Raleigh Leads US Cities for New College Graduate Jobs

A recent ADP study analyzing payroll data from over 140,000 young workers ranks Raleigh, North Carolina, as the best city for recent college graduates to find jobs for the second consecutive year, citing its strong hiring rate of 4.2%, reasonable cost of living, and median annual wage of $55,580 adjusted to $56,721 for affordability. Milwaukee ranks second due to a significant increase in hiring rates and affordability, despite wages being moderate, with local leaders highlighting it as a city of opportunity. Austin, Texas, also ranks highly, noted for a strong hiring rate, solid median wages around $58,400, and comparatively affordable living costs, outperforming larger coastal cities where high salaries are offset by living expenses. Other cities like Baltimore, Phoenix, and Birmingham also appear in the top tier, while Virginia Beach, Salt Lake City, and Hartford face challenges with low hiring rates and affordability. The study emphasizes that the best prospects for new graduates lie in mid-sized metros with balanced wages, hiring strength, and living costs, rather than in the largest metropolitan areas with higher salaries but prohibitive expenses. This trend highlights a cooling labor market for entry-level degree jobs nationwide since the 2022 post-pandemic surge.