10 Best Places for Veterans to find Jobs

As a USAA member, I receive the USAA Magazine, and the Winter 2013 issue on page 10 contains a very interesting article about the best cities in the U.S. for veterans to find jobs.  I am thinking that if these cities are the best places for vets to find jobs perhaps it is true for other job seekers as well.  Here they are:

1.    Houston – Population 5.9 million, unemployment rate 6.1 percent, recent job growth 2.6 percent.  Houston offers a vibrant economy and jobs and industries that best fit the skills of transitioning military members.

2.    Dallas – Population 4.4 million, unemployment rate 6.2 percent, recent job growth 2.9 percent.  Job growth stayed healthy over the last year, while average home prices remained at an attractive $124,000.

3.    Minneapolis – Population 3.3 million, Unemployment rate 5.3 percent, recent job growth 1.7 percent. Careers in education and health care are particularly here.

4.    Oklahoma City – Population 1.2 million, Unemployment rate 4.6 percent, recent job growth 1.7 percent.  The Oklahoma City metro area has the lowest cost of living on the list. As a state capital, Oklahoma City benefits from government employment opportunities.

5.    Austin – Population 1.7 million, unemployment rate 5.3 percent, recent job growth 3.4 percent.  Austin is the state capital and home of The University of Texas and many high tech companies

6.    Norfolk – Population 1.7 million, unemployment rate 5.7 percent, recent job growth 1.7 percent.  The largest concentration of military bases and facilities and is home to sites for NASA and the Commerce, Veterans Affairs,Transportation and Energy Departments.

7.    Tampa – Population 2.8 million, unemployment 6.9 percent, recent job growth 4 percent.  Home prices are a low $107,000 and area’s job growth ties for the highest among the 10 cities listed here.

8.    Salt Lake City – Population 1.2 million, Unemployment rate 4.5 percent, recent job growth 4 percent.  Salt Lake City has the lowest unemployment rate with the greatest job growth over the last 12 months. 

9.    Orlando – Population 2.1 million, unemployment rate 6.6 percent, recent job growth 2.5 percent.  Orlando has the lowest median home prices and given its proximity to many major attractions and theme parks, it has a large leisure and hospitality industry.

10. Fort Lauderdale – Population 1.8 million, unemployment rate 5.7 percent, recent job growth 3.1 percent. The cost of living well below the national average while the economy shows strong job growth. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean drives the two major industries: marine commerce and tourism.

Please share with readers of this blog if this information is helpful to your job search by posting your comments or emailing me at glynjordan@gmail.com.

Thanks, Glyn