Find a Job You Really Want In
Some cities are overflowing with great job opportunities, low unemployment rates, high average wages and low housing costs.
Others aren’t. And that brings us to the worst job markets in the country.
Maybe high housing costs don’t scare you. Or maybe you’re not concerned about how high the unemployment rate is.
But for those of you that are, these are the places you’re going to want to avoid at all costs when it comes to your job search.
- Montebello, California
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Jacksonville, North Carolina
- Passaic, New Jersey
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Dover, Delaware
- Albany, New York
- Aspen Hill, Maryland
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
High unemployment rates and low salaries are no joke when it comes to your career. Make sure you check out the table below to see where all the worst job markets are located.
How We Determined This
To determine the worst cities for job seekers, we sought to find the cities with stagnant (or decreasing!) wages– along with high unemployment and high housing costs.
All of our data came from the most recent 5-year Census ACS, and was then compared with the 2nd most recent ACS report.
While the unemployment rates do not reflect fluctuations in unemployment from the pandemic, they do give a picture of the overall economic health of the region. Only census-designated places with a working population of over 20,000 were looked at in our study.
Each factor was equally ranked. After ranking, we then selected the city in each state that looked the grimmest for job seekers.
1. Montebello, California
The conditions may be perfect for growing a garden, but don’t expect to grow a career.
Average Wage: $27,249
Salary Change: -0.7%
Average Home Price: $492,300
Unemployment Rate: 7.0%
Montebello, California, is known for having the perfect conditions for growing a garden. The climate is perfect, the soil is productive and the city has enough water to go around.
Unfortunately, the city doesn’t boast the same nurturing climate for careers. The average wage is $27,249 and that’s after decreasing 0.7%. And forget about buying a home, which averages $492,300.
2. Flagstaff, Arizona
A job market as dry as the desert.
Average Wage: $20,928
Salary Change: 3.8%
Average Home Price: $351,600
Unemployment Rate: 7.6%
Flagstaff may be a great place to visit with its abundance of events and activities. But don’t expect any great career opportunities if you choose to lay your roots here.
With an average home costing $351,600, you won’t be able to afford to lay your roots here anyway. It’s not like your career will get a start here either with the city’s 7.6% unemployment rate.
3. Jacksonville, North Carolina
The Marine Corps base that doesn’t provide a solid foundation for your career.
Average Wage: $24,373
Salary Change: 0.8%
Average Home Price: $154,900
Unemployment Rate: 11.2%
The city of Jacksonville in North Carolina may provide a great opportunity for the Marine Corps that are stationed there, but that’s where the opportunity ends.
With an average salary of $24,373, you won’t be able to pay off the average home price of $154,900 very easily. That’s even if you can find a job with the city’s 11.2% unemployment rate.
4. Passaic, New Jersey
A quiet town filled to the brim with mansions is lacking in career opportunities.
Average Wage: $25,563
Salary Change: 1.4%
Average Home Price: $332,700
Unemployment Rate: 5.3%
When many people think of Passaic, they take note of the huge mansions that are around town. Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely that if you work there you’ll be living in one of those mansions.
Even with a recent salary change of 1.4%, the average wage is only $25,563. Mansions aside, the average home costs $332,700. We don’t even want to know how much the mansions sell for.
5. Bridgeport, Connecticut
A historic seaport that is a great place to visit, but not live.
Average Wage: $26,969
Salary Change: 1.1%
Average Home Price: $174,700
Unemployment Rate: 12.5%
Historic seaports generally make for fun, interesting vacations. But this seaport would not be a great place for you to grow your career.
The fifth-worst job market in the U.S. has an unemployment rate of 12.5%. And if you do find a job, it’s likely you’ll only be making $26,969.
6. Lawrence, Massachusetts
A city with a history of a poor job market.
Average Wage: $26,786
Salary Change: 3.2%
Average Home Price: $271,100
Unemployment Rate: 9.3%
Being the sixth-worst job market in America is nothing new to Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1912, textile workers went on strike for unsafe working conditions. Years later, the wool industry declined and thousands of workers left the city.
While offices may be safe now, the job scene hasn’t improved much. With the city’s average wage set at $26,786, it’s easy to see why. And that’s even after a recent salary increase of 3.2%.
7. Dover, Delaware
A town busy with NASCAR races leaves it’s job market on the backburner.
Average Wage: $23,575
Salary Change: -3.8%
Average Home Price: $175,300
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Many Americans might know Dover, Delaware, for its racetrack. But we know Dover for being the seventh-worst job market.
The town recently had a 3.8% decline in average salaries, which means the average wage is now $23,575. If you think that’s bad, try buying a $175,300 home with that salary.
8. Albany, New York
The capital city of New York has a job market that is lacking to say the least.
Average Wage: $27,235
Salary Change: -2.4%
Average Home Price: $179,100
Unemployment Rate: 7.0%
Many Americans dream of living in New York, even if it’s not New York City. You may think that Albany is your way in, but actually, it’s quite the opposite.
With an unemployment rate of 7%, the odds of you even finding a job are quite low. Once you do find a job, don’t expect to make more than $27,235 a year.
9. Aspen Hill, Maryland
A sightseer’s dream is a career nightmare.
Average Wage: $36,166
Salary Change: -0.5%
Average Home Price: $423,300
Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
If there’s one great thing about Aspen Hill, Maryland, it’s all of the trails and hiking routes. But unfortunately, that’s where the opportunity ends.
The average wage in Aspen Hill is the highest on this list at $36,166. But even that’s too low to even think about purchasing the average home, which generally costs $423,300.
10. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The second-largest city in Louisiana has one of the worst job markets.
Average Wage: $25,710
Salary Change: 1.9%
Average Home Price: $174,000
Unemployment Rate: 8.4%
Baton Rouge may be a really fun, historic city to visit. But we’d advise you from setting your career sights here. With an unemployment rate of 8.4%, it’s easy to assume the chances of you finding a job are slim to none.
Even if you do find a job, you probably won’t be making more than $25,710. Which is hardly enough to purchase the average home that costs $174,000.
The 10 Worst Job Markets in 2021
From beautiful sights to living history, these cities and towns all have unique aspects that make them very appealing. Once you see past that and focus on the reality of your career prospects, these places just aren’t it.
There are places that make for memorable vacations. And there are places that make for a great home life. The data shows that these places are moreso vacation spots than a spot to settle down.
The Worst Job Markets in America
| State | City | Average Wage | Salary Change | Average Home Price | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Tuscaloosa | $22,237 | 2.4% | $178,900 | 6.7% |
| Alaska | Anchorage | $42,300 | 2.5% | $314,800 | 5.7% |
| Arizona | Flagstaff | $20,928 | 3.8% | $351,600 | 7.6% |
| Arkansas | Fayetteville | $27,221 | 1.7% | $131,000 | 9.1% |
| California | Montebello | $27,249 | -0.7% | $492,300 | 7.0% |
| Colorado | Pueblo | $26,500 | 2.3% | $141,000 | 8.4% |
| Connecticut | Bridgeport | $26,969 | 1.1% | $174,700 | 12.5% |
| Delaware | Dover | $23,575 | -3.8% | $175,300 | 6.2% |
| Florida | Miami Gardens | $26,436 | 1.8% | $190,200 | 7.7% |
| Georgia | Albany | $27,235 | -2.4% | $179,100 | 7.0% |
| Hawaii | Hilo | $32,446 | 1.9% | $329,200 | 5.8% |
| Idaho | Caldwell | $25,938 | 3.5% | $152,400 | 6.8% |
| Illinois | Rockford | $26,459 | 0.4% | $91,600 | 10.7% |
| Indiana | Terre Haute | $20,393 | 1.4% | $78,700 | 9.0% |
| Iowa | Iowa City | $20,435 | -1.3% | $215,100 | 4.7% |
| Kansas | Manhattan | $17,863 | -0.8% | $209,700 | 5.2% |
| Kentucky | Bowling Green | $20,568 | 0.0% | $161,000 | 5.5% |
| Louisiana | Baton Rouge | $25,710 | 1.9% | $174,000 | 8.4% |
| Maine | Portland | $38,811 | 8.2% | $412,000 | 4.8% |
| Maryland | Aspen Hill | $36,166 | -0.5% | $423,300 | 6.0% |
| Massachusetts | Lawrence | $26,786 | 3.2% | $271,100 | 9.3% |
| Michigan | East Lansing | $6,817 | 3.6% | $192,800 | 8.6% |
| Minnesota | Duluth | $26,387 | 2.5% | $163,300 | 4.4% |
| Mississippi | Biloxi | $26,182 | 2.2% | $161,700 | 8.0% |
| Missouri | Florissant | $33,559 | -2.9% | $97,600 | 8.6% |
| Montana | Missoula | $23,600 | 0.7% | $279,700 | 4.9% |
| Nebraska | Lincoln | $31,074 | 3.4% | $169,800 | 3.4% |
| Nevada | Paradise | $30,414 | 1.5% | $239,400 | 6.9% |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | $36,275 | 4.3% | $227,600 | 4.9% |
| New Jersey | Passaic | $25,563 | 1.4% | $332,700 | 5.3% |
| New Mexico | Farmington | $30,478 | -2.9% | $186,800 | 6.5% |
| New York | Albany | $27,235 | -2.4% | $179,100 | 7.0% |
| North Carolina | Jacksonville | $24,373 | 0.8% | $154,900 | 11.2% |
| North Dakota | Grand Forks | $28,534 | 6.7% | $210,300 | 4.2% |
| Ohio | Youngstown | $19,851 | 2.8% | $44,800 | 14.3% |
| Oklahoma | Lawton | $25,892 | 0.2% | $112,800 | 8.2% |
| Oregon | Corvallis | $19,464 | 5.0% | $330,500 | 6.0% |
| Pennsylvania | Allentown | $24,891 | 2.8% | $131,300 | 10.0% |
| Rhode Island | Woonsocket | $31,998 | 2.7% | $173,300 | 7.9% |
| South Carolina | Columbia | $22,445 | 4.1% | $181,100 | 6.7% |
| South Dakota | Rapid City | $29,926 | 3.6% | $184,700 | 5.7% |
| Tennessee | Cleveland | $25,385 | -0.2% | $171,500 | 4.8% |
| Texas | Port Arthur | $27,146 | -0.3% | $65,800 | 7.3% |
| Utah | Provo | $14,750 | 2.9% | $271,300 | 4.6% |
| Vermont | Burlington | $19,740 | 0.7% | $284,500 | 4.3% |
| Virginia | Norfolk | $28,145 | 2.7% | $206,700 | 7.6% |
| Washington | Lacey | $37,274 | 0.8% | $262,500 | 5.9% |
| West Virginia | Huntington | $21,415 | 4.7% | $98,200 | 6.8% |
| Wisconsin | Kenosha | $31,324 | 2.4% | $152,500 | 6.9% |
| Wyoming | Casper | $36,439 | 1.8% | $207,400 | 3.8% |
Author
Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.
