/?tagged=vermont
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $46,482
Unemployment rate: 3.0%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 5.69%
Employment outlook score: 22
The scenery in Vermont is absolutely beautiful, from fall foliage to glassy lakes to tall mountains to the starry nighttime sky. If fresh fruit and fresh air sound appealing, you love nature and you aren’t bothered by the cold, check out this state.
Tennessee
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjijzi6h2tL/?tagged=nashvilleskyline
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $51,864
Unemployment rate: 3.7%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 7.98%
Employment outlook score: 33
Tennessee is a great place to be if you love music–Nashville is ideal if country music is your thing, but there’s also a strong scene for jazz and blues rock. It also has a strong literary history and a variety of cool festivals, so it’s a great place to be if you’re in a creative field.
New Hampshire
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjm98jclHDi/?tagged=newhampshire
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $59,552
Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 3.99%
Employment outlook score: 28
If you’re into hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling, good news: these things are all big in New Hampshire. There are local beaches you can enjoy in the summer months, and there are many health-conscious people if that’s something that is important to you. Also, fireworks are legal there! Yay!
Utah
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjmv7JGn8w7/?tagged=utah
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $65,327
Unemployment rate: 3.2%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 7.37%
Employment outlook score: 38
Two of the country’s smartest cities–Provo and Salt Lake City–are in Utah, so it’s a great place for intellectuals. This state is an excellent place to be regardless of whether you prefer fast-paced cities or quieter small-town life because it has the best of both worlds. From strong tech companies to fun outdoor activities, Utah’s got it all.
Minnesota
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNfJj7RBulv/?tagged=minnesotaskyline
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $63,407
Unemployment rate: 3.5%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 5.85%
Employment outlook score: 36
There are large and active cities in Minnesota, but what sets them apart from many other places is that these cities are super clean and have plenty of vegetation. Known as “The Land of 10,000 Lakes,” it’s a great place to be if you love the water and there’s a great place for young people, from the festival scene to the “hipster” subculture.
Colorado
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjm-LfXFlet/?tagged=denvercolorado
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $61,114
Unemployment rate: 6.71%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 6.17%
Employment outlook score: 33
Honestly, every single person I know who has been to Colorado raves about it. It’s a great state for those who love the adventure and outdoors, and it also has a variety of large cities, each of which has its own unique vibe and there is an active nightlife. The legalized marijuana is also a draw for some people and might put this state higher on your list.
Washington
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjdiOBugGaj/?tagged=seattleskyline
Median annual income (adjusted for the cost of living): $58,682
Unemployment rate: 4.8%
Share of workers living under the poverty line: 6.17%
Employment outlook score: 36
Washington wins the title of best state for finding a job this year. It is consistently ranked among the most eco-friendly states in the U.S. and it is the nation’s most bike-friendly state. It has beautiful scenery, from the mountains and lakes to the modern city skylines. It’s a great place for international business since its ports are closer to Asian markets than states on the East Coast and there are plenty of things to do, from visiting the Space Needle to whale watching. You really can’t go wrong with this one as long as you don’t mind the humidity.
